Tips Of Buying Enagement Rings For Your Loved Ones

If things go right, you'll only be buying one engagement ring in your lifetime. But an engagement ring is a big investment. With your lack of experience, how are you going to make sure you find one that your sweetheart likes but is still a wise purchase? Follow these ten steps, and you're sure to find the perfect engagement ring.

1) Determine Your Budget When a guy's shopping for an engagement ring, salespeople often do a sneaky thing – they make him think that the amount of his love is tied to how much he spends on a ring. Better to figure out how much you can afford to spend before you step foot in a store. The standard rule is two months salary – but – this is also a rule that the diamond industry created! However it's still a decent place to start, but then figure out your personal budget.

2 ) Pay Attention You're going to have to make a lot of choices – platinum or gold? Modern or traditional? Flashy or understated? It's easier if you've done your homework beforehand. Look at the jewelry your sweetheart wears on a daily basis – if it's all silver with intricate designs – look for a platinum engagement ring with intricate designs (often called filigree). If it's just a few heavy gold pieces, well, then go in that direction.

3) Choose a Stone While jewelers will sell you a preset ring, you can often get a better deal if you choose the diamond separately. It helps if you know what shape your sweetheart wants – round, pear, marquis, etc. The most classic shape is a round solitaire. More homework – read The Four Cs of Diamond Buying. You'll thank me later. Another money saving tip – look for a diamond with high color and cut, but with slightly lower clarity. Make sure you look at the stone with a jeweler's loupe (like a magnifying glass) – but most flaws (or "inclusions") can barely be seen even with a loupe.

4) Choose the Setting After you've got your stone, then comes the setting. You could go for simple with a solitaire setting, or you could add filigree, extra side stones, and other details. You can choose gold, white or rose gold, platinum, or even titanium.

5) Maximize Your Budget If your intended is always talking about huge diamond engagement rings, but two months of your salary wouldn't buy a Big Mac, you're going to have to stretch the budget. Ask for a stone with more surface area – it won't sparkle as much but it will look bigger. Ask for stones that are slightly less than the next carat (0.8 instead of 1 or 1.9 instead of 2) – the almost indiscernible difference can add up to big savings. Instead of a diamond solitaire engagement ring, consider a less expensive center gemstone (such as tourmaline, blue topaz, sapphire) flanked by two small diamonds. Choose white gold instead of platinum. And consider an antique engagement ring.

6) Get a Buddy Don't go into a jewelry store alone. They're scary places full of way too many choices. If you can, bring your sweetheart's best friend or mom along to help you choose. But if you're worried they'll spill the beans, bring a trusted buddy of yours. Make sure they have taste, or you'll be trying to propose with a ringpop. Also, assuming they like the person you're buying it for, this is a great moment to bond with your parents and get their advice.

7) Think About Bringing Your Sweetheart With You You'll lose the element of surprise, but you'll be sure that she likes her engagement ring. More and more couples are doing it this way.

8) Get a Quality Jeweler Ask for recommendations from friends and family. My advice is to stick to the mom and pop jewelers and try to avoid the national chains – they often sacrifice quality for mass marketing. But make sure the store is accredited by the Jewelers of America or is a member of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). Before you buy, find out what the return policy is so that you can exchange it if you didn't do your homework properly.

9) Plan Ahead You may not be able to just walk out of a jewelry store with a ring. Not only will you need to save up for it, but depending on what you order it could take a couple weeks for them to set the stone, do any engraving, or even custom design your ring (like Brad Pitt did for Jennifer Aniston). So if you want to propose on a certain date, make sure you start working on the ring early.

10) Get it In Writing Would you buy a house without an inspection? No? Well then don't buy a diamond without an independent diamond-grading report from the GIA or the American Gem Society. It should include the 4 c's of color, cut, clarity and carat, as well as the shape and size. And, like your house, don't forget to get the ring insured.

By CK Nick

Tips for Choosing an Art Deco Engagement Ring

Art Deco, the design movement that occurred between 1925-1939, gave us some of the most beautiful architecture, furniture, decor and jewelry. Art deco engagement rings are no exception featuring beautiful contrasting colors, strong geometric shapes and symmetry of design. Here are some tips for choosing an Art Deco engagement ring that will help you locate the perfect ring for the love of your life.

Although engagement rings of the Art Deco period were made with both white and yellow gold, one of the most popular metals of the day was platinum. The bright white of platinum provided great contrast with the stones in the engagement ring and helped to define the Art Deco style. When choosing an engagement ring you may want to consider going with platinum rather than gold since it not only is a trademark of the period, but also is a beautiful and enduring metal.

When it comes to Art Deco engagement rings, diamonds seem like an obvious choice. However, you may want to consider other options as well since rings created during this period were also made with sapphires, rubies, emeralds and beautiful filigree work. Opting for an engagement ring with one of these others stones - with or without diamonds - can allow you to get a ring that is truly unique and stands apart from more traditional engagement rings. This is a great way to make an elegant and lasting statement.

