Don’t worry if finding the perfect engagement ring is a challenge – many of us feel overwhelmed or even intimidated by the prospect. There are seemingly endless designs to choose from, and there’s a great deal of new terminology to learn. Just remember to take your time and get help from a professional if you need it.
This guide covers everything you need to know about buying an engagement ring, from the different cuts and carats to the shapes and settings.
Know Your 4Cs: Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat weight
The term “4Cs of diamonds” refers to the four characteristics used to determine the quality of a diamond. These characteristics are carat, color, clarity, and cut. The Gemological Institute developed the 4Cs in order to create a universal standard for measuring the quality of diamonds. Thanks to the 4Cs, it is now easier to select a diamond and compare the quality of diamonds.
Diamond-Cut
The categories are based on the height, depth, angles, and other factors of the diamond. The cut of a diamond is one of the most important aspects to consider when choosing the perfect engagement ring—the Gemological Institute grades cuts of diamonds into seven categories. The categories are based on different factors like the height, depth, and angles of the diamond.
The three categories are: Brightness, Fire, Scintillation.
When a diamond is cut with the proper proportions, light is reflected from one mirror-like facet to another, then dispersed through the top of the stone. If a diamond is cut too shallow, light leaks out of the bottom; too deep and it escapes through the side. The last four categories of the GIA’s diamond rating system focus on the diamond’s physical characteristics, specifically the weight ratio, polish, durability, and symmetry of the diamond. The cut of the diamond is what allows it to reflect natural light and create the diamond’s signature brilliance and shine. If a diamond is cut with the proper proportions, light is reflected from one mirror-like facet to another before being dispersed through the top of the stone. However, if a diamond is cut too shallow, light leaks out of the bottom; too deep and it escapes through the side.
Most people don’t realize that the cut of a diamond is different from the diamond’s shape. Cut refers to the way the facets are arranged to make the diamond look attractive from the top, while shape is the overall form of the diamond. The shape is an important part of choosing a ring style, so it’s something you should discuss with your partner before you start shopping for rings.
Color
The color of your diamond is affected by small amounts of elements present in the stone. Higher quality, rarer diamonds are usually those with less color. It can be difficult to see the color of diamonds at your local store without special lighting and conditions.
Clarity
Since each diamond is unique, they all have their own special birthmarks in the form of internal inclusions or blemishes. This is why all jewelers need a jeweler’s loupe to be able to see these inclusions or blemishes. After Flawless, there is:
to the average observer. This term is used to describe a diamond that has no blemishes or inclusions when viewed under 10x magnification.
- Very, Very Slightly Included (VVS1, VVS2): Slight inclusions within the diamond are difficult for a jeweler to see
- Very Slightly Included (VSI1, VSI2): Minor inclusions that range from difficult to somewhat easy for a jeweler to see
- Slightly Included (SI1, SI2): Inclusions are easily noticeable under a 10x magnifier.
- Included (I1, I2, I3): Inclusions are noticeable under a 10x magnification and may affect the brilliance of the diamond.
Carat Weight
When carat weight is mentioned in tabloid magazines, it is usually one of the first topics. This is because the weight of the diamond in carats reflects the size of the ring. For example, one carat is equal to 0.2 grams, which is about the weight of a paperclip. Carat weight affects the price of an engagement ring significantly, so jewelers are very precise when measuring it. Oftentimes, they will measure to the hundredth-thousandth of a carat!
How To Choose An Engagement Ring
Identify your Budget
When you are choosing an engagement ring, the most important factor is likely to be your budget. Look at the amount of money you have available and decide how much you want to spend. It can be helpful to ask friends and family how much they spent on their engagement rings, so that you can have an idea of an appropriate budget. However, you should only use their feedback as a general guideline.
What Should You Spend on an Engagement Ring?
The amount of money you spend on an engagement ring is up to you and does not necessarily reflect how much you love or are committed to the person.
How much money are you willing to spend on an engagement ring? This is an important question to consider before you start shopping for rings. There are a few factors to keep in mind when trying to determine your budget. The first is how much you can afford to spend without putting a strain on your finances. The second is how much your partner is expecting you to spend. You don’t want to disappoint them with a ring that is too small or too inexpensive. What is your budget for an engagement ring? It is important to consider this before shopping for rings. There are a few factors to keep in mind when trying to determine your budget, such as how much you can afford to spend without putting a strain on your finances and how much your partner is expecting you to spend. You don’t want to disappoint them with a ring that is too small or too inexpensive.
When you are shopping for an engagement ring, it is most important that you do not spend more money than you can afford. At Brown Family Jewellers, you will be able to find beautiful engagement rings that fit into any budget, no matter how modest or generous. It is a good idea to build some extra money into your budget in case you find the perfect ring, or to have an idea of how much you are willing to spend in total. If you know your maximum price, it will be easier to narrow down your choices.
Reflect on What You Already Know
If you’re about to propose, there’s a good chance you know a bit about your partner’s perfect style already. For example, you’ll know:
- whether they typically wear jewelry or not
- what color that jewelry tends to be
- whether their jewelry and clothing is minimalist and simple, or detailed and extravagant
- whether or not they follow fashion trends or prefer to shop for vintage pieces.
