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The classic engagement ring has two parts – a diamond and a setting. To get the best value, look for the engagement ring setting she will love and employ the remainder of your budget to a beautiful certified diamond.
Choosing the ring she will love
Before you embark on the journey to buy your engagement ring, you should educate yourself on certain key factors. She would be wearing the ring for the rest of her life and you want to ensure she likes it. Your proposal can be a surprise, or she could be involved in the decision. In both the cases, the following information will be immensely useful.
Choosing the metal
If the metal to hold the diamond is not pre-decided, you will benefit from understanding the characteristics of the two options i.e., Gold and Platinum. Platinum is rarer than gold and platinum jewelry is comprised of 90 to 95% platinum. It is the strongest and most pure metal that can last a life time. Platinum is resistant to damage, won’t wear away and develops a satin finish. It is difficult to polish or repair. Gold on the other hand is the most common engagement ring setting. 18k gold is composed of 75% gold and 25% metal alloys to lend it strength. Gold is a softer, malleable metal; more easily damaged and will wear away with time. It is easy to polish and repair.
Setting styles
There are several engagement ring settings that you can choose from. Given below are three classic settings:
Solitaire settings
This is a very popular engagement ring setting. To catch the most light, the prongs position the center diamond. A four prong setting will show a bit more diamond, while a six prong setting provides a marginal security advantage.
Settings with side stones
To add sparkle or color, you can choose settings with diamonds or gemstones. Sidestones are protected with channel settings to prevent abrasions by keeping them flush. More light will also enter the side stones on account of the bar channel settings creating a slopped edge of brilliance.
Matching bands
Settings with wedding bands designed to match can be considered if you prefer a wedding band to be worn on the same finger with your engagement ring.
Three stone settings
You should choose all three diamonds to be set in a three stone setting for a classic ring that is truly unique and expresses your creativity. The three-stone ring concept is one diamond for the past, one for the present, and one for the future.
Choosing a ring, she will love without her knowing
When she is not picking out the ring, you should know whether she would like your selection. For this, you should know her tastes and lifestyle. The color of the jewelry your partner wears and the color of the metal would be a good indicator. Asking her mother or friends to learn a specific preference is another alternative. If she is very active and not used to wearing jewelry, a cathedral or contour setting should be fine and will hold the diamond from rough treatment. It is uncommon that engagements are a surprise. Therefore, it is a general practice to discuss engagement ring choices with your partner. Shopping together is perhaps the best way to ensure that the ring you buy matches her taste and style.
Choosing the right diamond
Your choice of the diamond should be a fully informed and authentic one. No matter how much time you spend or how many references you take, at the end, you should be fully loaded with all the relevant facts before you effect the purchase.
The Four C’s of Diamond Quality
Cut: The brilliance or sparkle is obtained from the cut of a diamond. A poor cut can make a diamond look dull even with perfect color and clarity.
Color: Colorless diamonds are the most expensive. The best value for your money will be a colorless or near-colorless diamond with no noticeable color.
Clarity: Diamonds that are free from internal flaws or inclusions are very rare and therefore very expensive. Diamonds with no inclusions visible to the unaided eye should give you the best value for money.
Carat weight: Larger diamonds are rare in comparison to the smaller diamonds and therefore priced higher too. With carat weight, the value of the diamond rises exponentially and a clear understanding of cut, color and clarity you will be able to balance the overall diamond quality with the size of your diamond.
Choose the Right Jeweler
As a customer, certain benefits should accrue to you, when making this purchase. You should learn what to look for and that will help you to choose the right jeweler. Traditional services which go beyond price, variety and expertise are the foremost factors you would consider while making this important purchase. Diamond certificate or diamond grading report from an unbiased third-party is your primary right and necessity. This certificate is your guarantee of the quality of your diamond’s cut. Insuring your jewelry comes next. Your jeweler will provide you a ring appraisal and your insurance company will establish coverage on the basis of this appraisal. A 30 day no questions asked – return policy will secure you against any eventuality arising within or outside your control. Once a firm order is placed with your jeweler, he should maintain constant liaison with you and reassure you that your order is being handled by a master craftsman and the work will be reviewed for a variety of parameters before your choice ring is delivered to you.
In wishing you the very best
The biggest purchase you have ever made may be your engagement diamond. All the dreams you have so fondly carried, the extensive learning that you undertook with your inexhaustible love for your partner will finally make your engagement worthy of remembrance and worthy of a long and happy wedded life together with your partner.
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