Getting Engaged
Whether you’re looking to get engaged or just curious, because diamonds are amazing (duh), engagement ring shopping can be confusing.
Diamonds
There’s so many options and plenty to consider. Here’s a few tips to help you out along the way, and possibly make things easier on your (or your man):
Understanding The Ring
First, there’s a lot of physical parts to a ring, so knowing the different terms is helpful. Think of a typical ring, or look one up online.
Head Of The Ring
The “head” of the ring is the part where you will find the center stone and prongs holding it in place. By the head, most likely on either side of the center stone, you might find side stones and accent stones. They’re not the main stones, so they’re the side and/or accent stones (side stones tend to be larger than accent stones, but it depends upon the ring).
The Setting
The “setting” is defined as the engagement ring, including the side and accent stones, but usually not referring to the center stone. Think of it as the thing that the center stone is being set into (hence, setting).
The Band
The band, or “shank,” is the round section of the ring that fits around the finger. It’s he physical “ring” part of the ring.
Choosing Your Style
There are so many different styles to choose from, and I encourage you to look up images and guides online or to go into a jeweler together.
The head can be vary based on how the stone is set. Some of the variations include how many prongs, type of prongs, where the prongs are set, etc. This can also cvary based on the shape of your diamond.
The shank has just as many variations as the head, if not more. It can be tapered, different thicknesses in the back (as opposed the front where the head is, even split or crisscrossed for a more intricate look.
The accent stones can vary as well if you want them on your ring, not only in number but also in style and layout. From a simple line to multiple little rows, to how much space is between the stones, these stones can vary and add to the style of your ring.
Embellishments
Embellishments can also be added to your ring, specifically the shank of your ring, if you prefer them. This can range from a simple engraving to more intricate filigree and even a hidden small diamond on each side. Research when designs you like for this.
The Shape Of The Diamond
So, that’s the ring, which is great! But what about the star of the show – the diamond? Well, there’s a lot of terms and options that play into the diamond as well.
To start out simple, there’s the shape. What shape do you want your center stone to be? Do you like round, princess, oval, emerald, or a cute heart? There are many options for shape, and it is definitely worth researching even for just a bit to get a feel for your preferences.
The color is a little bit less straight forward than the shape. Essentially, how clear does it have to be? Does it need to be like ice, or is a little bit of color okay? Do you even prefer to have some color to it?
Clarity refers to the amount of specks in the diamond. Does a few small specks in it bother you, or are you okay with one here or there?
“Inclusions” are the small imperfections inside natural diamonds. There are many types of inclusions, from dark carbons to lighter feathers and bubbles.
Carats
When choosing the carat of your stone, consider how big do you want it to be? Though carat is commonly used to refer to size, as size tends to correspond to weight relatively well, it actually refers just to weight. Two diamonds may weigh the same, and therefore have the same carat value, but may look like they are different sizes because they have been cut differently.
There are a lot of factors that go into choosing an engagement ring, so it can be helpful to find what you like and what fits your personality early on. This way, it’s not a stressful process, and you can happily and easily say “yes” without worrying about whether you’ll actually like the ring.
