Men, Lets Talk Rings.

I'm sure you are familiar with the term: 'A diamond is for life' or more famously 'Diamonds are forever'.

Both statements are correct. Your future wife will love and cherish the rings you pick out for her for the rest of her life. These are the rings she will wear every single day for as long as she shall live. Look upon your diamond ring as an investment.

I was recently out with a family member who was looking for a diamond ring for his wife-to-be. As soon as we hit the first shop he looked completely perplexed and overwhelmed by all the information being thrown at him. As I have been out diamond ring shopping with various friends and family members over the years I learnt first hand that finding the perfect ring is not as simple as it looks. So this is what I have learnt when it comes to diamond ring.

I think by now, if you are looking for the perfect ring for your wife-to-be, you have figured out that diamond engagement ring shopping is not as easy as you first envisaged! Before you rush off to purchase a diamond engagement ring/wedding band you will probably want to do some research on the 4C's: Cut, Colour, Clarity and Carat. And of course the shape of the diamond you pick. There are many websites that can give you clear information on the technicalities of diamond ring shopping. These 4C's are most important when you are picking out your engagement ring. The better the quality of the diamond you pick the higher the price.

So now lets talk budget! It is best to set out a budget for both the engagement ring and the wedding band. If you have a big budget then you can pick a ring that is bigger but does not compromise on the quality. However, if you are working within a budget then it may be worth looking into a diamond size which is slightly smaller in carat but has a high quality Cut, Colour and Clarity as these are the 3C's that give the diamond its true quality. Especially when it comes to limited budget you may find that you are able to purchase a bigger carat diamond ring within that budget, but do not be fooled by the size. These diamonds will nearly always be on the lower end of the spectrum in terms of quality. The Cut, Colour, Clarity will most certainly be lacking. It will not shine, there will be visible inclusions (flaws), overall it will look dull and lifeless. A diamond that is 1/3 or 1/2 carat in size but of a high quality is better than a diamond that is 1 carat or over but is lacking in Cut, Colour and Clarity.

Remember size isn't everything, it is the quality of the ring she will be looking at!

Picture from: http://www.whiteflash.com