When buying an engagement ring for the woman in your life, some men are opting to let her do the choosing. But what about that moment of surprise? Even strong, independent women appreciate a touch of romance so why not stick with tradition and go down on one knee complete with a diamond engagement ring that's revealed for the very first time just as you pop the question?
Make your proposal a traditional one and the look on her face when she sees that perfect diamond ring that was chosen especially for her will be a moment you'll carry in your memory forever.
This is a piece of jewellery that she will wear every day for years to come, so it makes sense that the engagement ring you give her should be uniquely hers. Everything from diamond size to the shape of the stone and colour of the setting should be a symbol of your devotion to her as well as being a reflection of her personal jewellery style. So pay attention to your fiancé's tastes, follow some simple guidelines and ultimately, the ring will not only bring her happiness during the moment of her dreams, but also throughout the years to come.
Budget :
How much should you spend on a diamond engagement ring? Traditionally, men were expected to part with two month's salary when buying a ring worthy of a marriage proposal. An engagement ring of lesser value is perfectly acceptable these days BUT only if you really cannot afford more as you should always buy the best available diamond within your budget - buying an engagement ring is not the right time to be cheap. This is the ring she'll wear throughout a lifetime of love, after all.
For more information on how much you should expect to spend on your fiancée's ring, please see our Diamond Pricing Guide
The Diamond :
Once you've established a budget, the next step is to educate yourself about diamonds. Cost is only the beginning. It's also essential that you learn the four Cs of diamonds:
These four characteristics determine the quality of the diamond, describing its size, how clear and bright it appears, and how much sparkle and brilliance the stone possesses. Only when you understand these four points will you be in a position to make an educated decision with regards to the qualities that are most important to you.
In addition to the four Cs, you should also have an understanding of the different diamond shapes. Round, princess-cut, oval and pear are just a few of those available and each shape will give a very different appearance to the engagement ring you choose.
To make sure you are getting the quality you are paying for, only ever buy diamonds from a jeweller who can offer diamond certificates that prove the grading, carat and quality of each individual stone. Note: a certificate is not the same as an appraisal so don't be misled if an appraisal is offered. An appraisal tells you the diamond's worth while a certificate tells you its quality.
Ring Setting :
The setting is what we think of as the ring portion - everything except the diamond including the band, the prongs and any accent stones. In order to choose a setting, first find out the basics: What is her ring size? Does she prefer yellow gold, white gold, or platinum? Is she simple in her tastes, or would she prefer an elaborate diamondengagement ring that's big on wow factor? Looking at the jewellery she wears on a consistent basis will teach you a lot about the kind of style she'd prefer.
When buying an engagement ring with a gold setting, it is customary to select 18ct or above. There are, however, some lovely selections available in 9ct or 14ct gold (either white or yellow), as well as platinum. For a more complete discussion of gold and platinum, see our precious metals guide.
Popular accent gems include sapphires, rubies, emeralds and, of course, smaller diamonds.
Design :
It isn't unusual for jewellers, including those on the Internet, to allow the customer to design their own engagement rings. To decide on a style, first take note of the jewellery your fiancé admires. It may be that she would like something more regal than she's had before. If her best friend's diamond ring seems to impress her, take note of that. Look at the cut and shape of the diamond, and ask her specific questions. The same applies if she's particularly impressed by the style of a celebrity's diamond engagement ring. If able to afford it, a jeweller will help you design something similar.
The Internet makes the process of designing and buying an engagement ring easier and more convenient than ever before. The rules are the same online as in a jeweller's shop: Look for the four Cs and ask for certification. If you follow these steps, cyberspace can be a perfect place to select and purchase a high quality, yet affordable engagement ring.
If you know her jewellery style, and you get the best quality you can find, the diamond engagement ring you choose will be as perfect as your love for one another.
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