Tips on selecting an engagement ring

There are some things you should consider when you want to purchase a ring. Choosing the right engagement ring is strictly a matter of personal style.

The most simple engagement ring available on the jewelry market is called a solitaire and is a setting with a single stone. There are also multi-setting stone rings, side stone rings or baguettes. It is true that the price of such a jewel is a bit higher but it the ring is more individualized.

I will explain the two main parts of a typical engagement ring:

• The band (surrounds the finger)
• The setting (which holds the diamond)

The band must be firstly have the right size. If you are not shopping for yourself and want it to be a surprise, make sure you have the right ring size. The jeweler will help you buy the best fit if you have some clues about the size (secretly “borrow” a ring from your partner and take it to the jewelers to measure it or simply draw on a piece of paper the interior of a regularly worn ring).

The second thing you have to consider when choosing the band of the engagement ring is the material. The most common choices for engagement rings are white gold, yellow gold and platinum. Not only these materials look gorgeous when crafted into jewelry but they are also quite suitable for intensive wear (strength and durability). Remember also that platinum is hypoallergenic and will not irritate the skin.

Settings are usually made out of platinum (even on a gold ring) because of platinum’s characteristics.  It is a “hard” material and is the common choice in 4 or 6 prongs rings.  When it comes to choosing the number of prongs that sustain the stone on your ring you must know that 4 prongs rings will show off more of the diamond, and 6 prongs rings will hold the diamond much more securely.

There are also types of settings that do not use prongs.  Some settings use pressure to keep the diamond in place, and others form a “channel” where the diamond is inserted.  Again, your personal sense of style should guide you in selecting the setting.

When worn daily, gold, palladium and platinum will tend to look dull. Simply soak the ring in warm water and detergent-free soap, and scrubb it gently with a soft-bristled brush.

Note: The purity of platinum is measured by a 3-digit number.   If your band is marked “950 platinum”, the band is 95% platinum alloyed with 5% palladium or iridium. Read more also about the purity of gold.

Tags: engagement ring, gold, jewelry, platinum