How to Choose a Stone for Your Engagement Ring

Getting engaged is the first step toward a lifetime of happiness together, meaning that a lot of pressure is put on purchasing an engagement ring. The good news is, there are no rules, so long as you choose a ring with your spouse-to-be in mind, taking into account any hints you’ve been given and what their typical jewelry style is, you’re all set!

One of the most important, yet most challenging parts of buying an engagement ring is choosing the stone(s) for the ring. We’ve broken down what details to keep in mind when purchasing a stone so you can focus on what’s really important, getting engaged!

Diamonds – If you’re opting for a classic look, you can’t go wrong with a diamond. When shopping for a diamond, what you’ve heard is true, the 4Cs are the key to purchasing the right one for your ring (cut, clarity, color, carat). First, decide, how many carats you want the ring to be (be sure to set a budget before shopping so you have a price point in mind for what size stones you are looking at).

Once you have chosen a total weight, decide how you want the carat weight of the ring to be broken down. Do you want one stone, a center stone surrounded by a halo (or two) of small diamonds, or maybe just two to three diamonds of equal size?

After you have chosen the carat weight of your ring, the next option is deciding the color of the stone(s). Does the ideal ring have a colored center, a colorless center with a colored halo, vice versa? Diamond colors are measured on the GIA Diamond Color Scale ranging from D (colorless) to Z (light yellow or brown tint). Colorless diamonds go better in white gold or platinum settings as yellow gold would reflect, making the diamond look yellowed. If colored diamonds are what you are looking for, yellow and “chocolate” diamonds are available options.

A diamond’s physical appearance is also impacted by clarity, which refers to the visual appearance of internal characteristics (inclusions) and external characteristics (blemishes) of the diamond. Clarity is measured on the GIA Diamond Clarity scale ranging from Flawless to Included (I1, I2, and I3) meaning that inclusions are obvious under 10x magnification.

Each diamond you choose for the ring has its own cut. Simply put, the cut refers to the shape and number of sides the diamond has. Cuts include round, oval, pear-shaped, princess-cut, and others. The shape will affect how the stone(s) are set on the band.

Lab-grown diamonds – Whether you’re looking for a more cost effective diamond or want an ethically sourced option, a lab-grown stone is a great choice for you. The best lab-grown diamonds are indistinguishable to the naked eye, and often hard for jewelers to differentiate from mined diamonds.

These diamonds are not like cubic zirconia or moissanite as they do not wear down or lose shine over time. Lab-grown diamonds are taken care of just like mined diamonds, and will wear the same way for just as long if treated properly.

Gemstone – Diamonds are not a requirement for engagement rings. In fact, engagement rings look just as beautiful with other gemstones, and there are plenty of other stones to choose from, such as emeralds or rubies. Gems make an excellent center stone or colored accent stones to surround a center diamond. If you know that she wants a spin on tradition, a gemstone ring is the way to go. It still creates a classy, elegant ring with a change of color and different look.

Article Written by Emily Rochotte