| Deciding to propose to the special somebody in | | | | brilliance when compared to very good and ideal |
| your life is a huge decision, one that will lead you | | | | cut diamonds, however, they are significantly |
| down a path of even more decisions. Of course, | | | | more cost-effective than either very good or |
| the first thing that needs to be decided after | | | | ideal cut diamonds, making them more accessible. |
| you've decided to propose is what type of | | | | - Fair & Poor - these cuts of diamond simply |
| engagement ring to get. Between diamonds and | | | | fail to reflect a sufficient amount of the light that |
| settings there are so many choices that it can be | | | | enters them. Usually found in discount or |
| overwhelming. Hopefully this can be cleared up. | | | | promotional jewelry, it is nearly impossible to find |
| The Diamond | | | | these diamond cuts at any quality seller of |
| While you're probably more than familiar with the | | | | diamonds and engagement rings. |
| 4 C's of diamonds, there are other things to | | | | The Setting |
| consider when choosing a diamond, chief amongst | | | | As important as the diamond is, the Setting may |
| them, the shape. Here we'll focus on the shape | | | | be just as important. You can have a great |
| and two of the C's; cut and carat. Clarity and | | | | diamond, but put that diamond into the wrong |
| color can be saved for another day. | | | | Setting and it can lose a lot of its luster and |
| The Shape | | | | appeal. While there aren't nearly as many Setting |
| With so many shapes out there it can be | | | | types as there are shapes and cuts of diamonds, |
| confusing as to the actual differences, so let's | | | | there are enough that when combined with the |
| simply talk about each of them and their individual | | | | diamond cuts and shapes you have enough |
| merits. | | | | combinations to make choosing tricky. |
| - Round - the most basic of diamonds, and the | | | | The Setting |
| only shape not considered "fancy," this shape is | | | | - Prong - arguably the most common setting, the |
| very much how it sounds - a rounded diamond in | | | | prong setting is commonly known as the Tiffany |
| the shape of a circle. | | | | setting. Small metal prongs, typically 4 or 6, are |
| - Princess - arguably the most popular shape, this | | | | used to clasp over the diamond and keep it in |
| squared diamond has only grown in popularity | | | | place within the setting while giving an optimal |
| while still being a relatively new shape. The | | | | view of the diamond at all angles. When choosing |
| princess diamond tends to find its way into | | | | this setting it's wise to consider which metal you'll |
| solitaire engagement rings more than any of the | | | | be choosing as you may want something |
| other shapes. | | | | stronger than gold, such as Palladium or Platinum, |
| - Emerald - a rectangular shaped diamond, this | | | | to ensure that your diamond doesn't come out of |
| shape is reflective of a classic and aristocratic | | | | the setting. |
| elegance. Unlike other diamonds, the emerald | | | | - Channel - in this setting the stones are placed |
| shaped diamond is not a brilliant cut but rather a | | | | between vertical walls of metal, side by side, with |
| step cut, being comprised of larger, planar facets | | | | no metal separating the diamonds from each |
| that resemble stair steps and act like mirrors. | | | | other. With the diamonds sunk into the ring itself |
| - Marquise - long and slender, this shape, originally | | | | they are nearly flush with the surface of the ring. |
| commissioned by Louis XIV of France, is | | | | This setting is considered both very |
| wonderful for maximizing the carat within the | | | | contemporary and very classic and allows one to |
| setting. The marquise shape will accentuate the | | | | achieve a number of looks. This setting is very |
| length of the fingers and works well on a person | | | | popular in wedding rings and anniversary bands. |
| with longer fingers. | | | | - Basket - similar to the prong setting, but instead |
| - Oval - as the name implies, this diamond shape | | | | of just the prongs holding the diamond in place |
| is a very simple oval. This shape works very well | | | | there is an additional band of metal that secures |
| with smaller hands and shorter fingers, giving | | | | the prongs to help reduce any movement of the |
| them the illusion of added length. | | | | prongs and ensure the security of the diamond |
| - Pear - a hybrid shape combining the best | | | | within the setting. |
| elements of the oval and marquise shapes, it | | | | - Bar - with the bar setting, diamonds are placed |
| resembles nothing so much as a teardrop. | | | | between bars of metal that run perpendicular to |
| Typically used in pendants and earrings, this shape | | | | the band of the engagement ring. This setting is a |
| compliments short to average length fingers, | | | | very contemporary look that allows for excellent |
| helping to give the illusion of longer fingers much | | | | display of the diamonds. |
| like the oval shaped diamond does. | | | | - Pave - with the pave setting many small |
| - Heart - essentially a pear shaped diamond with a | | | | gemstones are placed inside of tapered holes to |
| cleft at the top, the heart shaped diamond is the | | | | create a "paved" appearance. The diamonds are |
| ultimate symbol of romance. This shaped diamond | | | | typically set in white gold to help create a sparkle |
| is frequently seen in pendants but is more than | | | | finish that will bring the stones to prominence. |
| acceptable as a choice in a ring. | | | | - Bezel - this setting involves placing the diamond |
| - Radiant - this square or rectangular shaped | | | | in a mount that comes up and envelopes the |
| diamond does an excellent job of combining the | | | | diamond. Without any prongs, this mount is great |
| elegant and classic appeal of the emerald shape | | | | for those that lead an active lifestyle, don't want |
| with the brilliance of the round shape. | | | | to worry about scratching themselves or others, |
| - Trillion - a wedge of brilliant fire, the trillion | | | | or for those whose job requires that they wear |
| shaped diamond was first developed in | | | | latex gloves on a regular basis. Bezel settings can |
