Getting engaged is a magic moment in your life and requires a beautiful engagement ring to encapsulate the moment perfectly.
Choosing a ring that you are going to wear for the rest of your life is exciting, but at the same time a little daunting, as there are so many different factors to take into consideration.
There are engagement rings adorned with a single diamond, moissanite diamond engagement rings with several stones, or engagement rings containing other precious gems. A simple look online will uncover a wealth of choices to pick from. Which cut of the stone, which sets, and what choice of precious metal to use, are other considerations to take into account when choosing a ring that you will wear on your finger for a lifetime.
The diamond is the stone choice for many engagement rings. This is due to the spectacular and brilliant look of the stone. Diamonds also have tremendous strength and durability, both of which make them an ideal choice for jewelry to withstand the rigors of everyday life.
Diamonds are expensive, however, and the cost can vary widely depending on the carat, cut, color, clarity, and shape of each diamond. Most commonly white in appearance, diamonds can come in a variety of colors, yellow, green, red, orange, pink, blue, and even black, regardless of color all are exceptional gems.
Sapphires are almost as popular as diamonds as a choice of stone for engagement rings. These gems are strong, not as strong as diamonds, and very scratch-resistant. Primarily blue, sapphires can also be purple, pink, or black. Rubies and emeralds are also extensively used in engagement rings but they are not as durable as diamonds or sapphires.
For those who are on a budget but who still want a unique engagement ring, there are less expensive gem options available. Gems such as amethyst, tanzanite, topaz, citrine, and opal are a few of the more affordable options.
How a stone is cut is also a factor to take into account as this can alter the look of a gem considerably. There are many different cuts available, such as cushion cuts, emerald cuts, marquise-cut, and princess cuts which accentuate the reflection of light in a stone. The size of gems often dictates which cut is best for each stone, as some cuts favor larger stones, whilst other cuts are more suited to smaller gems.
A finished engagement ring’s appearance can be transformed by the use of either white gold, regular 18k gold, rose gold, or platinum. So time and careful thought need to be given when picking this particular element of the ring.
Platinum is the most expensive choice, but it also has the benefit of being the strongest. Before choosing white gold for your engagement ring you need to be aware that it will need to be rhodium coated regularly, once every two to three years. However, it is significantly cheaper than platinum.