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Buying Custom Engagement Rings
One of the most important purchases you will make in your lifetime is that of an engagement ring. Therefore it is important to make sure you know a few things about engagement rings before you make this important purchase, including your options for buying your ring.
Today there are far more options available for engagement rings than in the past. You are no longer restricted to purchasing from your local jewelry store. In fact, many people go online and begin perusing different styles and types of engagement rings because they find that they can get much more for their money. When the time comes to make your purchase you can order your ring directly online. Many sites also offer the ability to build custom engagement rings, ensuring your ring will be completely unique. This option allows you the ability to choose from a variety of different settings, cuts of diamonds and even different types of metals, such as yellow gold, white gold, or platinum.
Regardless of whether you are looking for a traditional engagement ring or something modern and unique, the many selections available today will ensure you find the perfect ring to commemorate your engagement.
Getting Started with the Three C’s of Diamonds
Many of us are familiar with the four C’s that are associated with diamonds, but may not be aware of all of the facts behind those characteristics and how important they are when shopping for engagement rings. Understanding the three C’s can help to ensure you purchase the perfect engagement ring. One of the most well known of the three C’s is carat.
Carat refers to the weight of a diamond. One carat is equal to 200 milligrams. Total carat weight, often abbreviated as simply T.W., is the total weight of all of the diamonds in an engagement ring. For instance, a ring that has a 0.50 carat diamond and four 1/8 carat diamonds would have a T.W. of 1.00 carat. Larger diamonds tend to be rarer than smaller diamonds the value usually rises significantly with carat weight. As a result, you may find that engagement rings with a single large diamond will be more expensive than engagement rings with several smaller diamonds.
The Importance of Cut in Diamond Engagement Rings
When talking about solitaire engagement rings, cut refers to the symmetry of the stone. Many people mistake this for the shape, but in fact the cut is one of the most important properties of a diamond because it determines the brilliance of the stone. Diamonds which have been properly cut will allow the maximum amount of light to enter as well as refract through the actual stone. This is what creates the brilliance associated with diamond engagement rings. Experienced diamond cutters know precisely how to cut a diamond so that will be neither too deep nor too shallow. Diamonds for engagement rings that are cut improperly will not be able to refract much light and will consequently have a dull look to them.
Buying online is an excellent way to browse a variety of different engagement rings and compare different options to ensure you find the best cut possible. It also allows you the ability to compare prices and different setting options so that you can be sure you love the ring you purchase.
Colour in Diamond Engagement Rings
How important is color when it comes to purchasing engagement rings? Today many of the most popular engagement rings actually do have some color to them and even celebrities have begun wearing rings with colored diamonds, especially the very popular champagne diamonds.
Even so, the most highly valued engagement rings are usually those with colorless or near colorless diamonds. This is because the more color that is present in a diamond, the more light will be absorbed and therefore less light will be able to pass through the stone. As a result, it will be less brilliant. Diamonds are graded using a 23 point scale, beginning at D and going through to Z. Completely colorless diamonds are rated as D while Z rated diamonds have a noticeable amount of color. Needless to say, completely colorless diamonds are quite rare and as a result engagement rings with colorless diamonds will be expensive. Diamonds with a slight amount of color will be less expensive. It is also important to keep in mind that the presence of color in a diamond can also affect the brilliance.
Why Clarity is Important in Engagement Rings
Like carat and color, another important factor that should be kept in mind when buying diamond engagement rings is clarity. Diamonds are a naturally occurring material and as such they will have some impurities. These impurities are known as inclusions and are actually small amounts of minerals that have become trapped inside the diamond while it was forming millions of years ago. Clarity in diamond engagement rings is determined by the characteristics of those inclusions.
Diamonds that have absolutely no inclusions are going to reflect more light. They are also going to be rarer and more expensive. Almost all diamonds have some inclusions, which make each diamond unique. Fortunately, most like the VS1 are small and only a jeweler can see them using a special magnifying glass. When shopping for diamond engagement rings, remember that diamonds that are completely free from inclusions or flaws are going to be highly valued.
If you are in the market for a VS1 diamond engagement ring, consider shopping online first. This is a good way to shop around and gain an excellent idea of the type of ring you can afford based on your budget.
