Purchasing an engagement ring is simply one of the best and most noteworthy investments in relationships. The way of shopping for an engagement ring changes as the current view of marriage changes.
Sixty-three percent of couples currently select an engagement ring together and even discuss their preferences and sizes ahead of time. Finding the perfect engagement ring becomes much less risky due to these discussions. For more information, find at intercontinentaljewelers.com.
This guide will give you everything you have to know to understand. You can select a ring that you will both love for so many years without getting overwhelmed by the details.
1. What’s the Symbolism of an Engagement?
The age-old Romans were actually the first people who used engagement rings. Engagement rings symbolize love, ownership, and obedience. Future brides were given rings to show that they were not available to suitors.
Roman women wore rings made of copper, bone, iron, and flint, though gold rings dated back to the Common Era have been discovered (CE). The Romans actually wore the ring on the left ring finger because they were convinced a vein was directly connected to the heart.
More luxurious engagement rings were meant to demonstrate the husband’s status and wealth status in the centuries that followed. Because a wife could not earn money, the ring depicted how much she could depend on her spouse for support financially. The engagement ring is now more focused on symbolizing commitment and love. Because rings are always circle in shape with no end or beginning, they represent two people’s never-ending love and affection.
You can wear your ring however you or your spouse feels most comfy. In most western cultures, an engagement ring is always worn on the left ring finger. Some cultures, however, believe that the left hand is not lucky. Therefore, the engagement ring is worn on the right hand ring finger.
2. Differences between A Wedding Ring and an Engagement Ring
Engagement rings and wedding rings both represent endless love. So, what distinguishes an engagement ring from a wedding ring? The distinction between a wedding ring and an engagement ring is when they are worn.
An engagement ring is traditionally given during marriage proposals or if couples decide to marry. It is typically worn both before and after a wedding. On the other hand, a wedding ring is exchanged in a wedding ceremony to symbolize establishing the bond of marriage. They are customarily worn as long as the couple remains married.
Engagement rings are typically more fancy and ornate compared to wedding rings. The wedding ring is frequently a simple band with no gemstones, diamonds, or ornamentation. Couples may purchase the engagement ring and wedding band together. This ensures that they are uniform and match perfectly, but it is not required.
The focus should be to purchase a ring only when you want to do so and feel it’s the appropriate time. Rather than one wedding ring, some couples may prefer to match wedding bands or stack rings to well complement the ring rather than just one wedding ring.
A different option is to perhaps forego the ring completely or simply wear it as the wedding ring. Both partners in some couples wear the ring. This all relies on how you want to express your love for one another.
3. Understand the 4Cs
If you’re looking for a diamond engagement ring, like most people, you’ll want to understand the 4Cs before buying your diamond. The four Cs are diamond-quality gradings. Here’s a quick rundown of the 4Cs:
- Cut: A measurement of how well a diamond is cut influences how well it captures light.
- Color: The degree to which a white diamond is colorless.
- Clarity: A diamond’s internal and external flawlessness is graded.
- Carat: A weight measurement that can help you determine the size of a diamond.
4. Budgeting For an Engagement Ring
It can be difficult to determine a budget for your engagement ring. The engagement ring price rule says you should spend 3 months’ salary on a ring — but such old sayings do not hold up anymore.
Instead, base your budget on the amount of money you are willing to spend and any particular preferences your spouse may have. The engagement ought to be a joyous occasion in which you anticipate marrying your lover. It is not the time to be concerned about how you will pay your bills next month since you felt compelled to spend over what you can afford.
5. Engagement Ring Setting
The setting is frequently mentioned when discussing the style of an engagement ring. However, the terms style and setting have different connotations. The setting refers to mounting the diamond into the body of the ring. Buyers like this distinction because a good setting should highlight the beauty of an engagement ring’s diamond. The stone should also be securely set in the metal and not chippable.
In a few ways, the setting of an engagement ring can significantly affect its actual value. The popularity of the setting, tiny diamonds, and the number of stones in a ring can all increase or decrease its market value. The size and characteristics of the center stone in your engagement ring, on the other hand, will have a much more significant impact on its price.
Engagement ring settings are available in a variety of precious metals. Furthermore, the same setting style can frequently be made in different precious metals. Platinum, white, yellow, and rose gold are engagement rings’ most popular precious metals. The precious metal you choose will influence the style of your ring and how much maintenance it will require. Be sure to keep this in mind while shopping for your ring.
6. Warranties and jewelry insurance are not the same things
People frequently confuse warranties with jewelry insurance when the two are quite different. In general, warranties protect you from manufacturing defects on your ring, ensuring it always looks brand new. In contrast, jewelry insurance will protect you from accidental theft or loss.