The classic engagement ring is composed of two parts, a diamond and a setting. For the best value, find the setting she'll love then devote the remainder of your budget to a beautiful, certified diamond.

This guide will help you choose a setting she'll love, and decide on the right combination of diamond size and quality, so you're sure to choose the perfect ring.
Discovering what kind of ring she likes can be a challenge if you want to keep your proposal a secret.  Here are some things to know and understand:
Finding the right engagement ring is strictly a matter of personal style.  A simple ring with a single stone is called a solitaire and can make for a beautiful engagement ring.   If you prefer more decoration, there are a wide variety of rings with accent stones that will make the ring more personalized.

The typical engagement ring consists of two main parts:
The Setting (which holds the diamond)
The Mounting (surrounds the finger)

The Setting
Settings are usually made out of platinum or gold, but platinum is preferred because of it's strength and durability. The other common choice is whether to get 4 or 6 prongs.  With 4 prongs, you will show off more of the diamond, but 6 prongs will hold the diamond  more secure.  If the ring will be worn regularly, 6 prongs are highly recommended to avoid losing the stone. There are other types of settings that do not use prongs.  Some use tension to keep the diamond in place, and others form a "channel" where the diamond is inserted.  Again, your personal sense of style should guide you in selecting the setting.

The Mounting
The first decision regarding the mounting is the choice of materials.  By far, the most common choices for engagement rings are platinum and gold.  Although your choice is ultimately a matter of personal style, here are a few facts about each metal:

Gold
Gold has been popular choice for fine jewelry-making since ancient times, but because pure gold bends easily, it is usually alloyed with nickel, copper, and/or zinc. The purity of gold is measured in karats. A 24-karat ring is made of pure gold, whereas a 14-karat ring is 58.3% gold. Most gold jewelry sold in the United States is 14 karats, whereas 18-karat jewelry is more popular outside of the U.S.
White gold is the same as yellow gold except it was alloyed with white metals such as nickel for a whiter color, however Rhodium Electro plating is an extra step required to give the white gold it's beautiful platinum like sheen. ( Rhodium is from the platinum family of metals.) Gold Guide

Platinum
Platinum is also more rare than gold, in fact it costs roughly 2-3 times as much as gold, it is also a more dense metal and weighs about twice as much as gold per unit measurement. However, if you want a silver toned colored band that will never tarnish, platinum is the choice for you. And if your partner is in any way allergic to metals, platinum is the clear choice since it is hypoallergenic and will not irritate the skin.
The purity of platinum is measured by a 3-digit number. If your band is marked "950 platinum", the band is 95% platinum alloyed with 5% palladium or iridium.  Platinum Guide

The second decision you will have to make regarding the mounting is the size.  There are two easy ways to do this:
Visit us or any jeweler, bring your partner along, and ask to have the finger ring sized, ( best method)
If the ring is a surprise, "borrow" a ring that your partner currently owns (and you know fits well) and bring it to our shop to be measured.  Be sure to return the ring quickly!

 

Choosing the right diamond
At Almaz Brothers, we want to ensure every one of our customers makes a knowledgeable purchase. Whether you want the largest diamond, the highest-quality diamond, or a balance of diamond size and quality, we'll make sure you have a full understanding of what you're buying so you're sure to make the right decision.
When making this purchase, there are certain benefits you should expect as a customer. Learn what to look for, and you'll be sure to choose the right engagement ring.  For more information about diamonds visit the Diamond guide.

To browse some of our engagement rings click the links below:
Engagement Rings        Diamond Solitaire Rings          Three Stone Rings

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