Her Dream Engagement Ring

Every little girl dreams of her wedding day and a big part of that dream actually starts with the perfect proposal and engagement ring. Women want a ring that expresses their individuality and personal style. They want a ring that has elegance, is timeless, and reminds them every day of how much they are adored.

Emerald cut engagement rings tie together all these things. They are considered a classically elegant and sophisticated cut. This cut, named because it was originally used for very hard to cut emeralds, looks almost like a rectangle to the untrained eye. The cut brings together long lines, with light reflecting facets down all four sides and makes for a bold shape. Emerald cut diamond rings also have angled corners. Classic emerald cut diamonds should have a length to width ratio of 1.3 or 1.4 to 1. Although personal preference can dictate the ratio you choose, there is also a lot of variety available in the shape of the emerald cut diamond.

The relative simplicity of performing this cut means that an emerald cut diamond tends to be less expensive than its round brilliant counterpart. The large amount of flat surface though means that it easily shows imperfections and discolorations in the diamond. For this reason, it is important to get the highest quality diamond your budget will permit when selecting the emerald cut. Make sure you buy from a retailer with GIA or EGL certifications.

Additionally, the emerald cut is often paired with smaller side gems because the shape lends itself to this - most often tapered baguettes, princess or another emerald cut gem. They may be tiny gems fully lining the outside of your emerald cut or a wide range of sizes placed along the ring band.

Congratulations! You’ve found the love of your life. Now you’ll enter the delightful and diverse world of engagement rings. There are many traditional and unique engagement rings out there, but here are several tips.

An old “rule of thumb” recommended spending is two months’ salary on the ring. Today, it’s more realistic to buy the best-quality ring you can comfortably afford. A top consideration is the recipient’s taste in jewelry. Since this ring will be worn every day, think about the wearer’s lifestyle and preferences.

A traditional diamond solitaire - in a yellow gold, white gold, or platinum setting - is always in fashion. Today, however, there are many options. Solitaires appear in a variety of shapes, including round, oval, pear, square, rectangle, and heart. Other diamond rings available include three-stone designs, pavé settings with many small stones, filigree, or engraved styles. When buying a diamond, ensure that the stone is certified as Kimberley process “conflict-free”, as “conflict” diamonds may have illegally financed military actions in Africa.

How about a colored gemstone instead of a white diamond? Engagement rings may also feature crimson rubies or garnets, night-blue sapphires, bright green emeralds, or deep purple amethysts. These gemstones are often combined with diamonds, in styles that are beautiful and eye-catching.

Do you want to make a break with tradition? Consider an engagement ring with a striking contemporary design. Find a band in the shape of a dolphin, treble clef, or dragonfly, or one decorated with a woodgrain pattern or carved vines. Others are made from more than one precious metal. Futuristic designs include a diamond “Sputnik”, “Cube”, and “Shooting Star”.

For a one-of-a-kind look, think about an antique ring. Estate jewelers offer lovely rings from the early through mid-20th century. Many from 1890 through 1910 are in the ornate “Victorian” style, while others from the 1920’s and 1930’s are geometric “Art Deco”.

There are many choices in the world of engagement rings. Find the one that touches your heart, and go for it.