Be well informed and educated when choosing your most important piece of diamond jewelry, your wedding engagement ring.

 

An engagement ring is probably the most important and romantic purchase you and your future husband will ever make.

 

Here are some guide lines:

 

Visit a very reputable jeweler and ask him to teach you about selecting diamonds. The Four C's, being cut, carat, clarity, and color, are the most important guidelines to follow. Ask for help in making the selection of your stone. Tell him your budget and what shape you are considering. The most popular shapes, to date, are round, pear, emerald, marquise, or heart shaped. Then you can make a wise and informed decision to get the best value for your money.

 

CARAT - the weight. Since larger diamonds are found less frequently, a 1-carat diamond will cost more than twice a 1/2-carat diamond. Cut and mounting can make a diamond appear larger or smaller.

CLARITY - the presence of inclusions. Natural features know as inclusions provide a fingerprint within the stone. Inclusions are identifying characteristics such as minerals or fractures, appearing while diamonds are formed in the earth.  Some inclusions can be hidden by a mounting.

 

CUT - the angles and proportions of a diamond. Nature determines so much about a diamond, but a true master cutter can reveal the stone’s brilliance, fire and ultimate beauty. Cut also refers to shape—round, square, pear, or heart etc... A round diamond is symmetrical and capable of reflecting nearly all the light that enters, making it is the most brilliant.

COLOR - the degree to which a diamond is colorless. White-colored diamonds remain the most popular.  Nature has also created diamonds in intense shades of blue, green, yellow, orange, pink or – rarest of all – red.

 

 

If in the future you want to upgrade to a bigger diamond, finances permitting, ask if the jeweler will take your ring back and credit you towards purchasing a bigger diamond ring.

 

You need to remember that you will be wearing this wedding ring everyday and that the beauty does not depend on the size, but on the quality. Your personal jeweler will advise you what is the best choice, for your budget.

 

As another option, you may decide you would like an eternity wedding ring with small diamonds, all the way around, and wait for your larger stone.

 

Nothing is more romantic than wearing your diamond engagement ring and thinking about the beautiful memories, past, present, and future, that you share with your loved one.  You also want your friends to admire this most important piece of jewelry, so choose wisely. Even at a later date, when you can afford a bigger stone, you may want to keep your original ring as an heirloom for your children. This will be a priceless possession for generations to come.

 

Best advise is to find a reputable jewelry store that is interested in you, and your happiness, instead of only making a sale.

 

Best wishes for a wonderful future.