Buying a Diamond Engagement Ring

How to choose, what to consider, that prickly question of cost and a few surprise proposal ideas.

The quality of a diamond is judged by the Four Cs:

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Cut - The most popular choice is the round brilliant cut, but there are other shapes all of which have their own merits and choice eventually is one of personal taste. 

 

Clarity - determined by the number of inclusions, small naturally occurring marks, in the diamond.  The fewer and less visible the inclusions the more valuable the diamond.

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Colour - Diamonds are graded in colour starting at D, the highest colour grade,

Carat - the size of the diamond with 100 points equalling 1.0ct.  A larger diamond may be less valuable than a smaller one depending on the colour, cut, and clarity of each.

How Much Should We Budget?

One month's salary is widely suggested as a guide but, really, you should spend whatever you're comfortable with.  Think about the other things you're going to budget for, the reception, wedding dress, etc., and bear in mind that these are costs for a one day event whereas your engagement ring (and, of course, the subsequent wedding ring) are going to be worn for a lifetime together.  Remember the Cost per Wear and have a rough figure in mind when you visit your jeweller but expect to be tempted.  If you don't want to discuss money when your fiancee is present, give your jeweller a call before you vist and let them know the price range of engagement rings you'd like to see.

And Those Proposal Ideas?

Well, we've heard quite a few romantic ones in our time as jewellers but a few of our favourites are:

Candlelit dinner followed by a proposal with a piece of tin foil "crafted" into a ring.  (NB guys, the proposal was followed up with a visit to us for the real thing).

A surprise engagement ring purchased unknown to the lady and a proposal on Lake Geneva - who could say "No" to that!

A New Year's Eve proposal IN THE SHOP!! Despite being stunned this lady still managed to say "Yes!!"

And, of course, the one with the box of chocolates, where she opens it to find..... the diamond ring. 

Have you heard any better proposals?  Let us know. 

Read a bit about engagement ring history.