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

Substitute Diamonds: Moissanite or Cubic Zirconia?

Though most people immediately think of diamonds when they think of engagement rings, there are several substitute options like Moissanite or Cubic Zirconia that are just as visually stunning but won’t break your bank. Though the word “fake” often carries along a stigma that leaves a bad taste in the mouth, buying fake engagement rings is becoming more common because it is only the stones that are not real and they look the same as real diamonds but only cost a fraction of the price. Most commonly, your substitute diamonds will be one of two man-made stones; Moissanite or Cubic Zirconia. There are a few differences between these stones and, if you’re in the market, it is important to understand that advantages and disadvantages of each one.

Moissanite as a Diamond Substitute

Though Moissanite is not actually a man-made stone, many people still place it in the “fake” stone category. In reality, it is a rare mineral and its uses date back to the early twentieth century. However, genuine Moissanite is so rare that it is almost exclusively lab-created to fulfill the demands the jewelry industry has placed on manufacturers. Discovered by Henri Moissan around 1900 AD, Moissanite is a mineral that is comprised of silicon carbide. Because of the durable structure containing crystalline polymorphs and it’s completely clear appearance, it is one of the most common synthetic stones produced today and shows up in jewelry designs of nearly every price level.

Furthermore, Moissanite has one of the most brilliant synthetic stones on the market, which makes it one of the most appropriate diamond substitutes available. Registering at 9.25 on the Mohs scale, it is one of the hardest stones available compared to diamonds (10 on the Mohs scale) eclipsing precious stones such as rubies, sapphires, and tanzanite which clock in at a mere 9.0 on the same scale. Some people also believe that Moissanite is a better choice over Cubic Zirconia because it has inclusions instead of being flawless; making it more like a genuine diamond.

Cubic Zirconia as a Diamond Substitute

Probably the best known diamond substitute in the world is Cubic Zirconia, and this is primarily because they are much cheaper than their Moissanite competition. Cubic Zirconia was first introduced in 1974 when manufacturers first started commercial production and they have become increasingly common ever since their inception. Like real diamonds, Cubic Zirconia stones are always cut by individually; but they are also 100% man-made and manufactured to be completely flawless which is virtually impossible in a naturally formed real diamond.

Additionally, Cubic Zirconia stones are not as hard as Moissanite stones and register at 9.0 on the Mohs scale. Also, because they are machine cut rather than cut by hand they tend to be more fragile and are susceptible to having cracks as part of the manufacturing process. However, if you are looking for the best looking ring for your money, many people opt for Cubic Zirconia versus Moissanite because it is much less expensive and there are more options in an affordable price range.

Though the two stones are very similar in appearance, the decision of which to buy comes down to the factors that are most important to you as a consumer. If you want a stone that will be closer in appearance and quality to a real diamond, then you want to go with Moissanite. If price is your primary factor, Cubic Zirconia is the better option because it is the most affordable. Regardless of which stone you choose to purchase, buying substitute diamonds is a great way to save money while still getting all the visual beauty of a genuine diamond.