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- Stephanie Hesters
- BAUNAT Antwerp
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What to take into account when buying an engagement ring
It’s an utmost magical step in life: buying an engagement ring for the love of your life. A symbol that forever encapsulates the commitment and love shared between you and your loved one. But what exactly should you take into account when buying an engagement ring? Find out BAUNAT’s complete guide to finding your perfect piece.
Different engagement ring styles: which one do I choose?
If you are trying to decide which engagement ring style to buy, most advice will be about solitaire rings that draw all the attention to a single diamond. However, there are plenty other options: You can have a look at the different engagement ring styles here:
Read more below
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Diamond engagement rings, a universal love symbol
When having chosen your desired engagement ring style, you can now begin to look for different gemstone options. Most people go for diamond engagement rings when choosing a gemstone as it enhances almost every outfit and carries a timeless elegance. A diamond engagement ring is still a universal symbol for love and commitment, and strongly ignites the confidence of the ring wearer.
If you want to buy an engagement ring with diamonds, you should pay attention to the 4 Cs when buying: carat, colour, clarity and cut. The 4 Cs are quality features that should always be listed on the certificate of your diamond. It is important that you always opt for a diamond graded by GIA, IGI or HRD, as these three apply high quality standards in their certification process.
However, it’s important to notice that an engagement ring doesn’t necessarily have to be a diamond ring, as there are other subtler engagement rings on the rise such as sapphire, ruby, emerald, yellow diamond and black diamond rings. These other gemstones also have their beauty and are widely preferred as other worthy options.
However, it’s important to notice that an engagement ring doesn’t necessarily have to be a diamond ring, as there are other subtler engagement rings on the rise such as sapphire, ruby, emerald, yellow diamond and black diamond rings. These other gemstones also have their beauty and are widely preferred as other worthy options.
The carat weight of the diamond
The carat size of a diamond is much debated, but worldwide, the average is between 1.00 and 1.09 carats. The higher the carats, the higher the price of the engagement ring. According to unwritten rules, the husband to be spends about 2 to 3 months' wages on the price of an engagement ring.
The colour of the diamond and the precious metal
Most engagement rings have a colourless diamond, with a certain colour grading from D to Z. A colour D diamond is the purest white and is extremely rare. Are you looking for a diamond engagement ring on a slightly lower budget? Choose a colour G or H diamond. The diamond is still virtually colourless, but it is a lot cheaper.
Instead of a colourless diamond, you can also opt for a naturally coloured diamond or a coloured precious stone. Naturally coloured diamonds are even rarer and therefore more expensive than colourless ones.
And then you also have choices in the precious metal. For an engagement ring, people often opt for white gold because it has a classic, timeless look. However, you can also opt for an engagement ring in yellow gold, platinum or even red gold. A combination of both is also possible, these engagement rings are described as ‘bicolour’ or ‘two tone’ in the collection. When combining multiple colours, you should choose a more sober design.
Instead of a colourless diamond, you can also opt for a naturally coloured diamond or a coloured precious stone. Naturally coloured diamonds are even rarer and therefore more expensive than colourless ones.
And then you also have choices in the precious metal. For an engagement ring, people often opt for white gold because it has a classic, timeless look. However, you can also opt for an engagement ring in yellow gold, platinum or even red gold. A combination of both is also possible, these engagement rings are described as ‘bicolour’ or ‘two tone’ in the collection. When combining multiple colours, you should choose a more sober design.
The clarity of the diamond
Always choose a diamond that scores at least VS2 or SI1 on the clarity scale and are rated G or H on the colour scale, to ensure the diamond doesn't have any yellow appearance and no large impurities that are noticeable to the naked eye. Find more about rating a diamond’s clarity here.
The cut of the diamond as an indication of its brilliance
The brilliance of a diamond is largely determined by the cut and the quality of the cut. For example, a round brilliant diamond has the greatest brilliance because it was cut with 57 facets reflecting the light. The princess cut is also known for its brilliance, although this cut is usually less pricey. The price of old cut diamonds with fewer facets is also considerably lower, although they do lack some fire. But we have noticed that these cuts have increased in popularity since the vintage revival. Vintage is a trend that brings back into fashion old pieces of clothing and jewellery.
The quality of the cut is indicated by the terms “excellent”, “very good”, “good”, “fair” and “poor”. You can always find this on the diamond certificate.
The quality of the cut is indicated by the terms “excellent”, “very good”, “good”, “fair” and “poor”. You can always find this on the diamond certificate.
Engagement ring trends you should be aware of
Vintage is not the only trend to have revived the old cut. Romantic and nostalgic souls are increasingly going for red gold, a precious metal that was popular during the Victorian era. To turn an engagement ring into a truly vintage engagement ring, different precious stones are often chosen instead of diamonds. These might include a splendid red ruby, blue sapphire, or green emerald.
Eternity rings are another trend. Here, the ring is covered in small diamonds or other precious stones. The ultimate symbol of love! It is very important to know her exact ring measurement when buying an eternity ring as it cannot be made larger or smaller due to the stones going all the way around the band.
Finding the right engagement ring size for your partner
The perfect proposal comes totally unexpected, which also means that it’s up to you to find the right engagement ring size for your partner’s finger. One of the simplest ways to determine your partner's ring size is to borrow a ring they already wear on the same finger. Make sure it's a ring they wear on the correct hand and finger, as sizes can vary between left and right hands.
You can take the ring to a jeweller for an accurate measurement or use a ring size chart at home. If that's not possible, you can sometimes find the size through friends or acquaintances. An engagement ring can however still be made bigger or smaller afterwards. At BAUNAT you can order a ring sizer for free, so you can be sure of the size without having to worry about the ring not fitting correctly.
You can take the ring to a jeweller for an accurate measurement or use a ring size chart at home. If that's not possible, you can sometimes find the size through friends or acquaintances. An engagement ring can however still be made bigger or smaller afterwards. At BAUNAT you can order a ring sizer for free, so you can be sure of the size without having to worry about the ring not fitting correctly.
Custom engagement rings as a one-of-a-kind gift
Sometimes the perfect engagement ring is a custom made one. A custom engagement ring that’s one of a kind, might be something to consider to capture the personal style and sentiment of your loved one. It often goes from selecting the perfect gemstone to designing the intricate setting of the ring, where you have complete control over the final product.
Choosing a custom engagement ring doesn’t necessarily mean it will be more expensive. You have the flexibility to work within your budget, making informed choices about materials and design elements. This ensures that you get the best value for your money without compromising on style or quality.
Choosing a custom engagement ring doesn’t necessarily mean it will be more expensive. You have the flexibility to work within your budget, making informed choices about materials and design elements. This ensures that you get the best value for your money without compromising on style or quality.
