Choosing the Design For a Diamond Engagement Ring

Selecting the design of the diamond engagement ring should be the next thing you will need to decide on after learning and understanding about a few terms and principles about the diamonds. There are only about a few shapes that are used with the diamonds but when you are in the circumstances of doing what you are proposing, it can get you really confusing.

Of the 4Cs that govern a diamond, the cut is the only thing man-made. The rest of the 3 Cs are all naturally occurring in the diamonds. Many of the people are confuse with the diamond cut with the shape of a diamond ring. Most of diamonds are cut round with full 58 facets, and a advantageous cut or make, has the extra scintillation or sparkle.

Although the cut of the diamond may affect the worth of the diamond, the shape is largely a matter of personal preference and does not affect the price significantly. There are about only 10 popular shapes that can be used as the center stone for a diamond engagement ring. These are the Round, Marquise, Princess, Pear, Oval, Heart, Emerald, Cushion, Asscher, and Trillion. Although Baguette and Taper are also shapes used in the engagement rings, they are not usually used as the center stone for an engagement ring.

Think first of what your fiancée's preference will be. If nothing else, a Round Brilliant cut will be the safest bet when deciding on the shape of the diamond engagement ring.

Fortunately, there are excellent reputable sources to engagement rings that will let you stun her with an heirloom quality diamond at a fraction of the cost.

By Mark Q. Jackson

The Perfect Cushion Cut Engagement Ring For Your Lady

There comes a time in the human race when a man finds the love of his life and pops "the big question." This moment traditionally is symbolized with a ring. To pull the whole thing off, you have to plan for the purchase of an engagement ring; we recommend you consider purchasing a cushion cut engagement ring for this special moment.

The reason why we suggest cushion cut engagement rings is that they are simply stunning and eye catching. Considering that this is a very special woman in your life, you should take your time while shopping to get exactly what you are looking for and not a replica of cushion cut rings. The very first and the most important consideration when it comes to engagement rings is the band; therefore, you should be able to choose from the different band colors, sizes and the material that is used for the cushion cut rings. On the other hand, the gemstones that are used are found in a variety of shapes for the cushion cut engagement rings.

For most people, the first thing that comes to mind when it comes to issues of engagement rings is a diamond. None would deny that this is the traditional ring, but it can also be replaced with any other gemstone the couple decides on and, most importantly, that will be within their budget. Nevertheless, when it comes to the selection of the band for the cushion cut rings, you should keep in mind that you can choose from platinum, silver and gold.

When it comes to rings, every person has his or her own preferences: some will prefer rings with the traditional gold, whereas others will prefer the shiny silver, while still others will prefer rings with platinum. Perhaps because gold is the most popular metal, most people seem to prefer it for the rings; you should also know that the gold within a ring is usually measured in karats.

Gold can be found in two popular colors: white or yellow gold. You should also know that the most popular gold cushion cut engagement rings are usually 14 karats, but this should not be a hindrance to you because you can still find the traditional gold rings in 18 and 24 karats as well. The greatest disadvantage with gold is that it tends to bend easy and tarnishes after a period of time. However, this is not the case when it comes to platinum and silver, they are known to be very hard; thus they do not bend easily when compared to gold.

By Darryl Parker

Antique Engagement Rings - A Growing Trend!

An engagement is a wonderful time. You are getting ready for a new life with your spouse, and you know that eventually you will have a wonderful new life with the woman of your dreams. The entire process of getting engaged starts with you and your fiancée choosing the perfect ring! And this is a really important step! You have to remember that she will be wearing your ring for the rest of your lives, and your fiancée will be showing it off to her friends and relatives until you actually get married.

Choose the best one that you can afford, and find a style that is timeless and elegant. We do know that modern, sleek designs can be really alluring; but timeless designs can be really chic. Moreover, they will suit any style of dress and any environment. We recommend that you take a serious look at antique engagement rings as the best and first choice for when you get engaged.

Why do you need antique engagement rings?

Buying antique rings is like buying a piece of furniture with a lot of history attached to it. You already know that someone has used those antique rings to show their love. The designs of antique rings are classic, and they can be easily passed down in the family as a family heirloom. These rings may cost a little more than normal, but they are well worth the smile that your fiancée will have on her face when you propose.

How do I choose and buy antique engagement rings? There are a few tips that you should be aware of when you buy these rings:

Find an era that your fiancée will like. Edwardian era rings are large and intricate, while Victorian era rings are pretty and simple with large stones. The Art Deco age produced some of the best designs in rings. But you need to choose something that your fiancée will like.

Use a reputable dealer who works with antique rings. Don't get fooled by jewelers who will tell you that the design is antique; you have to have proof in the form of the quality of the stones and the wear and tear that is on the piece. Most rings will also have the original owner's name and engagement date inscribed on them.

