If you’re hunting for an
engagement ring with the ‘wow factor’, you’ve found the right place. Presenting
the perfect ring to the perfect partner is a moment we all want to have, but
knowing what we need for that to happen isn’t always easy.
Here, we’ve brought
together everything you need to know about engagement rings to ensure that
precious moment is done in style.
The ‘four Cs’
If you’ve already been
browsing, you may have come across the term ‘four Cs’ and you must know what
these are if you’re going to get the right design.
The ‘four Cs’ stand for
cut, carat, color, and clarity. These are the cornerstones of what makes a
stone like a diamond so special and valued. Before you even think of buying,
it’s a great idea to establish:
- Cut: affects how a diamond
sparkles as its facets interact with light.
- Carat: the stone’s weight,
which has a big impact on its overall cost.
- Color: diamonds range from
completely colorless to those with a yellow hue.
- Clarity: the number and
noticeability of a diamond’s flaws and imperfections.
Of course, colorless
stones with a high carat number and minimal blemishes are the most expensive.
But there are plenty of beautiful and cheaper alternatives if you’re willing to
look around.
Style
If you know what kind of
style your partner wants, it’ll make your job a lot easier. Do they like quirky
trinkets and would love a custom-made ring from an independent retailer? Or how
about something like designer engagement rings from Whiteflash?
The best way to find out
what style to go for without asking directly is to check out the other types of
jewelry they have and kind of clothes they wear. If they’re into vintage, they
may want a classic ring. While if they love standing out from the crowd, they
may prefer something personally designed. Either way, there’s a style for
everyone.
Setting
The setting of a ring
refers to how the stone is designed, presented and secured. Luckily, you have
many choices such as:
- Prong: one diamond set in a simple,
traditional mounting.
- Cluster: a large, central stone
with many smaller stones along with the band.
- Channel: stones are placed next
to each other (not separated by the ring’s metal).
- Bar: a band of stones with each
secured by a thin bar shared between two diamonds.
- Bezel: where the metal
surrounds the stone, offering excellent protection.
Once you know how you
want the stone to sit in the band, you can choose which metal you want.
Usually, this would be from gold (rose, white or yellow), platinum or
palladium. Make sure to check out a variety of settings to ensure you get a
good overview of the design possibilities out there, too.
Stone
Of course, your partner
might not be a diamond person. Perhaps they love the deep blue of a sapphire or
maybe emerald is their favorite shade of green. If you know they want something
unique, a colored gemstone may be the way to go.
However, if you’re
uncertain, diamonds are a relatively safe bet and come in a variety of stunning
shapes from the classic ‘round brilliant’ and Art Deco ‘Asscher’ cuts, to the
romantic ‘heart’ and feminine ‘pear’ cuts.
Price
Think all engagement
rings need to cost a fortune? They don’t. Forget the ‘three months of your
salary’ rule when it comes to ring price. You have a huge number of options and
plenty of ways to strike a decent deal. All you need to know are the points
mentioned above to find the perfect ring and then you can get browsing for the
ideal one.
