The Collectibles Store Blog

One of the most difficult parts of the whole engagement is to get the perfect engagement ring. Men are not used to picking out rings, and when they have to pick out this ring, the most important that the woman will ever get, of course that is a lot put on their shoulders. With the help of some tips one can buy an engagement ring of any metal.

How to Choose Engagement Ring

There are a few things that you want to take into consideration when you go to choose an engagement ring. Size of the ring is important to know before buying it. It is necessary to know the size of the finger before buying the engagement ring for the partner.

You can find this out easily enough and without letting her know that anything is going on, by taking a look at the rings that she has now one day while she is not in the house. This way you are not only going to get to figure out what ring size she has, but as well you can see what style of rings she likes to help you with the decision in your case.

Also for choosing an engagement ring you are going to need to figure out what setting the diamond should be in. There are a few different settings that you can choose from, the prong being one of the most popular. The prong is a great choice for one because it holds the diamond or other gemstone in place securely. However there is a downside to this setting which is that the prongs often get caught on clothing and other items and this can be annoying.

Then there is also the princess cut engagement ring setting which is another of the most popular, and this setting is really the best one to show off the ring and have the diamond look as large and brilliant as possible.

These are all important things that any guy going to buy a ring to propose to his girlfriend is going to want to think about seriously. This is the most important day of your life, and of course you want to have everything go just right so you need to take your time and put effort in here to make sure that you do this.

Tweet This Post

Often in the excitement of searching for types of engagement rings that will symbolize your love, diamond ring buyers completely forget about the practical aspects of the rings. Diamond engagement rings will typically be a daily wear part of a woman’s jewelry collection, so ensuring that the ring is well constructed and the diamond secure on the ring is just as important as the overall beauty of the ring .

Engagement ring settings come with several different types that are sometimes referred to as mountings. Some mountings or settings are very visible and are part of the ring design while others are almost impossible to detect. Either option is great, it is just important to understand the differences when selecting a ring.

Prong settings are typically more closely aligned with the barely noticeable types of engagement ring settings. The simple gold, white gold or platinum hooks are most typically used with solitaire stones, stones in groups or large sized diamonds.  These prongs are located at the edges of the diamond and actually hook over the surface, pulling the diamond into the setting and holding it secure. Engagement rings with prong settings are by far the most common.

Prong settings will vary in number on engagement rings based on the size and shape of the diamond. On square or rectangular shapes there will be at least one prong on each corner and sometimes one prong along each edge. This again will vary on the size of the diamond .

Evenly spaced prongs on engagement rings with round or oval stones secure the diamond in place. Typically there will be four to six prongs, but larger or smaller stones may have different numbers. Unique shapes such as marquis, heart or pear shapes will also typically have four to six prongs .

Prongs serve to both provide security to the diamond but also to lift or elevate it off the band itself. This focuses attention on the diamond plus it also allows more light to enter into the gem. Engagement rings with raised diamonds will really sparkle and shine with movement of the hand .

Square corners and square diamonds in engagement rings are secured using v-shaped prongs at the corners. This allows a smaller prong to secure the diamond in place without having to double the number of prongs. Raised diamonds will attract more light, but are also more likely to be bumped and hit, requiring additional support .

It is important to always have engagement rings checked on a yearly basis to ensure the prongs are all still secure. A jeweler can easily adjust the prongs in an engagement ring if needed, preventing the possibility of losing the diamond from the setting .

Tweet This Post

When most people think of settings or mountings for engagement rings they have a mental image of the traditional prong style settings that secure the diamond to the band. While these types of settings are beautiful, simple and very discrete, there are other types of settings or mountings that can be used on engagement rings to highlight and enhance the appearance of the diamond.

Many engagement ring settings are designed specifically to maximize the amount of light that can enter the diamond both from the top as well as the sides. This light entering into the diamond causes the flashes in color that make diamonds such an appealing stone for engagement rings and other types of jewelry. Mountings also elevate the diamond above the band, providing more options for capturing light as the hand moves.

For a very unique type of setting that is not at all like the prong setting you may wish to consider engagement rings with a bezel setting. Often described as a collar, the bezel setting molds around the diamond in a solid or partial covering. Half bezels only provide a solid attachment on half of the sides of the diamond, allowing light into the center of the gem. Bezel setting is both traditional as well as modern and provide a sleek, streamlined look to the ring when viewed from the sides or the top

Inset diamonds into the band of engagement rings or wedding rings are set with the channel setting style. A uniform groove in the ring itself plus a side groove just under the lip of the channel holds each diamond in place. These rings are often made with smaller round diamonds, diamond chips or baguette type diamonds for maximum brilliance

Another option on the channel setting or engagement rings is the bar channel. In this style each diamond is separated from others with a thin bar of metal, usually white gold or platinum. The light from the diamonds reflects off the metal rather than through other diamonds.

