Your Engagement Ring Selection Guide
There’s no better way to make the woman you love feel like she’s on top of the world than to give her an engagement ring that’s as unique and special as she. This one act signifies the beginning of a whole new chapter in both of your lives, so making the right choice in choosing an engagement ring is a very important decision. Lots of guys will walk into a jewelry store and pick something nice out of the case, which is fine to do at most reputable stores like Kay’s or Zales. What I’ve found in my experiences, however, is that women will always say that anything they get from their man will be great, but underneath, they really want something unique. They don’t want the same ring that every other girl has on their finger. Don’t fret though, this is easier to handle than you think, so here’s some free engagement ring advice.
You have many choices today to find that one ring for her. The old saying “two months salary” doesn’t need to apply either, you can find beautiful jewelry at reasonable prices today. There are some things you will need to know, however, before walking into the store. Here’s your engagement ring guide to her finger and her heart…
• First, you need to know her ring size. The actual size number, not just your best guess.
• What shape of diamond does she prefer? Round, princess cut, etc.
• Does she like yellow gold, white gold or platinum?
• Does she like a simple elegant ring, or maybe something with an antique look?
• What’s your budget?
• And of course, know the 4Cs!
Having this information will enable you to make better decisions and will also help the salesperson to help you in a better way.
If you’re on a budget, you can stick with a white gold versus the platinum. Platinum today is trading for over $1000 an ounce, so you can expect a platinum band, just the band, to cost about that much, maybe more depending upon the complexity of the design. White gold will look just the same, though it’s a softer metal. Technically there is no such thing as “white gold”. The ring is actually yellow gold underneath and it’s coated with a silver colored plating. Eventually the bottom of the band or the sides may wear down enough to show the yellow gold through, so when you make the purchase, get the extended warranty plan that will allow you to get the ring renewed when that happens.
Knowing all this information will help you make the right choice, but if you really want to wow her, this is what you need to do, so pay attention to this little detail. When you walk into the store, start by browsing the cabinets and their ring selections. That will give you an idea of what rings cost and what designs are popular. The next thing you do though is ask to see their catalogs of engagement ring settings. I’ve found that you can make some extraordinary rings from browsing the special order catalogs of very reputable companies. This is where the best stuff is hiding. Ignore the case in front of you and go for the catalogs. Choose the right setting for your girl and she will be eternally grateful. This, however, is half the battle.
Now, you’ve got to find the center stone to go with it. Some rings today will come with the more affordable cluster of really small diamonds which give the ring a special sparkle, but don’t let that distract you. Every girl wants a rock on her finger. Don’t feel pressured to buy the stone from the same place as you got the band either. Depending on the store, you may be able to get a good deal on the package, but you’ve also got a budget to stay within, right? Hopefully before you walked in, you had some idea of what size stone you want and what traits is should have. Have the store you’re in look for you, but also shop around to reputable diamond wholesalers to find the best price with the best quality diamond you can find. You’ll thank yourself later.
Keeping in mind the 4Cs, in my opinion it’s best to look for the best quality cut of diamond as opposed to the best color or clarity. A diamond with an excellent or ideal cut, with excellent symmetry will sparkle more incredibly than a poorly cut, flawless diamond. So what you’re looking for is a balance between the best quality of diamond internally, cut by the best craftsmanship of jeweler.
The best part of all of this is, after you’ve given her this fabulous ring, she’ll want to know all about how to put it all together. You’ll have the satisfaction of wowing her again with your knowledge and the time and effort you put into making her the perfect ring. There’s no better way to kick off an engagement than that. So take your time, heed this advice and create your own custom diamond engagement ring. You’ll love the results, I’m sure of it. Best of luck to you both!
About the Author
Brian Magnani is the author of http://www.findheraring.com, a growing site with information on how to impress the girl you love with the perfect engagement ring proposal.
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