You will make many important purchases in your life, but no purchase carries as much emotional weight as an engagement ring. An engagement ring is much more than a piece of jewellery – it is a physical symbol of your love and commitment, and a timeless symbol meant to last a lifetime.
With so much riding on the decision, it is no wonder so many women agonize over getting the perfect ring. There are practical decisions to be made, of course, and the quality of the stone matters a great deal. Even so, choosing the perfect diamond ring is as much about emotional connection as it is about value.
Does Size Really Matter?
The size of the engagement ring is always a consideration, but it means different things to different people. If your fiancé is shopping for an engagement ring, he may fear getting a diamond that is too small. On the other hand, some women may not want a large or ostentatious stone – they may feel that such a ring is simply too showy, and that wearing it would make them feel materialistic and greedy.
At the same time, many women do not want a stone that is too small. They may think that such a stone sends a message to the world that they are settling for less than they deserve. Since an engagement ring is a symbol of love and commitment, that message is all the more resonant.
There may not be a way to settle the size debate once and for all, but there are some things shoppers can do to reduce the problem. One is to look beyond the mere carat size to the quality of the diamond itself. The setting is important, and the size is as well, but it is the actual diamond that most people will be looking at.
In many cases, a smaller diamond that is cut perfectly will be shinier and more attractive than a larger and more expensive diamond with a lesser cut. A good diamond cutter can do wonders for even the smallest stones, making that diamond sparkle and reflect the light in exquisite ways. One of the things that makes diamonds so valuable is their ability to reflect light through their many facets. Only a quality cut can bring out this unique property and make the stone sparkle and shine.
A beautifully cut diamond can even look larger than its true size, due to the brilliance of the light it reflects. If you and your fiancé are on a tight budget, it makes sense to shop with the cut in mind, rather than focusing only on the size of the diamond.
Do Not Get Hung Up on a Low Price
It can be tempting to bargain shop for a diamond engagement ring, especially if you are on a tight budget. It pays to be careful, however, since those bargain priced rings are not always all they appear to be.
Keep in mind that an engagement ring is a once in a lifetime purchase, and not one to be taken lightly. Even if you fall in love with the first ring you see, it is a good idea to keep shopping around and looking at different cuts, carat weights and colors. You can always return to that first jewellery store if you do not find anything you like better.
Shopping around is always the best way to find a true value – not just the lowest price. The engagement ring you choose is meant to last a lifetime, so you want to find a ring that is timeless in its beauty. Many brides find themselves falling for the latest trend, only to be disappointed later on when that once hot setting or style goes out of fashion.
The Four C’s of Diamond Shopping
Even if you are an experienced diamond shopper, it never hurts to brush up on the four C’s of diamond shopping before heading out in search of the perfect engagement ring. If you have ever wondered why diamonds of the same carat size are often priced so differently, it is because the other three factors can be just as important as the actual size of the stone.
Cut – As discussed earlier, the cut is perhaps the most important part of diamond quality. A highly skilled diamond cutter can make an average stone look brilliant, while a poor one can easily ruin even the highest quality diamond. It is easy to compare the quality of cut, especially once you have been shopping for awhile.
Color – The quality of the color is another vital part of the diamond. Even a hint of color in an otherwise sparkling white diamond can diminish its value greatly. It takes a trained eye to spot these subtle variations in color, so it is important to look carefully.
Clarity – The clarity of the diamond can also make a huge difference in its value, so it is important to look at any stone you are considering under a microscope. Jewelers use special scopes to check their stones for tiny blemishes – the more blemishes the lower the value of the diamond.
Carats – The carat size is the most obvious factor in the value of the diamond, but it is certainly not the only one. A high quality stone with a large carat weight is likely to be quite costly, so be wary of big diamonds priced at bargain prices. If money is no object, you are free to splurge on as large a diamond as you can afford, without sacrificing cut, color or clarity. If your budget is more limited, you need to look at all the factors together and choose the best value for the money.
Shopping for an engagement ring should be an exciting journey, not a source of stress. The key to getting the most beautiful ring for your money is becoming an educated consumer. The more you know about diamonds going in, the better off you will be. Armed with that knowledge, you should be able to choose a gorgeous ring – one that will make all your friends green with envy.
Engagement Rings
