Picking Out a Diamond Engagement Ring
The Four C’s aren’t a rock group. A heart does’t always apply to an organ in your chest. Carats aren’t always vegetables.
These terms all have to do with what’s commonly called a girl’s best friend – the diamond. The purchase of a diamond engagement ring is a major decision as multifaceted as the stones you’re selecting. Here’s a helpful guide covering the basics of the diamond buying process.
The taste test
“First of all, the most important thing is to know your partner’s taste,” said Garry Shepard, owner of Jergers in Thomasville, Ga.(www.jergerjewelers.com). He suggests visiting jewelry stores together to find out her ring preferences. “Listen to what she likes,” Shepard said. “Learn about what cut, metal choice and design she prefers.”
At Jergers, white metals, such as platinum and white gold, are the favorites among local couples. One of their most popular engagement rings is a 1920s Deco-style filigree ring. Three-stone diamond rings are also a best seller. Shepard says women are becoming more involved in the selection process, with couples coming into his store together.
“This is a ring she will wear every day of her life,” he said. “She wants a style she can be happy with.” If part of your proposal plan calls for surprising your bride-to-be with the ring, enlist the help and opinions of the other females in your life, such as your friends, sisters and good ol’ mom.
Tallahassee groom John Gilcher took his mom with him when he went to select a diamond ring for Heather. Together they picked out a marquise-shaped style. “When I saw it, I knew it was the one I wanted,” Gilcher said. The couple wed at Golden Hills Country Club in Ocala Nov. 18.
Determine your price range, style, setting and shape
The Diamond Trading Company (www.adiamondisforever.com) suggests an engagement ring be worth the equal of up to two months salary. This is simply a guide. Diamonds can be found in a range of price, and you’re certain to find one that suits your taste and what you plan to spend.
Diamond rings come in three main styles – the solitaire, the bridal set and the multi-stone. The solitaire is the most basic with a single stone set in a plain metal mounting. The bridal set is a single large stone in the center of the ring with smaller stones around it. The wedding band comes as part of the set and it easily slips in the bottom of the ring. The multi-stone ring is a single larger band that has multiple stones placed upon it.
Ring settings come in three main flavors – yellow gold, white gold and platinum.
The center stone in a diamond engagement ring can come in many different shapes:
* Round or brilliant: This circular shape is the most basic and traditional.
* Oval: an elongated circle.
* Pear: This shape resembles a tear drop. It’s pointed on one end and rounded on the other.
* Marquise: Pointed on both ends.
* Heart: Shaped like the name implies.
* Princess: Box or square.
* Emerald cut: Rectangular shaped.
* Trillion: Triangle shaped.
Understanding the Four C’s
The quality of the diamond is based on the “Four C’s:” cut, color, clarity and carat. The relationships of these characteristics greatly affect the price of the diamond.
* CUT refers to the angles and proportions of a diamond as well as the shape. A well-cut diamond will internally reflect light from one mirror-like facet to another and disperse and reflect it through the top of the stone. Facets are small, flat polished surfaces created by a master cutter. A fully cut diamond has 58 facets.
* COLOR refers to the degree to which a diamond is colorless. Diamonds come in virtually all colors of the rainbow and are graded on a color scale established by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). The scale ranges from D (colorless) to Z (fancy color).
* CLARITY depends on how clear or “clean” the diamond is. Blemishes – such as chips and scratches – are imperfections on the outside of the diamond. Inclusions – such as clouds and feathers – are imperfections inside the diamond. To view blemishes and inclusions, jewelers use a magnifying loupe. This tool allows jewelers to see a diamond at 10 times its actual size, making the flaws easier to spot. Inclusions are ranked on a scale of perfection, known as clarity. The clarity scale – also established by the GIA – ranges from F (Flawless) to I (Imperfect). The greater a diamond’s clarity, the more brilliant, valuable and rare it is.
* CARAT refers to the diamond weight. One carat is equivalent to 200 milligrams. One carat can also be divided into 100 “points” A .75 carat diamond is the same as a 75 points or 3/4-carat diamond. Be careful not to choose a diamond on carat weight alone. Two diamonds with the same carat weight may have vastly differing values due to the other factors previously discussed (cut, color and clarity). So don’t pick a diamond based primarily on its size.
Discovering her ring size
After going through the trouble to choose the perfect diamond, making sure the ring fits on her finger is essential. There are many ways to obtain her ring size. The most obvious is to take her with you to the jewelry store or simply ask her what her size is. You can also try placing one of her rings over your fingers (or one of her friend”(TM)s) and seeing if it fits any of them.
If it does, get a ring that fits that finger. Third, borrow one of her rings and take it to the store.
