How To Navigate the Engagement Ring Selection Process

There's a certain amount of pressure when it comes to finding the perfect engagement ring. Whether you're shopping alone or you're looking as a couple, plenty of experts will weigh in with their suggestions to help with this daunting task so you find just what you're looking for. There's a lot that goes into choosing the perfect diamond ring (or any other preference you might have), but above all, remember that what you love best will be the ideal choice for you. The expert tips on this list can help you narrow down the many popular engagement ring styles as you shop.

Understand the 4Cs

When it comes to loose stones, diamonds are graded using the 4Cs of diamond quality. This is a grading system accepted by the diamond industry and the jewelry industry that helps you understand the value of the stone based on the diamond's characteristics. This includes the following criteria:

• Carat size - this is a weight measurement, not a size measurement, though a larger carat weight typically translates to a larger stone.
• Color grade - a colorless diamond holds the highest value, however many stones have a slight color that lowers the price but is not visible.
• Diamond cut - a quality cut means more brilliance and sparkle and adds value to the stone.
• Clarity - this refers to the presence (or not) of blemishes and inclusions, though many are not visible to the naked eye.

Prioritize what's most important to you and let that guide you as you shop for diamonds for your engagement ring, or any other piece of jewelry. The 4Cs of diamond quality can also help you determine your budget, which allows you to look at diamonds that fit with your price range. Both natural diamonds and lab-created stones are graded by knowledgeable jewelers at a reputable gemological association. Every diamond will have a diamond certificate, outlining how the stone has been graded and what it's worth.

Learn About Shapes and Cuts

Cut and shape are not the same thing, though they go together in some regards. Knowing the difference helps you understand what you're shopping for, but also gives you clues as to what your personal preference is and what you want your diamond to look like. Let's look at each a bit closer.

• Diamond shape - the outline of a diamond when it's facing up.
• Diamond cut - how the diamond's facets are arranged.

The most popular diamond shape is round, particularly when it comes to choosing a center stone for a wedding ring set. Other popular choices include rectangle, square, heart, marquise, pear and oval-shaped stones. When it comes to cut, the brilliant cut is the most popular choice for engagement rings because it makes the diamond look as bright and glittering as possible. This cut can be used on several diamond shapes, with the combination of a round diamond with a brilliant cut, being, by far, the most popular option for diamond engagement rings, especially solitaire rings (a ring with a single center stone.) Another popular cut is the step cut, which creates a staircase or hall of mirrors effect when you look into the diamond. The emerald cut is especially popular and pairs well with a rectangular shape or a square diamond. The radiant cut is another step-cut option that creates a brilliant stone for your ring. Get to know shapes and cuts so that you know which ones appeal to you most. This makes it easier to look for precisely what you want for your wedding and engagement set - you don't have to be swayed by the most popular styles.

Consider the Lighting

When you shop for gemstones, diamond experts typically showcase them under white light, which does the best job of reflecting and creating the brilliance and fire that you're looking for. It's important to keep in mind that diamonds will look different in various lighting conditions, from fluorescent to natural daylight to darker conditions. Most people do not spend their days in dramatic lighting, so keep in mind that your diamond will not look the same as it does in the jeweler's showcase. For that reason, it makes sense to get an idea of what a diamond might look like when you're at home, at work and otherwise carrying out your day-to-day tasks. Fluorescent lighting will bring out a stone's brilliance, while incandescent lights will draw out its fire.

Consider the Band Metal

Your stone will be set in a choice of styles, but also in a band that goes around your finger. There are several precious metal options for this. The most popular are yellow gold, white gold, rose gold and platinum. The color of the gold can change the appearance of the stone and highlight the 4Cs in different ways. The classic choice for a diamond ring is a yellow gold band, as it is both timeless and has been used for generations. The rich color of yellow gold used to be the go-to choice for many people who are creating a custom engagement ring. but in modern times, white gold is more popular. Many brides choose this color to showcase a colorless and flawless diamond, as it helps maximize sparkle and shine. It's also a great choice if you choose an alternative diamond color, such as a pink or black diamond. Platinum is a more expensive alternative to white gold. Rose gold offers a retro choice, harking back to the 1930s to 1950s. The pink hue of the metal highlights many of the best features of a diamond center stone. Rose gold is also a good choice for stones that are graded lower in color because it can enhance the stone, despite its little touch of color. There's also the option of mixing metals, which is a trendy choice that aligns with the personal style of many brides. Perhaps the band is yellow gold and the prongs on the setting are platinum. Or maybe you have double bands, one that is white gold and one that is rose gold or a split shank. There is a multitude of combinations that you can mix and match to create your own unique ring.

