Once you have found your absolute perfect match it is now time to choose an equally perfect engagement ring letting her know just how special she really is.
Choosing a diamond engagement ring is an extremely important decision. Even though your ultimate choice will be a matter of personal preference, it is only wise to enter into the process armed with as much knowledge as possible. Picking the right engagement ring isn’t difficult, but it is a daunting task as there are many aspects of choosing a diamond ring you should know before beginning your search.
Dazzling Diamond Shapes and Sizes
If the ring and the proposal are a closely guarded secret you will have to carefully find out what type of diamond she would prefer. Otherwise, you can go shopping together which may be the best option as she will be the one wearing the ring every day. This is also a good idea if you have no idea as to what her size or preferences might be. For example, most women prefer one type of metal over another such as white or yellow gold, platinum, and silver.
There are many diamond shapes to consider from the common round, oval, and princess or square cuts. In addition to these popular types some others to choose from include emerald, heart marquise, pear, and radiant diamonds.
Naturally the amount of money you have to spend will dictate how large of a diamond you should be looking for, but fortunately, there are numerous types available within any given budget.
Typical sizes of engagement rings generally range from a half carat to two carats.
After you know a little more about what to look for you can begin looking for that one perfect engagement ring to slip on her finger at just the right time.
The Four Cs of Diamonds
Learn the four Cs of diamonds, which stands for Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat:
- Cut: The cut has a direct effect on how much the stone sparkles and reflects light. Even the best of diamonds with excellent color and clarity would appear dull with a poor cut.
- Color: Colorless diamonds are the most highly valued with a scale of D to Z used to define colors. D indicates the whitest or most colorless diamonds and Z diamonds feature very distinct, noticeable colors.
- Clarity: Clarity or clearness of diamonds is based on the number of internal flaws they contain. Most flaws are only visible with a jeweler’s loupe or magnifying glass.
- Carats: Carat weight indicates how heavy a diamond is with prices rising substantially for larger stones. One carat is equal to about 200 micrograms.
Beyond the four Cs, a few other factors to keep in mind when shopping include the style of jewelry she prefers and her general lifestyle.
Would she rather have a vintage style ring or something more contemporary? There are plenty of classic, timeless pieces that will never go out of style as well as countless uniquely designed engagement rings to consider.
After deciding on the type and size of ring you will also have to choose a setting. The setting serves the important purpose of keeping the diamond securely in place and there are several types to choose from with different numbers of prongs or claws.
Selecting an engagement ring for your beloved is undoubtedly an incredibly exciting time and one that you will cherish for years to come. Now that you know how to find the perfect ring the experience will also be a much simpler one.
Anna K is a blogger and a freelance writer who takes particular interest in jewelry ,especially ideal cut diamonds and diamonds in general.
photo by Lucid Dreamer ♥ on Flickr
Anna K is blogger and freelance writer from Australia.She writes for several newspapers and blogs about various topics.Her articles have been published on various blogs and websites.
