By Victor Haywood


=When shopping for an engagement ring (perhaps one of life's most important major purchases) there are a number of factors to consider. This handy guide should go some way towards helping you make an informed decision as we take you through the numerous options available and explain them in unpatronising detail. When selecting the diamond (or diamonds) for your engagement ring the major factors you'll need to take into account are the carat weight, colour, clarity, cut and shape of the diamond.

The carat refers to the diamonds weight and as a rule the higher the carat, the more expensive the diamond. Carats are graded with a point system, which matches 100 points to 1 carat so a 2-carat diamond would be 200 points and a half-carat diamond would be 50 points. The colour refers to how coloured the diamond is, with colourless diamonds fetching a far higher price than noticeably coloured ones. The clarity refers to how unspoiled and pure the diamond is with unblemished diamonds worth far more than diamonds with noticeable inclusions.

The cut and shape of the diamond might sound like they amount to the same thing but there is more to it than that. The cut refers to the size and angle relationships between the diamonds various facets as well as the finish, which determines not only how beautiful the diamond looks but also how well it refracts light. The shape meanwhile refers to the diamonds outward appearance and the options here are plentiful from classic 'round' diamonds to more extravagant 'princess' diamonds and 'heart' shaped diamonds that will really make your engagement ring stand out.

The style of the ring itself is also important and the 3 styles to chose from here are 'solitaire' (1 diamond set into a plain wedding band), 'trilogy' (3 diamonds set into a plain wedding band) and 'shoulder-set' (1 diamond set into a wedding band studded with lots of smaller diamonds). The shoulder set option might appear overly elaborate but it's perfect for those with deep pockets who want to make an impression.

Finally the way your diamond sets into your engagement ring needs to be considered with your options here being (mercifully) a little more limited. The basic 'claw' option refers to the fine metal clasps that hold the diamond into the ring and they come in 3, 4 or 6 claw options. The rub-over setting meanwhile sets the diamond into your engagement ring via a rim of fine protective metal that wraps around the stone. Other factors such as the type of metal used on the band (platinum, gold or palladium) also need to be taken into consideration but the diamond itself is of prime importance and with this guide you should have no difficulty in finding the right one for your fianc.




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