What to Consider when Buying Diamond Engagement Rings
Within the entire realm of the diamond jewellery industry, engagement rings own a significant market share due to the traditional position of the ornament in popular culture as a symbol of commitment tied to a marriage proposal. Marriage proposals (generally initiated by men who intend to make a woman their wife) involve an unwritten rule of presenting an engagement ring with a diamond stone as a centre piece.
However, buying a diamond ring is a purchase decision that is intense due to the excessive cost of these rings. Traditionally, a diamond ring with a good-sized centre stone would take months of saving before an individual would be able to afford the ring. Until a decade ago, most diamond engagement rings were crowned with a naturally mined diamond, but things have changed and they continue to change mainly due to the rise of the popularity of lab grown diamonds.
The choice for opting towards low cost lab grown diamonds relative to natural diamonds is not simply due to price, as these lab grown versions are of equal if not higher quality when compared to natural diamonds that almost always bear flaws. Among the more important factors to consider or be aware of when buying diamond engagement rings include, the design of the ring, the type of diamond and affordability.
Understanding Diamond Engagement Ring Designs
The most important element of a diamond ring intended for a marriage proposal is the uniqueness of the ring’s design. Within this context of ‘uniqueness and impressiveness’ of the ring it is important for the buyer of the ring to identify a jeweller or diamond seller who is able to offer a wider range of diamond stone choices and who is capable of rendering unique customisation and personalisation services. Diamond engagement rings generally come in three primary designs based on current trends that come in the form of the halo, solitaire and pave.
Other designs may also be fashionable, but it is entirely dependent on the wearer’s personal taste. Starting with the solitaire design, the design features a single stone that is set on the ring via a prong or bezel. The halo in turn has a central diamond set in the middle and encircled by many other smaller diamonds. The pave setting which is one of the most popular designs is similar to the halo design with small diamonds set around a much larger diamond held by metal prongs which is strategically tilted to optimise the of the centre stone.
A much newer design that is currently making waves in the fashion industry is the three stone engagement ring designs. This design also has a centre stone which is flanked by two smaller diamonds on the left and right of the main stone.