In many parts of the world a diamond engagement ring shows that a woman has accepted a marriage proposal. Choosing an engagement ring can either be a joint decision or a decision the groom-to-be makes solely. Traditionally speaking, the man is the one who chooses the engagement ring and then offers it to the woman. Diamonds are graded of four different characteristics, cut, clarity, color and carat. These are often referred to as the 4-c’s of a diamond.
When picking out an engagement ring, it is important that you get the most ring for your money. The ring should not only be beautiful, but it should also be practical. After all, the bride will be wearing it every day for the rest of her life.
A diamonds color is rated on a scale of D through Z. The closer a diamond is to being flawless or colorless, the higher the value. Diamonds that fall in the D through F range are considered to be colorless and of the highest grade. Next in line are the diamonds that fall in the G through J range. They are considered to be near colorless or white. Diamonds of K to Z are usually tinted with a yellow or yellowish brown color.
The type of setting you choose for you diamond will affect how the color of your diamond is seen. Diamonds that fall in the range of K through M, can be set in yellow gold and they will appear to look colorless. However, if you set the same diamond in a white gold or platinum setting, the diamond’s color would be more noticeable.
The clarity of the ring is nearly as important as the color of the ring. The clarity is determined by the number of inclusions inside of the diamond as well the size of the inclusions. An inclusion is simply anything that interferes with light passing through the diamond. Clarity is graded using the letters V, S and I. They simply stand for Very, Small, and Inclusion.
Next to consider is the cut. There are a variety of different factors to consider when looking at cut. Generally speaking, there are two cuts to a diamond. There is the single cut gem and the round brilliance cut. Engagement rings also come in a variety of different shapes and styles. The most common is a solitaire round diamond, set in a white gold setting. However, there are other styles of diamonds, such as a princess, pear, marquise, oval, emerald and asscher cut. The style of a diamond is really a matter of personal taste and style.
The last C stands for carat, which is basically the overall size of the diamond. Generally speaking, smaller diamonds are more popular than larger ones. Since smaller ones are more common, they are generally less expensive than larger diamonds.
Choosing an engagement ring is a lifetime commitment. Therefore, a lot of thought and consideration should go into the ring you choose. By doing a little bit of homework, choosing the perfect engagement ring will be easier than you might think.
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