Engagement Rings

Metal

If you’re unsure what ring metal to choose, consider the differences between 18k gold and platinum (which are the most common materials):

Platinum	Enduring	More Expensive	Characteristics
	Platinum is the strongest, most pure metal. It will last a lifetime	Platinum is rarer than gold. Platinum jewellery is composed of 90-95% pure platinum.	Strongest jewellery Resistant to damage Won’t wear away Develops a satin finish Difficult to polish Won’t tarnish
Gold	Classic	Less Expensive	Characteristics
	18ct Gold is the most common engagement ring setting.	18ct Gold is composed of 75% gold and 25% metal alloys to give it strength.	Softer than Platinum, more malleable Easier to damage/scratch Will wear Easy to polish and repair Won’t tarnish

Settings

Next, you need to consider the overall ring setting (the head, shank and metal combination). The most common, and in our experience, the most sought after is the classic solitaire in a Tiffany Mount or Tiffany Setting (named after Tiffany & Co., which popularized it), where a set of prongs (called a claw, crown, or coronet) hold a single diamond attached to a plain band ring. The prongs position the diamond to catch the most a four-prong setting shows a bit more diamond, while a six-prong setting offers a slight security advantage.

Whilst the setting is simple it is, in fact, an elegant way to showcase, what is, after all, the main purchase – the diamond! It also allows the wearer to eventually choose a wide range of wedding ring types to compliment and enhance the overall look, meaning, an ornate engagement ring can be difficult to match with other ring designs. Consequently, a solitaire is a more flexible approach and can be paired easily with a plain ring, a diamond set ring or a shaped band.

Diamond Quality

Once the setting has been decided, the remaining budget can be devoted to the diamond itself. You will probably have come across the 4C’s (if not read here) where Colour, Clarity, Cut and Carat (weight) all influence the cost of a diamond. Whilst you can get bogged down with the intricacies of diamond grading all you need worry about are these points:

1. Cut – The cut of a diamond has the biggest effect on its sparkle, also called brilliance. Even with perfect colour and clarity, a poor cut can make a diamond look dull. At The Wedding Ring Company, we carry only Ideal, Very Good, Good, and Fair cut diamonds, which produce the most brilliance.
2. Colour – Colourless diamonds are most highly valued and are priced accordingly. For the best value, choose a colourless or near colourless diamond that has no noticeable colour, grades D-J fall into that bracket, however, at The Wedding Ring Company we only use diamonds of grades D, E and F, as we feel with regard to Engagement, Rings these offer the best look.
3. Clarity – Diamonds free from internal flaws, or inclusions, are very rare and highly-valued. The best value in diamond clarity is a diamond with no inclusions visible to the unaided eye. At The Wedding Ring Company, diamonds used range from SI2 to VVS1.
4. Carat (Weight) – Since larger diamonds are rarer than smaller diamonds, the diamond value rises exponentially with carat weight. With a clear understanding of cut, colour, and clarity, you can balance the overall diamond quality with the size of your diamond. Again, with regard to Engagement Rings, at The Wedding Ring Company, we use diamonds starting at 0.30ct to 1.00ct.

Summary

So you’ve considered the ring material (18k Gold or Platinum), the overall setting, the size, colour, clarity and cut of the diamond so now you feel well prepared to make a purchase! But! How do you know if your partner will like the ring if they didn’t pick it out? If you consider their tastes and lifestyle, you’ll be sure to make the right choice.

• Take a good look at the colour of jewellery your partner wears. What colour is the metal?
• Ask her friends or mother if she has mentioned a preference for a particular type or style of ring.
• Involve her best friend in the decision-making process!

Engagements are rarely an out-of-the-blue surprise, so it is common to discuss engagement ring choices with your partner. The only way to ensure you find a ring that will match their taste and style is to shop for a ring together, and if you take nothing from this article then heed this – shop together and involve them in the decision! If you want to surprise them then dazzle them with your knowledge of diamond rings!