Choose the Ring Setting

The setting is what holds the diamond in place in the ring (or other piece of jewelry.) It also offers protection from damage when you wear the stone. The two most popular types of diamond ring settings are as follows:

• Prong - the most common are a four-prong setting or a six-prong setting. They can be rounded or sharp, with the sharp ones often referred to as claw prongs.
• Bezel - this is the most protective setting and uses a thin metal strip to surround the stone and hold it in place.

You are probably most familiar with the prong setting and it's very popular combined with a round diamond center stone, making it appear rounder and more brilliant. Prongs cover less the surface area of the diamond and can be used with various styles, including a solitaire engagement ring and a three-stone ring. Additional prongs can be added for extra protection for larger diamonds. Keep in mind that, while a bezel setting is protective, it also covers up the sides of the stone so it cannot be viewed from the side. However, the bezel option does eliminate the risk of prongs being snagged on clothing and is the premier choice for diamonds with sharp corners, such as princess cut or marquise diamonds.

Add Diamond Side Stones (or not)

Side stones add brilliance to a center stone and can make it appear larger. This can be done by adding smaller white diamonds to either side of the center diamond, adding a halo setting, or placing diamonds along the shank of the ring. Some brides opt to add colored gemstones, such as birthstones or other meaningful colors, beside the main diamond. There are a couple of things to keep in mind here. The first is that all of the stones should have a similar clarity grade so they match one another. The second is that you should always keep your personal style in mind. If you don't like the way side stones look, then there's no reason you have to choose them. Finally, side stones are a good way to offer additional protection for delicate center stones.

Follow Current Trends

Just like with anything, the trends associated with diamonds and engagement rings come and go. Your personal preference should be of the utmost importance, but it's also a good idea to consider the hottest engagement ring trends as you make your selection. You should also have a good idea of what rings based on various styles look like. They include the following:

• Vintage
• Modern
• Timeless
• Bohemian
• Romantic
• Belle Epoque
• Art Deco

Understanding what you're looking at can help you determine which trends and styles you love best so that you can look for something that aligns with your favorite rings. This is particularly important if you are creating a custom ring.

Know Your Ring Size

You want your ring to fit snugly enough that it won't fall off, but not so tight that you can't take it off without a struggle, making it pretty important to get the correct ring size. It's best to get an accurate ring size rather than relying on an approximate ring size. This eliminates the risk of losing your ring and also ensures that you get a comfortable and appealing fit when you wear it. Most jewelers will have ring size gauges but if you want to preserve the element of surprise for your future spouse when it comes to proposing, approximate size is a good start. Most jewelers can resize a ring to get a better fit after you've proposed. Keep in mind that some settings are easier to resize and it's always simpler to go down a size than up a size. The complication of resizing the ring will influence the cost of the job.

Look for a Reputable Jeweler

No matter what your favorite styles are or what shapes or metals you love most, it's important to work with a reputable, experienced jeweler so that you can be sure you are getting a diamond with exceptional quality and that looks the way you want it to, whether you're choosing a natural diamond or a lab created stone. Start by looking at credentials. You want a jeweler with credentials from an accredited program, such as the GIA Graduate Gemologist (GG) or Applied Jewelry Professional (AJP) diploma programs. You should also work with someone who is familiar with the 4Cs and can use them to help you find the exact diamond you want. You should also be encouraged to compare stones and not simply choose the first one you see.

Don't Buy Without a Diamond Grading Report

Whether you want a classic solitaire or a statement band, a mined diamond or a lab grown diamond, it's vital to get a grading report to accompany your purchase. Ideally, this will come from a reputable gemological institute, such as the GIA (Gemological Institute of America.) The reason you want this documentation is because it gives you important details about your diamond and what it's worth. GIA and other grading entities are tasked with determining a diamond's characteristics, based on the grading scale for each of the 4Cs. This classification is accepted around the world, including by top auction houses and museums. You should never buy a diamond without its grading report.

Summary

This engagement ring guide offers a plethora of tips for choosing your ring, whether you want the most popular engagement set, or you'd rather have something inspired by vintage pieces from the past. Choosing your wedding set is an exciting time, whether you're incorporating the element of surprise or you're both in on the selection together. The ring you choose will be a constant reminder of the love you have for each other, so it's not a choice to be taken lightly. Consider what you love, but also think about the quality of the stone you choose, whether it's a traditional diamond or you opt for an alternative gemstone. Above all, make sure it's a ring you love and will be proud to wear every day for the rest of your life. We invite you to browse the 1800 Loose Diamonds current jewelry collection for your bridal set with complimentary resizing.  If you prefer, we are also proud to present a large selection of loose lab-grown and natural diamonds at affordable prices. Book an appointment at our showroom today.