So its time to pop the question and you are off to buy an engagement ring! The excitement of declaring your unconditional love to that special lady may have left you dizzy and breathless with anticipation, but you want to keep a clear head when choosing the special ring that will seal the deal. If you want to buy an engagement ring there are a few things you need to know.

Not all jewelers offer the same quality in engagement rings and, in your fervor you may overlook some important details that will spoil the effect, style and durability of your ring. Don’t forget, it is meant to last forever. The tips below will help you to make a sensible and beautiful choice.

How to Choose the Perfect Engagement Ring

There are three basic components to an engagement ring:

The diamond or diamonds
The kind of metal
The ring design

The Diamond

When choosing a diamond, make sure you understand the four C’s namely cut, color, clarity and carat. Any good jewelry store will be more than happy to explain these to you. Ask as many questions as you need to make sure you understand what to look for in a good quality design. Your expert guide will explain about flaws in the diamonds, how the weight of diamonds (carat) is measured and the fineness of the metal setting for example gold or platinum. A good understanding of these important values will help you make the best choice in an engagement ring.

The Kind of Metal

By far the overwhelming majority of engagement rings are either gold or platinum. The gold may be 18ct, 14ct, or 9ct and could be either, white, yellow and/or rose gold. 18ct gold whether white, yellow or rose gold is often the ideal choice for an engagement ring setting.

The Engagement Ring Design

This is usually a matter of personal preference and there is no way to determine what will make one design appealing to a person and not another, however there are four things to look for and some important things to avoid when you buy an engagement ring. The ring should be:

Easy to wear and practical in design:

This depends largely on your lifestyle but in general the higher the stone is set into the metal, the more likely it is to catch on things like clothing, fabrics or furniture. If your job is fairly low-key and sedentary you will probably be fine but if you are a sports fanatic, hairdresser or pre-school teacher you will need a ring set well into the ring band and able to withstand everyday wear.

You will most likely wear your ring every day and your setting should be long wearing and practical. Some environments are more destructive to jewelry for example a factory where many abrasive chemicals are used and oddly enough an office environment where lots of paper is handled. In fact, paper is quite abrasive and constant exposure to it can damage your ring over the years.

A heavier ring design is better for this type of work, as it will be resistant to wear. The design doesn’t have to be any wider, but a stronger shank should be used. Platinum is a good choice if you want a finer, more elegant style as this metal is far longer lasting than gold.

Securely set

Make sure that your gemstones are very securely held. Follow these general guidelines for settings:

1. Six claws will be safer than four.
2. A bezel (rub over) setting is more secure than a claw setting.
3. Heavier settings are stronger than light settings.
4. A lower setting is less likely to be damaged than a higher set stone.

Attractive

This is a matter of personal taste, but in general if your ring design fulfills the above guidelines and you really like it too, you may have found the perfect engagement ring.

If you have decided to declare your true love to the lady of your dreams, you will find the above tips invaluable when you go out to buy an engagement ring. Do remember that if any of these elements are missing or lacking, the ring is not well designed and you should look further before making a choice. Consult as many experts as you can for advice.

When you venture out to buy an engagement ring you need to be informed, confident and know what you want and you will be guided to the perfect choice – one sure to make the object of your affection squirm with delight and last for all your happy years together.