The
Engagement Ring
A man can present an engagement band to his
intended when he proposes.
It is worn on the third finger of the left hand, where the wedding ring
will be placed at the time of the marriage.
Today it is more common for him to propose and then take his future
bride to the jewelers to pick out her own ring. Some women choose not
to wear a ring, simply because they don’t like to wear
jewelery. |
Image by Zeusandhera
|
When choosing an engagement ring think about what you can reasonably
afford. Set a realistic budget, considering any priorities that you
have, such as the wedding itself, deposit on a house, honeymoon.
Be aware that the jeweler will probably show you some rings that are
above your price limit, be firm and stick to your budget. Find a
reputable dealer and learn about the various stones before you buy.
Use your imagination to find something that expresses your personality.
Don’t just rush and buy any engagement ring, take your time
and shop around, because the ring that you choose will be with you for
a long time.
You will be wearing the ring every day, so be aware that some rings
have protruding stones that can catch on clothing, so these may not be
the right choice for you.
Diamond rings are very popular and are designed to be worn in
combination with a matching or complementary wedding ring.
If you are someone who does not like to wear rings you may like to
consider a special piece of jewelery to celebrate your engagement.
There are many alternatives to the traditional diamond engagement ring,
including a family ring or heirloom and antique rings.
Birthstones could be a choice as their various stones are said to
symbolize particular qualities. Some women like to have their
fiancés birthstone rather than their own. If you both want
to wear an engagement ring, you may like to go for his and her rings.
The band does not have to be gold; it could be platinum, which is a
whitish metal more precious than gold. Gold comes in different colors
(yellow, rose and white variations), weights and values which are
measured in carats.
Pure gold has 24 carats, but is too soft for normal wear. The purest
gold recommended for rings are 22 carat, then 18 carat and 9 carat.
The lower the carat value, the less gold there is in the ring. The
engagement wedding ring set should have the same carat value, because
the softer metal risks being worn down by the harder one overtime.
Ask
these questions when purchasing an engagement ring:
- What are the specific weight, quality, shape
and
color of the stone?
- What are the design specifications and metal
content?
- Will all the details be documented on a sales
receipt
or on a certificate of authenticity for insurance purposes?
- What care will the ring require, and what kind
of
repairs might I expect to make?
- What warranties, guarantees and repair services?
- Can I
have the
rings quality and value verified by an
independent appraiser before the final sale?
The
Four C’s when choosing a diamond ring.
The following factors will influence the final price of your engagement
ring. Remember don’t forget the certification which provides
proof of the diamond’s identity and grade you will need this
if you want to insure your ring.
Cut
- is what influences the brilliance of the diamond. A rough diamond is
skilfully cut with precision to transform it into a brilliant faceted
gemstone.
Most common cuts are
- Baguette cut, particularly suitable for
emeralds and
sapphires.
- Rose cut, a cut which leaves numerous
triangular
surface.
- Trap cut, a simple squared off cut.
- Antique cushion, a fancy cut for rectangular
stones.
- Fancy cut, used to facet pear shaped stones.
Clarity – this term refers to how
clear or ‘clean’ it is. The clearer the diamond the
higher the price.
Most stones have tiny flaws or blemishes called inclusions. These
inclusions will interfere with the light passing through the stone, and
therefore reduce it's worth because it reduces it’s sparkle.
Flawless diamonds are rare and expensive; very slight flaws are
acceptable. Let your jeweler guide you when choosing your diamond.
Color – diamonds come in all colors not just in
white. The color is graded on an international scale. The most
expensive colors are pink, because these are so rare.
Carat – is the measure of the weight of a diamond.
A carat weighs 100 points, so a 10pt stone is 1/10 of a carat. Get the
exact weight in points, not in approximations like quarter carat, half
carat, etc.
Traditional
attributes of birthstones
| Month |
Birthstone |
Meaning |
| January |
Garnet |
Constancy |
| February |
Amethyst |
Sincerity |
| March |
Bloodstone |
Courage |
| April |
Diamond |
Innocence |
| May |
Emerald |
Success |
| June |
Pearl |
Health |
| July |
Ruby |
Love |
| August |
Sardonyx |
Married
Happiness |
| September |
Sapphire |
Wisdom |
| October |
Opal |
Hope |
| November |
Topaz |
Fidelity |
| December |
Turquoise |
Harmony |
