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A Man’s Guide To Choosing An Engagement Ring
By Bryon Allen | October 22, 2009
So, the time has come to pop the question, eh? Whether the though of that scares you or gets you excited, if you really want her you’re going to have to get down on one knee and ask her to marry you in the traditional way, and get engaged if she says yes.
It’s certainly a valid option to ask your lady to marry you in an off-hand manner and then visit jewelry stores together to choose an engagement ring. Yet many a woman says that wearing a ring that their man has chosen especially for them is definitely special.
With all the choice out there, however, where do you start? First and foremost, its time to do your research. Diamonds are like anything else. Knowledge is power, and it will give you the confidence to make a purchase, safe in the knowledge that you’re not getting ripped off.
Get online – the internet will be your friend for free education. You’ll learn details about how diamonds are graded. You’ll understand the 4Cs of diamonds, and how these factors influence the beauty and, therefore, the value of diamonds.
The 4 C’s are four variables that are used to calculate the value of a diamond — Clarity, Color, Cut, and Carat Weight.
Clarity describes the clearness or purity of a diamond. This is determined by the number, size, nature, and location of the internal (inclusions) and external (blemishes) imperfections.
Color describes the amount of color the diamond contains. This can range from colorless to yellow with slight tints of yellow, gray or brown. Colors can also range from intense yellow to brown, blue, green, pink and red. These fancy colors are rare and therefore more valuable.
Cut refers to the proportions, finish, symmetry, and polish of the diamond. These factors determine the fire and brilliance of a diamond. Well cut diamonds sell at a premium and poorly cut diamonds sell at discounted prices. With the advent of technology, the cut of the diamond can be determined through the use of the Dia-Mension system, a computerized system which takes accurate measurements and proportions of a diamond in seconds, in addition to the standard millimeter gauge.
The weight of diamonds is measured in carats. Larger diamonds are much more rare, so a 2-carat gem will be worth significantly more than 2 diamonds of the same quality weighing 1 carat each.
If you can make sure they’re not going to tell her, you might collect an incredible amount of information from her friends and mother. From what metal she would prefer for the ring, to what size and shape of diamond she likes most, all the way up to her ring size (they can even sneak and get a ring she doesn’t usually wear in case they don’t know her ring size). This is invaluable information.
Now it’s time for you to actually start looking, since at this point you pretty much have all the information you need. Visit online stores and check out their offerings. Visit brick and mortar jewelry stores and see what they carry. Compare and decide, depending on what they offer and your budget.
While we’re talking about budgets, set yours and stick to it. One of the mistakes people often make is to spend way more than they can afford to on an engagement ring; they seem to forget that not everyone can afford D-flawless diamonds. So only spend an amount that won’t leave you hurting. Of course, it’s acceptable to go, say, 10% over-budget, but spending twice what you planned to is bad. Your engagement ring is a symbol of love, not a financial investment.
Most importantly, talk to diamond specialists that can guide you and offer professional advice on what the best purchases are. But avoid the pitfall of analysis paralysis, where you get so much information that it becomes impossible for you to make a decision. Get the basics, and then start ring-hunting!
This article is brought to you courtesy of Jewelry Stores in New York City, where you can find tons of jewelry-related information, such as where to buy diamonds in Manhattan’s Diamond District
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