How to Buy a Diamond Anniversary Ring

A diamond anniversary ring no longer requires a 75-year wait.

Although diamonds traditionally represented 75 years of marriage, giving that momentous occasion the nickname of "diamond anniversary," modern variations on anniversary jewelry include diamonds for any year. Any diamond ring makes a beautiful anniversary present, but three designs stand out: the three-stone ring, the Claddagh ring and the eternity band. Three-stone rings represent the couple's past, present and future. Claddagh designs symbolize friendship, love and loyalty. Eternity bands encircle the finger in an unbroken band of gems.

Things You'll Need

• Polishing cloth
• Loupe

Instructions

Three-Stone Rings

1. 

   This three-stone ring features a trio of round diamonds.

   Decide on a favorite central stone shape. The large central stone that represents the present makes the most dramatic statement, so opt for a pleasing shape. Classic diamond shapes include round, oval, pear, marquise and emerald cut. Modern shapes include hearts, square princess cuts and triangular trilliants.

2. Choose rings with "past" and "future" stones in shapes that complement the center diamond. Selecting all three stones of the same shape ensures that they go well together, but consider other possibilities such as trilliants and long, thin baguette cuts that emphasize the central diamond.

3. Ask a sales clerk to pull two or three of your favorite designs from the case for comparison. Diamonds have natural variations, so examine each ring closely to see which one has the most brilliance and fire.

4. Remove any residual oils or dirt from the rings with a microfiber cloth. Diamonds attract grit and oil that can dull them, but a quick polish restores their luster.

5. Look through the jeweler's loupe to see each stone's features magnified by a factor of 10. The largest diamond may not be the best quality, and the loupe will reveal differences in clarity that affect the diamond's appearance.

Claddagh Rings

1. Decide whether the anniversary diamonds should be in a Claddagh ring. Claddagh rings feature a pair of hands clasping a heart that bears a crown. Diamond accents on the rings each have slightly different meanings.

2. Choose a heart-shaped diamond or a round diamond set within the central heart of the Claddagh design to symbolize the importance of love. Heart-shaped diamonds cost more than other shapes because they are difficult to shape, but they make a dramatic statement.

3. Select a Claddagh ring with a diamond-studded crown to emphasize the importance of loyalty. The crown represents fidelity, so a version tipped with diamonds symbolizes how much loyalty means to the relationship.

4. Choose a stylized Claddagh design that places a central diamond between head, hands and heart to celebrate the importance of all three elements.

5. Look for Claddagh designs with elements that have special meaning for the recipient and the giver. Rings with diamond crosses emblazoned on the heart or a pair of birthstones set into the hands to symbolize the couple's friendship add a layer of personal symbolism to the design.

6. Examine the ring with a jeweler's loupe. A quality Claddagh ring has crisply etched or molded forms, well-matched diamonds and overall symmetry. Mass-produced rings lose the finer details that a well-made ring exhibits.

Eternity Rings

1. 

   Channel-set diamonds form an unbroken circle around the ring's surface.

   Choose an eternity ring that complements the engagement and wedding ring. Jewelers design eternity rings to be worn with engagement and wedding jewelry on the wearer's left ring finger. Select a ring of baguettes to match an emerald-cut engagement ring or a band of round diamonds to go with a round-diamond engagement ring.

2. Examine the eternity ring's setting closely with a loupe. A well-made ring shows no seams or signs of its manufacture. Diamonds should have settings, colors and sizes that are as close as possible to identical.

3. Consider the wearer's lifestyle when choosing an eternity ring. Someone who works with her hands probably prefers low-profile mountings, such as channel or bezel settings. A person with a flair for the dramatic might like a more ornate setting of pave diamonds or prong-mounted brilliant-cut stones.

Tips & Warnings

• Eternity rings stack on the finger, making them appropriate gifts for successive years.

• Ask the seller for certification on diamond jewelry. Stores typically provide documentation that records the ring's total carat weight and the quality of the diamonds it contains.

• If the jewelry will be a surprise gift, consider the recipient's tastes before choosing the ring.

References

• Gemological Institute of America: About the 4Cs
• World Almanac and Book of Facts, 2011; p. 358; FACTS Publishing; Dec. 2010
• Zales.com: Anniversary Rings