Engagement Ring

Relationships are held together by love and commitment that we try to display as much as possible in everything we do for one another, for example; writing cards, sending flowers and/or buying gifts. An engagement ring is a declaration of love like no other; the giver of the engagement ring offers to take a lifetime engagement on love and devotion and the receiver commits to the same by accepting and wearing it. Here are some traditions, points of interest, tips and suggestions that will help you choose, appreciate, wear and care better for an engagement ring.

Engagement rings traditionally signify that the person wearing it is in love with and committed to the one who presented the ring or in other words ‘taken’. Engagement rings date back to the ancient Egyptians who believed that it should be worn on the ring finger, where is still worn today, because through that finger runs a vein that flows the blood straight to the heart while the Romans used to make the engagement ring out of steel to symbolize strength and eternity.

Today the engagement ring symbolizes much the same things and those are: love, commitment and a wedding in the wings for the happy couple. Traditionally women are the ones who wear engagement rings however some countries and traditions will include men to wear them as well though they will be usually subtler engagement rings then those for women, depending on each individuals style and personality.

The reason why women usually wear engagement rings and not men in most countries, cultures and traditions is because men traditionally propose marriage. Some cultures and traditions will have an engagement ceremony instead where rings will be exchanged without a formal wedding proposal being made by either side.

Diamonds are the strongest of the gemstones and that is why they are labeled as lasting forever and they are also known as the girl’s best friend but what made them the official engagement ring gemstone nobody really knows. The fact remains that diamond inspires purity and eternity through its translucent sparkle and strength, which provides more then enough reason to tie it to the bond of love and commitment that is the essence of any couple that are getting engaged.

Before plunging into purchasing any diamond jewelry, especially an engagement ring there are a few characteristics about diamonds that will help you make the right choice if you are aware of them at the time of purchase. Diamonds are graded by color, clarity, cut and carat also known as the four C’s; the price of the diamond will be calculated according to these four characteristics.

All jewelry stores will be able to provide you with a diamond chart that will show you the color and clarity or the diamond so you can decide what you want to buy. All diamonds are graded and all jewelers must mention grades when presenting a diamond especially in an engagement ring.

There are two ways to get an engagement ring; as a surprise and together with your partner. Whichever way you choose there is only one thing you need to ensure and that is that the engagement ring you choose is the ring your partner has always wanted, as she will be wearing it every single day for the rest of her life. Most couples try to discuss the engagement ring in one way or another because it is one of the most important pieces of jewelry that will be probably the most worn over the years and sometimes even passed on over generation. Many times the partner may need to make a special effort to find out precisely what his would be fiancée desires as an engagement ring by asking her friends and family or even her parents.

Some families pass on the engagement ring as a family heirloom, in which case you may not have a choice in design and style.

There are two things that you need to know from your fiancée to be before purchasing an engagement ring and they are: the setting she prefers and the shape and size of the gemstone.

You will be overwhelmed at the types of settings available for engagement rings; while the solitaires are still the most popular and common and increasing amount of women prefer to have something different and unique. An engagement ring must have a main larger center gemstone and the rest of the design and settings are up to your own imagination or you can follow the instructions your fiancée to be provided.

An essential and important thing you may want to ensure in the engagement ring setting is that the gemstone is firmly set in the prongs, as the ring will be worn on a daily basis by your fiancée and dragged through a variety of chores, which can damage or lose the gemstone if the setting is or can become loose.

Tradition is a repetition of a ritual and or ceremony, whether it is a wedding or an engagement therefore, it is identical. Due to the fact that we are unique, over the years we tried to add, implement and elaborate on a few traditional rituals and ceremonies such as weddings and/or engagement rings; here is how you too can do the same.

The diamond is the official stone for engagement rings but it is also true that many women, including some celebrities have adopted other gemstones instead of it for their engagement ring; you can do the same thing by creating your own engagement ring out of the gemstone you know your fiancée will like. It is important to be sure that your partner will be happy with another gemstone instead of a diamond on the engagement ring, as some women prefer the traditional engagement rings to the contemporary types.