| Amsterdam. Traditionally a triangle shaped | | | | have straight edges, scalloped edges, or can be |
| diamond, the amount of point at the corners is | | | | molded to any shape to accommodate varying |
| often open for interpretation, but these diamonds | | | | stones. |
| work well as both a compliment to a center | | | | - Half-Bezel - similar in design to the bezel setting. |
| stone, a unique center stone in themselves, or as | | | | The half-bezel setting does not completely |
| a pair of earrings. | | | | surround the diamond, allowing additional light to |
| - Baguette - very reminiscent of the emerald | | | | reach the stone and create a higher degree of |
| shaped diamond, this shape of diamond is | | | | brilliance. |
| frequently used as side stones to a larger center | | | | - Tension - This type of setting uses the ring |
| stone. Much like the emerald shaped diamond, the | | | | itself as the entire mounting, eschewing the use |
| baguette shape doesn't feature nearly the sparkle | | | | of prongs. Typically employing stronger metals |
| of brilliant shaped diamonds, but does offer a | | | | and a thicker band to help maintain the tension on |
| classic beauty that is hard to match. | | | | the stone, this setting does an excellent job of |
| The shape is only the first part of what to look | | | | highlighting the diamond by giving it the |
| for, at least initially, when considering a diamond | | | | appearance of floating within the ring. |
| for an engagement ring. | | | | As you can see, there are more than enough |
| The Carat | | | | options to make choosing that perfect diamond |
| Carats are essentially a way to measure the | | | | engagement ring tricky, so now that you're |
| weight of diamonds. While the use of the carat | | | | aware of the options here's some advice on |
| measuring system may date back to ancient | | | | getting the ring that she'll love and cherish for as |
| Oriental bazaars and the carob seed, in the | | | | long as you're together. |
| present we know that the more carats in the | | | | - Talk to Her - find out what it is she wants from |
| diamond, the bigger it is. | | | | a ring. Does she want a solitaire ring or has she |
| While the size of the diamond that you get can | | | | had her heart set on a three stone diamond ring |
| be determinate on a number of factors, not the | | | | since she was a little girl? Is it princess shape or |
| least of which is cost, the Setting and Mounting | | | | no shape, or will she be happy with anything as |
| that you choose can also have an influence on the | | | | long as it comes from you? Is there a particular |
| size of the diamond that you get for your ring. | | | | metal that she would prefer for the actual band |
| The Cut | | | | of the ring? |
| Of the 4 C's of a diamond, the cut is the only | | | | - Be Aware of Your Budget - sure, tradition says |
| part that is actually influenced by humans, nature | | | | you're supposed to spend two months salary on |
| getting to decide on the carat, clarity, and color of | | | | the ring, but depending on what your salary is |
| an individual diamond. Cut refers to the angles and | | | | that could mean you're also not eating for a |
| proportions a jeweler creates when taking a | | | | couple of weeks. Be realistic with yourself when |
| rough diamond and transforming it into a beautiful, | | | | you start shopping for a ring, get her what she |
| polished diamond. The cut of the diamond should | | | | wants, but also make sure that you won't have |
| not be confused with the shape of the diamond. | | | | to take out a second mortgage just to buy the |
| A well cut diamond will reflect light from one | | | | ring she's wanted since she was 12 years old. |
| mirrored facet to another internally, finally | | | | - Show Her What You're Looking At - if you're |
| dispersing and reflecting the light through the top | | | | ready to propose the odds are pretty good that |
| of the stone, giving it that sparkle that diamonds | | | | she's ready for you to propose. If the proposal is |
| are beloved for. | | | | no secret then have her help you pick out the |
| There are a few ways that diamonds are graded | | | | ring, or propose with a small, inexpensive ring and |
| for their cut, all of which are influenced by the | | | | then take her with you to pick out her real |
| diameter, table, crown, girdle, pavilion, cutlet, and | | | | engagement ring. That way you can be sure that |
| depth of the stone, and those include: | | | | she gets what she wants. |
| - Ideal - this is the best cut available and | | | | - Talk to an Expert - You might be surprised that |
| represents the top 15% of all diamond cuts. The | | | | the person behind the counter at the store or |
| ideal cut carries with it the highest possible grades | | | | checking email online is actually an expert. If |
| of symmetry and polish and should be sought | | | | you're not sure just know that it's better to ask |
| after when looking for the best available | | | | questions then to get it wrong. Tell those experts |
| diamonds. | | | | about how your better half lives, what they've |
| - Very Good - diamonds graded at very good are | | | | mentioned they'd want in a ring, what they do for |
| still nothing short of amazing, but they do tend to | | | | a living. All those things can give the person you're |
| trade in some of the brilliance seen in an ideal | | | | talking to a better idea of what kind of diamond |
| diamond cut for added size. While a more | | | | engagement ring would work best for the most |
| cost-effective option, they may tend to move | | | | important person in your life. |
| outside the appearance range for some buyers. | | | | Picking out an engagement ring can be intimidating. |
| Very good diamonds represent the top 25% of | | | | Between the diamonds and the settings there are |
| diamond cuts. | | | | more options than is really reasonable to look at. |
| | | | Knowing what your better half wants can help |
| - Good Cut - representing the top 35% of | | | | narrow down that list and ensure that you get |
| diamond cuts, good cut diamonds are still quality | | | | the ring that will have her saying yes over and |
| cuts, but they will show a significant lack of | | | | over again. |