Recall Previous Conversations
Your partner may have already told you what type of engagement ring they want, which would give you a head start. If not, try to think back to any times when they admire a friend or family member’s engagement ring to get an idea of what they might like.
What is Their Lifestyle Like?
Consider your partner’s lifestyle when you’re choosing an engagement ring. If they’re sporty or work with their hands, a very prominent or large diamond might not be the best choice. There are plenty of other stylish options that are just as beautiful.
Who Can Help You?
If you’re unsure about what style your partner would like, try asking for help from their friends and family. Their input could be very useful.
Decide on Your Shape
There are many different styles and shapes of engagement rings. Popular shapes include:
- Round: A circular diamond style that maximizes the fire of the diamond to ensure that your partner is always sparkly.
- Oval: An elongated version of the round diamond with just as many facets, the oval engagement ring is an elegant choice for brides looking to lengthen their fingers. This shape is particularly suited to salt and pepper diamonds as the nature of the oval engagement ring style makes its irregularities more visible to the naked eye.
- Emerald: This timeless classic is known for its use in Art Deco jewelry. The emerald cut has a long silhouette and angular lines creating a chic minimalist style.
- Pear: AKA ‘the teardrop’ pear cut diamonds actually date back to the 1400s and are beloved by brides who dance to the beat of their own drums.
- Princess: Has the princess cut ever gone out of style? The bride is sure to feel like a princess when she wears this engagement ring which is known for its modern look and stunning brilliance.
- Cushion: The cushion cut diamond is another style that has surged into popularity in the past. It was first in its heyday in the 19th century and is well-loved for its square cut with round corners.
- Radiant: True to its name, the radiant cut diamond is well… radiant. Unlike the princess cut, this sparkler has eight cut corners, diminishing the chance for scuffs and chips.
- Ascher: Another cut that rose to fame during the Art Deco era, the Ascher-cut diamond features 58 facets allowing it to sparkle and gleam.
- Marquise: Characterized by its oblong, nearly oval shape and two pointed ends, the Marquise-cut diamond is well known for its brilliant sparkle and distinctive football-like shape that does well as a center diamond.
- Heart: Your bride can not only wear her heart on her sleeve but on her finger, too, with the heart-cut diamond. Because it takes great skill to cut the heart shape, these diamonds tend to be on the more expensive side.
Setting
The setting is the metal frame or casing in which the diamond is set. It helps to protect the diamond and can also affect the appearance of the ring. Once you have decided on the cut and shape of the diamond, you need to think about the setting. The setting is the metal frame or casing that the diamond is set in. To some extent, the type of diamond you have chosen determines the setting, but if you have chosen a diamond shape that can be accommodated in any setting, it helps to know what they all mean. Here is a brief explanation of each.
Solitaire
A solitaire setting is a metal claw that holds a diamond in place. The claw can have four or six prongs. The number of prongs determines how much of the diamond is visible and how secure the diamond is.
This type of setting makes the diamond the main focus and more noticeable. It is a good choice if you want the diamond to stand out and be very sparkly. It is also a classic setting that will never go out of style.
Shoulder
The central diamond in this shoulder setting is accompanied by other smaller diamonds that are placed on either side of it. This creates a luxurious look that will be perfect for someone who likes a lot of sparkle and glamour.
Shoulder settings allow you to choose smaller diamonds for the “shoulder” of the ring. This is a good option if you want an extravagant-looking ring but have a more modest budget. The smaller diamonds help make the ring look more sparkly and bright.
Halo
A halo setting means that there are smaller diamonds or other precious stones around the outside of the central stone. If you can’t afford a large central diamond, the smaller diamonds surrounding it can give the illusion of a bigger stone.
A halo setting can make a small center diamond look bigger and brighter. Halo settings are especially sparkly because they reflect light from the smaller diamonds around the center stone.
Trilogy
Trilogy engagement rings are especially romantic because each of the three stones is said to symbolize the couple’s past, present, and future. You can choose a trilogy ring with stones that are all the same size, or you can choose the more traditional style with a central diamond that is larger than the side diamonds.
A trilogy setting is a great choice if you want an engagement ring with brilliant sparkle and shine, and it also gives you the flexibility to include colored diamonds.
Vintage
An engagement ring with a vintage setting is often an exquisite choice because the metalwork is often delicate and features patterns.
If your partner would appreciate qualities such as charm and personality, then you should consider a vintage setting. Vintage settings often reflect a particular time period, such as the Art Deco, Edwardian, or Victorian eras.
Choose a Metal for the Band
Engagement rings are traditionally made of white gold, silver, or platinum. Recently, however, rose gold has become an innovative alternative.
- Gold: Gold is a popular option because it’s so versatile: it comes in 14-karat, 24-karat, or white gold variations. For example, if you wanted a white-gold band with a yellow gold gemstone setting, you can do that!
- Platinum: Platinum is a classic and durable metal beloved by brides the world over. Depending on its purity, it can be more expensive than gold (platinum is available in 2 grades).
- Rose Gold: One of the most distinctive new trends in metal is rose gold. This shiny, lustrous alloy of gold and copper offers a soft, feminine look that’s particularly popular among women and girls. Rose gold has been around for a long time—as far back as the 1800s—but has been experiencing a renaissance recently, thanks to its soft color.
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