Check the quality of the stone. Diamonds stand the wear and tear of time easily, but softer stones such as pearls, emeralds and rubies can literally break down and wear away with time.

Ask for certification from the jeweler. Most high quality antique engagement rings dealers will have certification to prove the provenance of the piece. They will have the original owner's name and the history behind the piece too.

If you cannot afford really expensive antique engagement rings, you can also try flea markets where antique dealers sell ancient rings that can be used as engagement rings. For example, claddagh rings are really popular as rings that are used to signify love between a man and a woman. They can be made of gold or silver but they are typically rings that signify love and loyalty. We hope that you find the ideal antique engagement rings to make your fiancée happy.

By Darryl Parker

5 Secrets For Selecting Ideal Engagement Rings

To gain the heart of a life partner, it is essential to select an engagement ring that is unique, elegant and best fits the taste of the bride-to-be. It is quite easy to select engagements rings by keeping these five tips under consideration.

1. Keep in view the partner's likes and dislikes

It is essential to know the fiancee's taste before purchasing a ring. Information regarding the tastes of the fiancee can be easily obtained by chatting with her family members or friends, or by observing her dressing style and the jewelry collection. If you are not confident about her taste, consider selecting engagement rings that match the dress to be worn on the wedding day, or pick the best one that is affordable and fits well with her skin color. Select a medium-sized ring with a large diamond for a partner with short fingers. However, the style also depends on the tastes of the couple.

2. Plan your budget

Before you start shopping for rings, it is essential to set a budget, as the prices vary greatly. If you are not on a very tight budget and can afford any price, then selecting from platinum engagement rings would be ideal. This choice would serve as sign to let the partner know how precious she is. If you are on a very tight budget, consider purchasing online. Many websites offer attractive deals on rings and even provide reviews from previous customers. Since it is a once in a lifetime event, don't be too stingy.

3. Look around

To grab ideal engagement rings, it is recommended to visit all of the jewelry shops that are in your area. This way it is possible to identify the best ring at the most reasonable price. Make sure to purchase expensive rings such as diamond and platinum from licensed jewelers. If you are purchasing pure gold engagement rings, then consider the quality of the ring, such as the purity of the gold used and the clarity of the design pattern of the ring.

4. Consider the work environment

It is essential to choose engagement rings that can be used regularly. It would be waste of money to select very precious rings that do not fit the regular work environment and remain in the jewelry box most of the time.

5. Purchase from a familiar jeweler

It is recommended to purchase rings from jewelers you are familiar with to avoid fraud. This familiarity would also ease the process of making adjustments to the ring, if required. If you do not know anyone, inquire among your neighbors and friends. Meeting a recently married couple is a good option to get the required information about where to purchase engagement rings.

Above all, it is essential to select an engagement ring that best fits the finger of your partner to avoid disappointment on the wedding day. You can know the finger size by taking your partner directly to the jeweler or by asking to borrow a ring that is being worn and fits well.

By Darryl Parker

Engagement Rings - Get a Great Online Bargain

Engagement rings are a little bit like a mother-in-law at a wedding; attention is often focused solely on them, they can make or break a marriage, and no matter how much you spend on them it seems like nothing is enough!

Luckily for us though, since the dawning of the new computer age, engagement rings, unlike mother-in-laws, can be purchased online and at great prices, provided that you know where to shop. The trick is, of course, finding the best bargains available. Now, engagement rings are often a contentious issue, especially when it comes to financial terms, seeing as everybody wants to wow their fiancee and their family, yet they want at least a little left over for the honeymoon!

The old rule states that the groom should spend approximately three months salary on a wedding ring; however, as anybody who has played Trivial Pursuits with their family over and over again this year will know, there are other old rules in existence such as the law that states that it is illegal to play checkers outside in the state of Illinois. So let's not worry too much about old rules, shall we?!

Really, the only thing that is important is that your fiancee knows that you have put your whole heart, not your whole chequebook into your choice. This is another reason why you should shop online, so you can get the best choice available to you.

Think about it; even if you go to every jeweler in your town or city, there is no way that you will have the selection that the world wide web can offer you, what with all the sites that can provide you with your engagement ring, delivered straight to your front door. Another advantage to shopping online is that because these internet companies co not have to pay rental for shops, staff wages etc, they can afford to offer you an engagement ring at a very reasonable price, perhaps lower than your local jeweler can.

The lower the prices, the more your budget will allow for. So perhaps the ring that is just out of your financial clutches in the jewelery store window will be within your grasp when bought online. So, if you do fancy a bargain online, go and check out a site now...you never know, your future mother-in-law might just help you pick it out!

By David Harfield