Buying a Diamond Engagement Ring
A quick check for you
So you’ve finally decided to get down on one knee and pop the question to your partner, but you have no idea where to start. What’s a cut? What are carats? How much should you spend? These questions and more are most likely making your head spin when thinking about diamond engagement rings. The good news is that is what we are here for – to guide you!
Be sure to follow the five tips we have set out below and we are confident you will be able to buy the perfect diamond engagement ring for your loved one.
The Right Size
To begin with, you’re going to need to know what ring size you are looking for. You could ask your loved one, but you’ll almost certainly ruin the surprise. Plus, where’s the fun in that? You want to show her you can buy her the perfect piece of jewelry without her input.
You could start by asking friends to help you and secretly find out her ring size for you.
Alternatively, you could take one of her rings to the jeweler and get them to measure it for you. Another way is to trace the inside and outside of one of their rings. If they don’t wear many rings, then make the best estimation you possibly can and go from there.
The Four Cs
When it comes to diamond engagement rings, you should always consider the all-important four Cs: clarity, cut grade, colour, and carat.
Clarity refers to the stones imperfections, while cut grade is how well the stone reflects the light and the shape of the centre stone. Colour of the stone is graded on a scale that begins at D, and carat is the weight of the rock which usually averages a little over 1 carat.
The Setting
While the four Cs are important when buying diamond engagement rings, you will also need to familiarise yourself with the various settings that will hold the stone in place. Some of the more popular settings are prong, channel, bezel, scallop, and trellis. Also, you’ll need to know which metals to choose from, including white gold, yellow gold, or platinum.
Don’t Go Over Spending
There are various theories on how much you should spend on diamond engagement rings; one months’ salary, three months’ salary etc. The best plan is to set yourself a budget and not go over it regardless. Be sure to tell your jeweller what your budget is and resist the urge to spend thousands more than you should.