Selecting the Ideal Engagement Ring
Did you know that the practice of diamond engagement rings dates back to year 1215, when there was a usually long amount of time between the declaration of the betrothal and the wedding event? While that may be a little-known truth, it is more widely known that the jewellery industry has become a very profitable industry in recent years. The value of the jewellery market in the United States alone reached 230 billion USD in 2020. The thriving jewellery market means a plethora of possibilities for brides-to-be, many of whom like to have the last say on the selection of their wedding baubles. However, with so many options, hunting for the perfect engagement ring can take a significant amount of time — time that stressed-out brides do not have. So, how do you go about selecting that one and only engagement ring that, like your future husband, will be perfect for you? Take a look at these suggestions.
Set aside money for bling.
Determine your working budget as well as your stretch budget before going to your mother's trusted jewellery store. Your working budget is the total amount of money that you and your husband have decided to spend on the wedding. On your wedding preparation checklist, prioritise the non-negotiables before the nice-to-have items. You certainly don't want to spend a major portion of your honeymoon discussing financial regrets or, worse, calculating how to pay off everything. At the same time, if your heart falls in love with a one-of-a-kind ring, you'll want to be prepared to know how far you can stretch your budget while still ensuring that your fiance's side of the family has more than just appetisers to eat on the big day. By setting a certain budget, you may avoid over-the-top temptations while still being able to seize that rare purchasing chance (pun intended).
Be aware of your personal style.
The types of engagement rings are as numerous as the grains of sand on the beach. Okay, that might be a little excessive. However, there is no disputing that the inventive innovation of today's craftspeople has resulted in an abundance of jewellery designs. The options are dizzying, ranging from a plain band that might be your wedding ring's twin to a more intricate ornament. To gain a deeper understanding of yourself — and your style — keep in mind that an exquisite affair is decided not by the amount of money spent, but by how all of the various parts of the celebration come together to form a cohesive whole. Simply put, everything should be in sync, with nothing standing out like a sore thumb. That means your engagement ring should be able to complement the entire wedding look you want to accomplish. Keep in mind that your wedding band will be worn on the same finger as your engagement ring (traditionally the third finger of your left hand). As a result, your decision should complement the style of your wedding band. Here are some additional stylistic considerations.
Your Band Dimensions
Choose the width and thickness of your band. The typical width is approximately 2.5 millimetres. You can make it as narrow or as wide as you wish, ranging from 1.5 to 3 millimetres. Skinnier styles are typically thicker. Allow for some wiggle room in your ring size so that it slides over your knuckle with minimal resistance and stays put on your finger without you needing to check occasionally to see if it hasn't slipped off during the wedding reception.
Your precious stone
If you want a more bejewelled aesthetic, you can choose from a plethora of jewels. Whether or not you believe diamonds are a girl's best friend, no one can deny the rich elegance that this stone can impart on any occasion, especially your wedding. If you want a more colourful notion, there are a plethora of jewels in rich colours to pick from. Many brides-to-be like coloured stones since they may contain special importance for them. Gemstone rings can also be wonderful conversation starters and stand out in wedding images. Just make sure to select a ring with at least a 7 on the hardness scale to ensure that its beauty lasts as long as you want your wedded bliss to.
Your Setting Design
Before deciding on a setting style, one money-saving advice for brides-to-be is to look for engagement rings that are marketed in pairs with wedding rings. It is reasonable, though, if you prefer more personalised jewellery for your special day. The appropriate setting for your gemstones is critical to enhancing their attractiveness. You might request a one-of-a-kind design from your jeweller, or you can select from the most recent trends in engagement ring settings. The Tiffany setting, with its six-prong style that holds your diamonds up to the light and maximises their brilliance, is one of the most fashionable options. Another popular choice is the Halo setting, in which smaller stones are created to around the centre stone, emphasising both its shine and size. Examine the benefits and drawbacks of each to choose which one best suits your personality.
Create your own criteria.
Your chosen setting will simply accentuate what is already present – your jewels. Check out your precious stones' 4 Cs: carat, cut, colour, and clarity to see if they deserve to be named that.
Carat
The weight of your diamonds is referred to as carat. 200 milligrammes equals one carat. Because different types of gemstones have varied densities, a smaller stone with a higher density can have a bigger carat than a larger one with a lower density. One thing is certain: the larger the carat, the higher the price.
Cut
Your stone's cut relates to how it collects and uniformly reflects light to increase its brilliance. The round brilliant is the most well-known and most expensive cut. The high price is due to the fact that jewellers must start with a massive rough stone and lose many of its components in order to create the multiple facets required for this sort of cut. Of course, there are numerous alternatives that will not require you to break the bank.
Colour
The hue of a gemstone is referred to as its colour. A single gemstone can have a wide range of tones (from bright to dark) and colour intensity (from neutral to vivid). While perception is subjective, the easiest way to tell if you like a colour is to wear it and hold it up to the light.
Clarity
The clarity of your gemstone indicates how pure and blemish-free it is. If any elements become caught inside your stone, it will lose its radiance and degrade its structure, making it more vulnerable to damage.
Credentials are a must.
Without a certification, all of your careful examinations of your engagement ring will be for nought.
Obtaining this paper will ensure that you are making a sound purchase. A certification will also enable you to obtain the necessary insurance and assist future reselling. Ascertain that you are obtaining a verified document from a credible institution or organisation.