Purchasing a diamond engagement ring is part of a much bigger choice that goes far beyond jewelry, tradition, or money. The truth that you're even thinking of such a commitment indicates that you've already made an important journey. Here are a few steps to help make your decision easier.
You must first establish your budget. Try to spend some time looking at different diamond ring choices. Use this initial time to look and see what is available in the jewelry stores. Make up your mind on the quality and characteristics of the ring you would prefer. Once you are comfortable with the choices, be prepared with a fixed budget based on how much you earn, what you are comfortable spending on a diamond engagement ring, and the kind and quality of diamond you would like to buy.
Don't allow a jeweler to sales talk you into going significantly over or going significantly under your budget for what would sound like a “Steal”. Your diamond engagement ring budget will be based on not only your income, but also your knowledge of diamonds including the "four Cs": Carat, Color, Clarity and Cut. A diamond's weight is measured in carats. There are five carats in a gram, and 100 points in each carat. For example, a 50-point diamond is the same as a half-carat. In general, larger diamonds are more rare and valuable. But size does not determine a diamond's beauty and brilliance. Two stones of the same carat weight can have very different values, depending on their cut, color and clarity.
Clarity, the clearer a diamond the rarer it is. Most diamonds contain natural 'inclusions' that look like tiny crystals. These are the diamond's birthmarks, making each stone unique. The number, size and position of these inclusions affect the value. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) clarity scale ranges from Fl (flawless) to I3 (many inclusions visible to the naked eye). Colors, Diamonds are graded on the GIA color scale from D (colorless) to Z (light yellow). At either end of the scale, diamonds are very costly because of their rarity, although not necessarily their beauty. You can actually choose a diamond engagement ring from a wide range of diamond colors.
Cut, nothing is more important to the brilliance and fire of a diamond than its cut. A well proportioned diamond engagement ring reflects light from one facet to another and through the top of the stone. If the pavilion angle is cut too deep, your diamond will look dark. If it is cut too shallow, your diamond will look watery. Only a skilled master craftsman can cut a diamond with pinpoint precision to release its true brilliance. By understanding these qualities you can determine which traits are most important to you, and you can find a balance between them that best suits your needs.
Once you understand the "Four Cs," read on certification. Diamond certificates are the "blueprint" of the diamond and certify the various grades (cut, color, and clarity), carat weight, and additional aspects of the diamond (such as shape). Not all certificates are created equal -- be sure to read this section to know that the certificate you receive is worth more than the paper it's written on. Know the different shapes too so you'll have a very good idea of both what you can afford and what you want to spend. If you've armed yourself with the basic knowledge, you should be in a good place and purchasing your Diamond Engagement Ring hassle-free.
Next learn about settings. The "setting" is what you probably think of as the "ring" portion -- the band, accent stones, and the prongs. A setting is everything except the center diamond. Settings come in a variety of metals and styles. Most diamond engagement rings are set in gold (yellow, white, or "two-toned", and various karats) or platinum. When selecting a gold band (yellow or white), we recommend 18K. That said, lovely quality diamond engagement rings can also feature 14K. We strongly do not recommend diamonds are lower than 14K. Settings may also feature smaller diamonds or gemstones as "accent stones." Popular accent gemstones include: diamonds, sapphires, rubies, emeralds, tanzanite, and more.