Many women’s idea of a diamond engagement ring usually is that of a yellow gold band with one large diamond. That is the classic, traditional diamond ring given before a wedding, of course.
However, as people gain an education about diamonds and jewelry, other options for engagement rings are becoming popular.
With all of the choices of different types of gold and diamond settings available today, there are many details about ring buying that you need to know. There are many metals, stones and precious materials available.
The first thing to check is color. Color for a traditional diamond goes from letter D to letter Z. D is colorless and Z would be yellow-brown.
Celebrities, like Jennifer Lopez, picked colored diamonds for wedding bands. This trend is getting more popular. Colored diamonds are more expensive, however.
Next is cut, which sometimes is confused with the shape of a diamond. Cut is the proportions and finish of a polished diamond. How a diamond is cut changes how the stone reflects natural light. Cut is just as important as weight, color and clarity.
Next is the clarity of the diamond – the amount of blemishes or flaws in the stone. Each stone is placed under 10-power magnification by a trained diamond grader to determine clarity, typically.
Most people buy stones with imperfections, but this is fine as they generally cannot be seen with the naked eye.
Caret weight is the next criteria for a diamond. Typically people choose around 1 caret.
Band color is also very important. This is where the lady’s preferences come into play especially. Yellow gold – the classic choice -- is not so popular as it once was. White gold is becoming more popular, but it can wear away with time. Platinum is more durable but is more expensive.
It also is possible to design your own ring at many sites, including this one.
