When you are on the lookout for an engagement ring, it can only mean one thing – you are taking your relationship to a whole new level, and for that, we applaud you. We also understand that the ring, the proposal, the setting, the planning, and the speech can be overwhelming for a couple.
Earlier in days bygone, choosing an engagement diamond meant deciding between a princess or an emerald. There would be questions like gold in white men’s wedding bands or gold in yellow.
Engagement rings involve much more than picking out a rock and a setting. With the help of this article, learn all you need to know before making such a significant investment here.
You will have a lot of support for the other stuff like planning a wedding, choosing a venue, ideas to propose etc., but we want to ensure you get the perfect engagement ring, which is the most crucial thing.
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Why Men’s Wedding Band Also Matters?
There is deep symbolism behind both the engagement ring and the wedding band. Choosing rings that reflect your style and taste might help you find a keepsake for life. The bride and groom exchange rings to represent their marriage commitment during the wedding ceremony.
Wearing both rings together is a familiar gesture of undying devotion. Women traditionally were the only ones who wore wedding bands. It wasn’t until World War II that men started wearing wedding bands as well.
The rings were a kind gesture to remind them of their wives and families back home while they were abroad protecting their nation. Wedding bands for males are just as important as those for women.
A wedding band is a status symbol for males and a public expression of their commitment to their spouse. There is a wide variety of designs available for men’s wedding bands. They might be understated and straightforward, or chic and flashy – the choice is completely yours. The materials used to create range from pricey metals like gold and platinum to more accessible ones like titanium and tungsten.
Things to Remember Before Buying Engagement Rings
- Know the 4Cs
Knowing lab grown diamonds’ 4Cs (color, clarity, cut, and carat weight) helps choose the appropriate ring. Gemological Institute of America‘s 4Cs compares diamond quality.
Those 4Cs are, in a nutshell:
- Color
Diamonds are given a letter grade between D and Z to indicate their level of colorlessness. A ‘D grade’ diamond is colorless, whereas a Z-grade diamond has a subtle yellow or brown tint. Diamonds of this hue range with less color are more uncommon and hence more valuable.
- Clarity
When talking about diamonds, “clarity” refers to how free they are of flaws on both the inside and the outside. An ideal clarity score would be a 10, while a passing score would be a 5.
- Cut
How effectively a diamond responds to light depends on the diamond cuts. How dazzling, sparkly, and fiery a diamond depends on its size, symmetry, and polish (flashes of color).
- Carat Weight
The carat weight of a diamond influences how big it seems. A diamond with a higher carat weight will be more uncommon and precious if the other three Cs are similar.
Assuming you understand the 4Cs and their importance, ask yourself, “Which C is most important to me?” By placing a premium on the 4Cs, you may rapidly narrow down your options to find the perfect diamond for you.
It helps you manage your money by letting you prioritize which of the two Cs to spend more on.
- Get Lab Grown Diamonds for Your Engagement Rings
The price of lab created diamonds is far lower than that of their natural counterparts. It makes them a better option if you want a large diamond engagement ring but don’t want to spend too much on it.
Lab grown diamonds tend to have fewer inclusions than mined diamonds. The more flawless a diamond is, the brighter it will be and lab-grown diamonds are flawless.
Lab grown diamond engagement rings tend to have fewer inclusions than mined diamonds. The end effect is a sharper focus. Diamonds with higher clarity also tend to have more brilliance.
At a cursory glance, it is impossible to tell the difference between lab grown and naturally mined diamond engagement rings. Laboratory-grown diamonds are identical to mined diamonds in terms of their brilliance, their atomic structure, and properties.
- Acknowledge Your Partner’s Taste and Respect It
It is the first and most crucial step. Since firms approach aesthetics differently, it’s hard to know where to start. Indirectly solicit your partner’s support by noticing her jewelry choices.
Take note of the jewelry she is wearing. You should try to decide whether it’s retro or contemporary. Her clothing choices would also be a giveaway. Doing so will give you a good notion and help you narrow down your search.
