| The absolute best way to show a bride how | | | | When shopping for a diamond it's important to |
| much she is loved is by choosing or creating a | | | | purchase a certified stone. A certified diamond |
| diamond engagement ring that she can adore | | | | has been evaluated by an independent expert |
| forever. Creating a beautiful diamond engagement | | | | that will give it a quality rating for its cut, color, |
| ring entails choosing a high quality diamond and the | | | | clarity and carats. This is the surest way to |
| setting it is placed into. Picking out the setting is | | | | purchase a high quality diamond. After finding a |
| purely aesthetic, but to obtain a high quality | | | | center diamond and complimentary diamonds to |
| diamond you must understand the "4 C's," cut, | | | | your liking the next step is to find that beautiful |
| color, clarity and carats. | | | | setting you've always dreamed of. |
| The diamond can be selected first or last, there is | | | | Another thing to consider when shopping for a |
| no right or wrong order. Some people prefer to | | | | diamond engagement ring is the current trend. |
| choose their diamonds first and then find a setting | | | | Many women will end up purchasing a style of ring |
| that will accentuate its beauty. Others choose to | | | | that is currently popular only to find out 10 years |
| pick out the setting initially and then search for a | | | | later that it's no longer in style. You have to |
| diamond, or diamonds, that will adorn that setting. | | | | remember that this wedding ring will be worn |
| And there are still others that find it much easier | | | | forever hopefully so choosing a classic style may |
| to buy a diamond engagement ring that is already | | | | be more to your liking. |
| finished completely. | | | | It's also smart to consider the practicality of the |
| Diamonds all look beautiful. Even cheap diamonds | | | | engagement ring. If you plan on wearing the ring |
| can look elegant and classy. If you want your | | | | daily it may be wise to purchase a sturdier ring |
| diamond engagement ring to look as elegant as | | | | that can withstand the daily rigors of your job or |
| you've always dreamed it would be the most | | | | activities. You should determine the amount of |
| important thing is to locate a fine setting. It's this | | | | wear and tear your ring will endure and select a |
| choice of setting that will determine whether the | | | | ring that is up to the punishment. |
| finished product is a worthy purchase. Your choice | | | | Other things to consider are the metal your |
| of diamonds and setting is very important | | | | wedding band or engagement ring will be made |
| because ideally you won't get a second chance at | | | | from. Some women prefer the look of yellow |
| choosing your diamond engagement ring. | | | | gold while others prefer white gold. Some forego |
| Many women choose diamond engagement rings | | | | gold altogether and go with platinum, a very |
| that have three stone settings. These rings will | | | | popular style these days. Or you can go with a |
| usually include one center diamond and two | | | | combination, a two-tone gold with some yellow |
| smaller offset diamonds. Three stone settings are | | | | and some white. It's purely a personal preference. |
| very popular and can include either prong or bezel | | | | But something to consider is that two-tone gold |
| settings which can be made of 14k or 18k yellow | | | | may be easier to match with other jewelry that |
| gold, white gold or platinum. | | | | you may wear. Another question that |
| Some women prefer classic solitaire settings that | | | | brides-to-be often have a hard time deciding is |
| may include 4 to 6 prongs, bezel or cathedral | | | | whether or not they should buy a name brand |
| settings. There is a wide assortment of solitaire | | | | ring or not. It's usually fairly easy to find |
| settings. As a general rule the more prongs you | | | | comparable rings cheaper if you do not go with a |
| have the safer the diamond engagement ring | | | | name brand. On the other hand it's sometimes |
| sets. You certainly don't want to lose a diamond | | | | nice to be able to flaunt an expensive name brand |
| because one of the prongs breaks off. So this is | | | | ring. The choice is yours. |
| something to consider when choosing your setting. | | | | |