| So you've been in that perfect relationship for | | | | information, all wrapped in one. By far, you will find |
| some time now. You've been dropping hints about | | | | the largest selection of diamonds and engagement |
| the future and he is receiving you loud and clear. | | | | rings here, but that can be quite overwhelming. |
| It's time to do a little "window shopping." After all, | | | | Start with the basics and work your way through |
| you don't want to leave one of the most | | | | this checklist. |
| important decisions in your life entirely up to him, | | | | 1. Shape - Diamonds are cut into 10 most |
| do you? He WILL lose sleep over finding that | | | | common shapes, but there are countless other |
| perfect engagement ring, even though he will not | | | | "designer" shapes popping up in the industry on a |
| admit it. So why not help him out a little, give him | | | | regular basis. Most of the shapes are self |
| some guidance and direction. | | | | explanatory (round, oval, pear, heart), but do you |
| There are so many choices when it comes to | | | | know what a Marquise or a Radiant looks like? |
| shopping for engagement rings and you and he will | | | | Take a look at the most commonly available |
| hear a lot of advice from a lot of "helpful" people. | | | | diamond shapes and decide what you like best. |
| His "Uncle Charlie" will know a guy who knows a | | | | 2. Size - Bigger is better, right? Not necessarily. |
| guy. Your sister will tell you that you have to get | | | | Unless your fiance has very deep pockets, you |
| your ring where she got hers. Your co-worker will | | | | will not be getting a 5 carat boulder to weigh you |
| tell you about this really cool website. And on and | | | | down. Too many men are convinced that it has |
| on, there will be advice around every corner. | | | | to be big. Would you like to have a big ugly rock |
| Let's go through some of the available options | | | | that is dull and lifeless on your hand, just so you |
| and identify the pros and cons of each. This | | | | could tell everyone it's 3 carats, or would you |
| should help you both figure out what the best | | | | rather have a beautiful, sparkling beacon of light |
| option is for you. | | | | catching all of your friends attention. You won't |
| Your Local Jewelry Store: | | | | have to wave your hand in front of them to |
| Definintely a great place to start. A jewelry store | | | | notice, they will come to you! |
| will have a small selection of pre-set engagement | | | | 3. The 4 C's - The most common phrase in the |
| rings for you to see in person, and try on. If you | | | | diamond business and the most important when |
| run into a helpful sales associate that is willing to | | | | shopping for a diamond online. The 4 C's |
| spend some time with you and explain all of the | | | | represent a diamond's cut, color, clarity and carat |
| nuances of buying diamonds, it will be well worth | | | | weight. CUT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECT |
| your time. | | | | OF A DIAMOND'S FIRE AND BRILLIANCE. So |
| PROS | | | | many people buying diamonds focus on color and |
| Seeing the diamond in person. Nothing beats the | | | | clarity, that cut is often overlooked. You can |
| feeling of seeing diamonds sparkle on your finger! | | | | spend a fortune buying a flawless clarity and |
| Talking to a knowlegable human being and getting | | | | perfect color (white) diamond, yet if it is poorly |
| answers to questions face to face. | | | | cut, it will be dull and lifeless. |
| CONS | | | | 4. The Mouting Metal - This is basically a matter |
| Limited selection. Most local jewelry stores do not | | | | of personal preference and what looks best on |
| have the financial resources to carry a large | | | | you. Yellow gold is classic and works best for a |
| inventory of diamonds. However, many stores do | | | | solitaire engagement ring. Yellow gold is also better |
| work with suppliers who are able to send them | | | | for mounting diamonds with a lower color grade |
| goods on memorandum (like consignment) if they | | | | (yellowish tint), because the yellow from the |
| have a customer who is looking for a particular | | | | diamond blends into the setting. White gold and |
| diamond. | | | | Platinum give a modern look and work best with |
| Price. You will pay more at a jeweler, period. Sure | | | | three stone rings. Be sure to choose a diamond |
| you can try and negotiate and feel like you got a | | | | with a high color grade, otherwise the white |
| better price, but a jeweler will not sell you that | | | | moutning will negatively emphasise a yellowish |
| diamond for less than a substantial profit. Most | | | | diamond. |
| jewelers need to make a "keystone" markup on | | | | 5. The Online Engagement Ring Builder - The most |
| every item, which is double what they paid for | | | | fun part of buying a diamond online is being able |
| that diamond. This markup covers the high | | | | to build your own ring. Choose a diamond and a |
| overhead costs of running a store including | | | | setting, then email it to your fiance. Even if he |
| insurance, rent and sales commissions. | | | | doesn't buy it online, he will know exactly what |
| Antique Shops: | | | | style to look for when he goes shopping. No |
| If you are looking for a ring that is truly unique, | | | | surprises, and everyone is happy! |
| this is the place for you. You'll need to do some | | | | There are hundreds of diamond and jewelry web |
| leg work and visit many different stores to see | | | | sites out there, but my advice is to stick with the |
| what's available, but it could be worth it in the long | | | | leaders in the field. The two major players are |
| run. | | | | Blue Nile and Mondera. On their sites, you can |
| PROS | | | | browse thousands of diamonds as well as build |
| Most likely to find a one of a kind ring. If you | | | | your own engagement ring and see how different |
| have the need to be an original, stick to your | | | | settings look with different shape diamonds. They |
| search and you will find that proverbial "diamond in | | | | both have highly knowlegable and very friendly |
| the rough." | | | | customer service staff that can answer questions |
| CONS | | | | about diamonds and settings, and offer a no risk |
| Unless you get lucky, expect a long search. You | | | | 100% guarantee and return policy. |
| may only find a handful, if any rings in the shops | | | | You can also browse our site for weekly updates |
| you visit. | | | | to diamond prices and more in depth diamond |
| Most rings will not have any type of certification | | | | education. We also maintain a searchable database |
| or appraisal. Unless you know a great deal about | | | | of diamonds from leading online jewelers so you |
| diamond grading, it is possible to get taken | | | | can compare similar diamonds from multiple |
| advatage of very easily. | | | | sources. |
| The Internet | | | | Good luck and CONGRATULATIONS! |
| The Holy Grail and the Bottomless Pit of | | | | |