39 Points about Engagement Rings: The Definitive Guide
Learn About:
- The Essence of Engagement Rings
- The Buying Process
- Wearing an Engagement Ring
- Exclusive Styling Tips
- Engagement Ring Vs Wedding Band
- The Most Popular..
What does your Engagement Ring say about you?
The most significant expression of love, and probably the most treasured item of jewelery you will ever possess is an engagement ring. Your style and approach towards life can be reflected by the design of your engagement ring.
A little About engagement rings
History of engagement rings
The tradition is believed to be originated by the Romans, where the women used to wear small rings attached to a pair of keys as a sign of ownership.
Back then rings did not have any diamonds or stones on them, and were usually just made from ivory, bone, copper & iron
The Evolution of Engagement Rings
After the Romans introduced engagement rings, in 1477 Max Million was the first individual to gift a diamond engagement ring to his fiancée, after which the higher-class section of the society started using diamond engagement rings in the mid 1800's.
Jump to 1930; when the renowned company De Beers, promoted a campaign showing celebrities wearing engagement rings. And from that point onwards, these rings have grown in designs & value
Where should you purchase your ring from?
1. Do your research
Nowadays, purchasing engagement rings have become extremely easy with the number of options.
Hence, it is important to analyse the various brands, their performance, designs, pricing & trust factor before you make the purchase.
2. Trusted Jeweller
Buying an engagement ring can be an expensive affair including alot of precious items like gold & diamonds.
You don't want to fall for any traps or frauds. It is always advisable to go with a well trusted and known jewelry brand.
3. Online VS Offline
With technology evolving at a faster pace like never before, thanks to Virtual Reality & AI, buying jewelry without visiting a store has become extremely accessible.
However, if you prefer the traditional method of physically trying your product, most of the trusted jewelry brands have brick & mortar stores that you can visit.
4. Be aware of Taxes
You do not want to be fooled when it comes to taxation on your ring. According to the Indian government, GST applied on jewelry is 3%.
You want to stay away from jewelers charging a higher tax rate.
5. Making Charges
This component can be a differentiating factor between different jewelers, since the other materials used; gold & diamonds are usually sourced at the average market value.
You want to choose a trusted jeweler that offers the lowest making charges for your engagement ring.
Choosing the right solitaire for your engagement ring
- Understand the various types of stones available:
- Natural Diamonds:
Natural diamonds are mined from the earth, and they're the hardest substance on planet Earth. They're also quite expensive, which makes them a favorite among jewelry lovers.
The majority of natural diamonds mined today come from Africa and South America; however, there have been reports of diamonds being found in Russia, Canada and Australia as well. - Lab Grown Diamonds
Created in a controlled lab environment, these diamonds flaunt the same chemical properties as natural diamonds and are souced at less than 1/4th the price of it's natural counterparts. - Moissanites
These are a type of gemstones that have almost the same chemical properties as diamonds.
With a slightly yellowish tint color, these stones are preferred by individuals who like to travel frequently, with jewelry on them.
- Be Aware of the 4C’s of a Diamond:
- Color- Can range from transparent to a wide varieties of colors like blue, pink etc.
- Cut- Gives the shape of the diamond. Round, Emerald, Pear, Oval.
- Clarity- Showcases the transparency and impurities (called inclusions) in the diamond.
- Carat- Determines the size of the stone. Usually an engagement ring is created with 1 carat stones.
How much should you spend on an Engagement Ring?
1. How has the engagement ring budget changed over time?
So what has caused the dramatic increase in the average budget for an engagement ring over the years? There are a few factors that have contribute to this:
1. Wages have generally increased over time.
2. As people have become more affluent, they have been able to spend more on luxury items like engagement rings.
3. Cost of diamonds has increased over time.
2. Know why you are buying the ring?
• If you want to purchase the ring for the emotion, then:
Put a lot of thought into which design represents and reminds you of the love you share with your partner.
• If you want to purchase the ring as an investment, then:
Choose a ring that focuses more on the band. Go for smaller diamonds and a heavier band. This will increase the gold used, giving you better future returns.
• If you want to purchase the ring as an accessory then:
Opt for a fashionable & trendy engagement ring, because it is a piece of jewelry that you will be flaunting on a frequent basis. Additionally, make sure your ring is extremely durable
3. Live the experience
Buying an engagement ring is an extremely emotional experience. You want to create the most loving memory with your partner during the engagement proposal. So make sure you buy an engagement ring that she will like, but also a one that fits your budget.
While buying this special ring, feel free to splurge a little bit on your budget. We believe, your engagement ring budget should be based on a few important factors like: your annual income, your annual savings & the utility of the ring in the future.
Spending around 4-5 months of your annual savings can land you a beautiful ring for your partner
Confused about how much to spend on your engagement ring?
Don't worry, we've got you covered. Help us by answering a few questions, and we will suggest some spectacular pieces for you!
Which hand should you wear your Engagement Ring on?
The answer to this question lies in understanding both the sides of the coin & believing in what you think is right!
Why are Engagement Rings worn on the left hand?
