Engagement Ring Guide

[alisonn.nancy]

We know that when it comes to the love of your life, only the best will do. That’s why we’ve created this helpful guide to buying engagement jewelry. Buying a diamond engagement ring is part of a much larger decision that goes far beyond jewelry, tradition, or money. The very fact that you're even considering such a commitment indicates that you've already made quite a journey.

Budget for an Engagement Ring

Spend some time exploring your diamond ring options. This time is for looking, seeing what's out there. Setting your standards. Once familiar with the options, establish your budget based on your income, what you feel comfortable spending, and the type and grade of diamond you wish to purchase.
Guys usually spend 2-3 months of their annual salary on a diamond engagement ring.

Engagement Ring Setting/Bands

In order to discover which engagement ring style your future fiancée will love and cherish most, you'll need to do some research. When it comes to searching for the right engagement ring, gold and platinum are the most preferred choices.
If you've never discussed ring preferences, asking her friends or sisters for advice is a wise thing to do. Taking a look in your beloved's jewelry box can also help lead you in the right direction. If your fiancée only owns yellow gold jewelry, a yellow gold engagement ring and wedding band may be in order. If she prefers the look of silver, she'll likely prefer a white gold or platinum engagement ring. Typically, most diamond engagement rings are set in 14K,18K or platinum.
Once you know what kind of ring you're looking for, keep in mind that besides the regular solitaire setting, there are also side-stone settings and matching bands. Solitaire settings are rings with just the diamond in the center and side-stone settings are the same as solitaire, but the sides of the ring are adorned by smaller diamonds. Matching bands are two rings that account for one engagement ring. While one ring holds the diamond(s), the other ring is simply a band that assists the main ring. There are so many types of rings that differ in size, weight, and carats; you want to be sure she'll like it and that it fits her.

The Diamond Stone

To begin shopping for a diamond, you need to understand the four Cs of diamond evaluation
The Four Cs represents the four basic quality factors used to establish the value of a diamond. The quality of a diamond can be rated only when the Cut, Color, Clarity and Carat Weight have been analyzed. Understanding the 4Cs helps explain why diamonds that appear to be virtually identical may show a wide range in price.
It is also because of these four factors that you can adjust the 4Cs, to meet your budget or requirements for the purchase of a beautiful diamond. This is done by trading off the various factors i.e. lowering color for size or lowering clarity for color etc.

The Ideal Engagement Ring

Deciding how much to spend on your loved one’s engagement ring is always a tricky decision. It should depend on your salary, but the suggested norm is two to three months salary.
After you figured out what kind of jewelry she likes, measure her fourth finger with a measuring tape or string so you get the exact measurement. To be a teensy more inconspicuous than that, you might want to “borrow” one of her rings for a day or two, take it to a jewelry store, have them fit the engagement ring using her other ring and then place it back before she realizes something is missing.
The size of the ring remains totally up to you and what you think your girlfriend would like. As mentioned before, if her hands are small and delicate, a smaller diamond might look nice on her finger, but you could always go with a bigger diamond if you wanted to. If she has large hands, a smaller diamond would probably make her hand look larger, so it is advised that you go with a bigger diamond.

[Karls]

OK.... that was random No hello first?

[MoeyC]

I have baned this user for 7 days for Spamming our forum, although I have left the post as there is some interesting info in it. I will leave it up to Jen whether she wants to remove it completely.

[~**Jen - Admin**~]

Originally Posted by MoeyC

I have baned this user for 7 days for Spamming our forum, although I have left the post as there is some interesting info in it. I will leave it up to Jen whether she wants to remove it completely.

Ohh it is interesting info! I will leave it

[Jacob Berry]

Cut, clarity, color & carat
you could also try a vintage ring or a new setting for a family ring.