Are you planning on buying an engagement ring for your special someone this year? Unlike buying a gift for a holiday, you really need to do a lot of planning and research to ensure that you buy the perfect ring for your partner. It needs to be something that they will love wearing every day for the rest of their life! When buying an engagement ring, you will need to know about the different types of diamond shapes and cuts, types of settings, metal characteristics, and the 4 Cs.
In this article, we will go through some of the best tips you will need to know before you purchase your engagement ring.
What are the 4 Cs?
You may have heard this term before, but were not sure about what it meant or what the 4 Cs stand for. The 4 Cs are actually the global standard for determining the quality of a diamond ring and comparing it to others. The 4 Cs stand for colour, cut, clarity and carat.
Colour: The colour of a diamond ring is graded from D to Z. You will be paying more money for a diamond with less colour as they are more rare.
Cut: Depending on the quality of the cut, it will determine how much light the diamond unleashes.
Clarity: Clarity simply identifies the lack of blemishes or inclusions.
Carat: The carat weight determines the size of the diamond.
Now that you know a little bit about the 4 Cs, you will need to rank them in terms of importance as it will help you narrow down your selection.
Diamond shapes, style, and cut quality
The next thing you need to know before physically going to a jewellery store to pick out a ring, you should learn about and understand the difference between the shape, style, and cut quality of a diamond.
The way the diamond’s facets are arranged determines the cutting style. Keeping with the most popular shape, a round diamond’s cutting style will have an arrangement of 58 facets. If you are looking for a square or rectangular shape, you will most likely be looking for an emerald cut, which features four long facets and bevelled corners.
The diamond’s shape refers to the outline of the diamond when you are looking at it face up. The most popular shape is round, however, there are a few others that are gaining traction as the best shape, including oval, pear, square, heart, rectangle and marquise.
The cut quality of a diamond will tell a lot about its overall appearance. A diamond can be cut in the same way as another diamond, but look completely different because of the cut quality.
Choose the best metal for the band
Many first-time diamond ring buyers will sometimes overlook the metal they want to use for the band. This is an important aspect to think about as it will bring the whole aesthetic of the engagement ring together. The most popular metals to choose from are platinum and white gold as they both look very sleek and modern. A few other popular metals include gold, rose gold, white gold, and sterling silver.
Pick your setting
The setting of the engagement ring is very important as it protects the diamond while also enhancing the beauty of the ring. There are three popular choices when it comes to the setting: prong, halo and bezel.
Prong: A prong setting will hold the diamond in place with four to six prongs. If you have a single stone, the way a prong setting secures it is called a solitaire.
Halo: A halo setting will have smaller diamonds that encircles the main stone. A halo setting is a great way to add extra pop to the engagement ring as it adds more sparkle and makes the main diamond look bigger.
Bezel: A bezel setting provides the most protection to the diamond. It is a metal strip that is hammered around the diamond to secure it in place.
Decide if you want side stones
Although it’s not required, you can enhance the look of the engagement ring by adding side stones. They are able to make the engagement ring look sophisticated and elegant. Some of the most popular choices for side stones are diamond baguettes, coloured gems, and pave or channel diamonds.
Find a style that suits your partner
The engagement ring you buy for your partner should reflect their style of personality. You want to buy a ring that they will love to wear every single day and to show it off to their family and friends. If you want to keep the ring a surprise, there are a few ways to find out what style your partner prefers and the proper size.
Take a look at their current jewellery to check for colour and style. You may be able to determine the band colour and shape of the diamond based on the jewellery they already love to wear. You can also ask their friends and family to see if they know what your partner’s preferences are; if your partner hasn’t talked to you about it, they probably have talked to their friends about it!
Determine your budget
You may have heard people say you need to spend three months’ worth of salary on your engagement ring. We are here to tell you that this is a myth. When it comes to buying an engagement ring, you should spend as much or as little as you see fit. The ring should reflect the love you have for your partner, not how much you spent on the ring itself.
Find a high-quality jeweller
The jewellery industry is a competitive industry, to say the least. You want to choose a jeweller that keeps your interest and budget in mind when selecting your engagement ring. If you notice that a jeweller is trying to upsell you on a ring rather than helping you find a more suitable option, you should check around for a better option.
Author’s Bio
Colin Hegarty is a content writer for BreezeMaxWeb that helps businesses showcase their brand through enticing copy. When he’s not working, you can find him playing net in a local beer league or biking around the city.
