The world of engagement rings can seem a little intimidating for someone who is just thinking about getting down on their knees and asking that big question. The ring is the moving item, the item that is displayed and captured in photos while you and your partner broadcast your exciting news. We know how difficult it can be to choose the right ring, so we have this shopping guide complete with tips on how to shop for engagement rings and what to look for when shopping for diamond rings to make the big purchase easy!
Are Moissanite engagement rings cheaper than diamonds?
However, the moissanite you see today didn't come from nature (natural moissanite is incredibly rare!). Instead, this gemstone is made in the lab, which is why many budget-conscious couples turn to the gemstone type as the next step. In addition to its environmentally friendly properties, moissanite is also very beautiful - at first glance, you could say that it is as beautiful as a diamond. In a way, that's true: Both stones have a brilliant white sheen and score on the Mohs scale (a system that measures the hardness or durability of gemstones). There are some fundamental differences between moissanite and diamonds, however, the most obvious being the price.
For couples on a budget, moissanite is the most popular diamond alternative. Most people cannot tell the difference between the two stones. Moissanite looks very much like a diamond, and with higher gloss, more durable wearability thanks to its high hardness rating, and ability to achieve a nearly colorless to completely ice-white stone, this can be a difficult decision to make. Moissanite is not a "faux diamond" like zirconia; it is a really great gem in itself. It is more accurate to describe moissanite as a beautiful, viable, and profitable alternative to diamond. In fact, all of these properties make it the most sought-after diamond alternative on the market today, allowing many first-time or budget-conscious couples to get beautiful engagement rings and/or wedding moissanite that shine with a sparkle. Clarity and color can rival any diamond ring placed in it.
What to look for when selecting diamond?
If you can't buy an expensive engagement ring, the first thing to do is learn more about the 4 Cs of diamonds. This important information affects the total price of any diamond engagement ring.
- Carat
- Cut
- Clarity
- Color
- Carat:The weight of a diamond. The greater the carat weight, the more expensive the diamond will be.
- Cut:The way a diamond is cut into a shape. Different cuts of diamonds differ in their price.
- Clarity: A measurement of the number of defects (or no defects) found in a diamond. The more flaws (or inclusions) there are in a diamond, the easier it is to access it.
- Color: The measure of the carelessness of a diamond. Some coloured diamonds are less expensive than coloured ones.
What to look for when selecting metal for your dream engagement ring?
These are several types of material which you can use for your engagement ring with your budget.
- Silver
- 10K Gold (Rose, White, Yellow)
- 14K Gold (Rose, White, Yellow)
- 18K Gold (Rose, White, Yellow)
- Platinum
Silver: Silver has valued as a precious metal. Silver is used in many gold coins, sometimes along with gold. Although it is more common than gold, it is much less common as a native metal. Silver is cheaper than other metals.
10K Gold (Rose, White, Yellow): 10k gold is the cheapest type of gold used in engagement rings and other jewelry. It is also the most resistant. For this reason, it's worth considering if you're on a tight budget, or if you or your future fiancé has an active lifestyle and needs a ring that doesn't get scratched easily. It contains 42% of gold.
14K Gold (Rose, White, Yellow):14 k gold is more expensive than 10K gold. It contains 58% of gold. And because it's more resistant and durable, it's ideal for everyday jewelry making, especially for an active lifestyle.
18K Gold (Rose, White, Yellow): 18k gold consists of 75 percent pure gold mixed with 25 percent other metals such as copper or silver etc. Very suitable for making diamond and set jewelry, 18k gold is cheaper than 24k and 22k.
Platinum: When it comes to choosing a metal for your wedding band or ring, platinum is often the most expensive choice. Platinum rings are also more valuable than gold because the metal is much rarer. About 1,500 tons of gold are mined each year, compared to just 160 tons of platinum.
Which setting suits your Engagement Ring?
There are many types of engagement ring settings. We gave some of popular settings.
- Prong
- Halo
- Bezel
- Cluster
- Millgrain
Prong: The most classic and common configuration you will find is the prong configuration. This configuration has a metal stud with typically 4 to 6 studs that grip the diamond and hold it firmly in place. It is a popular choice for engagement rings because it lets in much of the light due to the minimal amount of metal surrounding the diamond. The claw frame is a timeless style that will look stunning for a lifetime.
Halo: In a halo setting, the center stone is surrounded by a ring - or halo - made of small accent stones. In a floating halo ring, the middle diamond is separate and different from the halo reinforcing diamonds, with the focus diamond positioned above the halo when viewed from the front.
Bezel: The bezel configuration is characterized by a metal ring that holds the ring stone in place. This metal sheath slightly overlaps the edges of the stone, keeping it secure.
Cluster: In a cluster configuration, smaller diamonds are placed side by side to look like one larger diamond. A grouping ring can contain a large centre stone or a group of stones of the same size. The diamond setting gives the ring more character, size and shine.
Millgrain: Millgrain goes with every ring, from vintage classics to modern chic looks. If you're not interested in flashy accent stones, Millgrain can add a little sparkle and detail to your room without overdoing it.
Is the solitaire ring worth buying?
Let's go back to when you weren't actively window shopping for engagement rings. If you were asked to close your eyes and imagine a beautiful engagement ring, what would it look like? Most likely a simple ring set with a single diamond, right? It is a long-lasting and timeless patience ring. Solitaire engagement rings never go out of style, they Suits on all hand/finger size and no one has to guess your relationship status.
Surprisingly, they fit in with most alliances. Since the engagement ring didn't have a specific style, you can play around with classic, bold, and vintage band combinations. They help to reduce wear to a minimum, as they do not have large areas with complex metalworking. You can also play around with metallic color combinations.
Although we generally recommend our male buyers to buy a diamond solitaire engagement ring for women with their girlfriends. But if you want to surprise the lady on the engagement day, then diamond solitaire engagement rings are your best choice.
Eurekalook has the largest diamond ring distribution network in the United States to help you find the perfect ring for life's most iconic moments. When you purchase a stunning ring from Eurekalook you are making a great purchase of a stunning definitive diamond ring from trusted professional jewelers.