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Know what you want to spend
You will be confronted with a dizzying array of choices when
it comes to engagement rings. Have a price range in mind. Going in with fairly
specific parameters will help your jeweler find the right engagement ring to
fit your budget.
What kind of jewelry does she already wear?
Is she more classic or modern? Feminine or sophisticated?
Does she wear more silver or gold? Do her pieces tend to be more delicate or
chunky? Simple or ornate? Have these preferences in mind when you set out to
shop. If you buy something similar to what she already likes, you can't go
wrong.
Know her ring size
If she wears rings, borrow one she already owns. Trace the
inner circle on a piece of paper, or press the ring into a bar of soap for an
impression. You can also slide it down one of your own fingers and draw a line
where it stops. A jeweler can use these measurements to identify her
approximate ring size.
If she doesn't wear rings, estimate in the following manner:
The average ring size in the US is 6 (based on the 'average' US female being
5'4" tall and weighing 140 lbs.) If she's more slender, or fine boned, her
ring size is probably in the 4 1/2 to 5 1/2 range. If she is heavier, larger
boned or taller, her ring size is probably in the 6 1/2 to 7 1/2 range. It's
always better to buy a ring a bit bigger than you think she'll need, because
sizing a ring down is much easier than increasing its size.
Are her preferences hard to pin down?
Consider buying an unset diamond. If you choose the diamond
first and have the setting made later, you can include her in selecting the
style and final details of the ring (always a good idea) and avoid the
awkwardness of choosing a ring that's more to your taste than hers.
Know what diamond shape suits her
If she hasn't made it easy for you by already voicing an
opinion on the subject (or admiring someone else's engagement ring), here are a
few things to keep in mind when considering shape:
She will be wearing this ring 24/7 every day of your married
life. It will need to go with everything from jeans to evening wear. If you're
uncertain about her shape preference, it's sensible to stick to the classics.
They became classics because they appeal to most people most of the time.
Shapes with fewer facets, such as emerald or square, require
higher clarity. The fewer the facets, the more visible any inclusions will be.
Certain shapes pair more successfully with other gems in
multi-stone rings. Round, Oval and Marquise all work well. Pear and Heart shape
are more challenging.
Taste in shape is often reflected in other tastes a woman
has. If she prefers clean, modern lines in furniture, for example, it's likely
she'll react well to the same aesthetic in Emerald or Square shapes. If she
tends towards the traditional, a round shape rarely misses. More bohemian types
tend to favor more unusual shapes, like Trilliant or Marquise.
What Setting Makes Sense?
While there are an unending variety of patterns, details and
metal choices, there are four basic types you are likely to encounter:
Solitaire Engagement Ring Solitaire - A single stone. Still
the most popular choice in engagement rings. The head secures the diamond.
Prongs allow the diamond to catch the most light. A four-prong-setting shows
more of the diamond, but a six-prong setting is often more secure.
Diamond Sidestones Engagement Ring Sidestone - Diamonds or
other gemstones, flank the main stone for additional sparkle or color. Popular
sidestone settings include 'channel', which protects stones by keeping them
flush, and 'bar-channel', which allows more light to enter the sidestones.
Diamond 3 Stone Engagement Ring Three Stone - One diamond
for the past, one for the present, and one for the future. Typically, the
center diamond is larger than the two side stones.
Pavee Pave (pah-vey) - The main stone is surrounded by tiny
diamonds to add sparkle and the illusion of greater size.
As to actual setting design, consider her lifestyle, and how
well a certain setting will fit into it. If she's more active or outdoorsy,
look for lower profile, less ornate, more sturdy choices, which are less likely
to get knocked or caught on things. If she's more of a glamour girl, look for
statement settings, with a higher stone profile and more intricate ring
detailing or unique motif.
