Your Engagement Ring

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.

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

Cabochon cut.

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.

Brilliant.

Marquis.

Oval.

Heart.

Princess

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.

Your Engagement Ring

Ask these questions when purchasing an engagement ring:

The Four C’s when choosing a diamond ring.

Traditional attributes of birthstones