Choosing an engagement ring can be prodigious event, and one that can be fatal if you go shopping unprepared because there are many decisions to make before you find the “best” engagement ring for your tastes and lifestyle. Now, as women, maybe we think there’s no point us looking at this lowdown as we know we probably won’t get to choose anyway! Or, maybe we already know everything there is to know about diamonds! Either way, the chances are our other halves are not as clued up as they need to be. So why not ‘accidentally’ leave this article open on your laptop at home, or email it to him as a hint, or ask a friend of his to keep hold of it ‘just in case’. If he’s anything like mine, he’ll appreciate the heads up!
Men! Don’t be put off, nor just buy the most expensive ring you find! You need to really think about what will suit your partner’s hand, personality, and your budget. Get an overview of all the different rings on offer. You’ll see the term ideal cut when you shop for an engagement ring. This means that the diamond has been cut in a way that makes the best use of its characteristics, in order to achieve the cut, more of the rough stone must be removed.
Round
This is the shape that has set the traditional standard for all diamond shapes – over 75% of the diamonds sold today are Round Brilliant. It’s a 58 facet cut, divided among its crown, girdle (the widest part) and pavilion (base), is calibrated so that it has the most sparkle.
Oval
This is a symmetrical design which appeals to many small handed women as it seemingly elongates hands and fingers.
Marquise
This is an oval shape with elongated with pointy ends. Often this type of cut has a ‘bow tie’ near their mid-section, which is the addition of smaller diamonds either side. The effect is not uncommon, they are however a sign of probably poor proportions and cuts in the main marquise, acting as camouflage.
Pear
This cut combines the oval and marquise shapes, it’s the hybrid shape that looks like a glistening teardrop. It complements the typical sized hand and fingers beautifully – a popular choice for the older lady.
Heart
This is exactly what it says on the tin, for those who like hearts, then this is the ring for you, you can go simple or you can go extravagant – the simple heart cut diamond can be dressed in several different ways.
Emerald
This emerald cut (originally developed for the gem of the same name) is rectangular with cropped corners and long, stair-step-like facets. Emerald cut diamonds have clipped corners, and the clips provide a perfect bit for prongs to hold the stone in place – also known as a step cut.
Princess
This is a square or rectangular shape with many facets. This is a fairly new cut and often finds its way into solitaire engagement rings – it is attractive on women with very long fingers. This cut necessitates more weight to be directed toward the diamond’s depth in order to maximize brilliance, which means they tend to be more expensive if you want a sparkling ring.
Trilliant
This was first designed in Amsterdam, and it can vary depending on a particular diamond’s natural characteristics and the cutter’s personal preferences. The shape may look like a traditional triangle with pointed corners, or it may also appear with more of a rounded shape. The triangular trilliant diamond is a brilliant cut stone that looks like it weighs more than its true carat weight.
Radiant
Most square or rectangular cuts just don’t live up to the round brilliant for that special sparkle, but the Radiant Cut was designed for getting maximum brilliance out of a diamond. Similar to the emerald cut, the radiant cut diamond is often a rectangle (sometimes square) with cropped corners.
Cushion Cut
Late 19th and early 20th style antique type shape, the cushion cut is a cross between a rectangle and an oval; it has a pillow shape, and it is also called an “antique cut.” A cushion cut diamond is a mix between the old mine cut and the modern oval cut. The cushion cut style is simply a diamond with rounded corners, such as the old mine cut, and an oval/ rectangular shape, like the modern oval cut.
Asscher Cut
This cut was made popular in the 1920’s by the Asscher Diamond Company in Amsterdam. Recently this shape has come back into style as an asscher is similar to an emerald cut, but square, so some can look octagonal. The Asscher cut is a vintage diamond cut that’s popular with brides, they have clipped corners that are sometimes deep enough to make the diamond appear to be an octagon.
Find out her tastes
If you’re purchasing the ring without her, choosing one will be will far more challenging because obviously you won’t be able to double check any preferences with her! And it’s quite an important and expensive decision to get wrong! Nowadays many women prefer to be part of a joint decision to purchase a ring – only you and her family will know what she would like! Personally I’d like my future fiancée to ask my mother or my best friend for advice on what I would like as I feel she would know.
If you are really stuck then there are a few tricks that you can do in order to try and get her opinion on certain rings – if you’re going past a jewellery store pretend to be interested in a watch – and then why not causally drop into conversation ‘oh that ring’s hideous, don’t you think?’ or ask ‘why are those silver ones more expensive than gold?’ – acting dumb, trying to ascertain her opinion on whether she prefers platinum, or white gold etc. If you’re good then she won’t even notice! Or why don’t you comment on a mutual friend’s engagement ring, and gauge her reaction.
Final checks
• Be sure to check that your home insurance covers its loss, or ask for insurance from the jeweller’s store if available. This ring is likely to be the most expensive piece of jewellery you have ever bought, and hopefully ever will – you don’t want to lose it all! Not to mention the most expensive piece of jewellery your fiancé (we hope) has ever worn.
• Make sure that it looks just as sparkling when it’s removed from the fluorescent lighting and the fancy oak display cabinet – that lighting and set up is designed to elude you!
• Ask for a certificate of authenticity and a warranty to accompany the ring, they are usually only available with the purchase of diamonds larger than 1 carat.
Good luck – It’s time to propose!
Bio: Hannah writes for http://www.
