Ask The Experts: Guide To Diamond Engagement Ring Shopping

Shopping for the perfect engagement ring can be extremely overwhelming. There are so many different styles, designs and jewelry stores to pick from. Not to mention the added pressure of spending so much money on a ring that your partner may or may not like. That is why doing as much research as possible is a great step in the right direction when it comes to picking the perfect engagement ring. Whether you want hand picked diamond engagement rings or you want something from the diamond district, here is everything you need to know to purchase the best ring for your partner.

Guide To Diamond Engagement Ring Shopping

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Get To Know The 4Cs

The “Four Cs” stand for cut, carat, clarity and color. Understanding these factors will help you determine the best diamond for your buck. The cut refers to how much it sparkles as the shape of the cut is done with particular parameters in mind so the facets interact with light for maximum sparkle. Carat refers to the size or weight of the diamond. On average, an engagement ring diamond is one carat or 200 milligrams. Clarity deals with the imperfections of the diamond as most stones have flaws. The smaller, fewer and less visible the flaws, the more expensive the diamond will be. Colors refer to the spectrum of shades the diamond comes in and is ranked on a scale from D to Z. D is no color and is one of the rarest while Z is visibility yellowish. There are also other colors like pink, yellow and chocolate. A good rule of thumb is the more saturated the color, the more valuable the stone.

Photo by wedding photographer phuket

Get To Know The Shapes

Diamonds are cut into a variety of shapes like round, oval, emerald, Asscher, cushion, princess, marquise and pear being some of the most popular. A round shape is the most sought-after shape because it highlights the diamond’s sparkle the best. If your partner has long, lean fingers, the oval shape will be the most complimentary. Looking for a ring shape that clearly displaces excellent diamond clarity, go for the emerald cut. Asscher is a square emerald that has an art deco feel while the cushion cut gives off a vintage style as it is square with rounded corners. A princess-cut makes the diamond look bigger than what actually is because of the broad, flat-top pyramidal shape. Ultimately, picking the right shape depends on your partner’s individual style.

photo by Courtney Looney Photography full shoot HERE

Determine Your Priorities And Budget

What matters to you and your partner? Is it the clarity, quality of the stone, the cut or the setting matter most? Determine what is a priority and from there determine how much you want to spend. You do not have to adhere to the arbitrary rule that you have to spend at least three months’ salary on an engagement ring. Get the best ring that includes all you and your partner’s priorities and fits your budget. If the size is important, opt for a ring with a slightly larger table or surface area. In fact, the professionals at Troupon recommend looking for coupon and referral codes online to make your purchase cost-effective. You can also read online store reviews to purchase from a trusted and reputed brand.