Getting engaged is such a special milestone for every couple – and a moment that’s typically celebrated with a diamond engagement ring. At Blue Diamond Jeweler, our goal is to help you create the perfect engagement ring. A ring that’s been designed to represent your unique love and taste, at a price point that works for your budget.
Whether you’re just starting the engagement ring purchase process or have struggled to find a piece that you really connect with, keep reading to see how we work with our clients to create a truly perfect engagement ring.
STEP 1 | Choose the Diamond
Choosing the diamond is the first and most important step in the engagement ring designing process. At Blue Diamond Jeweler, we believe that finding the perfect stone should be an organic process, and one that’s void of any outside propaganda, conditioning, or preconceived notions.
COMPARE & CONTRAST
We begin this process by showing the couple or the individual a flight of stones, either in their desired shape or in various cuts and sizes for comparison. One by one we eliminate stones that don’t seem quite right, until we find a stone that truly invokes a sentimental response.
FIND A CONNECTION
UNDERSTAND THE DETAILS
Once a gemstone has emerged as a favorite, we’ll give you a diamond 101 type education and go over the GIA’s 4C’s of diamond quality. The GIA grades diamonds based on the following categories:
- Cut - The diamond cut is determined by the diamond’s proportions, its finish and how it’s been polished. Things to consider in the cut of the diamond is how well the stone is proportioned and if it appears symmetrical. The cut is different from the diamond’s shape (which can be described as oval, round, pear, emerald, princess, etc.). The cut quality is determined by the different cuts and shapes you see on the face of the diamond, which affects the diamond’s fire, beauty and brilliance.
- Clarity - The clarity describes the diamond’s clearness and purity. A grade is assigned to each stone, with the letter “F” standing for flawless and the letter “I” for inclusions. You can find diamonds at various grades between “F” and “I” – however, it’s important to keep in mind that there are very few entirely flawless diamonds in the world, and diamonds that are classified as “flawless” are incredibly expensive. Therefore, most diamond buyers will purchase stones that have inclusions, as long as they are not visible to the naked eye.
- Color - Diamonds can range in color from white to yellow. Each diamond will receive a grade for the amount of color the stone contains. Most clients are looking for diamonds that are colorless or nearly colorless. Based on your preference on color, we will help select a stone that represents that value for you.
- Carat - The carat is measured by the weight of the stone. The higher the carat, the more expensive the diamond can be (although, the other grades assigned to the stone can greatly influence its price as well).
TYPES OF DIAMONDS
- Earth mined diamonds are diamonds that occur naturally. These diamonds are mined from the earth and are created from carbon that has crystallized under the extreme heat and pressure that occurs deep in our earth’s crust. Because natural diamonds are difficult to mine, and take about 3.3 billion years in the making, these types of diamonds will always maintain their resale value.
- Lab grown diamonds or lab created diamonds, are diamonds that have been cultivated in a lab by scientists. These are not created in the earth’s crust like natural diamonds, though they share the same chemical properties as natural diamonds.
- Moissanite stones are diamonds that are made of silicon carbide. These stones have a similar appearance to diamonds but are not considered “real” diamonds. These stones are the hardest gemstone you can purchase — second to diamonds — and they have even higher refractive indexes than diamonds, which means they capture light better.
STEP 2 | Choose the Setting
When it comes to choosing the setting, it’s important to think of the ring wearer’s personal style. At Blue Diamond Jeweler, we carry a variety styles and can create a custom setting right from your imagination. From classic designs to more artistic ones, there are a lot of options to choose from. Some of the setting styles are categorized as the following:
- Cut - This setting is traditional and elegant. It showcases the center stone without any other distraction. Typically, these settings are done with a simple metal band, but you can also add a row of diamonds to the band for a little more sparkle.
- Halo - If you’re looking for an added touch of glamour, halo engagement settings add a circle of diamonds around the center stone. These stones add a bit more shine, while also making the center diamond appear larger.
- Vintage - If you’re looking for a ring with a little more romance or a vintage flair, consider a setting with delicate details such as filigree or scrollwork patterns.
- Modern - If your partner is into modern and more fashion-forward designs, look for sculptural rings. These rings experiment with non-traditional structures, sometimes forgoing the center stone all together.
- Nature - If your significant other is a lover of nature, look for a setting that uses elements of foliage in the design, mimicking leaves, vines and blooms in the band.
STEP 3 | Choose the Metal
When it comes to choosing the precious metal there are a lot of great options. Platinum, white gold, rose gold and yellow gold are the most popular choices for engagement rings. Keep in mind there are different price points and benefits of each.
Other things to consider are the skin tone of your partner, since some tones pair slightly better with specific metals, and, depending on the color and clarity of the diamond, it may sparkle more with a darker or a lighter metal.
But, above all else, when it comes to picking the metal for the engagement ring, think about your loved one’s style and try to choose a color and type of metal that complements your partner’s preferences.
- Platinum is the most expensive of the precious metals because of its lustrous silvery-white appearance, hypoallergenic status, and low-maintenance demands. It doesn’t corrode or tarnish.
- White gold has a similar appearance as platinum and has a lower price-point. It does require some maintenance and must be re-plated to maintain its color.
- Rose gold and yellow gold are also at the same price point as platinum, and do not require extra maintenance to preserve their appearance.
STEP 4 | Find the ring size
There are a couple options for finding the right ring size for your partner:
You can bring in a piece of jewelry she already wears, or we can use a ring sizer to measure. While our fingers fluctuate in size throughout the day due to changes in temperature and water weight, the best time to measure your finger is at the end of the day.
If you don’t know your partner’s ring size, you can always go with a standard size and get it resized later on. For women, the average ring size is 6 to 6.5 and for men it’s 9 to 10.
Key Takeaways
In summary, creating the perfect engagement ring is a process that shouldn’t be rushed or taken lightly. Aside from the wedding bands, this ring is one of the most sentimental pieces of jewelry you will ever purchase. It’s a symbol of your relationship, your love and your commitment to one another.
When you shop with Blue Diamond Jeweler, our goal is to create a memorable and personalized experience for every client – one that symbolizes the love of the couple. From our organic approach to choosing a diamond, to providing guidance and education about each stone, to the custom design and creation, we want you to walk away with your dream ring – it’s an experience that can’t be replicated online.
Our client relationships are built on trust. We want every client who walks through our doors to feel comfortable and welcomed, with the assurance that we’re here to help you find or create a piece that epitomizes your unique and one-of-a-kind love.