Getting engaged is perhaps one of the scariest moves a man (and yes a woman too) could ever make. So I have put together this engagement rings guide to help you find that special ring that your girl will love - while leaving you satisfied that you have not over-spent.
And even if your fiancee will be choosing her own ring, you'd want to tell her to read this information as well. But more than likely, you'd be buying your "special lady" a diamond engagement ring. Because:
Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend
Right. Diamonds are 99.95% pure crystallized carbon and is as old as dirt - between 1-3 billion years old. In fact, they are the hardest naturally occurring substance known and are formed in the earth's upper mantle under heat and pressure and carried to the earth's surface by deep volcanic eruptions.
They are later mined from layers of gravel found in just a few sites around the world. Then they are transported to the various cutting centers to be cut, polished and set as jewelry. Their brilliance, sparkle and toughness make them well sought after.
But they can be costly too. Various sources quote averages prices anywhere from $3500 - $5000. "Ouch" you say. Well, I can give you the name of:
The "Genius" That Started The Diamond Engagement Ring Idea
But he has long passed so you'll have to put your weapon back in your holster. The first well-documented case of giving an engagement diamond ring occurred in 1477.
This was when a lovestruck Austrian, Archduke Maximilian, put a diamond ring on the third finger of the left hand of Mary of Burgundy in his betrothal to her. That finger was believed by ancient Egyptians to have a vein that leads straight to a woman's heart.
In the United States, it was not until the 30′s that giving diamond rings for engagements became typical. Now about 80% of women engaged are offered diamond rings.
As this will be a most important purchase - symbolic of your love and the importance of your relationship, taking note of the following factors should put you in good stead.
The 5th C And Coming Up With A Budget
Any good engagement rings guide will mention the 4 C's as they are central to making a purchase for a diamond ring. The 4 C's are outlined in greater detail below but it is the "5th C" - cost, that arouses the greatest amount of curiosity and perhaps fear.
You may have heard the "conventional wisdom" that claims that you need to save at least three months salary to purchase a diamond ring. This "advice" may have come from the De Beers' publicity machine; Debeers being dominant force in every aspect of the diamond industry. So take this advice with a grain of salt.
A much better approach is to set your budget based on how much you can realistically afford. And you are likely the best person who can come up with that number.
Also your budget will need to take into consideration the qualities of the ring that are the most important to you. With the wide array of diamond rings available, you can spend less and still get a good ring or you can spend a lot more on size and quality.
There are some highly trusted places where you can buy engagement rings online whilst staying within your budget. These places offer a 100% money back guarantee should you not be satisfied with your budget.
A reputable online diamond retailer would also ensure that their diamonds don't originate from conflict countries nor other sources with links to criminal or terrorist activities.
Whichever source you buy from, resist the temptation to go over your budget especially if money is tight. A salesperson may encourage you to spend beyond your budget because diamonds possibly represent a sound investment.
But a retailer can significantly mark up the value of a diamond and shortly after you buy that ring, it could lose a lot of it value. And worse, it could take years for that value to return. So stay true to your budget as much as you can.
Know Her Size & What She Likes
How many times have I told my girlfriend that I am not a mind reader? Women typically expect men to know exactly what they want especially if those men have been in a long relationship with them.
Don't assume that you know everything about your lady. Discovering what type of diamond engagement ring your special lady loves can be tricky if you want to keep your imminent proposal hush hush.
So before you begin shopping you should
* Study her style of jewelry. Is she more into traditional or romantic jewelry? Does she love flashy or more subtle jewelry?
Also pay attention to the metal and color of the jewelry she wears.
Also get a second opinion. Ask her close friends or even family for advice on the style of jewelry she likes.
* Determine her ring size by secretly "borrowing" one of her rings and comparing it to a size chart or showing it to a jeweler. Make sure the ring you "borrow" is the one she wears on the intended finger.
You could also enlist the help of a friend or family member who could casually try on one of her rings and ascertain its size. If you are not comfortable with any of these 007-like moves, simply try on one of her rings and take it down as far as it can comfortably go.
You can mark that line and show it to a jeweler who should then be able to size it from there. If all else fails and you are not still sure about her ring size - choose a ring that is on the bigger side. It is a lot better to reduce the size of a ring than it is to "size it up.
The 4 C's Of A Diamond Purchase
No engagement rings guide is complete without a discussion of the "Four C's" - cut, color, clarity and carat. The 4 C's are a major part of price setting and will be included in a diamond grading report.
Although all of the 4 C's should be considered equally, gemologists will tell you that "cut" is the most critical because there are so many variables involved.
Diamond Cut: As you'll see, this is the only "C" that is not influenced by mother nature. "Cut" refers to the geometric proportions, symmetry and polish of diamond - not its shape. These factors determine a diamond's fire, brilliance and scintillation.
When light enters a poorly cut diamond, most of the light will get lost through the sides rather than reflecting back up the top. The former gives the diamond a dull, lifeless look.
Be aware that there are treatments that can be carried out to a diamond that can improve its color or totally change it to a fancy color.
Diamond Color: Arguably the second most important "C", jewelers typically grade color on a 23 alphabet scale - "D" - "Z". "D" is the whitest color and "Z" is a light yellow color.
You may think that a whiter color would always mean a more expensive diamond. But this is not necessarily the case as rarity is what determines price.
There are diamonds called "fancies" which have strong colors (such as blue and red) and are very rare and very costly. Some fancies are priced out of the range of most people as they cost in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Diamond Clarity: Diamonds typically have internal and external blemishes called inclusions or nature's fingerprint. These are often invisible to the naked eye but can be seen under a jeweler's microscope (loupe).
Fewer inclusions means greater clarity and a cleaner, more expensive diamond. Gem quality diamonds, that is those with little or no internal inclusions are graded "FL" for flawless. These diamonds are rare and expensive.
Diamond Carat Weight: The weight of a diamond is measured in carats. This is not to be confused with "karat" which is how the purity of gold is described.
Nor should you confuse the weight of a diamond with its size. 1 carat equals 0.2 grams or 100 points. Many people are familiar with "carat" as it is a term that is always floating around. Carat weight is pretty straightforward as it is standardized and can be accurately determined with a diamond carat weight scale. The more a diamond weighs - the more it costs.
The 6th C - Certification
Here is another "C" for you - "certification". I call this the 6th "C." Ok - I swear - no more "Cs" in this engagement rings guide.
"Certification" is actually a diamond grading report which gives a professional gemological assessment of the 4Cs.
You should only trust diamond grading reports from solid trusted labs such as the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), American Gem Society (AGS) and the Gem Certification and Assurance Lab (GCAL).
In addition to the big 3 diamond graders above, some online retailers, Amazon for example, include certificates from International Gemological Institute (IGI).
Bear in mind that diamond grading reports don't offer appraisals of diamonds. Appraisals mention value. So if someone shows you a grading report with an amount claiming to be a market value of the diamond - you know something is not right.
Buying Diamonds Online
In an age where a half eaten grilled cheese sandwich and a woman's hand in marriage are sold online, it seems there is nothing you cannot buy on the internet. Wherever you intend on buying a diamond, trust in the vendor ought to be an issue and of course you need to exercise common sense.
You also have to do your homework such as checking a seller's credentials and being aware of the scams so that you can avoid them.
Blow your sweetheart's mind with a gorgeous diamond engagement ring at a great price. Visit: http://www.TrendyEngagementRings.com
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