Ornate types of settings are called bead settings on engagement rings. Smaller or larger drops or beads of metal are engraved and styled to both add to the appearance of the ring but also secure the diamonds and other gems in place

Invisible settings or mountings on engagement rings are also very popular since they are largely if not complete hidden by the stones themselves. Pave settings are largely invisible and are formed by drilling tiny holes into the band into which each individual diamond chip or stone is then placed. Small beading is then used to secure the diamonds.

Checking the settings on engagement rings, regardless of the setting style, is very important. Jewelry stores often offer free inspections of engagement rings and other diamond jewelry to determine if there is any need for repair

Tweet This Post

When most people think of settings or mountings for engagement rings they have a mental image of the traditional prong style settings that secure the diamond to the band. While these types of settings are beautiful, simple and very discrete, there are other types of settings or mountings that can be used on engagement rings to highlight and enhance the appearance of the diamond.

Many engagement ring settings are designed specifically to maximize the amount of light that can enter the diamond both from the top as well as the sides. This light entering into the diamond causes the flashes in color that make diamonds such an appealing stone for engagement rings and other types of jewelry. Mountings also elevate the diamond above the band, providing more options for capturing light as the hand moves.

A more solid type of setting for engagement rings is called the bezel setting. This is like a collar of the same metal as the band that wraps around the diamond and lifts it off the ring’s surface. Bezel settings are ideal for modern styles of engagement rings plus they are exceptional for unusual shaped diamonds that may be hard to secure to the bend using prongs. With a bezel setting the collar may go completely around the diamond or it may only be over half, allowing light to enter the stone.

For a flat surface for engagement rings or wedding bands the channel setting is very popular. This type of setting has a groove that runs through the center of the band, plus an additional slight groove off to the sides. Round or baguette style diamonds are inserted into the channel for a dazzling appearance. The small grooves on the sides of the channel hold the stones in place but also allow light to filter between and through the diamonds in the channel setting.

Bar channel settings have literally metal bars between each of the diamonds in the groove. These types of engagement rings often are in white gold or platinum since the reflective surface of the metal enhances the light entering into the diamonds.

Bead settings are much less common but are absolutely stunning in appearance. Beads of metal that match the band are actually both part of the design of these types of engagement rings as well as the practical element that holds the diamonds in place.

For those that don’t want to see the settings at all, pave style settings will be the perfect match. Smaller diamonds are placed in tiny holes drilled in the band, resulting in crusting of diamonds over part or the entire band. To finish off these types of engagement rings small beads are placed to secure the diamonds without obstructing the light reflection

Engagement rings with these unique types of settings are both beautiful as well as practical. With any type of engagement rings featuring any type of setting, routine checking of the mountings is always recommend so any loose settings can be immediately repaired.

Tweet This Post

The newest techniques and designs have been used to make contemporary engagement rings. The finest materials are used to create these wonderfully modern rings. They are the ideal match for a hip young bride or an older bride with an eye for style. When buying a contemporary engagement ring you will have your choice from a wide array of setting and styles. 
 
One design classic that is always in fashion is one made using a diamond solitaire. Through originally made popular by Tiffany it is still the style most brides select. These rings will have one gem in a prong setting and are simple but stunning. You can purchase one of these rings on almost any budget depending on which stone and setting you choose. 
 
While yellow gold remains popular, platinum can give your ring added prestige. The look of platinum and white gold are enhanced when teamed with a colored gem stone. It is becoming increasingly popular for women to use colored gem stones as part of their contemporary rings. 
 
If you have a limited budget think about using chips of semi-precious gems which have been put on a white gold band. Another good choice on a budget would be a princess cut crystal. Opals are a good choice for brides with a complex personality. The various colors available in gem stones can highlight the personality and style of the bride. Almost any reputable jeweler will be able to sell you an engagement ring in a modern style which shows off your personality. 
 
Choose a jeweler who comes highly recommended and has a strong reputation for quality and service. Ask the jeweler to see samples and pictures so you can get an idea of the work they produce. Make sure you get a written appraisal for the ring you purchase so it can be properly insured.

Tweet This Post