Although you can purchase reproduction rings you might want to think about going with a true vintage or antique Art Deco engagement ring. The history of these older rings can make them romantic reminders of a bygone era that you can carry forward into your future together. Additional, the craftsmanship and quality of antique rings is often superior to more modern rings and you can often find great deals on older rings. That means that by going with a vintage or antique ring rather than a reproduction you can sometimes get a lot more ring for your money.

Most importantly, when selecting an engagement ring be sure to think about the tastes of your future wife. If you are stuck take a look at the other jewelry that she wears and try to choose something similar is color and style.

By Sandy Curtis

Diamond Engagement Rings - Take Your Love A Step Further

Engagement is one step ahead in a relationship, leading towards marriage. But strangely no one knows exactly when the concept of engagement rings actually started and what made men gift their women with engagement rings.

But this amusing concept in itself is followed in many cultures and traditions. It is believed that the concept of wedding rings was started by Romans. The Romans called their engagement rings, betrothal (truth) rings. They chose the third finger of the left hand as an option for wearing engagement rings. Egyptians believed that the vein from this finger went straight to the heart.

With the passage of time, diamond became the most sought after metal for engagement rings. Men started choosing diamond rings, as an option. They chose diamond rings mainly because it was the hardest metal they could find anywhere on earth. This symbolized deep bond between the bride and the groom.

It was in the fourteen and the fifteen centuries that the diamond rings became famous as wedding rings. The diamond engagement rings were gifted only by the royal and affluent people.

But with the advent of De Beers and its tag line 'A diamond is forever,' diamond became more famous among the normal class. Since then, many a men have chosen diamond rings as an option for engagement rings to woo their beloved.

Getting engaged is an auspicious day in a person's life. Therefore one should be very cautious regarding the wedding ring he is planning for his lover. Diamond engagement rings as engagement rings are the safest option.

History is the witness, how much amused a women feels, after she is gifted with diamond rings. Diamond engagement rings depict purity and chastity in love. It reflects the deep heartened bond between the man and the women.

Diamond comes in various colors and sizes. What one needs to take care of is the cut, clarity, carat and the cost of the diamond. Diamond comes in various colors like pink, blue and black. But the purest from of diamond is the crystal clear diamond.

If still confused where to buy the diamond engagement ring from, then log on to an online shopping store. Online shopping store provides you with an array of diamond engagement rings. Shopping online is thus a time saving option, especially for people who are into hectic jobs.

Enjoy your engagement with the ring she craved for. Show her your love by gifting her with a diamond engagement ring. Diamond rings actually rule the heart of women.

By Dean Candy

Wedding Ring Selection Tips

One of the most important parts of the wedding ceremony is the exchanging of wedding rings. It is emblematic of the magnificence of your love for each other. The rings symbolize the true and unending love the couple is vowing to each other. Moreover, the wedding rings are the one very special token from your wedding that you will preserve for a long period; even longer than the gifts you receive during your wedding, which will be there for several years!

The initial step for getting a perfect fit is to decide wearer's ring size. The best thing is to take along with your to the shop, the person for who will wear the ring, and select from the available collection of rings. Though in many such cases, the surprise factor of giving the gift will be absent, it will help you see that the ring fits well on the finger of the wearer. Wedding rings come in silver, platinum, white gold and yellow gold. These types differ in their costs. First determine the type of metal you prefer in accordance with your budget and naturally, as per your sweetheart's choice. When the metal is chosen, you need to decide the stone to be engrafted in the ring. Decide the size, shape, color and type of the stone that befits your budget. Diamonds are the best choice but you can also prefer colored stones like rubies, emeralds and sapphires, which are having some astrological grandeur.
Silver wedding engagement rings are very in many parts of the world. Very much like gold and white gold, silver is a very popular precious metal used to make wedding rings of different shapes and styles. Where did the wedding ring come from? And why this treasured metal holds the key to so many souls? By custom, the bride's ring used to be silver while, whereas the bridegroom's would be gold. Today nearly any kind of metal can be used for making the wedding ring of both the bride and the groom. Silver wedding rings are usually worn on the ring finger of the left hand. This tradition goes back many years as far as medieval era.

For matching the wedding and engagement rings, it is essential to use the same cherished metals. For instance, you may not want one ring to be silver and the other one gold, as they would appear really odd jointly. Another important thing to note is that the gems on both rings require to be the same. Many people like to have diamonds on the engagement ring and birthstones on the wedding ring. But when placed together the wedding and engagement ring set looks tacky, so only select one gemstone for both.

