Everyone probably knows the old tradition of asking for the hand of your beloved by saying a few magic words while kneeling on one knee, but does everyone know how to choose an engagement ring? It is an important step before marriage - like proof of two people's love, testifying to their desire to spend the rest of their lives together ! Additionally, an engagement ring is usually one of the most expensive pieces of jewelry you will ever purchase. To make the right choice, it is helpful to be familiar with several important aspects related to choosing an engagement ring.
Know what kind of jewelry your significant other likes
In the modern jewelry market, the choice of jewelry is very wide - diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphires, gold, platinum, silver, etc. Sometimes it can seem very difficult to choose the most suitable option from such a large number. And that is why you should think carefully in advance about what stone, type of ring setting and color of precious metal your fiancée would like the most. Of course, you should not ask her directly (after all, in this case you would only spoil the surprise waiting for her and betray your future intentions), but you can always take into account what design of jewelry she likes, or ask people close to her to find out what she might like the most.
Find out your sweetheart's ring size
If you don't know your girlfriend's ring size yet, the best option would be to secretly borrow one of her rings and go to a jeweler to have it measured. However, remember that you should choose a ring that she likes. worn on the ring finger of the left hand . If you cannot find such a ring, or you only find a ring worn on the finger of the right hand, although the fingers of the left and right hands may differ in size, the difference should not be large and the size of the ring given as a gift should be easy to adjust if necessary.
Gold or platinum
Which precious metal you decide to choose will depend solely on your significant other's individual taste. Maybe she likes traditional solutions, so you'll look for yellow gold? Or maybe she would like white or rose gold? Does she adore platinum? Each metal has different properties and varies in strength and durability, so think about what your loved one's main priorities are, what their lifestyle is, and how often they will wear their engagement ring. All of this will determine the choice of precious metal.
Decide which gemstone you will choose
No other gemstone can match the hardness or brilliance of diamonds. A diamond can withstand everyday wear and tear and look great for years. It is therefore not surprising that engagement rings with diamonds have long been a traditional choice.
However, diamonds are not the only popular gemstones used in the production of engagement rings. Rubies and sapphires are not far behind them, which also have a very high degree of hardness - they are second only to diamonds and also last a long time. Emeralds are also very popular, although these precious stones are inferior to diamonds, sapphires and rubies in terms of hardness and durability. If emeralds are inlaid in gold, they are properly protected and last longer. Meanwhile, stones with a hardness of less than 7 on the Mohs scale should be avoided, as they will not be suitable for everyday wear and can be damaged much faster.
Don't forget the 4Cs
If you decide to give your loved one a diamond engagement ring, you should also remember the “4Cs” (a grading system used worldwide and is a reliable indicator of quality). The “4Cs” are the color, clarity, cut and carat of a diamond. These are the four main criteria used to evaluate the quality of a diamond. If you are looking for a diamond ring, evaluate these criteria first. However, keep in mind that if a diamond engagement ring is going to be worn every day, the diamond does not necessarily have to be of the highest quality.
Diamond shape
When choosing a diamond engagement ring, the shape of the diamond is also very important. Round, oval and pear-shaped diamonds usually have the greatest sparkle, while rectangular and emerald-shaped diamonds, due to their distinctive shape, give the ring more uniqueness and elegance. And these are not the only diamond shapes - you should not forget about princess, marquise, cushion octagon or heart-shaped diamonds, so think carefully about what your significant other might like the most.