Christmas is a great time for getting engaged, and many are surprise engagements.

Before you dust off the knee pads, here is advice on choosing the ring and choosing the diamond.

I have placed #NB before some of my points below, this is to signify ‘Nerdy Bits’  if you are looking for a quick read skip the #NB’s

Which Ring?

One of the most popular designs of all time is the ‘four claw round solitaire’   This is a very pure design with the eye being drawn to the Diamond.  #NB  The Diamond should be set at the correct height, not too high as to catch in clothes, not too low as to be hidden

Round Brilliant cut certified Diamond set within a Platinum four claw ring

Which metal?

Platinum is the finest metal an engagement ring can be crafted in.  It is a naturally white metal, it is very strong (dense), it is incredibly rare, it has the highest polish of all the precious metals and most importantly it wears much better than gold or any other precious metal.

Which Diamond?

Round diamonds have the most sparkle. Fact. No contest. And fine cut round diamonds have the most sparkle of rounds.  #NB If we took a poll of 1000 diamond rings set with round diamonds in Ireland, less than 10 would have the highest cut quality certified.

Only choose certified Diamonds.  if you are planning on choosing a diamond over half a carat in weight it should be accompanied by a Diamond Grading Report or certificate.  #NB the Diamond Grading report (Certificate) states the Diamonds characteristics, otherwise known as the four C’s

The Four C’s – whats important?

Diamond Colour:  For colourless Diamonds only choose white: H or better

Diamond Clarity:  No naked eye inclusions on a good certificate Si1 or better

Diamond Carat: Carat means how big the Diamond is, so of course the only restriction here is budget!

Diamond Cut: This is the most important of the four C’s, the only C that is up to quality. Cut determines sparkle. The more time and effort a Diamond cutter has placed in a particular Diamond, the more fire; brilliance and scintillation we will see in the Diamond.

If you are looking at rings in a retail store or with a Diamond specialist, ask to see one each of D colour and H colour certified Diamonds under natural light, and look at the other Diamonds presented, in comparison to these.

Proxy ring

An alternative to proposing with an engagement ring is to propose with a proxy design – deliberately not the engagement ring, this gives your partner full artistic licence when choosing or designing!

Lifetime warranty

You should receive a lifetime warranty with the ring – entitling you to bring in the ring at least once every year for a complimentary checkup.

Valuation

The ring should be valued by an independent valuer like David Dupuy of IrishValuations.com and it should be insured -  it gives great peace of mind to have your ring insured as an all-risks item on your house contents.

Budget

It is totally up to yourself how much to spend – there is a Diamond to fit every pocket, it may be worthwhile looking at what your partners colleagues are wearing, the jewellery trade would like you to spend three months salary, I say why not sell the house too (though in Ireland now these may be similar )

Finger size

Finger size – this can easily be changed after the event, if it is possible to borrow a ring and have it checked it will give an indication.  #NB  finger size changes with weather temperature.  On a cold day a ring will be loose which on a hot day may feel tight.  In Ireland as we have the four seasons many days it is worthwhile taking time to judge final finger size – as much as a week of trial – after the proposal.

Exchange

One final point is to have a written guarantee from your jeweller or Diamond Specialist so that if your partner would like another design, your ring can be exchanged in full.

In conclusion best of luck you have just entered a whole new world!

Eoin

No related posts.