Choosing The Perfect Engagement Ring: Step By Step Guide
One of the most important purchases in life is an engagement ring. Whether you are the person doing the proposing going for a complete surprise or are the significant other who is shopping for the ring together choosing the perfect diamond and ring is something that can take a lot of time and a lot of homework.
When you visit a jeweler for engagement ring shopping, it’s easy to be completely overwhelmed by the massive choice. It is very helpful to have a little knowledge of some of the basics before you start to look at engagement ring styles and wedding bands. These basics include things like diamond quality. diamond shapes, ring settings, carat size, and ring design.
To help, we have put together this handy guide that will hopefully lead you to discover your perfect dream ring. Here is a step-by-step guide to choosing a quality diamond engagement ring so that you have some idea of what you are looking for when you step foot inside the jewelry store.
Set A Budget
The first and arguably most important thing that you should do is set a sensible and strict budget for the ring. The old-fashioned rule was that the proposer should spend a month’s salary on the ring, but nowadays you can find great rings for both much less and much more than an average monthly wage! It’s up to your circumstances and preferences as to the budget you set.
An engagement ring can set you back anything from $500 to $50000, so it is important that you lay out your restrictions before jewelers start to suggest carat weights and flawless brilliant cut gemstones that are simply out of your price range.
A good way to go about this is to educate yourself on what influences the price of a diamond and a piece of diamond jewelry/ This knowledge can also help you understand where you can build flexibility into your choice and stay within your budget. For example, should you sacrifice carat weight in preference for a superb cut?
If you go to your jeweler with a clear budget in mind and let them know as soon as the process starts, then they won’t waste your time in offering you different diamonds and setting styles that you can’t afford. They will still be able to present you with lots of types of rings to ensure that you find the right ring both for your personal preference and your budget constraints.
Find A Good Jeweler
Once your budget is set, the next step is finding the best jeweler in your area for what you need. Unfortunately, there are some jewelers out there who are more interested in making a big profit than providing a worthwhile service, so make sure that you ask around among friends and family for referrals.
A good quality jeweler who cares about their customers will always provide a full and thorough service that involves making sure you have the right ring finger size using a ring sizer (you would be amazed by the number of people who don’t know their true ring size) or will offer a resizing service to ensure the best fit.
If you decide to go with a local independent jeweler rather than a big-name national chain, then you may find that they are more willing to entertain offers and be more flexible with their pricing. Always be respectful when discussing cost with a jeweler, because after all, rings will always have a base value that can’t be dipped under for the sheer carat size and amount of gold being used!
If you are going to shop online, be sure to understand exactly the level of service the jeweler offers. It is quite a different experience working with websites than with brick-and-mortar retailers.
Consider The Style Of Ring You Want
If you are buying a ring for somebody else, then you need to think about what they like, as opposed to being swayed by current trends and popular choices.
If all of her jewelry at home is yellow gold, then consider that when selecting a precious metal. The same can be said for white gold, rose gold, and other types of metal such as platinum that might be a favorite.
You might decide to choose the gemstone that is your prospective fiance’s birthstone if you are not necessarily set on a diamond engagement ring. This adds a touch of personalization to make the ring even more special and meaningful.
Also, consider the time period that speaks to them. It could be classic, it could be vintage, it could be mega glam. They might like the stark geometric lines of Art Deco or the more organic and sinuous Art Nouveau. The perfect ring may be a cushion cut diamond in a halo setting surrounded by small diamonds or pave diamonds. The world is your oyster, so it is essential to find something that completely fits the brief.
Another option when it comes to style is whether you want a ready-made ring or something bespoke. Many modern jewelers offer a bespoke service where they will create a ring from scratch. It can be a design you have already sketched out or have in mind, or they might produce a design upon consultation with yourself. A bespoke ring can be truly customized with your choice of precious metal, diamond shape, and design.
Decide on A Setting
Once you have your budget set and you have established a connection and understanding with your jeweler, it’s time to start bringing together all of the elements that you want.
One of the main features is the setting of the ring, which is also known as the mount. It attaches the stone to the ring and keeps it in place. There is a wide range of settings that you can choose from.
If you like simple, then solitaire and oval engagements are perfect choices. If a larger, shinier diamond is the star of the show, then a halo setting might be more appropriate.
Your jeweler can describe the differences between prong, channel, bezel, and bar settings explaining the benefits of each which may be enhanced security for the stone or the way it shows off stones to their best advantage. They can also help you understand which setting may be better for an emerald cut over a round brilliant.
Consider The Four Cs
In terms of making sure that you select a diamond that is suitable quality and worth the price that you are paying, you need to pay attention to the group of features that are collectively known as the four Cs.
The 4Cs are the measures used by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) to grade and qualify the quality of every diamond. Every diamond sold in the USA should have a GIA certificate.
The 4Cs in order of importance are:
Cut
- refers to the quality of the angles, facets, proportions, and finishing details of the stone in question. The more precise the cut, the better it can sparkle, and the more expensive it will be as a result. The better the cut, the more fire, scintillation, and brilliance the diamond will give off. The main thing to note is that cut is not the same as the diamond shape. Diamond shape refers to the geometric outline of a diamond and shapes are either round or fancy cut. Fancy shapes include emerald, princess, cushion, heart, oval, Asscher, baguette, and marquise cut. Whatever the shape, it still has to be cut.
Color - refers to how colorless the diamond is. The better, more coveted diamonds are those that look completely clear to the naked eye without any hint of a yellowish hue. It is also important to remember that this only refers to clear diamonds, not diamonds that are intentionally colored like blue, green, red, etc.
Clarity - a stone should be eye-clean. This refers to how ‘clean’ the diamond is in terms of inclusions and blemishes. These are natural marks within the stone that make it harder to see through. The more inclusions there are in a stone, the less it will be able to interact with the light and therefore will look a little bit dull.
Carat
- the unit of weight that is used for diamonds and is surprisingly the least important factor. The higher the carat, the more you are going to have to pay except that a large diamond that is poorly cut or full of inclusions is not as beautiful as a smaller, clearer stone. This is the most subjective area of diamond buying and the four Cs because you can find just as many stunning smaller diamonds as you can larger ones. When it comes to carat size, go for the best stone that is within your price range even if of a smaller weight.
Diamond Alternatives
A diamond engagement ring might be the most coveted but sometimes there is a reason to go a different route. You might choose other gemstones for sentimental reasons, such as rubies, sapphires, amethysts, or emeralds. Or, there may be other concerns such as the ethical and environmental issues of diamond mining. It may be a question of budget.
There are alternatives to Earth mined diamonds. One is lab-grown diamonds. These are produced in controlled laboratory conditions and are completely traceable to their point of origin. Only an expert can tell the difference between a real natural diamond and a lab-grown stone and hardly ever with the naked eye.
Another option is moissanite, a naturally occurring mineral that is reproduced synthetically. Both moissanite and lab-grown diamonds are cheaper than natural stones so if your wish for a flashier ring, or a piece of bling, then synthetic diamonds will give you a greater size for less money.
And finally ...
This process may seem a little long but remember, this is a purchase of something especially important, a ring that your intended will wear every day for the rest of their life. Use this guide and you will choose a stunningly beautiful ring, the best quality you can get for your budget and something you will both love.
