Dating | Weddings

Engagement Rings

Tradition has it that you are supposed to handover two months' salary for an engagement ring, and spend whatever you want on the wedding rings, which are usually cheaper because they are often more simple. It's a big outlay so be sure you make the right choices.

You need to get to grips with some jewellery facts to make sure that you get the best sparkler for the light of your life. So how do you know what to look for?

The cut is the most essential element of the 'sparkle' and there are many of them. There are also fashionable cuts, (such as a baguette cut) so you need get yourself acquainted with them by spending a few afternoons flicking through bridal magazines and visiting a decent jewellers. You don't want to present her with something a dowager would have loved, but she is already planning to loose.

The cut refers to the number, placement, and shape of the 'facets' (flat, polished planes) that create a finished diamond. The shape into which the stone is cut determines it's brilliance (white light reflection or sparkle), and fire (reflection of rainbow colours). A good cut can release a stone's beauty, just as a bad one makes a stone dull. The next aspect to consider is the clarity, which is how clear the diamond, is. The imperfections on the outside are called blemishes and the ones inside are called inclusions. This may seem like a horrifying prospect, buying a less than flawless diamond for your beloved, but most diamonds have imperfections. Another thing that may surprise you is that they are not always white, even if you might think they are. The majority are white or yellow, though they come in most colours of the rainbow. Yellow diamonds tend to be cheaper, although they don't reflect light as well. The weight of your diamond is measured in carats, which is equivalent to 200 milligrams.

So, now you know what you need to spend money on, you need to think about the style of setting. Once again, now is not the time to think about what your mum has worn. Do a bit of James Bond style spying on her. What colours does she like? Riffle through her jewellery box; does she have mainly gold or silver? If it's a mix, were some presents that she doesn't ever seem to wear. Is she an ostentatious character or does she loathe fuss? You may want to buy her a rock that has her arm dragging along the floor as a sign of your adoration, but she might feel much more appreciated and understood if you get her a simple vintage setting that reflects her style.

There are many settings to choose from, and all of them can bring something different to the stone. If you want it to really sparkle, choose something that allows as much light through the stone as possible. Traditionally, you would choose to set the stone/stones in one of the three most popular precious metals. These are gold (which comes in various shades; the silver appearance of some rings often being white gold), platinum and titanium. There are the same choices for wedding rings. When it comes to paying for these, it is traditional for the bride to pay for her husband's wedding band, and for him to purchase hers.

MAKING IT SPECIAL

Commissioning your own design can bring an extra special slant to your union, and will be a gesture greatly appreciated by your beloved. Although it might seem like an expensive and time-consuming approach, it could end up giving you the best value. Unmounted diamonds are by far the best deal, and you could get a setting copied if you really like it. Plus, buying a diamond already mounted means that you cannot check its quality. However, it can take weeks to get your ring made up, or to settle on a design if you are commissioning a designer, so build that into your proposal or wedding day schedules.

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