The Jewelry Box

I sometimes think, looking back, that one of the most romantic aspects of getting engaged was actually being a part of searching for and choosing my perfect engagement ring. I know there are those who prefer to surprise their loved one with a ring, but for me, being a part of the whole process made it seem even more special. And I was guaranteed an engagement ring that I liked!

The trouble with buying jewelry and rings in particular is that everyone has their own sense of style. And nobody wants an engagement ring that is the same as anyone else’s. It’s bad enough turning up to a party wearing the same outfit as someone else. Can you imagine the horror of discovering someone else wearing an exact copy of your engagement ring?

Luckily, there are now increasing numbers of outlets where you can actually design your own ring. And this means that individually designed engagement rings are becoming more and more affordable.

Designing your own ring isn’t complicated but there are a few things you should consider first.

Choosing Your Diamond

Diamonds are the obvious choice for engagement rings. But unless you have a good understanding of what to look for when choosing your diamond, you may well end up with an engagement ring that isn’t quite as brilliant as you’d hoped for.

When it comes to diamonds the main things to look out for are the 4 C’s.

Diamond Color

The less color there is in a diamond, (i.e. the ‘whiter’ it is), the more valuable it is. Check out the color chart I found at Blue Nile which tells you exactly how the grading system works.

Diamond Cut

The way a diamond is cut is critical to it’s ‘WOW’ factor. It is what determines how well your diamond will sparkle. A well cut diamond will also appear larger than it actually is. If your budget means choosing between a larger stone or a better cut stone, then opt for the better cut!

Diamond Clarity

The clarity of a diamond refers to it’s imperfections. All diamonds have them. Usually, the imperfections in a diamond are so small that they have little effect on the appearance of the diamond. A flawless diamond is extremely rare and probably way out of budget for most people. But as diamond clarity is the least important aspect of choosing a diamond, you don’t need to worry.

Diamond Carat

The carat of a diamond refers to its weight and not necessarily its size. The two are often confused. As noted above, a diamond that is well cut will actually look much larger than it really is. The carat weight of diamonds is made up of  ‘points’, i.e. 1 carat = 100 points.

Which Metal

Gold (white or yellow), or platinum? Hmmm. Decisions, decisions, lol.

This is very much a personal choice. But there are differences to consider and not only price.

18k gold is more traditional and is easier to care for. However, it’s more susceptible to damage and will wear away over time.

Platinum is the strongest metal and will last a lifetime. It won’t wear away or tarnish but it is more difficult to care for.

Choosing the Right Jeweler

No matter what ring you choose, you need to be sure your jeweler provides the highest level of service and quality. Do they provide you with a grading certificate for your diamond? Do they offer an appraisal value for your ring that you can use for your insurance company? What level of after care do they provide should something go wrong with your ring?

It may seem like a lot of work to finding the perfect engagement ring, but this will be a once in a lifetime experience and a little thought and effort put in beforehand will ensure that the ring you choose will last forever.

One of the most difficult things if you’re browsing to buy jewelry online is knowing how to find your ring size. After all, it’s not like you can just pop inside your computer and try the rings on.

Finding your ring size, or finding out someone else’s ring size if you’re planning on buying a ring, is especially important if you’re looking to buy a ring online. Every other type of jewelry is easily bought because it doesn’t have to ‘fit’ as such. You don’t need to measure your neck when buying a necklace, or your wrist to buy a bracelet.

Yet it’s surprising how many people don’t know what their ring size is, or how to measure their ring size at home. And sure, you can buy a ring sizer, but unless you’re planning on buying a lot of rings for a lot of people, what’s the point? It just makes sense to measure your finger one time and then you can buy as many rings as you want knowing that they will all fit.

And here’s how easy it is to find your ring size. I found this over at www.oztion.com.au btw, they’re an Australian auction site.

1) Wrap a piece of string or a strip of paper around the base of your ring finger. Make sure you can slip it comfortably over your knuckle. Tip- never measure your finger cold. Your measurement will be much more accurate if your fingers are warm.

2) Mark the point at which the string or paper meets itself.

3) Use a ruler to measure the length of the string/paper from its tip to the mark you made. This is your finger’s measurement.

4) Using the chart below, match the “Circumference measurement” to your ring size.

OR

1) Measure the “Inside Diamater” of a ring you already own that fits the finger you are looking to buy for.

2) Find that number in the “Diameter” column in the chart below.

Note: The US Sizes are the same as the Aust Sizes.

So there you go. Now you know exactly how to find your ring size. You have no excuse for not buying as many rings as you want. And of course, be sure to tell all your friends and especially the special someone in your life, just what that size is. Should they decide to surprise you with a ring, you’ll all be a lot happier knowing that it will fit perfectly.

I’ve included a link to the ring size chart so if you click it, you can download it to your computer and print it off for future reference.