Buying an engagement ring is one of the most important, yet daunting, tasks you will undertake when you are planning a surprise proposal. There is a wide array of choices when it comes to diamond engagement rings, so how do you choose the best one for your future fiancée? This mini-guide to engagement rings will help you choose the perfect ring.
The 4 C’s
When looking at diamond engagement rings, they may all seem the same, just in different designs. However, the diamonds vary greatly, so understanding the 4 C’s of a diamond will help you choose the perfect engagement ring. The 4 C’s include the cut, clarity, carat and color:
*The cut is the most important thing about a diamond. The cut does not have anything to do with the diamonds shape; it refers to the reflective qualities of the diamond. Diamond engagement rings with a good cut will give the diamond its brilliance (the ability to display light). The ideal brilliance comes from the center of the diamond and reflects out.
*The clarity of a diamond is determined by the number of surface blemishes as well as the number of inclusions, such as cracks, foreign material and/or air bubbles. The more perfect the diamond, the higher the clarity.
*The carat determines the weight (size) of the diamond. A carat is equal to 0.2 grams and is referenced within 2 decimal points.
*The color of diamonds ranges from totally colorless to pale yellow and brown. Diamonds with a color grade of D through F are the most expensive and the most valuable, because they have the least amount of color. The clearer the diamond the more valuable it is, as pure and colorless diamonds are rare.
Shape of the Diamond
The shape of diamond engagement rings are an important factor when choosing the perfect ring. If possible, it is recommended you try to determine which shape your fiancée. The basic categories of diamond shapes include:
*Round – the most common shape used in engagement rings.
*Pear – a teardrop shape.
*Emerald – rectangular or square with diagonal corners.
*Marquise – oval in shape.
*Heart shaped – another common cut for engagement rings.
*Princess cut – an extremely popular square or modified rectangular shape.
*Oval
Metal Options
It is also important to consider the metal of the ring. The most popular choices are yellow gold, white gold and platinum. The easiest way to determine which type of metal she prefers is to pay attention to the jewelry she wears daily. You also need to have a budget in mind when selecting metals; platinum being the most expensive type of metal used in engagement rings.
When shopping for diamond engagement rings take your time and be prepared. Although a ring can be resized after it is purchased, it will be good to know the ring size before you go shopping, so you can buy the perfect sized ring, which means after receiving it she will not have to give it back to be resized.
