Shopping for engagement rings isn’t child’s play. Countless choices stacked against your limited knowledge of gemology and jewelry trends can be extremely overwhelming. But once you finish reading this article, you will be well versed with every parameter of engagement ring shopping and will be able to find the ring of her dreams at any nice jewelry brand.
1. Pick the Perfect Gemstone
When it comes to choosing an engagement ring, the gemstone is going to be your first big choice. With the old adage “diamonds are forever’, diamonds have long monopolized the engagement and wedding ring market. But lately colored gemstone engagement rings have gained immense popularity as well. Among them, ruby, sapphire and emerald maintain the holy trinity of the most in-demand gemstones. Their rich colors and remarkable hardness set them apart. However, pastel-colored gemstones such as aquamarine and morganites have also garnered a cult following in recent years. Pick a gemstone that is not only aesthetically pleasing but is also meaningful to your unique relationship.
2. The 4Cs
The quality of a gemstone is determined by the 4 Cs: Color, Cut, Clarity and Carat.
- Color is the most noticeable aspect of your gemstone. It is also one of the main attractions of a gemstone. The deeper and better saturated the color, the more valuable your gemstone is.
- Cut makes a significant difference in how ‘shiny’ the engagement ring will appear. A well-cut diamond with multiple facets will exude a lot more fire compared to a poorly cut diamond of the same quality. It is helpful to inspect the gemstone in indoor as well as outdoor lighting before making the purchase.
- Clarity of a gemstone is another important marker of quality. The fewer impurities a gemstone contains, the greater clarity it will have. Clearer gemstones are graded higher than their less clear counterparts.
- The carat weight of a gemstone indicates its size. The bigger the gemstone the more expensive it will be. So, the bigger the better, right? Well… not necessarily. While cocktail rings were traditionally large, engagement rings have always featured small to mid-sized stones. One carat is a fairly decent size but if your budget doesn’t allow for that, explore engagement ring styles that can compensate for the carat weight. For instance, a three-stone engagement ring gets you three smaller diamonds instead of one, and still costs less.
Different gemstones will perform differently in each C. Sometimes you find a gemstone that is the perfect color but it isn’t big enough for the kind of engagement ring you’d like. It is helpful to rank the 4 Cs in order of importance and personal preference before you start looking for your dream ring.
3. The Shape Buffet
When it comes to the optics of the ring, the shape of the gemstone dominates the game. Some of the most common gemstone shapes are:
- Round
- Oval
- Pear
- Marquise
- Heart
- Cushion
- Emerald
- Trillion
Round and oval-shaped gemstone engagement rings are the most popular options as they embody timelessness and simplicity. But if you want your engagement ring to stand out, you can also opt for fancy-cut gemstones (eg: clover). Elongated shapes like marquise, oval and pear can make the center stone appear significantly larger than it actually is.
4. Ready, SET, Go
Setting may sound boring, but it’s one of the most important aspects of creating a ring. Be it prong or bezel, each setting has different stylistic aspects. The setting can also be used to enhance your center stone. For instance, in a halo setting, the center stone is surrounded by smaller stones (often diamonds) around its periphery. This draws focus to your center stone while making the whole ring appear larger.
Apart from the scintillating optics, the setting also dictates the structural integrity of the ring. Prong and bezel settings are considered the best options as they hold the gemstone safely in place. In a bezel setting, the center stone is surrounded by metal on all sides, light can only hit the top most surface of the stone, consequently limiting the sparkle of the gemstone. On the other hand, prong setting utilizes slim, yet tough metal prongs that hold the gemstone in place without blocking the light. Therefore, prong settings are the most preferred engagement ring settings.
5. Don’t Second Guess the Ring Size
Even though this sounds super obvious, people still manage to mess up in this department. Unlike a pair of socks, you can’t just wing the size. If you are secretly picking out an engagement ring for your partner, the best way to get the right size is to discreetly borrow her ring. Make sure this ring is something she wears regularly and not something that is collecting dust at the back of her vanity. Over time, women’s bodies change and even ring sizes get affected in the process. So, use a current ring for reference. And if you’re having trouble pulling the surprise off on your own, call on your girlfriend’s future maid of honor.
Also See: Top Wedding Ring Sets For Couples
6. Pick a Reliable Brand
There are several jewelry retailers to choose from, and big brand names are always attractive, but make sure you choose a brand that values your time, money and most importantly, your unique love story. Since the ring is meant to be a testament to your love, it is important to ensure that every choice you make towards creating the ring is motivated by meaning, love and the intent to share in joy! The best way to do this is to customize your ring so that you can control every detail and get exactly what you pay for. Therefore, a brand with customization services and other unique selling points is a no brainer.
P.S. – Lifetime warranty is a must. After all, the engagement ring, like your love, is meant to last forever.