When it comes to selecting and purchasing an engagement ring, the most difficult task is determining the perfect match of the ring with the person. And of course adding another level of complexity to all of these tasks is the fact that 99% of the time ring hunting is a top secret operation.
To become successfully en fiancéd all efforts come down to the important bling quotient — the diamond’s size, shape, color and cut. Of course, there are many other components that have to be thought out prior to getting down on one knee. This includes the style of the ring, the type of metal (gold or platinum) and the actual size for her finger.
To help with this overwhelming task, the LP Editorial staff put together five tips for selecting an appropriate engagement bling.
1. Style of Band – Before the stone size and cut, the ring style itself will be the first choice that will potentially break off the engagement before it ever happens. Do a survey of her current jewelry. Does she tend to wear more silver or gold? Are her pieces of jewelry simple and delicate or large and loud? Also, casually quiz her on what she likes and what she doesn’t like of her friends’ engagement rings.
2. The Size – This part seems difficult, but with a few simple tricks, you can get a close approximation of her size. Secretly “borrow” one of her rings and trace the diameter on a piece of paper. You can also slip one of her rings down your ring finger. At the point it stops, mark a line.
Another alternative is to consider buying an unset diamond. Purchase the rock and then spend the time together finding and buying the right band that she likes. This solves both the style and the size issues.
3. Band Metal – You’ve got this one – an easy selection. Your basic options are gold and non-gold. Check out her current jewelry to determine any preference that she may have. Of course the number of carets may matter for gold, but the non-gold options may make it a lot easier. For metals that aren’t made of gold, there are silver, platinum and palladium. What’s the difference? The main differential is in price. Current (keep in mind prices are constantly changing) prices are approximately: Silver — $20.79 an ounce; palladium –$450 an ounce; platinum — $1,600 an ounce, while gold is about $1,365 an ounce.
When it comes to gold, the next selection option is what carat of gold. The number of carats refers to the amount of actual gold that is in the ring. When it comes to pure gold – 24 carats is the key number for reference. Also remember there are various colors of gold – white, yellow, and rose.
4. The Rock —
This is likely the most difficult of steps in selecting the perfect engagement ring and the most expensive. Buck-up and gird your wallet! But always keep in mind that the diamond is the key piece of real estate in the engagement ring. Don’t mess this one up!
First, keep in mind that there are 4 elements that go into selecting a diamond. The four elements are the cut, the color, the clarity and finally the carat size.
For Cut, it depends on how much you want the diamond to sparkle and razzle dazzle admirers. A “well cut” is the most brilliant. Fortunately, the Gemology Institute of America (GIA) has a diamond cut grading system; refer to this great guide to determine what cut of diamond you wish to buy. Don’t forget that the shape of the diamond is also critical. This is the form of the diamond, whether round, square, tear shaped, or some other version. Refer back to style tips for more ideas on what shape to select.
Color is not so much about the actual color of the stone, but the lack of color. The value of a diamond increases as the color decreases. A diamond’s sparkle is due to the cut and how much the stone reflects light. A diamond that is very clear will reflect more of the color spectrum back to the eye.
Clarity is essentially how clear the diamond is. Because diamonds are essentially stone, there are external marks as well as internal imperfections. These are seen when a diamond is viewed under magnification. Finding a diamond with limited imperfections means the clarity is increased. Of course, the price increases as well. However, you could find a better deal by buying wholesale diamonds and finding a ring maker who can make you a custom ring. This adds a more personal touch and gives you more flexibility over your choice of ring.
Finally, the Carat size is the last element to consider. This is the measurement or weight of the stone. One carat is equal to 1/5 of a gram, or .007 ounces. Jewelers weigh diamonds to the hundredths of a carat. Each hundredth is considered to be one point. For example, a 1 carat diamond is the same as a 100 point diamond.
5. The Ask – We threw in one extra tip because in today’s high stakes marriage proposal business, how a bride to be is asked is as an integral part of the engagement process as the ring itself.
Here’s our tip on making the Engagement Ask as memorable as the ring itself — “Be authentic.” If you are a master at singing and dancing, then organize a flash mob in a Home Depot, but if you are the type of guy who likes to go out eat at a local dive bar, most likely your significant other is too.
Don’t change who you are, but be who you are. Be sure to write down what you want to say in your “will you marry me” speech. Try to memorize it because in the heat of the moment, you may forget. In the end, be honest, be open and be authentic. Twenty-five years from now, all of the engagement hoopla will be a distant, but fond memory; replaced by deep feelings of love, joy, and excitement as vivid as the day you asked her.
– Kevin Feather
Kevin is the Lifestyle Editor and a contributing writer for LuxuriousPROTOTYPE. He is also a contributing writer for the Examiner.com. He can be found on Twitter @Kfeat and also on Google.
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