Shopping for engagement rings can be a little overwhelming when there are so many stones, cuts, settings, and metals to choose from. We are sharing tips to help make all the decisions about engagement rings a little easier.
Before You Shop for Engagement Rings
Before going out to make the big purchase, take notes as to the type of jewelry your significant other wears. Make a mental note about whether they are flaunting yellow gold, white gold, silver or another metal. Not every bride wants a diamond; however, a diamond is the most common stone when it comes to engagement rings. When shopping diamond engagement rings, consider the 4 C’s.
The Cut of Engagement Rings
One of the most important characteristics of engagement rings is the cut of the stone. This is the shape as a result of human intervention. How do you know you have a good cut? The best cut enhances the fire. The fire is when a stone grabs the light and produces rainbow flashes of light while in motion. Brilliant cuts are rounded and have the most sparkle. Emerald cuts have a shape similar to the steps of stairs on the side of the diamond. The round cut has exceptional brilliance and fire. Princess cut engagement rings have a symmetrical square shape that enhances the brilliance and sparkle. An emerald cut is more transparent than a round diamond, but provides less fire. The marquise cut provides one of the largest surface areas of any other shape, and features thirty-three facets on the crown and twenty-five facets on the pavilion.
Clarity
Clarity refers to tiny markings on the stone, which could be inclusions, blemishes, cracks, bubbles, specks or scratches. Clarity is part of the valuation process. A flawless diamond is rare, making it the most expensive.
Color
The color of diamond engagement rings can vary from icy white colorless to light yellow. Color is rated on a scale, depending on the amount of color or the absence thereof. Colorless diamond engagement rings are rare, desirable and expensive. Yellow is the most common, and the least expensive. When selecting a diamond, it is important to consider the type of metal it will be set in. If we choose platinum or silver bands, the diamond must be near colorless due to the bright appearance of the metal. Yellow gold is visually appealing, and compliments tinted diamonds that would not be compatible with silver and platinum bands.
Carat
The carat of a diamond is the unit of measurement for its weight. A carat is divided into 100 points. A common misconception is that a larger carat will always be the better diamond. Two diamonds of the same carat weight could have very different values. The difference is found in the details.
Gold Engagement Rings
While the metal used for engagement rings is mostly about preference, gold is traditionally the metal of choice. Gold is naturally yellow, which does not look best with a near colorless stone. In contrast, it complements a diamond with a little yellow in the stone. Gold is usually mixed with an alloy, such as nickel or copper. The karat of gold refers to the amount of pure gold in the mix. Twenty-four karat is pure gold.
White Gold
Gold is not naturally white, but becomes lighter with the combination of other metals, such as platinum, palladium or silver. The application of rhodium plating creates the final touch. Rhodium is another rare and expensive precious metal; however, electroplating only requires a thin layer of rhodium in the process. White gold resembles platinum at a fraction of the cost.
Platinum Engagement Rings
Platinum is more expensive than gold and enhances the brilliance of a white diamond. It is a strong metal that is resistant to tarnishing. Unlike silver, the maintenance is very low. Platinum is strong, durable and just gets better over time. Unlike other metals that require maintenance, platinum maintains a bright luster that is less susceptible to aging. Antique platinum wedding rings can develop a satiny or slightly frosted texture. The patina effect of platinum is even more desirable.
Silver Engagement Rings
Fine silver is a soft precious metal that is commonly preferred with intricate designs. Fine silver is also known as pure silver or 99.9% pure. Sterling silver is a pure grade of silver, composed of 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper. Copper is added for durability. While silver is less expensive than other metals, it requires continuous maintenance to prevent tarnishing.
Crystal Ballroom North Tampa
The perfect engagement ring is just the beginning of your wedding story. Crystal Ballroom North Tampa can help you write the rest with the wedding of your dreams in a ballroom designed just for you. This all-inclusive venue includes the furnishings, designs, and services for a dream wedding come true. Meet with the designers inside the design studio to coordinate your linens, décor and floral arrangements. Bring imagination to Crystal Ballroom and create your fairy tale. Schedule a complimentary VIP tour to begin planning.
