When looking at diamond engagement rings, there is more involved in choosing the perfect ring than just the four C's. The ultimate ring will be one that is easy for her to wear and be of high quality. The design and aesthetics of the ideal ring will give it a feel and personality that harmonizes with those of your bride-to-be. The love and care put into choosing the ring will be effortlessly reflected into her eyes.

Practicality of Diamond Engagement Rings

The practicality of diamond engagement rings is perhaps the most important factor in choosing the right ring. It will not matter how expensive it is or what it looks like. If she cannot wear it, she will not be able to enjoy it. This does not mean that designs that are more elaborate are out of the question.

Think about everything the bride-to-be does in her daily life. If she is employed as an accounting clerk for instance, she will be able to have more ornate and higher settings. On the other hand, if she works with children or at a job where her hands get dirty, she would be much happier with a lower setting and simple design. Otherwise, the ring catches on everything and attracts lots of hard to clean material.

Quality of Diamond Engagement Rings

The band or shank is the first part of the ring to examine. First, the band should not appear to have any bends, breaks or cracks. The material the band is made out of should also be taken into consideration. For example, since platinum has higher durability than gold, it is the better choice for someone who works in an office or factory. The other option is to choose a heavier band.

The setting is also responsible for determining the quality of diamond engagement rings. Prong settings should have no less than four well-constructed prongs (also called claws) with six prongs being the strongest. If the ring will have to take more of a beating, consider alternative settings such as a bar, end, or bezel setting. These settings use more metal around the stone in order to prevent the stone from falling out.

Design and Materials in Diamond Engagement Rings

The color and metal of the band can greatly influence the look and the price of an engagement ring. For instance, 9k gold takes more to bend than 18k, but it also does not look as nice as it ages. Eighteen-carat gold also lasts longer with everyday use. When considering platinum, titanium, and white gold, keep in mind that titanium takes more abuse, but it cannot be fixed or resized and its hardness limits your design options.

The number and color of the diamonds is largely determined by taste and cost. Depending on the design you choose, there can be almost any combination of stones and sizes to suit your needs. Does she like designs that are simpler such as a solitaire or single marquise cut or does she prefer flashier designs with several stones? In general, the color and size of the diamond along with the number of stones will largely determine the price.

Cut, color, and clarity are important, but they are not the only things she is looking at. The ring should be easy and comfortable for her to wear, but she also needs to be happy with the visual beauty of the ring. When you carefully consider her needs and preferences, choosing between diamond engagement rings becomes easy.