A good gemstone to replace the diamond in an engagement ring is the birthstone of your fiancée; every month of the year has a gemstone allocated to it and every jewelry store has a chart in case you are not aware of your partner’s birth gemstone.

When you are on the market for an engagement ring the most important thing to do is research. Engagement rings turn out to be an investment, as they are often expensive. Before you part with your money and get the one piece of diamond jewelry that your partner will be wearing everyday of her life it is important to know a few facts.

Designer engagement rings are always more expensive because they offer you the quality that comes with their name as well as a lifetime guarantee. You will be able to find ready made engagement rings in almost every jewelry store or you can custom make one to match your requirements, special design and budget. If you have a family jeweler it is recommended you use them, as you will be assured of quality and service however, if you don’t it is essential you shop around both in retail stores and online in order to compare prices, quality and designs before you decide on the engagement ring for your partner.

Most women know what type of engagement rings they want so, all you have to do is find out from her family and friends or if you have discussed it with her you can research and shop together. Today many couples shop for the engagement ring together because it is one of the most important pieces of jewelry and it needs to be perfect.

Any jewelry store must provide you with a certificate of authenticity on purchase of an engagement ring or other jewelry item for that matter. On the certificate of authenticity you will find the type of gold used to make the rings expressed in karats (10K, 14K or 22K), the size and quality of the gemstone and more importantly the value of the ring. The certificate of authenticity is extremely important for insurance purposes but also for your piece of mind. Many engagement rings are personalized with engravings on the inside of the ring from the partner; you can engrave your name, the date or a personal message. Any jewelry store will be more then happy to oblige and engrave your personal note on the engagement ring for you.

Some prestigious jewelry stores, such as Diamonds International, will offer you a unique possibility to trade in your diamond for an upgrade; this offer is only valid on jewelry brought from them and if the gemstone is in perfect condition. Many women trade in the engagement ring diamond for a larger gemstone or an eternity band for a special anniversary such as the silver or gold when the times arrives.

The engagement ring is one of the most worn pieces of jewelry, sometimes even more so than the wedding band, as it is owned first and sometimes engagements can last a few years before the wedding occurs. Typically wedding bands do not have gemstones and therefore require less maintenance than an engagement ring. Diamond is the hardest of minerals; however, you still need to care and maintain it regularly in order for it to sparkle everyday. Dust and dirt accumulates in the settings of your engagement ring almost every minute of the day from all over whether you are indoors or outdoors, and even when you shower or apply cream on your body, if you are wearing your jewelry a film will be formed from the lotion and/or cream.

It is therefore highly recommended that you remove all jewelry when showering, washing dishes, cleaning the house and/or gardening. Many women have a replica of their engagement ring made out of non-precious materials and synthetic gemstones so they can wear it when traveling; that way they don’t have to worry about losing an expensive engagement ring. but at the same time they don’t have to go without the ring. You will be able to find replica engagements rings in custom jewelry stores especially if your engagement ring is from a designer house such as Tiffany or Cartier.

You can clean your engagement ring at home especially if you have a traditional solitaire engagement ring. Here is what you will need: warm water with mild soap, a soft toothbrush and a dry towel. Soak your diamond engagement ring in the warm water with mild soap for approximately 10 minutes, remove and brush it gently with the soft toothbrush, rinse well in cold water and pat dry. You can also clean your diamond jewelry with the cleaning solution available in jewelry shops; it is made with concentrate ammonia. Simply follow the instructions on the back of the bottle precisely and do not soak jewelry items that are contra indicated, such as pearls as you can damage them beyond repair.

Ultrasonic cleaning is also available in jewelry stores and they are the best way to get in all the corners and ensure that your ring is 100% clean; however, you must also always have the jeweler check the setting of the gemstones after the cleaning is complete because they tend to loosen up in the process.

The most romantic and cherished memory that both of you will have about the engagement ring will be the way you proposed to your partner, so try to make it as special as possible. Many women have specific fantasies on how they will be proposed and it is up to you to find out what is your partner secret desire and make it come true. There is no one best way to present an engagement ring or in other words to propose but one of the most popular and cherished ways will always remain to take her out for a intimate dinner, order champagne, kneel on one knee and utter the magic words while holding the engagement ring.