You’re planning on giving your sweetheart a diamond engagement ring when you pop the question. But how do you get the right one? Here are some tips that will help you make the perfect choice:
1. Learn the 4 Cs:
The four Cs are Cut, Colour, Clarity and Carat weight. These are four simple factors that will help you find thetimeless diamond engagement ring of their dreams. Here is a brief explainer of what they mean:
- Cut is a grading of the ‘polish’ and ‘symmetry’ of a diamond. Cut is graded on a scale from ‘Poor’ to ‘Excellent/Ideal.’ The diamond will receive a grade for each and sometimes an overall cut grade.
- Colour measures how much yellow is in the diamond. It is measured on a letter grading system from D-Z. The D-F diamonds are considered ‘colourless.’ G-I are ‘near-colourless.’ The further you go down the alphabet, the more yellow appears in the stone.
- Clarity refers to the number and type of inclusions the diamond has. The clarity scale ranges from FL (flawless) through to I3 (highly included). The variations between clarity ratings can mean the difference between seeing small natural inclusions in the stone with a microscope, 10x magnification or with the naked eye.
- Carat is the weight of the diamond. Diamonds are always measured based on their weight.
If you’re having trouble wrapping your head around these, a professional engagement rings designer can guide you through each one.
You can look into more factors than the four engagement ring Cs to guarantee that you make the right pick. One important factor is “ethics.” You want to make sure that your jeweller uses ethically sourced diamonds and materials that meet international standards so that you can make a socially conscious purchase.
2. Know the Alternatives:
One thing that might stop you from searching for a diamond ring is the cost. This popular gemstone is one of the most expensive centre stone options. So, if your budget is tight, the price-tag might not align with your financial priorities.
There are ways that you can still get the same gorgeous ring design without having to cross the boundaries of your budget. You could opt for lab grown diamond engagement rings — they’re indistinguishable from mined diamonds, and they come at a lower cost.
You could also pick budget-friendly gemstones that can look like diamonds — only a real expert will know the truth upon close inspection. Moissanite is a gorgeous, double-refractive gem that is perfect for anyone hoping to wear a stunning sparkler on their finger. Sapphires are also a fantastic alternative. They come in a variety of subtle, off-white options, from soft peach to watery blue.
3. Get Inspired:
When you book a haircut, and you want a specific style, you bring a reference photo to give the hairdresser a clear idea of what you’re looking for. You should follow the same line of logic when you’re looking for an engagement ring.
If you’ve talked to your sweetheart about getting engaged before, encourage them to look up ring design ideas. They could make a Pinterest board. They could let you know what celebrity rings they like. For instance, if they think that Blake Lively’s engagement ring from Ryan Reynolds is incredible, you might want to get them an oval cut diamond on a rose gold band. Or if they’ve seen Jennifer Lopez’s engagement ring from Alex Rodriguez and immediately fell in love, then you should consider an emerald cut diamond. You can emulate these ring styles without having a celebrity budget.
So, before you make the big decision, get some creative inspiration. It will help your jeweller give you a ring that matches your sweetheart’s vision.
You know that you’ve found the right person to spend the rest of your life with. Now, you know how to find the right ring for them.
