About Diamond Engagement Rings

An engagement ring is the symbol which points to the promise of marriage.

There is evidence of “betrothal” or “promise” rings dating all the way back to the 4th century. While the meaning of the ring has remained consistent, the style of these rings has seen some dramatic changes.

The use of betrothal rings began during the Roman Empire, where an elaborate gold ring was worn during public appearances and a simple iron ring was worn in private. It is not until the 18th century that we see the introduction of the now traditional diamond engagement ring. Other stones, however, had been used previously to adorn the publicly worn gold band.

Leaning how to select the proper diamond engagement ring can be confusing. The first thing one must understand is the four “C”s of diamond shopping: cut, clarity, carat, and color. Knowing the four “C”s can really help you make the most of your budget.

Cut
There are many different types of cuts to choose from, including oval, round, princess (or square), Emerald (rectangular), and marquis (with a point at each end). The way a diamond is cut allows for the amount of light that will reflect from the stone, and therefore the stones brilliance. The cut with the most facets, and therefore the most opportunity to reflect light, is the round cut. The cut with the least amount of facets is the Emerald cut, which means that it will be less brilliant. To be impressive Emerald cut diamonds will need to be large.

Clarity
Almost every diamond has flaws which can include cloudiness, nicks, and marks. There is a letter code used to indicate the clarity of a diamond. The highest clarity is F, which means the diamond is flawless. Most of the stones you will find at your average jewelers are in the VSI (very slightly imperfect) or SI (slightly imperfect) range. This means that the stones will have very small flaws that are difficult to see, even under 10x magnification.

Carat
The weight of a diamond is indicated by the carat. While many people are most interested in knowing a diamonds carat, it is important to remember that even a large diamond with poor color and cut will not be impressive. Many couples these days are placing a greater emphasis on clarity and color, opting to purchase a smaller stone and place it in a setting that makes it appear larger.

Color
The color of a diamond is also indicated using a letter code. D is the very whitest diamond, with D-I being to top quality in color. You can get a diamond rated J-L that is also almost without color. Diamonds appear more and more yellow the farther down the scale you travel. Most people will opt for a brilliant white engagement ring, although some people will focus more on carat than color and desire a large yellow diamond.

Engagement Rings Today
Those who are not bound by tradition are using all sorts of stones and combinations as engagement rings. Some are purchasing older antique rings will smaller diamonds while others are highlighting other precious gems with smaller diamonds surrounding them.

Those who follow a particular religious tradition may want to pick a ring that has significance to their faith. National heritage may also be important, for instance those who are Irish may prefer a Celtic ring with its intricate scroll work.

Take time to shop around for the best diamond at the best price, no matter what style you prefer. You can not really tell the true value of a stone by simply looking at the price, as so many different factors go into determining the overall value.

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