Helpful Hints for Choosing a Ring

Helpful Hints for Choosing a Ring 

            Traditionally, the engagement ring is a gift from the groom-to-be to his  fiance` when she accepts his marriage proposal. Now days, more and more   women prefer to help choose the ring instead of being surprised with   something not exactly to their liking, considering the fact she will wear it for a  long time.  The purchase of the ring could be a joint decision, especially if   there is a house or other major purchase in the near future. 

            No matter how involved you are in the selection of the ring, you will  not be responsible for paying for it. Also, in the unfortunate event the   wedding is called off, you will be asked to return the ring plus any other   jewelry you have been given. 

            If price is a major concern, your fiance` can go to the jeweler of his  choice, preselect several rings in his price range and then the two of you can  go together at a later date to pick out the one you prefer. Then you both will  be in on the selection and the price.  

            The diamond has been the engagement ring stone of choice for many  years now, but any stone is appropriate. You will find that diamonds are very  expensive, especially ones of high quality. Other stones are just as   appealing and far less costly, such as sapphires, opals and pearls. Many  women like to wear their birthstones. The following chart shows these. ? 

                    January    Garnet 

                        February   Amethyst 

                        March     Aquamarine 

                        April     Diamond 

                        May   Emerald 

                        June    Pearl

                        July     Ruby 

                        August   Sardonyx  

                        September   Sapphire 

                        October   Opal

                        November   Topaz   

                        December   Turquoise  

            Knowing something about what your shopping for is never a bad   idea.Diamonds and precious stones are the same, so jewelers suggest that  you do a little research before before you shop. 

            A good place to start is the four C's, clarity, cut, color, and carat. Clarity   for instance, is the absence of any serious flaws revealed under    magnification. Cut refers to the shape of the stone, some are more valuable  than others. Some of the more popular shapes are marquise, oval and   emerald. Color refers to the hue of the stone. For instance, diamonds   have several distinguishable tints. And of course, carat refers to the weight of  gem.  Knowing these four things will make you a much better more informed  shopper. A good rule of thumb is to buy the best stone you can afford from a  dealer you trust.

     

By Bob Ragman. For a free e-book and video goto