The Ultimate Guide to Buying Your Engagement Ring

Shopping For Your Dream Engagement Ring

What to Look For When Buying Your Engagement Ring

When engagement season comes around for you, it’s always a good idea to know what you’re shopping for before asking or being asked that one special question. We’re here to help guide you through the engagement ring shopping process, making sure you’re aware of all the details including the four C’s of your center stone to the metal settings that holds it, and everything in between.

A Ring’s Anatomy

• Center Stone
  • This is the main gemstone of your engagement ring. You can have multiple stones in the center, however, the most common engagement ring design features one main center stone.
• Accent Stones
  • Stones around the center stone are known as the halo stones or the center cluster.
• Stone Setting
  • This is the metal base that holds your gemstone. The common type of setting is a prong setting, which consists of prongs that are like metal claws that secure the stone in place. One of the most luxurious settings is an invisible setting, which requires specific setting expertise and skill.
• Head
  • The head is the top section of the ring containing the center stones and its settings.
• Gallery
  • The section beneath the head is the gallery. There are many unique designs that can be made, however, the non-decorative purpose is to provide structural integrity.
• Shank
  • The shank, or the band is what wraps around your finger. Over time, the shank can actually shrink from wear and tear, which makes it more vulnerable to breakage.
• Sizing Area
  • The sizing area can be found at the bottom of the shank, where engraving and hallmarks are usually placed, which can also be redone after shank repairs thank to our professional laser engraver.

Picking the Main Gemstone

One of the first things that someone notices on an engagement ring is the main gemstone, which is most likely the most important thing that you also want to consider. We recommend going ring shopping in person to try on different cuts, sizes, designs, and colors to see what looks best on your hand!

Diamonds Versus Alternative or Colored Gemstones

The most popular gemstone that is chosen for engagement rings is, you guessed it, the diamond! However, there are pros and cons to choosing colored gemstones versus the modern choice of diamonds for the engagement ring.

One known pro to having a colored gemstone is that some tend to hold its value due to its rarity.

Three of the precious gemstones, sapphire, ruby, and emerald, are all significantly rarer than diamonds.

If you take VERY good care of your colored gemstones, your engagement ring is definitely an investment.

One obvious pro to having a colored gemstone engagement ring is that its pop of color already stands out more than the classic diamond ring. It’ll be as unique and rare as the colored gemstone that you’ll have!

To learn more about the different types of gemstones, feel free to visit our Ultimate Birthstone Guide.

The Four C’s (Cut, Clarity, Carat, and Color)

When picking your gemstone, it’s important to know what the Four C’s are: Cut, Clarity, Carat, and Color. Here is what you need to be familiar with when choosing your gemstone:

Depending on where you purchase your diamond, some establishments may provide a Diamond Certification that confirms the quality of diamond, accurate information on its grade, and ownership verification. This also can be referred to as the Fifth C when evaluating diamonds.

Each of these measurements, along with various others, are combined to create a value for each diamond that either deems it less or more expensive. It is important to note that cut and carat weight will have the greatest impact on the price evaluation given to a diamond.

To learn more details about the Four C’s, feel free to visit our Ultimate Diamond Guide.

Natural Versus Lab-Grown Gemstones

The “Real” and the “Fake” of Sparkle & Brilliance

While some gemstones are mined naturally from the earth, others are grown in a lab. Lab-grown, or lab-created, gemstones are becoming more popular for the gemstone industry and are known as “the future of jewelry.” They are created using cutting-edge technology that replicates the natural process of crystal formation when it comes to mined gemstones.

Created in a controlled lab environment, the most beloved gemstones like diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and many more can be created of higher quality and even more stunning and flawless than those mined from the earth. Lab-grown gemstones have the exact same physical and chemical properties as their natural counterparts, making them virtually identical in appearance.

Although natural diamonds have not lost their appeal in the slightest, there are a few advantages for lab-created diamonds beyond ethics. Lab-grown gemstones also tend to offer more affordable and more durable options.

All in all, natural diamonds are still the desired diamond of choice and there is no sign of this changing anytime soon.

