Choosing an Engagement Ring
Selecting and purchasing an engagement ring can be both an exciting and stressful time for a couple. Engagement rings typically signify a couple’s intent to marry, and the ring is worn by the woman on her left ring finger. In some cultures, men and women both wear engagement rings, although this is not seen often in the United States. So, let’s take a look at the different kinds of engagement rings and how a couple goes about choosing one.
Many years ago, it was typical for a man to pick out an engagement ring for his soon-to-be & wife, and present it to her when he proposed. However, nowadays, it’s not uncommon to see a man and a woman shopping together for the ring. Engagement rings come in a variety of styles and therefore a variety of price ranges. It is perhaps most helpful to start with a price range for the ring you will be purchasing. From there you can narrow down the type of metal, type of stone and cut of stone that best fits your individual taste. Platinum & gold jewelry are the most typical kind of metals used in engagement rings. Silver is also a common choice as is titanium. The most traditional stones used in engagement rings are diamonds although other popular choices include sapphires and emeralds.
When talking about engagement rings, it’s hard to do so without mentioning the 4 C’s. The 4 c’s consist of cut, color, clarity, and carat. All diamonds are graded by using the 4 c’s and each individual diamond has a unique grade that determines it’s value. The first “c”, cut, is perhaps the most important because it determines the brilliance of the diamond. In order for the diamond to have the maximum amount of sparkle, it must be cut precisely and correctly. The color of the diamond is graded on a scale from colorless to tinted. The more colorless a diamond it is, the more valuable it is.
The clarity is also important as it measures the tiny imperfections inside of the diamond. The fewer imperfections, the more costly the diamond. These grades range from flawless to imperfect. The last “c” is carat which refers to the weight of the diamond. Generally speaking, the higher the carat the higher the price of the diamond. An engagement ring is a big purchase, so make sure you do your research before deciding on one!
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