Sterling Silver Cable Chain - 18 inches

Enagagement Rings, Diamonds, And Information You Should Know

An engagement ring may be the single most important purchase that you make in your lifetime. No pressure, right? Ring shopping, particularly if the ring is a surprise, can be overwhelming because there is much you need to know to avoid making a poor choice. Before you begin consider a budget, quality, cut and style. Two months salary is the traditional guideline for how much you should spend; however, your circumstances and preferences should also be taken into consideration.

Some important diamond basics: Carats are the unit of measure in which diamonds are weighed. While the size of the diamond you purchase is important, the biggest stones are not always best. You must also consider the shape, cut, and clarity of a diamond to determine it's value. Diamonds come in many shapes--pear, round, square, rectangular, marquise, oval and even heart-shaped. Cut does not refer to the shape, it refers to the number and angle of the facets cut into the stone. Facets reflect light and determine the diamonds sparkle and brilliance. A diamond that is too broad and shallow will not reflect as much light. A narrow deep diamond will have similar problems. The brilliant round cut in a yellow gold setting is the most common and one of the most attractive choices. Your significant other may prefer bolder and more daring shapes and settings so pay attention to her other jewelry and hints she may drop about her likes and dislikes.

In an engagement ring most people prefer a white diamond--the less color the better to get that amazing sparkle. Some diamonds appear cloudy or yellowish and are worth less; however, diamonds do come in some amazing colors and are quite rare. Clarity is another important consideration. Flaws and impurities may not necessarily be visible to the naked or untrained eye but they do lower the value of gem stones. Ask to see the diamond under a scope and ask for guarantees.

Once you have chosen a satisfactory stone in your price range it's time to choose a setting. Gold is the most common but settings also come in white gold and platinum. If you have to choose a smaller stone the setting can make it look larger by surrounding it with smaller stones. For example, a Bezel setting completely surrounds the stone. Consider your fianc's sense of style and choose one that is similar to pieces she already owns or rings she has pointed our and admired to her friends.

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