The belief of wearing the ring on your left hand, traces all the way back to the Ancient Rome times. People believed, that a vein called "Vena Amoris" (vein of love), ran through the 4th finger of your left hand directly to the heart. Signifying the eternal love a married couple carries, the left hand was chosen as the engagement ring hand!
Why are Engagement Rings worn on the right hand?
Right hand rings have been in the limelight since the 1920's. Over the years, women have become significantly independent. Moreover, engagement rings for women have become a moment of celebration, to enjoy their success. Right hands rings, simply put, is a celebration of you!
Which is the Engagement Ring finger?
There is no hard and fast rule about the engagement ring finger. However, traditionally people have chosen the fourth finger as the 'Ring Finger.'
This doesn't mean you have to follow the same! Every marriage is unique and so is the engagement ring. You want this moment to be cherished forever.
Feel free to choose your engagement ring finger.
Styling tips for an engagement ring
1. Where should you wear your engagement ring?
Formal Events
If you are attending a formal event, such as a wedding or gala, you will want to wear a ring that is appropriate for the occasion.
A diamond solitaire engagement ring or other simple, classic design rings are usually best for these types of events.
Daily Wear
You want something that is durable and comfortable, but also something that makes you feel good.
Don't sacrifice quality for price- It is important to find a ring that is well-made and will last.
Consider your lifestyle- If you have an active lifestyle, you'll want a ring that can stand up to wear and tear.
2. Where should you not wear your engagement ring?
Wearing an engagement ring in crowded places can be a great risk. Your engagement ring is an emotion and you do not want to lose it. Here are some places where you should not wear your engagement ring:
1) Shower / Pool / Swimming
2) At the beach
3) Concerts
4) Frequent Travelling
3. Accessories to compliment your engagement ring
Wearing jewelry that compliments your engagement ring is the icing on the cake to your overall outfit. Add some sparkly & fashion worthy pieces to give yourself a complete trendy look.
A necklace with a pendant that matches your engagement ring.
This will make it look like a set, and you can easily wear it with other pieces in your wardrobe without having to worry about matching colors or styles.
Earrings are another great accessory to wear with an engagement ring.
The earrings can be simple stud earrings or they can be more elaborate and colourful, depending on what type of earrings you want to wear with your engagement ring.
If you prefer to keep things simple, consider wearing small hoops on one ear lobe and keep the other lobe free of any jewelry at all!
This will give off a sophisticated vibe while still allowing you to add other pieces of jewelry around the same time as well as throughout the day if needed
Stacking few bracelets with your engagement ring will accent your overall look
Bracelets can also be worn with an engagement ring if desired because they tend to match up nicely with each other rather than having separate sets of their own.
4. Current Engagement Ring Trends
The current trends in engagement rings are changing every day, so it's important to stay up to date on all the latest designs. Here are some of the hottest trends in engagement rings right now.
Diamonds are not the only gemstone you can use
New materials have been introduced into the market, making it easier than ever before to find an engagement ring that will look great on your finger.
For example, diamond alternatives include: Moissanites, Lab Grown Diamonds, Colour Stones.
You also have more options when it comes to size and color as well as clarity and cut grade for each stone type.
Size matters
There's nothing worse than seeing a huge rock on your finger that doesn't even fit!
With today's large selection of sizes from 6mm up to 12mm in width, it's easy to find an engagement ring that fits perfectly for either you or your partner!
The average wedding band size is about 7mm wide but some couples prefer smaller bands so
Stackable Rings
Another trend with engagement rings is stacking rings! This trend involves combining multiple rings together to create a larger look for your finger.
For example, you could wear 2 matching bands with 2 different stones on each band! You could also mix and match different metals or gemstones together to create a unique look for your hand!
Eternity Rings
One of the most popular styles is an eternity ring. This type of ring is designed to be passed down through generations, as it can be worn on both sides of the wedding band.
Eternity rings are usually made with white diamonds or colored gems that match your fiancé's favorite color.
Ruby
Ruby is one of the most popular gemstones for engagement rings today because it has many meanings associated with it.
It represents passion and romance, which are things people look for when buying an engagement ring!
Engagement Ring Vs Wedding Ring?
Create your own Engagement Ring
The Most Popular…
Diamond Shape is:
ROUND
Engagement rings in general have a popular diamond shape: round. But there are many other options available for you.
The most popular diamond shape is the round diamond followed by, cushion cut & emerald cut.
It's the most popular because it's simple and classic, but it's also the hardest to cut. Because of this, it's often the most expensive of all diamonds.
Diamond Carat Size is:
1 CARAT
The most popular engagement ring in general has a diamond carat size of 1ct, followed by 0.5ct, and 0.75ct. Diamonds are one of the most popular jewelry stones, and there is no doubt that they have a lot of benefits. In fact, diamond engagement rings have become a symbol of love and commitment.
Ring color is:
YELLOW GOLD
The most popular engagement ring color is yellow gold, which is the metal that most people prefer to wear as an engagement ring.Yellow gold is extremely popular in all parts of the world and is one of the most luxurious metals available on Earth.
The reason that yellow gold has become so popular is because it has been known as a prestigious ring for centuries, as well as being a symbol of wealth and success in many cultures across the globe.