Engagement Rings - How pay less and get better value

Many people are very cautious when buying engagement rings. Looking for an engagement ring online is a fantastic way to shop. You will no doubt experience a wide variety of designs in many different styles and combinations.

It is no longer necessary to buy what is presented to you. Many online retailers allow you to choose a diamond of your ideal specifications, to be made into your perfect ring. Due to the lower overheads many online retailers have, they can often afford to produce these engagement rings at much lower prices than are available on the high street.

We will talk specifically here about diamond engagement rings. The largest proportion of your money is basically spent on the diamond itself, so getting this right is very important. Think about the colour and the clarity of the diamond. Diamonds are graded into colours starting with D Colour which is as white as you can get. From here, as we descend the alphabet the whiteness takes on a subtle tint of yellow as we move past J Colour and this grows stronger as we continue. Diamonds that are H to I in colour or above are all generally considered white. If you want a diamond that is free of marks, then it is advisable to choose a stone above SI2 in clarity. Any marks will be difficult to see with the naked eye. Above SI grade, then marks are visible really with a loupe, the hand lens used by jewellers.

Most engagement rings with larger diamonds of a high colour and clarity come with diamond certificates which offers reassurance to shoppers. Basically a diamond that has been looked at in Gemmological Laboratory is provided with a certificate detailing all of the characteristics including the dimensions of the stone. These certificates are normally from specific internationally recognised laboratories, such as the Gemmological Institute of America (GIA), International Gemmological Institute (IGI), the American Gemmological Society (AGS) and the European Gemmological Laboratory (EGL).

A whole range of fancy shaped diamonds are available for engagement rings including the princess cut, emerald cut, marquise cut, heart shape, pear shape and oval cut. It is a matter of preference which diamond to choose. In terms of cost, many fancy shapes are less expensive than round brilliant cut diamonds. Two diamonds of the same colour, clarity and weight can often vary in price because of other characteristics. One of these is the cut. A well cut diamond, nicely proportioned will cost more than a poorly cut diamond and will handle the light differently producing more fire.

Engagement rings are available in many metals. It is always advisable to go for 18ct Gold or Platinum. The hard wearing nature of these metals means they will last a lifetime. Platinum engagement rings are by far the most durable in terms of metal. Add a diamond and you have the most hard wearing of engagement rings possible. Platinum is a very rare, and a very pure metal and is more expensive than 18ct White Gold. 18ct White Gold on the other hand, is much more affordable and provides an affordable long lasting and durable metal in which to set the diamond.

Engagement rings come in a variety of styles, shapes and designs, all available to meet the specific requirements of an individual. Many larger settings used to make life difficult when it came to buying the wedding rings. It is now possible to buy engagement rings that will allow a wedding ring to sit perfectly up against the side of the ring. This is done by lifting the setting away from the finger, so that the rings can sit side by side. There is great advantage to this type of ring, as it saves the need to have a bespoke wedding ring made to fit around engagement rings specially.

Whether it is an intricate engagement ring, or a simple solitaire, there are so many different designs available. If contemporary engagement rings are what you are searching for, maybe look at four claw settings in simple diamond solitaire engagement rings. The style is modern yet will never go out of fashion. There is no better statement of sophisticated simplicity than diamond solitaire engagement rings. Like the little black cocktail dress, they are truly elegant always capture attention.

If you are looking for something a little more detailed, why not try a diamond cluster as an engagement ring. It is possible to find designs that have the look of a diamond solitaire ring. Diamonds set closely within a round setting produce a stunning show, and can often give the appearance of a very large solitaire. For more information follow the links after the article.

Engagement Rings
Engagement Rings