Buying an engagement ring is one of the most important purchases you
will ever make. The rule of thumb is to spend two month's salary- for
men, this is probably the most amount of money they have ever spent on
jewelry. Believe it or not, buying a dimond engagement ring can be more
complicated than you think. To make sure the experience goes smoothly,
get informed on how to buy diamonds and learn about the four Cs.
Try to determine what kind of metal and styles your girlfriend prefers.
Does she wear a lot of silver? If so, she will appreciate a platinum dimond
engagement ring. Does she wear a lot of gold? Consider going the traditional
route and purchase a gold dimond engagement ring. If your girlfriend doesn't
wear jewelry, you may consider a titanium dimond engagement ring. Titanium
is the lightest of all precious metals, friendly to sensitive skin types,
and looks great combined with a variety of precious stones.
The Four Cs:
This is the most important. How the diamond is cut determines how brilliant
the diamond will be. Round cuts are generally more brilliant, if cut properly,
than fancy cuts.
Diamonds are priced by carat, not weight.
The clearer the diamond, the more light can pass through and refract.
The fewer the imperfections, the more brilliant the diamond.
Two More Cs to think about are:
Certificate: Make sure your diamond has a certificate of authenticity
and has been graded by a gemologist.
Cost: You don't have to go into debt to get a nice ring. Remember, size
doesn't necessarily matter. If your fiancee has thin fingers, a .8 carat
will look significantly bigger. Or, if you want a large ring, trade off
clarity or color for carat. You can determine what "C" is more
important to you and buy accordingly.
