Are you on the hunt for he perfect engagement ring to propose to your loved one? Consider that this occasion signifies one of the most important days of your life. It certifies the decision that you want to spend your entire life with that one special person. Once you've made the decision that you would like to take this step, it's time to choose the perfect engagement ring.
The Style
If you are looking to choose an engagement ring for yourself or your loved one then the most common starting point is style. The style of your engagement ring often relates to its overall appearance, is it a solitaire with a singular diamond in the centre or a more fancy cluster design? Is it classic or more modern?
If possible we would also advise you try and observe the style of jewellery your partner wears, do they wear white metal? Or yellow? Does your loved one wear things with sparkle? Or exert a more traditional style? All of this information will help your start on your journey to selecting the perfect engagement ring.
Check your ring setting
Solitaire ring: Although solitaire engagement rings have been around for a long time, they are still in style since they haven't gone out of style yet. Illusion ring: The setting of this type of ring enhances the appearance of the diamond within the setting, giving the illusion of a larger diamond. Gemstone ring: In gemstone rings, stones such as emeralds, rubies, sapphires, or semiprecious gems are encrusted in gold or another metal. Halo ring: Halo rings feature a bigger center stone surrounded by small accent stones, commonly pavé diamonds, which have been popular through the ages. Vintage ring: It's no surprise that antique rings have stood the test of time owing to their beauty, workmanship, and uniqueness and that even fresh couples are drawn to them. Multiple rings: The ring comes with multiple diamonds and gives the wearer a contemporary feeling.
The Size
Theo Moussourakis, our Master Jeweller, will advise and guide you in determining your love's ring size or, if you are shopping together, would be delighted to size your partner. If you are looking to select an engagement ring and you are unsure of the size, our teams would recommend presenting your chosen ring to your partner before any adjustments or sizings.
Once you have proposed, our boutique showroom at Brickworks on Ferry Road would be delighted to welcome you back to celebrate this occasion with a glass of champagne as well as measuring your partners figure to ensure the perfect fit.
The Diamond
If you are looking to choose an engagement ring then most of our clients choose a white diamond. Each of showrooms offer a comprehensive selection of engagement rings, hand-chosen for their exceptional diamonds but it is important we find the right diamond you for. The four most important things to consider when selecting a diamond are cut, colour, clarity and carat. It is the way that the 4C's relate that gives value and beauty to your diamond.
Of course, an engagement ring does not have to feature a white diamond and for those who dare to be different, there are a beautiful selection of coloured gemstones that today are growing in popularity. Each of our showrooms would be delighted to guide you through the gemstones that are most suitable for use in an engagement ring, ensuring the ring you select is appropriate for everyday wear.
When choosing a diamond for an engagement ring you have to consider the carat, color, cut, and clarity.
- Carat: Larger carat weights may appear dull with a poor cut. Thus, consider smaller cuts as they will look larger with a better cut.
- Color: The greater the price, the more colorless the diamond is. One may go all the way up to color H, which is almost colorless but offers the best value. The highest grade is D, which is perfectly colorless.
- Cut: Prices vary depending on the size of the diamond and the quality of the cut.
- Clarity: When shopping for an engagement ring, choose a diamond that is eye-clean, meaning there are no visible imperfections. This is referred to as a very high-grade diamond.
The Metal
When it comes to choosing metal options there are usually four options available: platinum, white gold, yellow gold, and rose gold.
To begin, choose a hue that best compliments your partner's aesthetic. White gold is a great option if she usually wears silver jewelry.
Consider a rose gold ring if she prefers more color. White gold is preferred over platinum in most situations. White gold is substantially less expensive than platinum and requires less upkeep and cleaning.
Second, take in mind that the fundamental difference between 14K and 18K gold is in the alloy makeup. The gold content of 14K gold is 58.3 percent, while that of 18K gold is 75 percent. Both of these metals are combined with other metals to make them durable enough for jewelry.
The Engagement Ring
It is so important to us that you choose the perfect ring that both you, and your partner, will love forever. Whether you are choosing the engagement ring alone, or together as a couple, it’s important to explore all of your options, different styles, a selection of diamonds and metals.
It is also important to understand that the engagement rings you explore online, or in magazines, may look different in person so we always suggest for you visit one of our showrooms and to be as open minded as possible. Our dedicated sales teams are here to guide you through this process and will encourage you to ask as many questions as you like, we want to ensure this choice is the perfect one.
Forever Jewels Design Studio 8 look forward to celebrating this occasion with you.
Getting Certificate Of Authenticity
It is always advised to request a lab certification on each diamond purchase. This certificate verifies that the diamond you're purchasing has the promised properties (cut quality, color, clarity, and carat weight, for example).
