Oliver Diamonds strive to
give all their customers a ‘stress-free’ shopping experience.
This is our advice for buying the
perfect ring. We cover all aspects from establishing your budget, educating
yourself about diamonds and selecting your dream ring. We believe that diamonds
have been and always will be the most romantic gift in the world, they sparkle like no other gemstone, they offer glamour, prestige and a lifetimes
worth of happiness.
A brief history
The tradition of presenting a Diamond
Engagement Ring as a promise of marriage began in 1477 with Archduke
Maximillian of Austriaand Mary of Burgundy.This tradition now
spans all over the world. An Engagement Ring is traditionally worn on the third
finger of your left hand. Ancient Egyptian myths explain that the “wedding ring
finger” follows the vena amoris or vein of love that run directly to our
heart.
Budget
The first stage to consider with an engagement
ring purchase is the budget.It is essential you have a budget that you
can afford and that you’re a comfortable with, it is important to stick to it. Some
people base their budget on a traditional 1 or 2 months salary, others spend
whatever makes sense to them. With your budget in mind, set your standards
based on what’s important to you, some people prefer diamond size over quality,
others prefer quality over anything else, most people settle with a happy
medium based on all factors. Once you feel comfortable with your budget, selecting
the diamond becomes easier as you have options based on that price guideline.
The Diamond
In most cases, the diamond will be
the most expensive part of the ring. The properties of the diamond are measured
using the 4C’s. (Cut, Carat, Clarity & Colour). These 4C’s relate to the shape,
weight, purity and whiteness of each diamond giving every diamond it’s own
unique ‘finger print’. By understanding these qualities you can determine which
traits are most important to you, and you can find a balance between them that
best suits your needs.
Forfurther information about diamonds, please take a look
at our Diamond Educationpages where we go into more specific details.
The
Setting
There
are many different types of engagement ring settings available to suit a wide
variety of tastes. The setting is what most would consider as the actual ring.
Including details such as the diamond enclosure, the band, side
stones and the type of metal. Settings come in a variety of metals
and styles suiting a wide variety of tastes from classic, vintage to
contemporary.
Diamond enclosures
Claw Settings: The claw setting
allows the optimal amount of light to pass through the stone thereby giving the
diamond maximum brilliance and radiance.
There are usually four or six “claws” of metal that reach around the diamond’s
girdle to hold it in place.
Bezel Settings: A bezel setting has
a rim of metal completely surrounding the diamond which holds it in place.
Bezels can have straight edges, scalloped edges, or can be moulded into any shape
to accommodate the stone. The backs can be opened to emit light or closed to
your preference. The bezel setting helps protect the stone from damage. Bezel
settings are popular for clients interested in a classic or vintage style.
Contemporary Settings: As with any design
based creations there are many wonderful ideas that are brought forward, in
this sense the opportunities are endless and often suited to bespoke commissions.
Here are 2 examples of a modern take on a classic 4 claw setting.
The Metal
Most Engagement Rings are made from either
Platinum or White or Yellow Gold. It is important to note that Platinum is the
most expensive and hard wearing metal. White gold is not a natural white colour it is an alloy and offers a more afordable option other than platinum.
Some settings are also available in two tone
white and yellow. In which case the diamond is set into a white gold setting (enhancing the whiteness of the diamond)
leading to a yellow gold band.
Advice
The Ring: Before buying an Engagement Ring, we
advise that you learn about the 4C’s of diamond quality: Cut, Carat, Clarity, & Colour. We believe that this will help you determine which quality is the most
important trait to you and thus will help you make a successful purchase.
The Bride: Most women have been dreaming about
their Engagement Rings since they were little girls so they tend to have
definite preferences for diamond shape, metal choice, and general ring
appearance. If you prefer to surprise her with an Engagement ring, pay
attention when she admires someone else's engagement ring. Noticing the types of jewellery your fiancée’s
wear can also help lead you in the right direction. If your fiancée only owns
white gold jewellery then she mayprefer
the look of white gold or platinum. It is also possible to ask her close
friends and family about her preferences if they can be trusted with the
impending secret.
Budget: There is no set price tag for an Engagement
Ring. The general guideline appears to be that a man should spend roughly two
months' salary on a diamond engagement ring. We recommend that you don't commit
yourself to such a guideline but that your budget should reflect how much you
can afford.
Trust Your Jeweller: We are here to help,
no question is too big or too small. At Oliver Diamonds we understand that
buying an Engagement Ring or any diamond purchase is a large expense and we are
here to make the process as simple and reliable as possible for you.
