Buying Diamond Engagement Ring

Buying a diamond engagement ring is part of a much larger decision that goes far beyond jewelry, tradition, or money. The very fact that you're even considering such a commitment indicates that you've already made quite a journey.

Diamonds are one of the loveliest of all gems. Simply put, a diamond is nothing more than a chunk of carbon, yet in its pure, crystallized form is the hardest transparent substance known to man, one hundred times harder than ruby or sapphire. Only another diamond can cut a diamond. This durability, along with its light, has made diamonds an enduring marriage symbol.

Spend some time exploring your diamond ring options such as styles, stones and budget, etc. Once familiar with the options, establish your budget based on your income, what you feel comfortable spending, and the type and grade of diamond you wish to purchase.

And once you've established your budget, don't allow a jeweler to talk you into going drastically over or going drastically under your budget. Your engagement ring budget will be based on not only your income, but also your knowledge of diamonds (the four Cs, certification, shapes), so you'll have a very good idea of both what you can afford and want to spend.

Before buying a diamond, you need to understand the four Cs of diamond evaluation:

• Carat :A carat is a unit of measurement, it's the unit used to weigh a diamond. Larger diamonds often cost more per carat due to their size.
• Color :It is the most important single factor that contributes to the value of a diamond. Several grading scales are currently in use: on the GIA scale, for example, the highest-quality color grades are D, E, and F, all corresponding to a pure "white" color, with no tinge of yellow.
• Clarity :refers to the presence of inclusions, spots, or flaws in a diamond. Most diamonds contain inclusions of other minerals, which were incorporated at the time of crystal growth. Inclusions decrease the value of a diamond. Their size and number can be determined by means of a magnifying glass or microscope.
• Cut :It refers to the surface finish and polish of a diamond, as well as its proportions, which affect its beauty and hence its value. A diamond's cut and proportion determines its brilliance and fire, making the cut perhaps the most important factor in a diamond's beauty.

By understanding these diamond qualities you can determine which traits are most important to you, and you can find a balance between them that best suits your needs.

Once you understand the four cs, review the page on diamond certificates. Diamond certificates are the blueprint of the diamond and and certify the various grades (cut, color, clarity), carat weight, and additional aspects of the diamond such as shape. Not all certificates are created equal be sure to read this section to know that the certificate you receive is worth more than the paper it's written on.

The setting is what you probably think of as the ring portion the band, accent stones, and the prongs. Everything except the center diamond. Settings come in a variety of metals and styles. Most diamond engagement rings are set in gold (yellow, white, or "two-toned", and various karats) or platinum. See the different techniques of diamond settings.

There are two basic parts to every diamond engagement ring: the setting and the center diamond. The setting is the ring portion the band, accent stones, and the prongs. When designing your own ring, which one do you select first the setting or the center diamond.

If either you or the recipient has a heart set on a princess cut diamond, you better start with the diamond selection. Not all settings can accomodate all diamond shapes and sizes, so if you already have an idea what the center diamond will look like, start there.

On the other hand, if either of you have a heart set on a platinum setting, start there and review the platinum options (which will include traditional plain bands, bands with accent diamonds, and bands with colored diamonds.