Diamond News
Selecting Perfect Engagement Rings
Engagement rings are far more than just rings, they are powerful symbols
Engagement rings speak of the promise of love eternal, they are icons, representative of the shared journey of marital bliss upon which you and your beloved are set to embark.
Engagement rings represent the first solid step towards the magic of your wedding day.
It is important then, in light of the symbolic weight that it carries, that you not take on the choice of an engagement ring lightly. There are plenty of factors to take into consideration and a plethora of options on offer to dazzle the eyes and woo the heart. You have to be sure to make the right decision.
Whether you want a vintage design or a more contemporary look, whether you’re more attracted to an oval or, perhaps, an emerald cut stone, whether you prefer a sleek and simple style or a glamorously adorned masterpiece, you have to think on these, and more, considerations when picking from engagement rings to ensure you pick the perfect engagement ring.
How to Select The Stone: Finding the Perfect Diamond
The diamond is the stone that is traditionally set into engagement rings. Looking at a quality diamond, the reason for this is immediately apparent. A diamond of refined cut, weight and clarity is truly a beauty to behold, and the legendary agelessness of these stones provides the perfect partner to the symbolic eternity exemplified by engagement rings.
When selecting a diamond always keep in mind the four Cs, cut, clarity, carat and colour.
Cut: This refers to the shape of the diamond and how beautifully it reflects the light. Entirely dependant on the skills of the craftsman who worked on the stone. Some popular cuts are; Emerald cut, heart-shaped and princess cut.
Clarity: diamonds are naturally occurring. This means that they often have imperfections of some form or the other when they are first unearthed. A skilled diamond-cutter will be able to achieve, not only a beautiful shape, but also the most amount of diamond with the least number of imperfections, such as internal graining clouds and feathers.
Carat: Another important factor of diamonds is their carats. This essentially is the size of the diamond, it’s weight.
Colour: While most of us imagine diamonds to be completely clear in colour, this is not always the case. Diamonds can appear in a variety of more unusual colours. Depending on the hue and the intensity of the colour the diamond might increase or decrease in value.
Setting the Stone, Finishing the Ring
While many prospective buyers of engagement rings purchase a completed ring, most good retailers will suggest buying the diamond loose, this offers a twofold advantage:
1.You can focus completely on the quality of the stone before mounting it.
2.You can then select the most complimentary ring style and colour on which to mount your diamond for a truly stunning result.
The selection of the stone narrows the choice of settings as engagement rings are designed to best highlight and enhance the attributes of the diamond. Nevertheless there are several factors to keep in mind when considering this finishing touch to your engagement ring:
Will it be yellow gold, white gold or platinum?
Will it be a simple design or will the band be adorned with smaller stones?
Do you prefer a solitaire (one stone) or a three stone setting?
Is your (or your love’s) taste more modern, vintage, contemporary or romantic?
Take into account the shape of the hand wearing the ring, try to choose a setting that suits those specific fingers, select a style that will most effectively show off, and be shown off by, the one to whom you are to be engaged.
Remember engagement rings are more than just rings!. They are statements and declarations of love. Be careful deciding exactly what it is you want to say.