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