Band width
Engagement rings with thinner bands tend to run a bit larger than thicker rings.
You've found the one... now it's time to choose the ring!
With so many ring designs and jewelry stores to choose from, deciding what type of engagement ring to get and where to get it can feel overwhelming. After all, it is one of the biggest purchases you are likely to ever make, so it’s crucial to get it right! If you are embarking on your engagement ring search and are feeling a bit overwhelmed, use this engagement ring shopping guide to help take some of the stress out of the process.
Already have an idea of what you want? Pageo Fine Jewelry of Newton, MA can help you find the perfect ring to symbolize your lasting love.
The 4Cs
A great place to start with differentiating the quality and perfect design for your engagement ring is with the 4Cs. The 4Cs stand for color, cut, clarity, and carat weight. They are essentially core metrics for determining the quality and type of ring, with more explanatory power than just good/bad.
Color
The color of diamonds are graded on a D-to-Z scale, starting alphabetically with D, which is colorless and the most expensive, to Z, which are diamonds with a light yellow hue. While there are gradation and valuation calculations based on color, don’t feel like you need to get the most colorless diamond — it’s all a matter of personal preference.
Cut
Superficially, cut can be used to refer to the shape that the diamond has been cut into — round, emerald, oval, princess, pear, heart, radiant, etc. However, more essential to the meaning of “cut” in this context is how well the stone has actually been faceted, proportioned, and polished. These factors determine how the diamond interacts with the light, i.e., they are the key factors that impact brilliance. Diamond cuts are graded per the GIA system as Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, and Poor.
Carat
Lastly, we have carat — the measurement of the size or weight of the diamond. The larger the carat, the more expensive the diamond.
Clarity
Our third “C” involves the amount of natural imperfections, or inclusions, within the diamond. Clarity ranges from Flawless (FL) to Included (I). You don’t need a perfectly clear diamond, but about how clean to the eye the diamond appears. You can often save tens of thousands of dollars on diamonds that look practically identical to the naked eye unless you are getting Asscher or emerald shaped diamonds, where inclusions may be more visible.
How to Determine Your Engagement Ring Size
The sizing of your engagement ring should never be a guessing game. Did you know that different people have differently shaped ring fingers? It’s true, and this can impact the ring size and fit. If you have a tapered ring finger (meaning it widens more at the base), it’s very important for the fit to be snug, so it doesn’t slip off. If you have a knotted ring finger (meaning the knuckle in the middle of the finger is the widest point) it might make sense to get sizing beads on the ring to keep it from being too loose and sliding around.
Want to get your ring finger professionally measured?
Trust the judgment of the jewelers at Pageo to ensure a perfect fit! Visit Pageo Newton at 843 Beacon Street today! We are open Monday through Saturday, 10 AM to 5 PM, and Sunday from 12 PM to 5 PM.
Schedule An AppointmentWhere to Buy Your Engagement Ring?
You can buy engagement rings in all sorts of different places — from national jewelers, local stores, online, and elsewhere; there are some advantages and disadvantages of each option. If you are looking for a well-established, highly experienced team of jewelers to guide you to the perfect diamond engagement ring that fits perfectly, learn about Pageo Fine Jewelers’ story, shop our online selection of diamond engagement rings, or visit our Nantucket or Newton showroom today!
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