Engagement Rings
The tradition in most Western Countries is that an engagement ring is presented by a man to his prospective bride when he proposes marriage. This ring represents his commitment to marry.
In some countries including the UK and the USA engagement rings are worn on the fourth finger of the left hand, commonly known as the ring finger. However some other countries traditionally wear engagement rings on the right hand.
Before agreeing to marry, some couples may decide to wear pre-engagement rings or promise rings, these rings represent the intent to become engaged. After marrying it is unusual for a promise ring to remain on the ring finger.
In many countries traditionally the future groom will privately select and purchase the engagement ring which he will then present to his prospective bride when he chooses to propose. However in more recent years, some couples have decided to choose the engagement ring together. In some countries both men and women will wear engagement rings, the matching engagement rings are often selected and purchased together.
The price of an engagement ring can vary by substantial amounts depending on the style of the ring, the material of the ring, the gemstones used (if any) and where the ring is bought from. Traditionally it has been said that an engagement ring should cost approximately two months of the future grooms wages. If a diamond engagement ring has been decided on, then the price will vary significantly depending on the colour, clarity, cut and carat weight of the diamonds used. The use of other stones such as; Emeralds, Sapphires, Rubies in an engagement ring is a less common choice. Some couples may decide on the lesser used coloured stones for an engagement ring to use a family heirloom, or to fit the couples own tastes and styles or simply to manage cost.
The majority of engagement rings can be classified by their style. Since the 20th Century diamonds have been the most popular choice for engagement rings. Diamonds are often used in solitaire engagement rings or trilogy engagement rings. Rocks Round the World offers a wide selection of engagement rings including the classical solitaire style. Jennifer Richardson of Rocks Round the World says, “all of our engagement rings are of the highest quality and incorporate diamonds of a high clarity. We offer engagement rings to suit any budget without compromising on looks, quality or style.”
Carat
Diamonds and gemstones are weighed using metric carats – often abbreviated to ct – with one carat weighing the equivalent of 0.2 grams. And a carat is divided into 100 points. So a diamond weighing 50 points is the same as a diamond weighing 0.5 carats.
Most fine jewellery is usually set with diamonds weighing up to one carat.
It is important to remember that two diamonds with the same weight might be worth very different amounts of money. This is because the value of a diamond depends on a number of other factors, including the colour, clarity and cut of the stone.
Because diamonds are measured using their weight rather then their size, two diamonds that appear to be of quite different sizes might actually have the same weight. This is because if a diamond is given a shallow cut, then the stone will have a wider diameter relative to its depth and, when set, will appear larger than a deep cut diamond (which will have a greater depth but a narrower diameter).
Other important things to consider when buying a diamond ring are:
• the wearer’s finger size – a 0.5ct diamond, for example, will look larger on smaller fingers than it will on
bigger ones.
• budget – always decide on your budget before choosing a diamond ring. Then explore your options. With such a
huge choice in terms of cut, colour, clarity and carat, you’ll be sure to find the one that is right for you or
that special someone you’re buying it for.
The below image shows the different in size between different diamonds of differing carat weight.
Please note that the above images are not to scale, this is just an indication of the size difference.
Engagement Rings
The tradition in most Western Countries is that an engagement ring is presented by a man to his prospective bride when he proposes marriage. This ring represents his commitment to marry.
In some countries including the UK and the USA engagement rings are worn on the fourth finger of the left hand, commonly known as the ring finger. However some other countries traditionally wear engagement rings on the right hand.
Before agreeing to marry, some couples may decide to wear pre-engagement rings or promise rings, these rings represent the intent to become engaged. After marrying it is unusual for a promise ring to remain on the ring finger.
In many countries traditionally the future groom will privately select and purchase the engagement ring which he will then present to his prospective bride when he chooses to propose. However in more recent years, some couples have decided to choose the engagement ring together. In some countries both men and women will wear engagement rings, the matching engagement rings are often selected and purchased together.
The price of an engagement ring can vary by substantial amounts depending on the style of the ring, the material of the ring, the gemstones used (if any) and where the ring is bought from. Traditionally it has been said that an engagement ring should cost approximately two months of the future grooms wages. If a diamond engagement ring has been decided on, then the price will vary significantly depending on the colour, clarity, cut and carat weight of the diamonds used. The use of other stones such as; Emeralds, Sapphires, Rubies in an engagement ring is a less common choice. Some couples may decide on the lesser used coloured stones for an engagement ring to use a family heirloom, or to fit the couples own tastes and styles or simply to manage cost.
The majority of engagement rings can be classified by their style. Since the 20th Century diamonds have been the most popular choice for engagement rings. Diamonds are often used in solitaire engagement rings or trilogy engagement rings. Rocks Round the World offers a wide selection of engagement rings including the classical solitaire style. Jennifer Richardson of Rocks Round the World says, “all of our engagement rings are of the highest quality and incorporate diamonds of a high clarity. We offer engagement rings to suit any budget without compromising on looks, quality or style.”
Colour and Clarity
Diamonds are very rarely completely flawless. Most diamonds contain internal features which are known as inclusions. Diamonds can also have blemishes or surface imperfections. It is these inclusions and blemishes that determine the clarity of each individual stone.
The clarity of a diamond as well as its colour, the quality of the cut and the carat weight will directly affect its rarity and value. Generally speaking, the clearer the diamond, the rarer and more valuable it will be.
No two diamonds ever have exactly the same inclusions or other clarity characteristics. This inclusion ‘fingerprint’ enables the specific identification of individual diamonds. Scientists have also been using inclusions to determine how diamonds are formed.
Inclusions can sometimes be removed from diamonds, providing they are close to the surface. However this does involve re-cutting the diamond which will reduce its overall carat weight. Blemishes such as surface scratches, however, can generally be removed by jewellers without affecting the stone’s value.
Remember that flawless diamonds are extremely rare. It is quite possible to spend a whole lifetime working with diamonds without ever coming across a completely flawless stone.
Flawless (FL)
A Flawless diamond shows no blemishes or inclusions under 10 x magnification.
Internally Flawless (IF)
To reach this classification, a diamond must have no inclusions under 10 x magnification but may have some minor blemishes like surface grain lines. A Lapidarist can sometimes remove these lines and repolish the diamond so that it becomes Flawless.
Very, Very Slightly Included (VVS1 and VVS2)
These diamonds contain extremely tiny inclusions that are difficult to see under 10 x magnification. Usually the inclusions appear like pinpoints or tiny cavities.
Very Slightly Included (VS1 and VS2)
These Diamonds contain minor inclusions that can be observed under 10 x magnification by experienced jewellers. An inexperienced eye would be very unlikely to spot them under this magnification. Normally VS Diamonds have small included crystals or small clouds.
Slightly Included (S11 and S12)
Slightly included diamonds contain inclusions noticeable under 10 x magnification. Typically these inclusions are clouds, crystals, knots, cavities or feathers.
Included (I1, I2 and I3)
In this category, inclusions are obvious under 10 x magnification. The diamonds may contain large feathers or large included crystals. Usually this kind of inclusion affects transparency and brilliance.