How To Choose An Engagement Ring

Whether you are looking for an engagement ring as a couple or on your own

, there is a bewildering range of options to consider. Here's a brief guide on how to choose an engagement ring.

The budget

Before you start investing too much of your time in looking for the perfect ring, its a good idea to set yourself a budget. Some people may tell you that you should spend one month's salary or more on an engagement ring, but the truth is that you should spend whatever you judge is affordable and appropriate for your circumstances.

Diamonds and gemstones

Diamonds are the most popular choice for engagement rings, though you may also wish to consider coloured gemstones, such as sapphires and rubies. Choosing the right gem is very important, as it has a big impact on the overall look and feel of an engagement ring, and is often the biggest factor in determining the cost of an engagement ring.

Diamonds are priced according to the Four Cs: carats (their weight) and colour, clarity and cut (their quality). In addition to the type, size and quality of the gemstone, you also need to decide on a shape. The most popular is the round brilliant cut, but the princess cut (square) and emerald cut (rectangular) are also popular. If you're looking for something a little different, then you might want to consider a cushion cut, an oval cut, a marquise cut, or pear cut.

Precious metals

Traditionally, engagement rings were made in yellow gold, though in recent years the most popular choice of precious metals have been 18ct white gold and platinum. Platinum is the more expensive of the two due to it greater scarcity. It also has a higher tensile strength than gold, making it more suitable for very delicate designs.

Style of design

The most popular style of engagement ring is the solitaire (set with a single gemstone), but trilogy or trinity (three-stone) rings are also popular. You may also want to consider some more ornate vintage style rings, influenced by Victorian, Edwardian, and Art Deco designs.

One final design aspect for you to consider is the style of setting used to secure the diamonds or other gemstones. The most popular of these is the claw or prong setting, but other popular settings include the rub-over setting, and tension setting.

To learn more about how to choose an engagement ring, you should sit down face-to-face with a trusted jeweller who can take you through each of the issues above in some detail, and answer any specific questions that you may have.

How To Choose An Engagement Ring

By: Gareth Hoyle

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