In case you or your sweetie engage in some physical labor, it is advisable to look for a heavier, broader ring. This can minimize damage to the wedding ring and it will be able to last long. It is also better in this case to have a smooth stone that fits well in to the ring. In case there is some risk of the stone getting caught somewhere, there is a possibility of losing the ring and so a smooth surface is always better here. Many of us love an etched wedding ring. If you and your partner were among such people, a more classic type ring would be desirable. This gives much room for inscribing.

Seeking other alternatives in place of wedding rings is not at all a way of discouraging wedding jewelry completely. Actually, there are some people who disapprove wedding rings owing to their religious, cultural or financial conditions. Wedding jewelry is meant for those who like to wear them and find solemn symbolization behind the custom. Purchasing wedding rings need not have to be a forced custom. Rather, you should take decisions in accordance with what works best for you.

By Anna Bloggy

Tips On Buying The Perfect Engagement Rings

Buying an engagement ring can often be a daunting task, as making the right choice from the range of engagement rings available is crucial. As with wedding rings, there are many different choices available. You can select from different precious metals such as gold, silver, platinum, and even titanium. You can also select from a range of precious gems, such as sapphire, emerald, the classic diamond, and many others. You will find a choice of rings to suit a range of budgets, although the carat of the ring will be determined by the amount that you can afford to spend. This item of jewelry is one that will hopefully be cherished by the recipient for the rest of her life, so whether you go for a traditional ring, a beautiful antique ring, a Celtic ring, or any other type of ring, you should make sure that you put plenty of thought into it before you make any firm commitment on your purchase.

Factors to consider when buying engagement rings

Unless your loved one has already pointed out which ring she wants you may have your work cut out in order to determine which ring you should get. Firstly, you need to take into consideration your budget, as this will determine the type of ring you can get. Most jewellers offer rings to suit all sorts of budgets, so you don’t have to be a millionaire in order to get a beautiful ring that she is certain to love. One thing you should try and determine is what type of precious metal and gem she most likes, as you can then select the perfect ring. There are a number of ways in which you can do this, from observing the type of jewelry she normally tends to wear to asking close friends for their advice. By finding out these details you can ensure that the ring you buy is one that she is certain to love. You will also need to know the size of her finger, and you could do this by sneakily taking one of her rings and hoping she doesn’t notice or by asking a close friend who, with any luck, may know the size or even have the same size finger.

Buying your ring – getting a good deal

Although there are many high street shops that sell some beautiful wedding bands and engagement rings, it has become more and more popular to purchase these items online. This is because you can enjoy a far wider choice and you can browse under on virtual roof from the comfort of your own home. You will often find that you can also get better deals online because there are no overheads for sellers to worry about, which means that you can either save a little money on the cost of your ring or you can stick to the budget and get a better ring for your money. The excellent choice available online makes it easier for purchasers to find the ideal ring at a more affordable price.

By Erica Bosworth

Finding The Perfect Engagement Ring

The giving of rings to profess to the rest of the world the love that a couple has for each other can be traced way back into the earliest times. Though there is much debate as to the specific roots of this tradition, everyone agrees on one thing – at some point in a couple’s relationship, the engagement ring becomes an integral part of their relationship. In the Western World, tradition dictates that the woman wear the ring on the fourth finger of the left hand. Some say that this practice can be attributed to the Romans who considered that finger to be the vena amoris or vein of love, going straight to the heart.

Some prefer to surprise their loved one with the ring when they pop the question during the momentous event called the proposal. Others prefer to go shopping for an engagement ring together. Whatever the case, a lot of thought and effort go into picking out the perfect engagement ring.

There is no hard and fast rule as to what an engagement ring should look like or what it should be made of. The most popular type would be the diamond engagement ring. Yet there is a host of other gems and settings that would make a perfectly good engagement ring.

If you are at a loss and you have no clue as to how to go about picking out your engagement ring, you might want to check out Engagement Rings and Diamond Cuts at Engagement Rings Sale.com. There are literally hundreds, maybe even thousands, of web pages on the Internet featuring jewelry. At Engagement Rings, though, you will find all that you need to know about rings. If you have absolutely no idea about what kind of ring you want, then you can start from scratch and read all about different stones – from diamonds to semiprecious stones – and different settings – from gold to platinum. If you have a rough idea of what you want, say a diamond engagement ring, then you will find in depth information on different cuts, sizes, and the like. At Engagement Rings, you will also find assistance on how to buy or design your own engagement ring.

More than the design of the ring, Engagement Rings also give you information on the more practical aspects of engagement rings. You will find helpful information on how to set a budget for your ring, how to stick to it, and still get the ring you want. More so, you will find tips on getting insurance for your ring. Of course, you wouldn’t want to leave such a precious thing uninsured, would you? Anticipating possible future issues, Engagement Rings also offers information on return policies – of course this is done in a general manner as policies would differ from store to store.

Whether you are still toying around with the idea of giving her that ring or you’ve already set your mind on it, give Engagement Rings a visit and make your life a lot easier while deciding on that perfect engagement ring.

By John Caldwell