Buy the perfect wedding ring for the perfect person…
A wedding ring is a symbol of lasting love and commitment. It’s what everyone wants to see following a romantic proposal, so whether you want to give your husband-to-be tips on what sort of ring to buy or are planning to be there during the buying process – here’s what every future bride needs to know about ring shopping.
Size is of paramount importance
Not all rings can be resized and some can be resized just slightly, so why not use this ring size guide from Diamonds Factory to ensure you get a perfect fit? Never guestimate and, if you use an existing ring to help with the sizing process, make sure it still fits comfortably on your ring finger.
Budgets can be easily forgotten
If you fall in love with a particular ring it can be easy to overspend. So, if you’re trying to stick to a budget, only look at designs that are within your price range to avoid being disappointed. Beware. Sales professionals will try to tempt you into making a more costly purchase, so be strong.
Remember the four Cs
When shopping for a wedding ring, remember the four Cs: carat, clarity, colour and cut. These four elements help to accurately describe the type of diamond you are buying and can help you understand whether or not you’re getting a good deal.
Get your head around carats
Carats refer to how much the diamond weighs. Therefore, if you want something light and delicate, a 0.40 carat diamond may feel more comfortable than a 2.70 carat. There are a host of sizes in between as well, so it’s worth trying on different rings to see what suits your finger the best.
Consider the clarity of a diamond
There’s plenty to consider when planning a wedding including the clarity of your wedding ring diamond. While all stones have some imperfections, known as ‘inclusions’, diamond clarity is rated from FL (flawless) to I3 (visible blemishes). Most diamonds sit in the middle of this scale.
Decide which colour to opt for
White diamonds are always graded on a colour scale from a pure white to yellow. The scale runs from D through to Z with the whitest diamonds tending to be the most highly priced. There are other colours available including pink but, again, these can leave a large dent in your budget.
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Think about the cut of the diamond
When shopping for a ring, you need to consider the cut of the diamond. While a ‘brilliant’ cut looks like a diamond you would draw on a piece of paper, a rose cut does not have the pointed bottom. Brilliant diamonds refract lights effectively and are therefore super shiny. Rose cut diamonds offer a subtler sparkle.
Choose the diamond shape
Ring shopping is not an easy task. There are so many different shapes to choose from that settling on a design can seem impossible. Popular styles to consider include: round, asscher, emerald, oval, marquise, pear, radiant, princess and heart.
Think about your lifestyle
If you never want to take your wedding ring off, it’s important to buy something that suits your lifestyle. If you’re a budding athlete or are always playing sport, for instant, a simple wedding band may be more practical for you.
Consider durability
Rings made from gold or platinum are highly durable and will stand the test of time. Yellow, white and rose gold are all beautiful and are available in different carats depending on your preferences. The higher the carat, the softer the gold – but all are very durable.
Shopping for a wedding ring is an exciting experience for all brides, but keep the above ten things in mind in order to make the right purchase.
