Engagement Ring Buying Guide
How To Buy The Perfect Ring
Purchasing an engagement ring is an important decision that does not have to be overwhelming. In order to simplify the process, those in the market for an engagement ring will benefit from perusing this information.
1. Budget - How Much Are You Spending On Your Engagement Ring?
Before looking at rings know how much money you want to spend. Keep in mind that an engagement ring is a significant gift so you want it to be special. It is also a good idea to put thought and effort into what your Sweetheart will be pleased with. Take into account stone color, gold color as well as setting size - oversized, large, medium or small. Keep in mind that should you need to, you can upgrade or redesign the ring in the future. At this point it is important to stay within your budget.
2. Choices - Seeing The Variety Of Engagement Rings, Styles And Collections In Detail
There are several popular styles of engagement rings available.
Diamond Engagement Rings
This is the most classic style of engagement ring. Generally there is a diamond center stone that can be accompanied by accent stones.
More than 90% of the rings on the marked contain accent stones with sapphires being the most commonly used.
Vintage Engagement Rings
Vintage diamond rings are in demand due to their unique styles, quality craftsmanship and gemstone value.
Wedding Sets
A wedding set is another option that is favorable because the engagement ring has a band specifically designed to compliment it.
3. The Four Main C’s
The Four C’s are quite important when deciding which diamond(s) to incorporate into the ring. Value and price of a ring will be dependent on how the stone is graded in these four categories:
Cut - This is the main characteristic of a diamond that is not influenced by nature. The cut in a diamond centers around the facets and the way in which they are specifically styled, curved or angled. This also dictates certain light patterns entering and exiting the precious stone as well as the shape. The most popular shape is the round cut.
Color - Jewelers grade diamonds that are colorless with a ‘D’ and the scale continues to ‘Z’ which would indicate a diamond that has quite a bit more color.
Clarity - Whether or not a diamond has inclusions (not visible to the naked eye) affects the clarity and value of a diamond. A greater value is placed on a stone that is clear.
Carat - Carat refers to the actual unit that measures the size and weight of a diamond. It can be divided up into 100 smaller units that are known as points and each point weighs 2mg. The average size of most diamond engagement rings is one and a half carats.
4. Engagement Rings By Size, Shape And Setting
You will want to be certain of the size of your Sweetheart's ring finger. Many secretly take a favorite ring to the jewelers to get the size. Others have been able to trace a ring on a piece of paper to take to the jeweler to determine size. If none of these alternatives will work and the ring does not fit, resizing is usually an easy task.
Here are some examples of the most popular engagement ring settings:
the eternal ‘Tiffany setting’ - which is a ring with a diamond on top
the eternity band - where the diamonds are positioned all around the ring
the bezel setting - where the metal rim encircles the stone
the channel setting - where diamonds are placed into the metal channel
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As indicated earlier, round engagement rings are among the most popular types. However, you can also consider the oval, princess, pear and heart shaped engagement rings available.
5. The Best Option For Buying Your Engagement Ring
There are many different options when it comes to buying engagement rings and fine jewelry. Working with a certified and licensed jewelry store and reputable jeweler is of utmost importance. If your area doesn’t offer many options, you can choose an engagement ring online that tailors to your needs and budget.
6. Insuring Your Engagement Ring - Yes Or No?
An engagement ring often has great value and properly insuring it in case of theft or loss has become a concern.
You can choose a value policy which compensates you for the value of the ring minus the depreciation.
Homeowner’s or renter’s insurance that allows you to add expensive personal property is another option.
The last option is the replacement insurance policy where you will be entitled to a refund of the actual market value of the ring you bought.
Conclusion
Having given thought to the significance of an engagement ring including the quality of stone, setting, budget and unique style will ensure that the ring will be treasured.
Photography Credit: GIA, Tiffany & Co.