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The day you propose might just be the biggest day of your life. And a big day deserves a big, sparkly ring, right? With this logic in mind, many prospective grooms head to the jewellery store and seek out a super-colossal sparkler.
For some brides, a big engagement ring fits the bill. For others, it feels like an obstacle to their lifestyle and a bit too much responsibility. Before your love carries you away, tap into your practical side, and think about the following considerations.
It’s not uncommon for grooms to think along this line of reasoning: “If I get her a huge engagement ring, she’ll know how much I love her.” While this sentiment is sweet, it could mislead you.
Let’s take a step back and consider the 4 C’s: Clarity, Cut, Colour, and Carat. Each of these factors contributes to the quality and uniqueness of a diamond.
A diamond’s clarity score reflects how free it is from inclusions and blemishes. The grading scale ranges from Flawless (FL) to Inclusions 2 (I2) with many gradations in between. You’ll pay a premium for a flawless diamond because they’re extremely rare. Most buyers look for a diamond with few flaws or blemishes that can be strategically hidden by the setting.
Cut refers to the quality of a diamond’s angles, symmetrical facets, finishing details, scintillation, brilliance, and fire. Diamonds with Ideal and Excellent cut grades have maximum sparkle. A stone’s cut quality has everything to do with the skill of the diamond cutter and the way the cut maximises the stone’s light reflection.
The GIA (Gemological Institute of America) grades diamonds’ colour on a scale from D to Z, with D representing the most colourless and Z describing stones with a noticeable yellow or brown tint. Jewellers can charge more for colourless diamonds than for those with yellow and brownish hues, but when it comes down to it, colour is a personal preference. Some brides love warm-tinted diamonds, especially when paired with a complementary precious metal.
Diamonds are measured by weight, not by size. One carat is equal to 200 milligrams. Instead of focusing on a diamond’s carat weight, consider the overall combination of its appearance and brilliance. When you look at diamonds in their entirety, you may find that a 1.5-carat diamond fails to shine as brightly as a showstopping 1.0-carat diamond. While price does correlate with carat weight, try to look at the bigger picture.
Enormous engagement rings look stunning on the red carpet, but how do they fare in everyday life?
It’s crucial to consider lifestyle when choosing an engagement ring because this is a piece of jewellery she’ll wear every day. If your beloved leads a quiet life and works at a computer most of the time, a “big” engagement ring may suit her perfectly.
If, on the other hand, she works with her hands all day, a lower profile ring may work better. Women who work in medicine, fitness, childcare, food, construction and other active industries may not be able to wear a massive engagement ring to work. Think about her hobbies as well. Does she love playing sports or building furniture? Lifestyle matters when it comes to engagement rings.
The big sparklers stand out in the jewellery case. But practicality matters in a big way. Don’t worry that she’ll be disappointed if you don’t buy her the biggest ring in the store. Chances are, she’ll appreciate a thoughtfully chosen ring that matches her personality and lifestyle much more.
If you’re not sure about her style, consider the rest of her jewellery collection. Does she tend to like minimalist styles or plenty of bling? Does she tend to wear yellow gold or white gold more often?
You could also check up on her Pinterest boards to find out what she likes. Do you see plenty of coloured gemstones? Does she seem to like oval diamonds more than round brilliants? You could also ask her mother, sisters, and best friends for clues if you’re not sure where to start.
In summary, it’s not always the size that matters when it comes to choosing an engagement ring. When you find the perfect one, insure it with Q Report jewellery insurance. We’ll protect it no matter where she travels, so take it along on your honeymoon. Check out a local Q Certified Jeweller if you don’t already have a favourite place to shop. They’ll help you insure it before you even walk it out of the store.
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