Guide to Buying the Perfect Engagement Ring
From choosing the right style to budgeting, buying a natural diamond engagement ring could probably be your first ever diamond purchase. The world of diamonds is full of beauty, choosing the right one from a plethora of options requires the proper knowledge, careful deliberation and a strong sense of trust in one’s gut. That’s why, it’s necessary to consider all the facets before you make the right choice.
The Ultimate Engagement Ring Guide
Humans value memories. It’s the reason we save movie tickets, old t-shirts, photographs and little trinkets throughout our lives. The souvenirs remind us of happy times and bring a smile to our faces even after years. That’s also one of the reasons why we put in so much thought and effort to find the perfect piece of diamond, to immortalise the special feeling of the relationship for years to come.
An engagement ring is a symbol of sealing a lifelong commitment. It’s the piece of jewellery that celebrates the happiness of the moment and shares all the sorrows the relationship goes through. More importantly, it becomes a part of the little moments of love, care and magic that the relationship experiences, everyday. Over time, it begins to symbolise the growing love and strength of the relationship itself, which is why it’s important to understand the thought processes behind choosing THE ONE that she will decide to wear on her fingers every day.
However, buying an engagement ring is a complicated process that takes time and careful consideration. It’s not a decision that must be made lightly and there’s no such thing as asking too many questions when it comes to buying the ring that will announce your love to the world.
This article will accompany you in the journey and help you buy the perfect natural diamond engagement ring while answering some of the burning questions.
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First things first! Know what and where to buy the perfect Engagement Ring
How do I purchase my engagement ring online ?
Since time immemorial, diamonds have been the perfect choice for jewellery. A diamond’s effortless and timeless beauty coupled with its rarity, makes it an emotional investment and a purchase of a lifetime.
And in such priceless possessions it is best to purchase from an authentic and trusted jewellery house and get some knowledge on the 4Cs of diamonds. And Always, always, ask for a grading certificate from a third party laboratory for your diamonds.
What is the first thing to remember while buying a natural diamond engagement ring?
Social media and online jewellery buying platforms have made buying an engagement ring easy and seamless. For starters, plan ahead and have ample time in hand.
Do your research: know the 4Cs of diamonds, diamond styles, cuts and engagement ring settings, and most importantly be mindful of your budget. And remember, a good online jewellery destination can provide you with some amazing options too, whatever be your budget.
Designs and styles that get your nod: Finding your inspiration for the right engagement ring
What your engagement ring style says about you?
There’s nothing more classic and eternal than a natural diamond but if you ask the ultimate natural diamond style for an engagement ring it would be the round brilliant cut. The oval diamond style is also a favourite when it comes to choosing engagement rings. These styles have been around for a while and continue to be trendy. However, choose a style that you think will suit your special someone the best.
Is there a way to make the ring look bigger than it is?
The best way to look like you’ve indulged without burning a hole in your pocket is to select an Oval with a slim metal band, four prongs holding the diamond. Another way is to play around with engagement ring settings such as Halo or Pavé. The Halo setting tends to make the diamond look larger than it is, while the Pave setting adds bundles of sparkle throughout the ring.
How can I get my partner’s ring size without her finding out?
To ensure your proposal remains undercover you’ll have to try out one of these:
Secretly borrow her ring (the best way), use a thread string to measure the finger, ask her best friend and if nothing works hold her hand and play some guess work! Yes, resizing generally is not an issue. Always check with your jeweller about their policies before purchasing. Some jewellers offer free resizing so make sure to avail of it.
Understanding the 4Cs of a diamond
What are the 4Cs of diamonds?
The 4Cs of diamonds are a universally acknowledged system for evaluating the quality of any diamond, anywhere in the world. They comprise Cut, Colour, Carat and Clarity.
What’s in the Cut?
The cut on the diamond is actually an aspect used to grade a diamond. How the diamond’s angles and facets are used to let the light shine through and give the diamond its brilliance and uniqueness, all depends on its cut. The diamond’s shape, on the other hand, refers to the actual shape of the diamond – round, square, pear, marquise, cushion, heart, emerald and radiant.
While they might be different, both play an important role in creating the complete impact of the diamond you choose for your fiancèe.
What’s a Carat?
A carat is the physical weight of the stone expressed in metric carats. One carat is equal to 200 milligrams.
It is important to remember that diamonds with the same carat can look significantly different because of the way they are cut. Certain diamond shapes require the stone to be cut shallow, while other cuts are deeper. So, the carat weight could be the same but the cutting style determines the overall look of the diamond.
And that holds true even when it comes to determining the price. Two stones of the same carat might look identical to the naked eye but when put under a loupe it’s an altogether different world. Every natural diamond is unique and differs due to its characteristics. The higher the quality, the higher the price. Therefore, it is advisable to compare the other features and then decide.
What is a diamond’s Clarity?
Clarity refers to the absence of blemishes and inclusions on/inside a natural diamond. The lesser these characteristics the better the clarity grade and rarer the diamond.
What is the ideal combination of the 4Cs for the perfect engagement ring?
The popular belief of quality over quantity applies to the diamond engagement ring as well. Look for large spreads and not large sizes. Always invest in a piece with a good clarity grade (VVS, VS, SI1) especially with rings since they are prominent. In regards to colour and cut, one can choose (G-I) instead of DEF and save up on some cash. Opting for a (EX-VG) Cut grade on the certificate is a good idea.
What’s a diamond grading certificate? Is it important?
A Natural diamond grading certificate is a report displaying the characteristics of a loose diamond. Trained professionals (from international labs such as IGI, GIA, SGL etc) evaluate the diamonds using professional tools, such as a loupe or microscope, to assess the diamonds according to the 4Cs. They also list down the characteristics that make your diamond truly one-of-a-kind. And it is from these labs that most brands have their diamonds certified. In all honesty, without a certificate from an independent diamond grading laboratory, a consumer won’t be able to determine the quality and value of a diamond. It is extremely important to ask for a grading certificate. After all, it’s an expensive purchase, so make your decision a smart one.
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How much should you spend on an engagement ring
What is a good budget for an engagement ring? How much should one spend?
There is no straightforward answer to this. It depends on you and your partner and how much you want to invest. Always choose a good quality diamond and play around with engagement ring settings, styles and shapes to suit your budget. Finding a natural diamond that fits your budget means getting the perfect trade-off between the 4Cs.
How and where can I save money while buying an engagement ring?
Know your budget and the fact that there is something for everyone. First of all, keep the size of the diamond in check. Carats affect price more than appearance. Instead of straight figures, choose shy carat weights such as 0.93 carats instead of a perfect 1 carat. Secondly, choose pavé and halo settings with maybe a G-H colour diamond. Finally, reducing the metal purity to 18K from 22K, Thirdly, reducing the purity of the metal to 18K will give you a band which looks like a 22K one, but at a price that’s more suited to your budget.
Armed with these initial helpful tips and tricks, you can now start the journey to buy the perfect engagement ring for your soon-to-be fianceé. While these questions answer the logical side of things, it’s important to remember to trust your gut and feelings about the natural diamond engagement ring you choose. So now, it’s time to seal your eternal love with a timeless natural diamond ring and make memories with the love of your life, for the rest of your lives!
