The Ring
The ring. You have dreamed about it, looked for it, and waited for it. As with all other aspects of a wedding, selecting an engagement ring is accompanied by a myriad of questions, ideas, and expectations. A little research will help you make an informed decision about this important purchase.
Shopping Tips
Your first step in the search should be to consult a reputable jeweler. Rely on your own experiences or on referrals from family and friends to find one. If that doesn't yield many results, pick a store that appeals to you, stocks jewelry in your price range, and is a member of the American Gem Society. No matter where you begin your search, avoid taking any chances by following this advice:
Stay open to all options. Even if you fall in love with the first ring you see, comparing selections from other jewelers will give you a better idea of fair pricing and other options. Beware of sales-people who pressure you to buy on the spot.
Make the final sale contingent upon taking the ring to an appraiser of your choice. There's nothing rude about this course of action; unscrupulous jewelers may try to convince you to buy a ring for much more than its worth by having their appraiser (or one they recommend) “confirm” the ring's inflated value.
Get a purchase agreement that includes stipulations for sizing and a potential return. Does the store offer a money-back guarantee if the ring is returned within the designated time frame? Does the agreement include any sizing, tightening, or cleaning? Some stores provide these services free of charge for a limited time.
Get a written appraisal and insurance. It's not romantic, but you must get a written appraisal that describes the ring and cites its value for insurance purposes. Insure your ring under your home-owner's or renter's policy.
The Four Cs
The four Cs are the four marks of a diamond's quality. If you and your fiancé have set your sights on a diamond engagement ring (or, for that matter, if you plan to purchase a diamond wedding band), make sure you know the four Cs before forking over any of your hard-earned savings. The stone you purchase should pass the test in these four categories:
Clarity: The clarity is measured by the number of a diamond's flaws or imperfections (either interior or exterior). Broadly speaking, this is the most important factor in determining the beauty of a given stone: a stone with low clarity, for example, will have a number of imperfections when viewed under a gemologist's magnifying glass.
Cut: The cut is the stone's physical configuration, the result of the process that shapes the rough gem. The diamonds you will see at a jewelry store have many cuts on the surface of the stone to shape them and emphasize their brilliance. Common shapes include round (or brilliant), pearl shaped, oval, and marquise.
Color: The color is also a major factor in determining a diamond's value. Colorless stones are considered perfect. The object, then, is to find a stone that is as close to colorless as possible, unless, of course, you'd rather have color. (Many people prefer to wear stones with a slight discoloration, even though these stones are not worth as much as their higher-quality, colorless counterparts.)
Carat: The diamond's carat weight refers to the actual size of the stone. (Unlike the carat weight of gold, the carat weight of a diamond 3. is simply a physical measure and not a measure of quality or purity.) Carat weight alone is not necessarily an indicator of price or value. A three-quarter-carat colorless, flawless diamond will almost certainly be appraised higher than a two-carat weight stone with several flaws and a murky, yellowish tint.
CHOOSING YOUR ENGAGEMENT RING
ENGAGEMENT RING TABLE
