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Engagement Ring Buying Guide
For most men, shopping for an engagement ring is their first foray into the world of jewelry purchasing and can be a daunting task. We’ve put together a short buying guide which will help you through the process of selecting and purchasing the perfect engagement ring.
The first thing to do is to become familiar with basic information about diamonds. Our “Diamond Education” section breaks down the “Four C’s” of diamonds so that you will understand the individual components of what makes a diamond so extraordinary.
Should it be a surprise?
It can be a dilemma deciding whether or not you want to choose a ring on your own to surprise her. Here are some questions that will help you decide:
Is she very particular in her taste?
How well do you know her style?
Does she like to be involved in most planning, or does she like to leave things to you?
Most women want to be surprised, and if you choose to select the ring without her input, it’s best to employ the help of her friends and family. Talk to her mom, sisters, or best friends to get advice about selecting a ring.
Below is a list of things you will need to consider in choosing an engagement ring:
Budget
There is a general guideline which suggests spending approximately 2 months worth of income on an engagement ring. However, there is no well established rule, and you will need to consider a variety of things in determining your budget. It is good to keep in mind that this is probably going to be the single most important jewelry purchase that you will make, and it’s a good idea to go big.
White Diamond or Colored Diamond?
Most couples choose a white diamond, though some women like to show their individuality though a natural fancy colored diamond. In general, it’s best to stick with a white diamond unless she has specifically indicated that she wants a colored diamond.
Hearts On Fire?
Hearts On Fire diamonds are world’s most perfectly cut diamonds and represent the absolute pinnacle of diamond manufacturing. If you’re looking for something truly extraordinary, then Hearts On Fire is clearly the way to go.
Shape
Diamonds come in a wide variety of shapes. The round brilliant cut is by far the most popular, but there are a lot of others to choose from.
Diamond Certification
The majority of loose white diamonds which are above .50 carats are sent to an independent grading laboratory for certification. There are many gemstone grading institutions and the most common are GIA, AGS and EGL. Most people choose to buy a diamond which has been certified by one of these labs.
White Diamond Color
White diamonds are graded along a color scale which measures the relative yellowness or darkness in the gemstone. Colorless diamonds are stunning, but you will pay a significant premium for them.
Clarity
Like other gemstones, most diamonds contain some degree of internal imperfections. Clarity grading describes the amount and type of imperfections present in a diamond.
Carat Weight
Carat weight is a measurement of mass and in general will describe the size of the diamond.
Mounting
Your ring mounting will display and compliment the center diamond that you choose. There are a wide variety of engagement ring mounting styles to choose from, and each woman is different in her own preference.
If you are choosing to surprise her, a good idea is to select a fairly basic mounting style. This allows you to focus your budget on an excellent diamond and provides an opportunity for her to have input in selecting a remount at a later date. Many couples will remount their engagement diamond as an anniversary gift.
Wedding Bands
While most of your attention will probably go towards the engagement ring, it’s also important to consider wedding bands. The most important consideration is whether you want her wedding band to match her engagement ring. Bridal/engagement ring sets are offered by many designers and can also be custom made.
Plan Ahead
One final suggestion is to take your time and plan ahead. Engagement rings often take 4-6 weeks or longer to put together. Likewise, extraordinary gemstones can also take some time to locate. It’s best to give yourself a couple of months to do your research, select a ring and have it made up to your specifications.
Our concierge jewelry specialists are available to help you work through the process of selecting an engagement ring and can answer any questions that you may have along the way. We look forward to working with you on this momentous purchase. |
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