How to Select an Engagement Ring

Select an engagement ring that represents the heat and passion felt between lovers. Look for the best your budget will allow by knowing the four C’s of a diamond. Carat, color, clarity and cut are features of a diamond that will create the brilliance in the engagement ring selected. Start with the best loose diamond the budget allows, select the metal and setting, and the engagement ring will become an intimate and lasting symbol of your love.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Engagement Ring Carat
   
   The carat weight, or the size, of the diamond is a very important feature when looking for an engagement ring. If size is a major consideration there are ways to purchase a large diamond with a smaller budget. Choose a diamond that does not have the clarity or color brilliance. Compromising these features makes that same sized diamond less expensive. The carat weight has a significant price jump at each 0.5 carat increase in weight. If the size of a 1.0 carat ring catches your attention look at a 0.90 carat stone to compare. The size difference is hard to tell apart yet the price is greatly reduced.

2. Engagement Ring Color Clarity
   
   The color of a diamond is the internal color. The more color in the diamond relates to a less expensive diamond. The alphabet is used in this grading scale where a ‘D-F’ color has very little color up to a ‘S-Z’ diamond that looks light yellow.
   
   Diamond clarity is defined as the flaws of the diamond. Ranging from flawless to levels of inclusions on the inside of the diamond, flawless will be more expensive and those with flaws or cracks that can be seen by the naked eye, are significantly less expensive.
   
   Ask about both of these features, since the extremes can be seen by the naked eye, and the decision on these two ‘Cs’ will affect how much is spent on the diamond.

3. Select an Engagement Ring by Diamond Cut
   
   The cut of a diamond will also affect the diamond’s value. Have the salesperson show various diamond cuts which determine the way the diamond sparkles. A diamond with an ideal cut will be more brilliant and cost more.

4. Engagement Ring Metals
   
   There are popular choices for the metal used to make jewelry. These include:
   • Gold – know what the purity of this metal is before purchasing.
   • Platinum provides a natural luster that compliments the diamond.
   • Sterling silver is beautiful and an affordable choice for engagement ring metal.
   • White, green, and rose gold are genuine gold made by combining two or more metals. This choice for engagement ring will create a unique and stunning ring.
   • There is also black titanium, black gold, and black zirconium metal providing a look of mystery and elegance.
   
   Look at the choices of metal, paired with the diamond chosen, to ensure that the final look of the engagement ring delivers the look you are striving for.

5. Select an Engagement Ring Style
   
   Depending on your girlfriend’s taste choosing the style of the ring falls into three categories. Before shopping for an engagement ring know what will make her happy.
   
   • A typical engagement ring is the ‘solitaire’. This is a single diamond in a setting that shows off the diamond you have chosen.
   • A ‘side stone’ ring comprises of the band and the solitaire diamond complimented by additional diamonds (or other gems) on the band or surrounding the solitaire setting.
   • Matching sets are the combination of the engagement ring and the wedding band. A popular style is where the wedding band wraps around the diamond solitaire engagement ring.

6. Warranty and Cleaning
   
   These two items may be the last to think about but represent very important functions when you select an engagement ring. Be sure that the warranty carries a lifetime protection for the setting, as long as the ring is brought in for free cleaning and inspection. When a ring is worn constantly it will get bumped, washed, laid on, etc. and the prongs holding the diamond will need periodic maintenance so the diamond is not lost.

Tips & Warnings

• When shopping for an engagement ring you can get the biggest stone, which fits into the budget, by tweaking the four C’s. Compliment and personalize the choice of diamond with the setting and metal. Enter the jewelry store to select an engagement ring with knowledge of these features and options to be an informed buyer so you can propose with an engagement ring your girlfriend will cherish.

Resources

• How to Find and Use Wedding Planning Software

[godfather25]

on 11/6/2009 Great article on selecting an engagement ring.

[KaraDiablo]

on 11/6/2009 Very informative article about selecting a diamond ring.

[sonni57]

on 11/6/2009 Good information on selecting an engagement ring a huge decision.