A Diamond Ring

Criteria to Use in Shopping for a Diamond Ring

Financial experts recommend that couples spend not more than three weeks’ salary, or roughly 6 percent of annual income. On the other hand, many jewelry experts recommend that you invest considerably more. Couples with limited finances at the time of their engagement can certainly reset the stone or add extra stones at a later date.

The diamond industry has identified the four Cs—color, clarity, cut, and carat weight—to assist consumers in making educated purchases.

The majority of diamonds do appear colorless, though many that contain a hint of color . The Gemological Institute of America has a letter grading system for classifying the color of diamonds, starting with D for the slightest blue tone and spanning the alphabet to Z for the yellow stones.

The clarity of a diamond refers to the number of internal flaws contained in the stone. Diamonds, the crystallized form of carbon, may contain some impurities that are often visible only by a jeweler’s microscope. The fewer number of flaws increases the value of the stone.

The cut of a diamond refers to the design of facets, including the round solitaire, marquise, oval, pear, and emerald. High-quality diamonds reflect more light and appear to have a greater sparkle. The marquise cut refers to a stone that is pointed at both ends. An emerald cut refers to a stone that is square or rectangular.

The karat of a stone is a unit of weight for precious gems equal to 200 milligrams. There are 100 points to a karat. The average size of an engagement ring today is about .75 karat.

Buying the Engagement Ring and Considering Other Options

It is customary for the groom-to-be to cover the expense of the engagement ring for his bride. Because of the cost of some engagement rings and wedding bands, it is certainly acceptable for the bride-to-be to contribute to the purchase of her ring. It is usually the bride-to-be who purchases her fiancé‘s wedding band. The most popular groom’s rings today are classic bands of gold or platinum.

Probably the first consideration for a groom is whether to purchase a new engagement ring or present a family heirloom. The most traditional engagement ring is a diamond solitaire which can easily be paired with a variety of wedding bands. Some brides prefer to wear their engagement and wedding rings separately, or to just wear their engagement rings on special occasions.

Engagement rings can be found in jewelry stores and the fine jewelry department in some department stores. The bridal couple should visit several jewelers to compare selection of styles, workmanship, price points, and customer service. Most jewelers offer complimentary sizing, cleaning, and tightening of the stone for the first six months or year of ownership.