Diamond Engagement Rings Guide

Buying a diamond engagement ring is part of a much larger decision that goes far beyond jewelry, tradition, or money. The very fact that you're even considering such a commitment indicates that you've already made quite a journey.

Step 1: Establish Your Budget
Spend some time exploring your diamond ring options. This time is just for looking, seeing what's out there. Setting YOUR standards. Once familiar with the options, establish your budget based on your income, what you feel comfortable spending, and the type and grade of diamond you wish to purchase.

Your love cannot be measured by how much money you spend on the ring. This is no time to be stingy or, shall we say it, cheap, but it's also no time for bankruptcy.

And once you've established your budget, don't allow a jeweler to talk you into going drastically over or going drastically under (for a supposedly "great deal") your budget.

Your budget will be based on not only your income, but also your knowledge of diamonds (the "four Cs", certification, shapes -- see below), so you'll have a very good idea of both what you can afford and want to spend. If you've done your homework, there shouldn't be any big surprises at the checkout counter.

Step 2: Learn About Diamonds
To begin shopping for a diamond, you need to understand the four Cs of diamond evaluation:

• Carat
• Color
• Clarity
• Cut

Once you understand the "Four Cs," review the page on Diamond Certificates. Diamond certificates are the "blueprint" of the diamond and and certify the various grades (cut, color, clarity), carat weight, and additional aspects of the diamond (such as shape). Not all certificates are created equal -- be sure to read this section to know that the certificate you receive is worth more than the paper it's written on.

Additionally, be sure to review the different diamond shapes that are available.

Step 3: Learn About Settings
The "setting" is what you probably think of as the "ring" portion -- the band, accent stones, and the prongs. Everything except the center diamond. Settings come in a variety of metals and styles. Most diamond engagement rings are set in gold (yellow, white, or "two-toned", and various karats) or platinum.

When selecting a gold band (yellow or white), we recommend 18K. That said, lovely quality diamond engagement rings can also feature 14K.

We strongly recommend against karatage lower than 14K.

• Mondera (our "Editor's Pick" of online diamond jewelry stores) carries no less than 18K gold settings.

• Szul carries a small, but intriguing collection of gold bands (yellow, white, two-toned, 14K) featuring carved and etched designs.

Traditional Solitaire	Diamond Accents	Gemstone Accents

Pictured rings were created using Mondera's (a fine diamond jeweler) online "create your own diamond engagement ring" tool. Try it out for yourself -- there's no charge for looking.

To learn more about platinum, gold, and gold karats, read our Precious Metals Guide.

Step 4: Design Your Ring
First, don't be surprised when you visit the better online Diamond Jewelry Stores and discover that they display the engagement ring setting without a center diamond. At these stores, you select both the setting and the diamond (as opposed to a "pre-set" ring where someone else has already chosen the (uncertified) diamond for you).

Round Brilliant	Princess	Pear Shape
Pictured rings were created using Mondera's (a fine diamond jeweler) online "create your own diamond engagement ring" tool.

There are two basic parts to every diamond engagement ring: the Setting and the Center Diamond. The "setting" is the "ring" portion -- the band, accent stones, and the prongs.

When designing your own ring, which one do you select first -- the setting or the center diamond? Well, that depends.

If either you or the recipient has a heart set on a "princess cut" diamond, you better start with the diamond selection. Not all settings can accomodate all diamond shapes and sizes, so if you already have an idea what the center diamond will look like, start there.

On the other hand, if either of you have a heart set on a platinum setting, start there and review the platinum options (which will include traditional plain bands, bands with accent diamonds, and bands with colored accent gemstones).