How to Pick an Engagement Ring

An engagement ring is one of the most important single purchases you may ever make in your life. It is a purchase, therefore, that must be reviewed and investigated before it is made. There are as many different factors to consider, as there are types of engagement rings. Educate yourself, and you too can pick the perfect engagement ring for your fiancee.

Instructions

1. Determine your budget. The old adage of "two months' salary" is a nice idea, but sometimes it just isn't practical... or necessary. Nowadays, engagement rings can be purchased for a wide variety of prices. An engagement ring doesn't need to be a diamond ring, either. If you know your fiancee wants something unique and different, then a ring with a different precious gem might be the way to go. If you do want a ring with a diamond, however, your price range can be anywhere from $500 to hundreds of thousands of dollars. It all depends on the specifics of the ring itself.

2. Decide whether you want a gold band, or platinum. Platinum is a rarer metal than gold, so it is more expensive. Platinum is also more durable than white or yellow gold, so it needs less upkeep. Yellow gold and white gold are great classic choices, and many jewelers say that, although platinum is more durable, white gold is shinier. It really is a matter of preference, and budget, so it depends upon what is important you.

3. Pick a shape for your diamond. A diamond can be cut into any number of shapes. Some show off the shiny brilliance of the diamond more than others, and are more difficult to cut, so these shapes can be slightly more expensive. The popular Princess and Pear shapes tend to be slightly more expensive, while the traditional Round and Emerald shapes can bring cost down a little.

4. Determine the size you want for the diamond in your ring. Diamond size is measured in weight, and the weight is measured in carats. Obviously, the larger the diamond, the more carats you have, and the more expensive the ring. If you have a diamond cut in an Emerald shape, the stone can be smaller, but still look large because of the cut. Conversly, if you go with a diamond shape that is more intricate, you may want a larger carat diamond.

5. Pick a diamond with good clarity. A diamond's price can go down dramatically when a diamond's clarity is low. While saving money is always a good thing, clarity of a diamond is very important, and not an area to skimp on. If there are many imperfections in the diamond, the clarity score of the diamond can be low. FL and IF are top of the line grades on the GIA clarity scale. VVS1 and VVS2 are also very good. VS1 and VS2 are diamonds with some small flaws. S1 and S2 to I1 - I3 are diamonds with very low clarity.

6. Pick a diamond with clear color. Diamond color is another area that, though it brings down cost, should not be skimped on. Diamonds are rated by the GIA from D - Z, with D - F being colorless, G - J being near colorless, K - M with a slight yellow color, N - R with light yellow color, and S - Z with distinct yellow color.

Tips & Warnings

• Always buy a diamond that has a GIA rating. These have been inspected and are guaranteed to be authentic.