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If you’re thinking of making a proposal of marriage, then you’ll want to get all of the necessary components in line.
These include the time and place that you’ll be posing the question, along with the wording of the question itself. Among the most important elements of a good proposal, however, is the ring itself.
What constitutes the ‘right’ engagement ring will depend on the tastes and personality of the person receiving it.
Still, you can make the decision easier by arming yourself with a little bit of knowledge. What should you be looking for, exactly?
Understanding the 4 Cs: Cut, Colour, Clarity, and Carat
The value of a gemstone is, for the most part, determined by four key factors.
These are the cut, which refers to the shape into which the stone has been carved; the colour, which indicates what colour it is; the clarity (cloudy stones tend to be cheaper ones); and the size (or, more specifically, weight), which is measured in carats.
Your personal preference might lead you to favour one particular aspect over the others. Sometimes, you might spend the same on a slightly smaller rock that glitters more than a larger one might.
Engagement rings come in a variety of styles, but the price is, for the most part, determined by these four things. It might be that you don’t need to spend over the odds to find a ring that matches the tastes of your would-be spouse.
Selecting the Appropriate Metal for the Band
The metal you choose for the band will also make a difference, not just to the price of the ring and the way it looks, but the way that it resists damage over time.
The carat of your gold will make a big difference, here – pure 24k gold is too soft to be used in wearable jewellery, while 10k gold is more realistic.
Platinum tends to be stronger and more durable, while tungsten carbide provides a unique look.
Picking a Suitable Stone
Gone are the days when a diamond is the only option for an engagement ring.
If you want to add a touch of personalisation to the ring, choosing your or your partners birthstone can be a romantic choice.
Another option is choosing a stone that’s their favourite colour or their favourite gem.
It’s worth remembering that whilst gemstones have benefits including reduced costs and added uniqueness, there can also be some downfalls.
The primary risks include damage to the stone (due to them being less durable than diamonds), or being unable to replace or repair them easily incase of damage.
Matching Your Partners Style
When looking at both the band and the stone for the ring, it’s crucial you take your partners style and day to day activities into consideration.
Whilst you might love the idea of gifting them a large diamond, this might be impractical if they work in a healthcare professional or play a lot of sports.
Another key aspect to consider is the type and colour of jewellery they wear on a day to day basis.
If they solely wear silver items then it’s likely a smart idea to stay away from gold and warm toned rings, unless they’ve specified they’d be open to this.
Similarly, if they wear chunky statement pieces then a dainty or delicate ring risks getting lost amongst their louder pieces.
Popular Engagement Ring Styles and Settings
Some styles tend to be extremely popular for engagement rings. A ‘solitaire’ ring, comprising a single stone in the middle, tends to be the classic option.
It represents unity and purity. A ‘Halo’ design, meanwhile, supplements the main gemstone with a series of smaller ones that run along the edge of the ring.
Finally, you might consider a ‘three stone’ setting, which uses a trio of gems arranged side by side.
Considering Current Engagement Ring Trends
Increasingly, brides are looking for gemstones that offer exotic colours and different kinds of cuts. In other words, the classic diamond is no longer viewed as the default option.
Think about the tastes of the person you’re proposing to, and check out their existing jewellery, where possible.
Whilst trends in the industry can be a good place to start, especially if you have a fashion forward partner, it’s important to remember that these come and go so only use them as a jumping off point for further research.
Look into trends or styles your partner follows and try to pick out any overarching themes that could help you to narrow down your search and pinpoint which exact aspects your partner desires.
