Engagement rings can be incredibly beautiful works of art, as well as an amazingly important part of your life. However, there are plenty of rings to choose from, and you'll probably run into a lot of confusing terms. That can make it hard to know what to pick without the right information.
There are three major parts to any engagement ring - the design, the stone, and the metal. The stone is generally a diamond, and the metal is usually gold, but other options are available.
Choosing A Stone You may already be aware of the diamond grading system. It's based on what are called the four Cs - Color, Clarity, Cut and Carat.
Pay close attention to diamond quality when you buy, but you don't have to buy the very best diamond. Lower quality stones often look the same to the naked eye, and can save you a lot of money.
Choosing A Metal The majority of engagement rings are made using either platinum or gold. Gold comes in a number of grades, from about ten karat to twenty-four karat, and in a number of colors from white and yellow to rose.
Eighteen karat gold is the most popular choice for many people's gold engagement rings, though some prefer fourteen or ten karat for their increased durability. These are less pure, but also less prone to scratching and denting.
Platinum is an interesting but costly gold alternative that looks a lot like white gold. However, it's harder than gold and there are a number of differences between the two.
Design and Your Engagement Ring Your engagement ring design is a choice that's very personal, whether you go with a pre-existing ring or have a custom one made. Semi-custom options are also available, and allow you to choose band width, stone, and other elements to create your own special ring.
There are four basic elements to a great engagement ring design. These are practicality, comfort, strength, and looks. A good ring should be comfortable and practical for daily wear, keep all its stones and hold up, and look good in any situation.
Of course, the ring that's durable, attractive, and easy for you to wear depends on your lifestyle and job. A higher setting is attractive but prone to catch, and thus a hazard in some jobs.
A mechanic, for instance, is going to put her engagement ring through a lot of rough wear, while an office assistant won't. Think about how you wear your jewelry and what your hands go through every day when you choose a design. More durable rings are made from gold that's been adulterated by other metals or by using platinum or other strong materials.
Security of stones is determined by the setting. Four prongs is the least secure, with a six prong setting being stronger, and a bezel setting even stronger than any prong setting. Heavier, lower settings are more durable than light, high settings. - 17944
There are three major parts to any engagement ring - the design, the stone, and the metal. The stone is generally a diamond, and the metal is usually gold, but other options are available.
Choosing A Stone You may already be aware of the diamond grading system. It's based on what are called the four Cs - Color, Clarity, Cut and Carat.
Pay close attention to diamond quality when you buy, but you don't have to buy the very best diamond. Lower quality stones often look the same to the naked eye, and can save you a lot of money.
Choosing A Metal The majority of engagement rings are made using either platinum or gold. Gold comes in a number of grades, from about ten karat to twenty-four karat, and in a number of colors from white and yellow to rose.
Eighteen karat gold is the most popular choice for many people's gold engagement rings, though some prefer fourteen or ten karat for their increased durability. These are less pure, but also less prone to scratching and denting.
Platinum is an interesting but costly gold alternative that looks a lot like white gold. However, it's harder than gold and there are a number of differences between the two.
Design and Your Engagement Ring Your engagement ring design is a choice that's very personal, whether you go with a pre-existing ring or have a custom one made. Semi-custom options are also available, and allow you to choose band width, stone, and other elements to create your own special ring.
There are four basic elements to a great engagement ring design. These are practicality, comfort, strength, and looks. A good ring should be comfortable and practical for daily wear, keep all its stones and hold up, and look good in any situation.
Of course, the ring that's durable, attractive, and easy for you to wear depends on your lifestyle and job. A higher setting is attractive but prone to catch, and thus a hazard in some jobs.
A mechanic, for instance, is going to put her engagement ring through a lot of rough wear, while an office assistant won't. Think about how you wear your jewelry and what your hands go through every day when you choose a design. More durable rings are made from gold that's been adulterated by other metals or by using platinum or other strong materials.
Security of stones is determined by the setting. Four prongs is the least secure, with a six prong setting being stronger, and a bezel setting even stronger than any prong setting. Heavier, lower settings are more durable than light, high settings. - 17944
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