The hard part is done! You found the right woman to marry. So why is it that picking the perfect engagement ring to put on her finger can sometimes seem harder than making it to the super bowl?
Simple. She is going to be looking at that ring every day for the rest of her life and she has likely already been scoping out what she likes and doesn’t like. She is going to love it or be disappointed. She is going to be showing it off to anyone and everyone. No pressure. The last thing you want to do is get to the 5 yard line and fumble the ball with a ring that your future bride doesn’t really like.
At Shaftel Diamonds, we are pros at helping select that perfect engagement ring. Since 1978, we have helped thousands of people select an endless variety of engagement rings. So here’s the play-by-play on selecting the perfect engagement ring for your special someone:
SETTINGS
The setting will provide a secure base for your engagement stones, not to mention enhance the diamond’s appearance. For starters on selecting a setting, consider a solitaire diamond engagement ring (single center stone diamond on a band) versus a diamond ring with side stones (multiple smaller diamonds that complement the larger diamond). What appeals to you about each? What types of styles have you noticed your fiancé wearing or gushing over?
SHAPE
Your kindergarten teacher may have not gone over all of the ring shapes in school, so here’s a quick reference list of various cuts of diamonds to choose from when deciding on your diamond engagement ring:
- Round Brilliant – the most classic cut
- Marquise – an elongated brilliant-cut stone with a point on each end
- Cushion – defined by its rounded corners and sides, and may vary from square-shaped to oblong
- Princess – typically a four-sided square to slightly rectangular brilliant cut
- Radiant – a rectangular to square-shaped octagonal diamond
- Emerald – a traditional octagonal cut usually rectangular
- Asscher – basically a square emerald with some subtle differences in the facet pattern
- Pear – combines the brilliance and form of a round stone with the elongated elegance of a marquise
- Oval – reminiscent of the round brilliant cut, both in sparkle and shape
- Heart – more fanciful cut, shaped just as it sounds
QUALITY
You may have heard of the Four C’s that are widely used to evaluate a diamond’s value:
- Color
- Clarity
- Cut
- Carat
These must all be evaluated individually and then as a package to determine the quality and value of the diamond. The idea is to get the best value for your budget.
PRECIOUS METAL
While there are many alternative metals out there, the classics for engagement rings are:
- Yellow Gold
Yellow Gold is the most malleable which means it is easier for jewelers to fabricate bands and settings from. Its color is also the purest of colored golds. Yellow gold is most complementary of olive and darker skin tones.
- White Gold
White Gold is typically stronger than yellow gold. It has more of a silver color in contrast to platinum which is greyer. Over time, white gold needs to be re-dipped and re-plated to maintain its color since it is yellow gold mixed with alloys. White gold complements fair skin tones best.
- Platinum
This rare metal is significantly denser and heavier than golds. Platinum metal is ideal when there may be an allergy to nickel which is used in gold jewelry. In addition, platinum does not cause a chemical reaction with chlorine as gold jewelry does. Like white gold, Platinum will require some care as it will lose its shine after several years and will get scratched. The price tag for platinum is higher as it is rarer.
We understand that it can be overwhelming with so many choices, so start by discussing the qualities of a ring you know you want with a Shaftel jeweler. The Shaftel Diamond experts will ensure this significant purchase will be a mark in the win column.
