Buying an Engagement Ring
One of the most important questions you will ask in your lifetime is “will you marry me?” While it may sound easy to do, the results of a badly planned proposal can be disappointment, tears and even a “no” as an answer to your big question! A huge part of a proposal is the ring – when you drop to one knee and open that little box, it can literally make or break the success of this big moment. Here we discover the dos of buying an engagement ring.
Do: Decide on a Budget
Aside from a house or car, an engagement ring could be one of the biggest purchases you make in your life. But unlike a house or a car, which provides shelter or transportation, an engagement ring offers a promise and is often mistakenly purchased based on emotion, not logic. By setting a budget, you will be able to focus only on what you can afford, instead of pining away for a ring for your loved one that you cannot afford. So, set a price limit on your engagement ring and stick to it – decide on this before you start looking at anything! There will be nothing enjoyable about giving a ring to the love of your life, only knowing in the back of your mind that you will both be eating baked beans for the next 12 months!
Do: Learn About the Four “C’s”
You may not have ever heard of this term before, but you’ll be an expert by the time you have purchased a diamond – the four “C’s” stand for Cut, Colour, Clarity and Carat. The cut options are wide and varied. More often than not, your loved one will always have a preference. Some of the more popular cuts are Pear, Round Brilliant, Princess, Emerald and Marquise. Colour is another important aspect to consider when purchasing a diamond. The commercial grading for the colour of a diamond is based on an alphabetical scale. The scale begins at D and is considered a colourless white diamond. On the opposite end of the scale, which is Z, the diamond is considered light yellow in colour. Next on the list is clarity – this classification is based around how many inclusions (cracks or fractures) are visible under magnification or to the naked eye. A carat is the measurement that the industry uses to determine the weight of a diamond.
Do: Discover the Perfect Setting
More often than not, the setting that you select will reflect the personality of your partner. There is wide range of settings to choose from including modern, sleek bands with minimal detail, or classic designs with intricate filigree additions. Bands and settings are often created with precious metals such as yellow, white or rose gold, platinum or titanium.
Simon Middleton is part of the Diamond Exchange team who provide advice on buying engagement rings, how to choose diamonds and diamond rings.
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