The Classic Engagement Ring
When the time comes to shop for engagement rings, it is always a good idea to know a few things about the different settings available. Settings are the mountings that attach the stone to the band of the ring. There are many different options; all of which will provide a different look for engagement rings.
The prong setting is the most common type of setting for engagement rings. It usually has four or six prongs that cradle the stone; allowing the maximum amount of light to enter the stone from all sides. A solitaire round diamond with a prong setting is the most classic choice for an engagement ring.
If you happen to be shopping on a budget, remember that shopping online is a great place to get started. Online retailers are often able to offer lower prices for high quality engagement rings because they do not have to carry the overhead associated with traditional jewelry stores. This is a great way to purchase a larger or higher quality engagement ring without going over your budget.
Settings for Engagement Rings
Along with the traditional prong setting there are many other types of settings you can choose for engagement rings. One option to consider is the bezel setting. In this type of setting the stone is set within a metal rim that surrounds the perimeter of the stone in order to hold it in place.
The tension setting is growing very popular with engagement rings today. In this setting, the stone is held in place using pressure from the metal in the band. As a result, the diamond appears to be held in mid-air.
Many other engagement rings use the channel setting. For this setting, stone of a similar size as well as shape are all lined in a row between the two horizontal sides of the ring’s band.
If you are shopping on a budget you might consider engagement rings with a pave setting. This design features the entire surface of the ring being paved with stones. Due to the fact that smaller stones are used, you can often purchase a ring that has the look of a larger engagement ring without the heftier price. Pave engagement rings have a vintage antique look and have re-emerged recently to become very popular.
Shapes for Engagement Rings
Shopping online is a great way to browse the many different shapes of engagement rings. Buying an engagement ring is an important decision so it is important to make sure you will be satisfied with your choice.
The shape is often the first choice that many people make when buying an engagement ring. There are many different options from which to choose, with round being the most popular and also the most traditional. In fact, 75% of diamonds sold are round brilliant cut.
The marquise shape is also popular for engagement rings. According to legend, this shape is named for King Louis XIV who originally had the cut commissioned to resemble the smile of Marquise de Pompadour, his mistress. The benefit of the marquise cut is that it can give you the look of a longer, longer stone at a much lower price.
Another popular cut for engagement rings is the princess cut. The princess cut features corners that are sharp and uncut and is typically square. Due to the fact that the princess cut has some 76 facets, it usually offers more brilliance than the round cut.
Modern Engagement Rings
At one time, almost all engagement rings featured a round brilliant cut solitaire diamond. These types of rings are still immensely popular today; however, many couples have made the decision to choose more contemporary, unique engagement rings. Many of these trends have been inspired by celebrities.
One trend in engagement rings that is catching on quickly is that of the colored diamonds. While most people think of colorless diamonds when thinking of engagement rings, there are actually many different colours available for diamonds. Pink is by far one of the most popular choices for coloured diamond engagement rings. The most famous pink engagement ring is that which was given to Jennifer Lopez by Ben Affleck several years ago. Even though the two eventually broke off their engagement and went on to marry other people, the popularity of pink engagement rings remains. Other popular choices for colored diamonds today include champagne and canary yellow. Even black is catching on as some consumers are now purchasing mocha or chocolate diamonds for engagement rings.
What to Consider When Buying Engagement Rings
There are many factors that should be considered when buying engagement rings. Obviously, budget is going to be a big factor for many people as an engagement ring is usually a significant purchase. Carefully take into consideration how much you can realistically afford to spend on the purchase of a ring. Fortunately, today, the ability to shop online has made it possible to easily and quickly shop around so that you can obtain the best prices, while selecting from high quality engagement rings and without going over your budget.
Another important consideration is the taste of the woman who will wear the ring. While many women prefer the traditional and classic look of round solitaire diamond engagement rings, many other women prefer something more modern and contemporary. Her personal taste and style should dictate the type of engagement ring that is purchased.
Finally, take into consideration the quality of the ring. Carat, clarity and color are all important when selecting a diamond for an engagement ring and will ultimately affect the look and brilliance of the ring.