- Fix the Spending Plan
Traditionally, it has been advised that an engagement ring costs no less than “two months of your pay.” No longer is this true, and let’s be honest, it’s just a marketing ploy.
Given the variety of designs available, you may spend anywhere from $500 to over $20,000 on an engagement ring. It all comes down to personal preference and budget constraints.
The ring’s monetary value should not be used to measure your affection. What matters most is the thought and care that went into it.
Direct-to-customer operations could be 50% cheaper than storefronts since they eliminate the middlemen.
- Do Not Attempt to Predict Their Ring Size
Envision yourself on your knees. You say those magical four words to the person you have had your eye on, and they accept with gratitude and delight. The ring slides onto their finger, but it won’t go beyond the knuckle, and that would be a disappointment.
It’s not the end of the world if you make this error. Every detail counts when you have been working on a proposal for months. Check a jewelry size guide or bring the ring to a jeweler for the proper size.
- The Theoretical Perfection of a Stone Is Unnecessary
The grading certificate is one of the “Four Cs” recognized by diamond experts. A ‘D Flawless’ stone isn’t necessary to make a stunning ring.
Stones are more accurately evaluated by how they make you feel about their letter grades. The Gemological Institute of America assigns diamonds a letter grade from D to Z.
While the grade should be considered, it should not be the deciding factor. Think about the way diamonds shine in different adornments.
Diamond cuts seem very different under daylight, fluorescent, and spot illumination. White spotlighting at jewelry shops brings out the diamond’s brilliance and fire.
However, such dramatic lighting is seldom seen in regular life. Examine your diamond in bright and low light outside, fluorescent lighting, and warm, diffuse house lighting.
Under fluorescent light, diamonds are brightest; under incandescent, they are fieriest.
- Make Your Choice of a Precious Metal
When choosing an engagement ring metal, consider the diamond’s color. White gold and platinum bring out the brightness of colored or “fancy” diamonds.
Remember that you may need a diamond wedding band to accompany the engagement ring while you shop. A plain gold or platinum band complements almost every man’s engagement ring. The bride-to-be might also ask her boyfriend if his engagement ring would also serve as his wedding band.
“Diamond shape” refers to the diamond’s outline from above. “Fancy forms” include round, princess, emerald, oval, cushion, heart, marquise, Asscher, pear, and baguette. Follow your heart while choosing a solitaire engagement ring.
As one of the 4Cs—along with Clarity, Color, and Carat—the cut of a diamond is a crucial indicator of its overall excellence.
It’s less about the diamond’s shape than its proportions, symmetry, cutting, and polishing. The amount of light a diamond emits directly results from these factors.
- Place Your Pre-Order
Unless you choose a pre-set band, a jeweler will need time to set your diamond. Some engagement rings are made to order and take time.
Get the ring early, so it arrives before you pop the question. Six weeks is plenty of time to order a ring but verify with your jeweler for an actual estimate.
- Future Upgrades Are Possible
You can always upgrade your diamond ring later if you can’t afford a flashy ring when you get engaged. Changing an engagement ring’s diamond or setting for anniversaries and birthdays pretty much happens.
- Warranty vs Jewelry Insurance
Many customers confuse warranties with jewelry insurance, although the two differ. Jewelry insurance may protect you from theft or loss, and warranties can keep your jewelry looking new. Men should know these differences before they explore the engagement ring collections.
- Customization Is Always Possible
If you haven’t found the perfect engagement ring yet, you may always have one made just for you. You can make a one-of-a-kind ring for far less money and with far less effort than you might think.
Conclusion
The time spent on designing and making something just for you is time well spent. In the end, you will have a ring that’s as unique as your love for one another.
If you have read our guide, you are halfway there to buying the best engagement ring for your would-be partner. It is a special moment of your life with your special person, so make it perfect by getting the engagement ring that’s always been a dream.
