Diamond engagement rings are one of the most complex items that can be purchased. The countless possibilities of diamond styles and combinations make research an essential part for anyone considering the purchase of a ring.
Diamond engagement rings are one of the most complex products that can be purchased. For many people, they are the culmination of a long time of window shopping, website research and hard saving. Is it any wonder, considering this, that it is so important to get things right and to find the perfect engagement ring?
Let us begin with basics and a little background. Where do diamond engagement rings originate. This is something that has its roots deep in history. In fact it was in the late 15th Century when Archduke Maximillian of Austria gave a diamond ring to Mary of Burgundy that we have the first record. The diamond represented both purity and symbolised love. The representation of a symbol of love has become stronger through the ages to modern day.
With the availability and commercial mining of diamonds through the discovery of South African Mines by De Beers late in the 19th Century, the stone became more widely available to individuals outside Royalty and Aristocracy. From here it has filtered down to all of society where diamond engagement rings are now available within a range of prices catering for many budgets.
There are certain details relating to diamond engagement rings that we must first explain. The diamond itself makes up the greater proportion of the ring’s value. This is where most of the value is in the ring. Exceptions occur when weighty Platinum ring mounts are set with small diamonds and the reverse can be true. To gain a proper understanding of diamond value, we should consider the 4 C’s which are quoted by members of the jewellery trade. In combination these form the value of a diamond. They consist of Carat, the weight of a diamond, Colour, an indication of whiteness, Clarity, an indication of the concentration of any natural inclusions with the diamond, and Cut, which is a detail man made and relates to the proportions of the stone; how it has been worked as the result of much executed skill of diamond cutting. Together, they will form the basis for the true value of a stone.
Moving on to the ring itself, which is what we wish to concern ourselves with here, styles are plenty and anyone looking for diamond engagement rings will almost certainly begin to form an idea of what they consider aesthetically pleasing in a ring. Some prefer generic designs, classic styles and simplicity. Others prefer to look for unique diamond engagement rings. For the latter, the use of CAD design has provided marvellous opportunities for custom made rings to be created with flowing lines, intricate detail and individuality.
Simpler designs, born out of classic tradition include the eight claw, six claw and four claw settings. Such classics as the Tiffany setting, originally in Platinum with a simple claw setting not detracting from the beauty of the diamond remain as popular today as ever. Metal surrounds are another simple design such as bezel set diamond engagement rings where the metal is pushed over the outer edge of the diamond.
Multiple diamonds provide an opportunity for countless combinations of diamonds. Like the enormous possibilities of combinations of numbers for the lottery, diamonds can be mixed and matched within designs and both fancy shapes and sizes can be varied for truly unique designs.
Classic styles for solitaires and multiple diamond engagement rings are constantly re-designed to put a contemporary edge on available styles. Classic clusters have been turned into modern masterpieces, Monet’s of the jewellery industry. Large central diamonds are combined with smaller outer diamonds to create elaborate yet well balanced rings with flair and originality.
There is one thing for certain whilst researching the perfect diamond engagement ring and that is one of learning. With research comes a deeper understanding of one of nature’s most precious substances, held dear to us on account of the way it handles light when cut and polished along with the permanence of each rock. A diamond will look as new in another century as it does today unlike softer precious stones that will wear by comparison. Wherever your journey takes you, remember to enjoy the experience and remember it will hopefully be the only time you will make this journey of discovery in searching for the perfect engagement ring.
