How to Select a Perfect Engagement Ring: 5 Buying Tips
Finding somebody with whom you agree on most things is often difficult. Getting a partner to share your life with is even harder. However, people discover this person in their life that makes things better. If you are lucky, this person also feels the same about you.
Once you are sure you want to spend your life with somebody, purchasing engagement rings is usually among the first steps you should take. If they accept, it is time to plan the wedding and start living your life together.
Having a healthy relationship with your partner is often very rewarding. It offers several benefits like reduced stress, healthy behaviors, and a sense of purpose. In other instances, a healthy relationship can increase your lifespan. The best part is you will have somebody to share those days.
Diamond Engagement Rings: A History
The tradition of giving wedding rings has been around for a few centuries. The custom of giving engagement rings originated among the Romans. A wife would wear rings attached to a set of keys. Among the people, this symbolized they had a husband.
As time passed, the custom changed, and the first recorded account of an engagement ring was in Austria in 1477. This was when Archduke Maximillian bought a diamond engagement ring for his betrothed, Mary of Burgundy. Since then, the tradition trickled down.
Diamond engagement rings are no longer just for the nobles. You can buy your proposal rings from a jeweler near you or shop online. Similar to picking your partner, selecting the perfect engagement ring can be difficult.
Perfect Engagement Ring: How to Choose the One
There are many options to choose from and factors to consider when it comes to diamond jewelry. Making a decision can be very difficult. However, in this article, we will share tips on picking the perfect ring for your lover.
1. Set Your Budget
Diamond jewelry is often considered an investment. Whether it is diamond tennis bracelets, diamond stud earrings, or wedding rings you are buying, you will have to part with large sums of money.
Therefore, having a figure in mind will help you make decisions. The cost of diamond jewelry varies depending on several factors. Your budget will help you pick the best qualities for that specific price range. Your budget will also allow you to decide what to compromise on.
2. The 4Cs
When purchasing diamonds, the 4cs are the most crucial aspects to consider. The 4Cs represent the color, clarity, carat, and cut. These factors vary in importance. Let us look at what aspects they target:
- Color- Diamonds are graded according to color on a D to Z scale. D-grade diamonds are colorless and as you progress to Z the diamonds have a color. The color is often brown or yellow.
- Clarity- The clarity grading considers the blemish and inclusions. Blemish is surface irregularities while inclusions are internal features. The highest grading for clarity is flawless and the least is included.
- Carat Weight- This grading refers to the size of the diamond.
- Cut- The cut determines the diamond’s interaction with light. The cut determines where the light is passed out of the jewel. The cut, therefore, determines the fire (colors it flashes), brilliance(brightness), and scintillation(sparkle) of the jewel when it is viewed. The cut also affects the finishing.
Of the different aspects, the Carat weight is the least significant. A small flawless and colorless diamond with a perfect cut is better than a huge dull one.
3. Type of Diamond
The next step is deciding on the type of diamond for the engagement ring. You have two options: lab-grown diamonds or natural diamonds. Each type of diamond has its advantages.
Lab-grown diamond engagement rings are cheaper than rings from mined diamonds. You can get one for a third of the price of a natural diamond. The other advantage is that you can get better-quality diamonds. So, you can get higher cuts, color, and clarity easily compared to mined diamonds.
On the other hand, mined diamonds are more precious compared to mass-produced lab-created diamonds. The diamonds have a good resale value and may acquire value over time.
4. Vary the Lighting
While at the jeweler, they will probably show you the diamond under a spotlight. The spotlight will reveal all the good qualities of the diamond. It will give a clear picture of the brilliance and fire to expect from the diamond. However, this can be quite deceptive.
You will not find such dramatic lighting in your everyday life. You should assess how the diamonds on the ring sparkle under normal conditions. Average lighting includes office fluorescent light and warm lighting at home.
These conditions will help you picture the ring in your everyday life. Fluorescent lighting is great when it comes to assessing brightness. On the other hand, you will need incandescent light to see the fire in the diamond.
5. Decide on the Setting
The next step after deciding on the gem is to select the setting. The setting of the diamond plays the role of setting the diamond in place. The setting also protects the gemstone from damage. The main options for this are prongs and bezels.
The prong setting has four to six narrow strips which hold the diamond in place. The diamond is exposed, and the prongs get limited contact with the diamond. Prongs are ideal for solitaire rings and can also work for a three-stone setting or more.
The bezel setting offers more protection by layering a thin metal around the diamond. The diamond is encased and is not visible from the sides. This is great for diamond shapes that chip easily.
Conclusion
Selecting a ring can be a difficult task. However, with the guide provided, you will know where to start. Create a budget for your engagement ring and stick to it. You should also ensure that you shop from a reputable jeweler to avoid scammers.
You can get a friend to help you shop. They can help you make decisions and offer valuable insight. Also, do not forget to get your partner’s ring size. Carry one of their rings or trace the inner circle on a piece of paper.