Engagement Ring Guide
This engagement ring guide will help you choose an engagement ring setting she'll love, and decide on the right combination of diamond size and quality, so you're sure to choose the perfect ring.
The classic engagement ring is composed of two parts: a diamond and a setting. For the best value, find the engagement ring setting she'll love then devote the remainder of your budget to a beautiful, certified diamond.
How much to spend?
This is an emotional event, and a purchase that will last a lifetime. The two-months salary convention is a common starting point, but we believe that regardless of the amount you budget, your most important considerations should be quality and value. Choose the ring she'll love.
Discovering what kind of ring she likes can be a challenge if you want to keep your proposal a secret. She is going to wear this ring for the rest of her life, so you want to ensure she likes it. Whether you want your proposal to be a surprise, or you want her to be involved in the decision, here are the decisions you'll need to make:
Platinum
1. Character: Enduring. Platinum is the strongest, most pure metal. It will last a lifetime.
2. Price: More expensive. Platinum is rarer than gold. Platinum jewelry is composed of 90-95% pure platinum.
3. Care/ Repair: Infrequent/more difficult. Strongest jewelry metal. Resistant to damage. Won't wear away. Develops a satin finish. Difficult to polish, repair. Won't tarnish .
18K Gold
1. Character: Classic. 18k gold is the most common engagement ring setting.
2. Price: Less expensive. 18k gold is composed of 75% gold and 25% metal alloys to give it strength.
3. Care/Repair: More often/easy. Softer, malleable metal. More easily damaged. Will wear away over years. Easy to polish, repair. Won't tarnish.
Choose a Setting Style
Solitaire Settings
This is the most popular engagement ring setting. The prongs position the center diamond to catch the most light. A four-prong setting shows a bit more diamond, while a six-prong setting offers a slight security advantage.
Settings with Sidestones
A setting with diamonds or gemstones adds additional sparkle or color. Channel settings protect sidestones from abrasions by keeping them flush. The bar-channel setting allows more light to enter the sidestones, and creates a scalloped edge of brilliance.
Settings with Matching Bands
If you'd like a wedding band to wear on the same finger with your engagement ring, consider settings with wedding bands designed to match.
Three-Stone Settings
For a classic ring that's truly unique and created by you, choose all three diamonds to be set in a three-stone setting. The three-stone ring has one diamond for the past, one for the present, and one for the future.
How to choose a ring she'll love without her knowing?
How do you know if she'll like the ring if she doesn't pick it out? If you consider her tastes and lifestyle, you'll be sure to make the right choice.
1. Take a good look at the color of jewelry your partner wears. What color is the metal?
2. Ask her friends or mother if she has mentioned a preference for a particular type or style of ring.
3. Is she very active or not used to wearing jewelry? If so, consider a cathedral or contour setting, which will protect a diamond from rough treatment.
Return from Engagement Ring Guide to Home Page
