Posts Tagged ‘engagement ring buying tips’

Deciding which setting is perfect for your diamond is one of the first and hardest decisions you have to make when buying an engagement ring.  This is important because this is the ring that you or your girlfriend will wear for a lifetime.  Get it wrong, and it will quickly look dated.  So choose carefully!

There are four main options?

The Solitaire
The diamond solitaire because the most popular setting for an engagement ring around the middle of the 1960s.  It comprises a single diamond set high in a prong or bezel setting on a band of precious metal.  This setting suits all types of metal and all shapes of diamond.  However, because the diamond commands solo attention, this setting suits larger diamonds of a quarter carat and above and also good grade white diamonds with high clarity and good cut.  The solitaire setting is a “safe bet” if you are planning to surprise her with a diamond engagement ring as you pop the question.

The Trilogy Setting
This is another classic setting which has become popular for occasions other than an engagement although it can make a stunning engagement ring.  In the trilogy engagement ring, three gemstones representing the past, the present and the future, are typically prong.  These are either all diamonds or a central colored gemstone flanked by two diamonds, or a central diamond flanked by two colored gemstones.  The three are generally set in the same plane as the band of the ring, although they can also be set on a twist for variation.

The Cluster
The diamond cluster is a collection of smaller gemstones surrounding a central diamond or colored gemstone.  Although the cluster ring offers one of the best opportunities for experimenting with more fashionable colored gemstones, it also looks fabulous all in diamond.  The cluster ring is arguably the setting which is the most likely to date because it can be fashioned in so many different ways.

The Band Ring
The diamond band ring is generally pave or channel set with an array of diamonds to create an illusion of brilliance across the surface of the ring.  The setting is smooth and low set into the metal band making this ring one of the easiest to wear on a daily basis.  It is especially suited to active types or people with jobs close to others, such as school teachers and medical professionals.  Band rings also make excellent right hand rings.

There are other settings to choose from too, especially if you decide to design your own engagement ring, but these are the most popular choices.  Choose carefully and your diamond ring will become an heirloom piece for generations to come.

The traditional engagement ring setting is a round cut, white diamond solitaire set in yellow gold or platinum with platinum prongs to make sure the gemstone does not fall out.  And although the quality and size of the diamond differed from one engagement ring to the next, they were all essentially the same.  But not anymore!

These days when you buy an engagement ring, you can pretty much choose whatever you like.  So make sure you buy an engagement ring that suits the personalities of you both. 

For example, if you like the idea of a diamond solitaire but think that a round diamond is a bit too “safe”, why not choose a princess cut, marquise or a heart shaped diamond instead? 

Or if you want a cluster ring, why not mix and match the diamond cuts within it?  You could for example surround a marquise cut with smaller marquises, or flank a princess cut with baguettes.  And remember too that you can also choose to have a trilogy ring or a more traditional channel set diamond anniversary band as an engagement ring,

And why not add a splash of color too?  You could choose and amethyst ring set with diamonds.  Although traditionally reserved for the 6th and 17th wedding anniversaries, it would make a perfect choice for anyone with a February birthday.  And diamond opal rings look great on anyone as do peridot diamond rings, even if your birthday is not in October. 

You might choose other gemstone engagement rings, but if you want something a little bit different whilst staying within the traditional, why not go for a pearl and diamond engagement ring?  Or why choose a colored diamond engagement ring?  If you want something really unique, why not build your own?

Whatever you decide, remember it could last several lifetimes so make sure you choose wisely!