TOP TIPS FROM VOGUE ABOUT BUYING AN ENGAGEMENT RING
10 Tips for Buying an Engagement Ring BY ALEXANDRA MACON AND EMILY FARRA
1. Don’t get caught up in a trend.
An engagement ring should be a timeless, classic symbol of your love that will last forever, so the goal should be to find the stone that is the perfect match for your future fiancé. Look at their current jewelry to see what would best suit his or her style. Are they a gold or a platinum person? Do they wear statement jewelry or instead opt for minimal pieces? Take cues from their current style to inform how you pick the piece they’ll want to wear every day for the rest of their lives.
2. A stone doesn’t have to be perfect on paper.
Diamond experts often site the “Four Cs” (aka color, cut, clarity, and carat), but certificate grading should be just one of the many factors in your decision-making. You don’t need a D Flawless stone to create a beautiful ring. It’s better to judge a stone by the feeling it gives you rather than the GIA grading (diamonds are graded from D to Z by the Gemological Institute of America) it received. The grade can serve as a starting point, but should not be the sole determining factor.
3. Size matters only if you (or your future fiancé) think it matters.
Go big or go home shouldn’t be the mantra, unless you think it’s the most important thing to your future spouse. In that case, weigh your options. Perhaps placing more of an emphasis on size and less on color and clarity is worth considering. Even those in the jewelry industry have noticed this trend. "I think there’s less pressure to have a showy ring now," Jess Hannah, the founder of Los Angeles–based jewelry line J.Hannah says. "Now, the ring is more of an extension of someone’s personal style, and sometimes that means intentionally opting out of ‘bling.’ I love that women feel more empowered to go against the traditional jewelry store [mold] and find something that speaks to them on a personal level. It feels like a feminist choice.” After you’ve fallen in love with a stone, the next step is figuring out what to put around it. "My fiancé collaborated with one of my best friends, Montana Coady, to design my ring," explains wedding stylist Cynthia Smith of Cynthia Cook Brides. "Her advice was to think of the center stone as a piece of artwork and the setting as the frame. You can be bold and do something different and unique, but it is important that the ring reflect the style of the person who will be wearing it." Find an expert whom you trust, give them an idea of what you want, and let them guide you in the right direction.
4. Don't be afraid to think outside the box and choose an entirely unique ring.
Millennials want everything they buy to feel special, and for a ring's vibe to match up with their own. It's becoming more common for women to eschew diamonds and traditional settings entirely and opt for something personal, unique and unexpected. "People are yearning for something different. They want something that feels 'fashion' and relevant, but also timeless—not basic, boring, or predictable. They come to us for a ring that’s unusual but still clean and sleek so it won’t go out of style," says Azlee designer Baylee Zwart. Zwart’s pieces are minimal, but in a different way: They’re sleek, geometric, and ultralight. Grooms (or brides, or couples) come to her for something sharp and modern, like her Eclipse ring or shield-cut ring. “I specialize in rare and alternative cuts and shapes, so our customers know there won’t be limitations,” Zwart says.
5. Consider working directly with a jeweler.
"Custom feels more special than just walking into a store and picking something," Hannah explains. "Generally speaking, a lot of people now want something that walks the line between vintage and modern. It’s not so much about a big diamond anymore—they want quality over size, or a unique shape, like a rose cut. And a lot of people are ditching diamonds all together. I made a really beautiful ring with alexandrite, which is a color-change stone that is greenish blue in the daylight and purple in incandescent light. [Engagement rings] aren’t one size fits all anymore."
6. Don’t go it alone.
Engagement ring shopping can be a daunting task—get by with a little help from your friends. Ask those who’ve gotten engaged for jeweler recommendations and call upon someone who knows you and your future spouse and whose taste you love and respect for their opinion regarding aesthetics. Nine times out of ten the person you’re buying for has an idea of what they want in their head and may have expressed it to said friend (or added to a Pinterest board).
7. Don’t commit.
Unlike the matrimonial commitment you’re hoping to make, try to avoid entering into a binding agreement with the jeweler. Worst-case scenario, if your intended hates what you’ve come up with, you should be able to exchange it for something else. You want your future spouse to love both you and the jewelry you buy forever.
8. It's not about the price tag.
During the Depression, in a campaign that would’ve made Don Draper proud, De Beers' advertising geniuses started running an ad pushing men to spend one month’s salary on a ring if they wanted to be "responsible." By the 1980s, it jumped up to two months. These days, the rule of thumb that’s often referenced is that one should fork over at least three months’ salary when purchasing this piece of forever jewelry. This is all just clever marketing. The truth is there's no exact science when it comes to how much to spend on an engagement ring, and some women prefer smaller, less expensive diamonds (or want to forego diamonds altogether). Some are going the vintage or secondhand route (eBay’s ring market is up 58 percent); and some are choosing a plain band à la Amanda Seyfried. Get the ring that's perfect for the woman, not the ring whose price tag aligns with an arbitrary algorithm.
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