Finally you’ve met the woman of your dreams. Asking her to spend the rest of her life with you is not something to be done lightly. The moment, the atmosphere and above all, the ring have to be as close to perfect as you can get. How do you select an engagement ring that is perfectly suited for her? You need to choose carefully as it denotes a lot of things about your spouse.
Engagement rings are all stunning but with so many to choose from, it can be overwhelmingly difficult to know where to start when embarking on your quest to choose the best for your partner.
Here are simple tips to help you find that perfect ring for your special beloved:
Know your budget
Make up your mind on how much you are willing to spend for a ring. By doing so, you will be able to know clearly your options and alternatives. Make sure that it is within your budget or else be ready for a major debt! Normally, engagement rings would cost you at least two months salary as a starting point. Average price would range from hundreds to thousands depending on the choice of stone, metal and design.
Choose the perfect diamond
There are 4C’s to remember in the diamond grading system—cut, clarity, color & carat.
- Cut determines the brilliance of a diamond which makes it probably the most important of the four C’s. A well cut diamond reflects much brilliance than a poorly cut diamond. You need to carefully choose your style of cut as it would determine the shine of the diamond and the fit in the ring. The most popular cuts are the round, oval and princess cut but unique designs require different cuts.
- Clarity is characterized by the number of a diamond’s flaw such as scratches and cuts. The fewer flaws in the diamond, the more brilliant and prized it will be.
- Color usually refers to the mineral composition of the stone or the amount of color in a diamond. It’s also important as it shows the shine of the diamond. Colorless diamonds are the most valuable for they allow most light to be reflected therefore making it more brilliant.
- Carat is a measurement of the weight of the diamond. The larger the diamond, the more expensive it is.
Diamonds come in various price ranges depending upon their originality, cut and carat weight. Before purchasing a diamond, be sure to know all of its characteristics and quality by asking for a Diamond Certificate. It has all of the evaluation of the diamond you are to purchase.
Though diamonds are the most popular stone choice, sapphires, rubies, emeralds and other birthstones are also favored.
Know what metal to choose
After choosing the diamond, next to consider is the quality of the metal used in the ring. Most engagement rings are made of gold, white gold or platinum. It is important to have a strong metal supporting your diamond as it can handle the wear and tear over the years. Platinum is an ideal choice as it is a very durable metal with a light feel and enduring shine.
Know the ring design
Ring design is a matter of personal preference and would normally depend on your lifestyle. Conservatives may opt for traditional while others are more on the modern style. The thing that really matters is it looks good and is practical to wear everyday.
Proposing marriage to someone is probably the most important decision you are to make and choosing the perfect engagement ring will be the first token of your vow of lifelong commitment.
( Published on February 11, 2009 in MDWK Magazine p. 6 )
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