The Anatomy of an Engagement Ring
An engagement ring includes three parts: the band, the setting, and the stone(s). The band, which fits around the finger, is usually made of a precious metal. Prongs hold the stones in place, and, along with the band, are considered part of the setting. The ring will usually feature a solitary stone, usually a diamond, or a three-stone arrangement to represent a couple's past, present, and future. There are eight common shapes of diamonds to choose from, and they're sometimes custom-made to suit the bride-to-be's personal style. Diamonds themselves are based on the 4 Cs: cut, color, clarity, and carat.
A Diamond’s 4 Cs
Cut: A stone’s cut refers to the number, placement, and shape of the facets that create a finished diamond. The way a diamond is cut has an impact on its brilliance (think: princess cut, emerald cut, round, etc.). Because there are a number of visual and physical factors that contribute to the overall quality of a diamond’s cut, the grades range from “Excellent” to “Poor.”
Color: Here, the term color refers to the hue of the diamond, which can vary from blue, like the Hope Diamond, to bold shades of violet, red, pink, amber, orange, and canary yellow. However, white or “colorless” diamonds are the most popular choice for engagement rings. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) created a color grading system that ranges from D (colorless) to Z (light yellow).
Clarity: This rates a diamond’s imperfections. The clarity depends on how clear or “clean” it is on both the outside and inside when viewed with either the naked eye or a loupe (a 10x magnifying glass). The GIA grading system for the clarity of a diamond ranges from F (flawless), which is extremely rare, to I3. Here, “I” stands for included -- these diamonds have flaws that are visible without magnification. There are three grades of included diamonds, with three being the most included.
Carat: The weight of a diamond is measured in carats. (Don’t confuse this with karat, which indicates the purity of gold.) One carat is standardized at 200 milligrams. Diamond weights, particularly of smaller stones, are also referred to in points: For example, one carat equals 100 points.
The Importance of the Metal You Choose
As pretty as diamonds are, it's the metal you choose for your engagement ring that ultimately holds everything in place. When you're considering different metals for your ring, you’ll want to think about four things.
- Color: This should complement the stone and not detract from its clarity.
- Texture: The softer the metal, the more likely it is to wear away.
- Allergies: Make sure your girlfriend is not allergic to nickel, which is used in some plated metals.
- Price: You'll want to pick a metal that will hold its value and stand the test of time.
As you can see, deciding on a metal is a bigger decision than you may have thought, so choose wisely.
-- Charli Penn