Jewelry Discount House  >  Jewelry Education  >  Engagement Ring Guide

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You found your perfect match, and now you want to give her the perfect ring. The first step is education: before you shop you should take the time to learn about diamonds and what the factors are in determining the price and value of a diamond. The 4 Cs, shape, and the differences in mounting styles can all impact the cost of your ring. Research can be invaluable in providing you with the knowledge to make an informed decision.

The 4 C's

The 4 C's were developed to help explain how the four primary factors of value combine to determine the cost of a diamond. The final value of a diamond is, in large measure, determined by the combination of these four factors. Below is a brief overview of the 4 C's - please consult our The 4 C's and Diamond Buying page for more detailed information.

Cut:

Cut is an evaluation of how well the diamond has been proportioned and finished during the process of converting it from a rough gem to the brilliant diamond you see on her finger.

Color:

Color refers to the body color of the diamond itself. Simply stated, the less color you see the better the color rating.

Clarity:

Clarity is an evaluation of internal and external characteristics or blemishes in the diamond. A diamond's clarity grade is based not only on the number of these characteristics but on how they affect the appearance of the diamond.

Carat Weight:

Carat Weight is the actual weight of the diamond. A one carat diamond weighs 1/5 of gram. Carat weight is generally expressed in points with 100 points being equal to 1 carat or a half carat diamond being 50 points.

Diamond Shapes

Today's brides have more choices then any group before them. Although every shape has it own devotees the round diamond has consistently been the single most popular choice.

Gold vs. Platinum

Platinum is the strongest and most pure of the precious metals. Because of this it is resistant to damage and it does not tarnish. Platinum jewelry is generally in the 90-95% purity range. The purity stamp is generally imprinted on the item as part of a thousand: a ring that is 95% pure platinum would be stamped 950. Potential disadvantages of platinum include it price, which is significantly higher than gold, and because of its high melting point platinum jewelry can be difficult and expensive to repair.

Pure gold is expressed as 24 karats pure, so 18K is 75% pure gold and 14K is 56.5% pure gold. The purity stamp is generally imprinted in karats but can also be expressed as a percentage, so 18K and 750 would indicate the same level of purity. In gold rings the alloys mixed with the gold add strength and in some cases color, this is how white gold, and rose gold are created. Neither 18K nor 14K is as durable as platinum with care either can provide the owner with a lifetime of enjoyment. As a general rule repairing gold jewelry will be significantly easier and less expensive than comparable repairs done in platinum. Gold is significantly less expensive than platinum and is still the most popular precious metal for jewelry.

It should be noted that if you are choosing white gold versus platinum that white gold is not a naturally occurring metal and is created by mixing yellow gold with other alloys to generate the white color. For this reason some white gold rings can show slight tinting of yellow over time when exposed to certain chemicals. You should avoid wearing white gold jewelry when swimmin, washing your hands, showering or cleaning with harsh chemicals. However, if this occurs, a ring can easily be rhodium plated to restore its original luster. This can be done by any jeweler for a nominal fee.

Engagement Ring Types

The best setting is strictly a matter of personal preference. The basic forms of setting include:

Diamond Solitaires

The simple elegance of the solitaire has made it the most popular of all our engagement ring styles. The diamond solitaire can also be matched with a wedding band or wrap to create complete wedding set, making it the most versatile of all engagement styles.

Diamond Accent Engagement Rings

An Engagement ring set with diamonds or gemstones can create a stunning and unique presentation.

Three-Stone Diamond Rings

Three diamonds, one for the Past, one for the Present and one for the Future. An engagement ring, a wedding band and a pledge for the future.

Bridal Sets

A wedding set is made up of an engagement ring with a matching wedding band. One decision gets you two perfectly matched rings.

Certified Diamonds

A certified diamond is a diamond that has an independent grading report, sometimes called a cert or certification. These reports are a written evaluation of the quality of a diamond. Most independent grading reports come from diamond grading labs which specialize in the evaluation of diamonds. It is possible for there to be slight variance in the grading of diamonds between labs. GIA, Gemological Institute of America, and AGS, American Gem Society, are considered by many to be the two most consistent laboratories in grading standards and consistency. Since on-line purchasers often rely on a grading report when choosing a diamond; it is the policy of Jewelry Discount House to only carry certificates from Gem Laboratories that have demonstrated the highest standards of accuracy and consistency in their grading.

Independent Confirmation

Jewelry Discount House has a thirty day return policy it is our opinion that anyone who purchases a diamond, whether from us or another jeweler, should take the time to have their diamond independently evaluated. We recommend the use of an independent appraiser, one who does not sell jewelry. Although most jewelers are honest it is possible to run across a jeweler that might give an inaccurate evaluation in order to create the opportunity to sell you their diamonds. The easiest way to find an independent appraiser is to search on-line or to check your local yellow pages.