Engagement Ring Stone Settings

As previously mentioned, what is referred to as the “setting” is the metal base that holds your gemstone. You should really consider the type of setting you want for your gemstone, as it affects the way the gemstone can be viewed. Some settings allow your ring to be viewed in every direction.

Some of the gemstone setting types include:

• Prong Setting
  • This the most common type of setting, which consists of prongs that are like metal claws that secure the stone in place.
• Invisible Setting
  • This is the most luxurious settings, which requires specific setting expertise and skill.
• Three-Stone Setting
• Halo Setting
• Cluster Setting
• Channel Setting

Our Master Jewelers have the ability to transform your setting to refresh your gemstone ring’s brilliance. In the case that you are interested in this service for your engagement ring, feel free to visit our Gemstone Resetting Services page!

Engagement Ring Metal Types

You should also consider if you do want a matching set of wedding and anniversary bands that complement your engagement ring. The design and metal of your rings will affect the choices of the others!

Here are some of the most common jewelry metals to choose from:

• Yellow Gold
• Rose Gold
• White Gold
• Platinum
• Sterling Silver

What is a metal’s “karat”?

A “karat” is a measurement in regard to the fineness of a metal’s purity. This fineness is the measurement of fine metal weight in proportion to the piece’s total weight including alloyed metals and impurities that may be present.

• The traditional unit of karat is used for gold and can range from 24k, being the purest, to 22k, 18k, 14k, to 10k.
  • The lower the number, the more presence of alloys or impurities that are mixed with the pure gold.
• Pure gold is actually more malleable, so alloys are mixed in to increase durability, which is more suitable for everyday wear.
  • The types of alloys that are most commonly mixed with gold are silver, zinc, copper, palladium, and nickel, which can also be mixed at higher percentages to make different colors, such as rose gold.

White Gold Versus Platinum

White gold and platinum both have the white metal look, but what’s the difference?

White gold is actually a metal of mixed alloys that requires more maintenance and rhodium replating. Because of this, there are different levels of purity, for example, 14k and 18k. Although it’s a mixed metal, it’s more affordable and durable for everyday wear.

And what about platinum? This metal is actually naturally white and does not require rhodium plating as it keeps its shine. The metal is much rarer and mor expensive, however, it is actually more malleable than white gold.

If you’re have trouble choosing between the two, there are other factors besides price to consider: since platinum is purer, it is better for those with sensitive skin and may be allergic to nickel.

You can learn more about rhodium replating does with white gold in our blog “What You Need To Know About White Gold & Rhodium.”

How Metal Type and Band Design Can Affect Ring Resizing

Make sure to get your ring finger measured or else you would need to get your ring resized. In the case that you do, don’t worry, we happen to specialize in ring sizing services that require expert skill.

However, there are some cases where ring resizing would need to require more effort and skill than others. All rings are not created equal when it comes to how many sizes they can be sized up or down. Some are very basic and can be sized up or down 2 to 3 sizes, and others have very intricate designs which limit the amount it can be sized, or if it can be sized at all.

Here are some example of what can affect the ring resizing process:

• Patterns in the shank metal
  • A ring with a pattern that goes all the way around the shank can rarely be resized because the sizing process will remove or damage the pattern.
• Having mixed metals
  • A ring that is made more than one metal type may not be able to be sized, as they may have melting points that differ too much. We avoid metal contamination by matching the new metal and soldering it to the existing ring.
• Using alternative metals
  • Some metals cannot be sized, such as Titanium, Stainless Steel, and Tungsten.

To learn more about the ring resizing process, feel free to visit our “Ultimate Ring Resizing Guide!”

Personalizing Your Engagement Rings

Adding Engravings to Your Dream Ring

Engraving offers endless possibilities and instantly adds even more sentimental value to your precious ring. We can personalize your engagement rings, wedding rings, or any piece of jewelry symbolizing your love.

Regardless of whether you say a lot or little, by having your engagement ring engraved, you are creating a unique touch!

Our Laser Engraver is a highly flexible laser engraving machine that is able to mark a wide variety of small parts with optimal precision. What was once a specialty of some jewelers is now the expertise of a programmable machine, able to engrave essentially any metal, with any design, in any size or color.

In the case that you’re interested in our engraving services for your treasured ring, visit our Engraving Services page.

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