Engagement rings: 8 factors to consider before buying one

Getting married is an exciting chapter to embark on. Choosing that perfect engagement ring is one of the most important first decisions to make. After all, this ring is meant to be worn and cherished for a lifetime.

Other than that age old tradition of getting down on your knees and saying the four magic words, here are some tips on how to make that right choice and what you should be thinking of when you are looking to purchase an engagement ring.

Diamond, sapphire, ruby … … The choices are aplenty!

What kind of stone, type of setting, and/or colour of precious metal does your fiancée like? Consider the design of other jewellery she loves, or ask her mother or close friends for an idea of her preferences.

If you don’t know this yet, the best solution is to secretly borrow one of her other rings and have them measured by a jeweller. Do note that there can be up to a half finger-size difference between the left and right hands, which can be easily adjusted after you have given the ring.

Diamonds are the hardest substance known to man and have more brilliance and fire than any other gemstone. It will withstand daily wear and look beautiful for decades. This has always been the traditional choice of stone for engagement rings.

Sapphires and rubies are also both very popular engagement stones and their high degree of hardness, second only to diamonds, makes them durable for a lifetime. Emeralds are not as hard or as durable as sapphires, rubies and diamonds, however if they are set with a gold rub over setting, this will greatly help to protect the emerald in the long term.

Some stones that are not ideal for engagement rings include opals, which may dry out and crack with daily wear and are better for occasional wear. Pearls, whether cultured or natural, can absorb liquids and stain. Cultured pearls usually have several microns of nacre — diamond-shaped crystals of calcium carbonate, also known as mother-of-pearl — on the surface, which will eventually erode and not look as good in five to 10 years.

Overall, it’s best to avoid stones graded below 7 in hardness in the MOHs scale¹.

When it comes to diamonds, the 4Cs represent:

• Colour
• Clarity
• Cut
• Carat Weight
   

The 4Cs are the four standards for judging the quality of any diamond. Developed by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) in 1953, the grading system is used throughout the world and is a trusted indication of quality.

When choosing a diamond, the four C’s are to be considered together. You should closely compare different stones, and weigh factors such as size against colour and clarity. Remember that if this ring will be worn every day, it doesn’t have to be a top-rated D Flawless. With the naked eye, people can’t identify a VVS1 diamond from a VS2, but the price can vary significantly.

A certificate documents the vital statistics of a diamond, including its weight, colour and clarity, the proportions of the stone, the cut and polish. Always ask for a certificate and, if necessary, get advice to help you fully understand it. The best recommended is called a GIA certificate.

The number of prongs and how they’re constructed is very important. There should be four to six prongs securing the stone. Assess the durability of the prongs, especially on a pre-worn ring. If they are made of thin metal, it’s not impossible for a claw to get caught on clothing and be bent backwards; if the ring only has four prongs, you could lose your stone.

The decision to select a ring in yellow, white or pink gold versus platinum is a personal one. Platinum is slightly more dense, making it heavier than gold, and some people enjoy this more solid feel. Platinum will dull a bit with age but can be polished, while white gold brightens with wearing. Platinum is more ductile, and therefore it’s often used in delicate settings.

The most popular choice for an engagement ring has always been a round, brilliant-cut diamond, as it has the most brilliance and sparkle of all the various cuts and is particularly robust to last a lifetime.

Buyers are advised to examine pieces carefully and to seek advice from the experts.

There are a wide variety of designs, cuts and settings, which can be of high quality and some with high values. The best advice is to have some knowledge before you make your decision. After all, an engagement ring is a symbol of bringing together the lives of two people in a symbol of love, honour and commitment for many years to come.

¹ MOH scale (mōz) is a scale used to measure the relative hardness of a mineral by its resistance to scratching.

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