A good high quality engagement diamond ring doesn’t come cheap; it is customary to set aside 8 weeks’ worth of your paycheck for this purchase. However, there are so many options that most people end up throwing this out in favor of rings that can cost as low as $300 and as high as $1,000,000.
There’s a lot to consider if you want to choose the perfect diamond ring to give to your partner, from metal, size and type to color, clarity and of course, affordability. In the end, all that matters is choosing a ring that reflects your feelings and your partner’s tastes.
Before you even get that far, learning a little about the history of engagement rings and little-known facts could go a long way in nudging you towards the right purchase. Read on to find out what we’ve got for you.
Cut
- The round brilliant cut is the most common diamond ring design. Depending on your choice of shank, this cut brings out the real dazzle of the diamond, and scores highly with most people.
Grading
- The most reputable diamond graders worldwide are the IGI and GIA grading labs. These labs certify the diamonds so that a buyer knows exactly what they will get. In the absence of certification, ensure that your prospective vendor has been reputed for stocking and selling high quality pieces. They should be willing to guarantee their product. Alternatively, you can find an EGL lab near you, as they offer affordable and objective diamond grading. While certification is important, buying jewelry from a reputed and trusted jeweler is much more so.
History
- The tradition of presenting a potential mate with an engagement ring first began in the 15th Century when Maximillian, Archduke of Austria presented Lady Mary of Burgundy with a diamond-set gold ring as a token of his love and affection in 1477.
- Ancient civilizations believed that the left hand’s third finger has a special vein which runs all the way to the heart, called the Vena Amoris, which is why the engagement and wedding bands are worn on this finger.
- The word diamond originated in the Greek language, ‘adamant’ which is translated ‘invincible’ or ‘steadfast’. Diamonds are considered indestructible, but this is no reason to take a hammer to the stone – they are ironically rather brittle.
Online animation
- Online ring and jewelry animation is gaining in popularity, particularly for online purchases, since it gives potential buyers greater insight into the detail and look of the ring.
FYI
- The engagement ring is traditionally worn on the left hand in the US, France, Canada and England. In Germany, India and Russia however, the engagement ring is worn on the right hand.
- The De Beers Platinum diamond engagement ring is currently the most expensive in the world. It carries a whopping 9 carats of diamond and has been valued at £1.2 million ($1.8 million).
- The Kimberly Process was instituted to ensure that conflict-driven diamonds are not sold anymore (from civil war bounty or any other conflicts). Currently, under 1% of all diamonds being sold have conflict-related origins.
Did you know?
- Shining ultraviolet light on a true diamond will make it glow in the dark for some seconds. According to experts, this is one of the surest ways to determine whether a diamond is real or not.
