How To Select A Diamond Engagement Ring
For all the people out there who are currently shopping around for an engagement ring, here are some pointers you must read in order to make a great decision on your engagement ring.
Before I get started on the steps, here’s a little basic information about diamond engagement rings:
- Engagement rings usually consist of two parts: a diamond and a setting (made out of a metal like platinum or gold).
- The most common setting consists of gold for the metal and a solitaire setting type.
- Platinum is the strongest metal. It is rarer and more expensive than gold, and will last for a very long time. Generally, repairs for platinum are needed less frequently than for gold, but the repairs are more difficult.
- Gold is softer and not as strong as platinum. It is usually combined with metal alloys to give it more strength. Repairs for gold usually are needed more frequently than for platinum, but the repairs are easier to perform.
Ready for the steps to choosing the best engagement ring? Here they are!
- First, is the ring and/or engagement a surprise? If not, the best way to get a ring that she’ll love is to let her pick it out herself. Or, if you want to keep a little bit of surprise involved, you can let her give you some guidelines based on her preferences.
- Educate yourself on how to judge and choose the best quality, and value, diamonds. Do you know what the 4 Cs are? Do you know some basic ring terms? Actually, I already wrote two posts on these topics. So, do your diamond ring education right here with my two previous posts: The 4 Cs: Diamond Ring Basics pt 2 and Diamond Ring Basics pt 1.
- Take note of her hints. Has she already dropped some hints about what her favorite kind of rings are? Or maybe what kind of a ring she envisions for her engagement ring? Make sure you pay attention and remember any hints she may drop.
- Look at the style of jewelry she has now. This will obviously give you some clues about her likes and dislikes. Notice what kind of metal her rings are made out of and the style of her rings. If she has mainly rings made out of platinum, then platinum is probably your best bet for setting the ring. If she has mainly vintage-looking rings, then vintage-looking engagements are probably a good choice.
- Find out what size ring would look good on her hands, proportionally. Are her fingers thick or thin? A longer diamond can make her thick fingers look a little longer and thinner, while a ring with a wide band can make long, thin fingers look a little shorter and thicker.
- Find out what size ring she wears. If you have the opportunity, take a ring that she already wears (make sure she wears it on her engagement finger!) and get it sized. This is a simple, but important step. Of course, if you can’t find out her ring size beforehand, just guess at it. You’ll be able to get it re-sized later.
- Choose the shape for the diamond. There are many different shapes that diamonds are cut in, including round, princess, emerald, oval, pear, heart, and more. To start with, round is usually a good choice for a shape that usually works well most of the time. But, to find a more personalized diamond shape, go back to step 4 on this list and take note of the jewelry style she has now. You might be able to see a favorite diamond shape, depending on the rings she already has.
One last thing:
Where to look for diamond rings?
Right on this site, of course! I have listed many different beautiful diamond rings on this site. Go to the homepage, Buy Diamond Ring, and take a look at the rings.
Use Our Engagement Ring Finder!
Browse these engagement rings and find the perfect one!
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