The truth about buying an engagement ring

Getting engaged is one of the most exciting times in a couple’s life. The stars have aligned, you are sure he or she is the one, there’s a yes answer in your future but first thing’s first: The Ring. There is no doubt that you will get advice from anyone who has ever purchased a diamond ring, but rest assured that everyone has their own unique buying experience and we are here to clear up some common misconceptions and help you to make a sound and solid decision.

MYTH: Go Big or Go Home

Truth: When it comes to diamonds, bigger doesn’t always mean better.  When dealing with diamonds, it is most important to take into account the 4 Cs and not the measurement of the stone. The 4Cs represent the four main components of a diamond: Cut, Clarity, Color and Carat. The key is finding the right balance between these four elements so as to find the right stone to suit your personal checklist. Here’s a brief rundown.
Diamond Cut specifically refers to the quality of a diamond’s angles, proportions, symmetrical facets, brilliance, fire, scintillation and finishing details. These factors directly impact a diamond’s ability to sparkle, along with its overall aesthetic appeal. Because the Cut is so important to the fundamental beauty of the diamond, it should be one of the focal points of your selection. You can have a beautifully cut ½ carat diamond that sparkles or for the same price, a slightly larger one that isn’t cut well and appears duller. 
The Clarity refers to how clean the diamond is from blemishes and inclusions and is graded on its own scale as well. These imperfections can interfere with how the light passes through the diamond and can take away from a higher quality cut. The Color is determined by how white or colorless the diamond is. The pricing of diamonds usually reflects this scale but it’s important to remember that it is the cut that will determine the brilliance and not the colour. Carat refers to the weight of the diamond, not how large the stone is. While Carat weight is definitely something to consider, the overall appearance and brilliance should carry more importance. For example, a mediocre 2 Carat diamond will not shine as brightly—or draw as much attention—as a stunning 1.5 Carat diamond, no matter how much more it weighs.

MYTH: Stash Three Month’s Salary 

Probably the most popular misconception of buying a diamond engagement ring is the three month’s of salary at a minimum to buy a ring. This is a very outdated theory which may have rang true many years ago when there were very few diamond dealers. In today’s modern environment, not only has technology improved jeweller’s craftmanship, there are many diamond wholesalers and skilled jewellers that are able to take into account your unique budget and deliver a ring that meets realistic expectations. 

MYTH: Buying The Ring is a One Man Job

In the traditional sense of buying a ring for an engagement, it was always one partner who set out to choose the style and make the purchase but in this case, old traditions have left the Diamond District. In fact, it is not only more romantic but shopping for a ring together has many advantages. With such an important “forever” purchase at hand, it makes sense to go through this journey together and shop around for a style that not only suits the budget at hand, but suits the hand that will be wearing it.  It also gives a couple opportunities to explore their budget and set expectations for future expenses that go along with a new engagement. 

And just because the ring was chosen together, there is no reason why a sweet engagement surprise can’t be arranged!

MYTH: Tiffany or Bust

Decades of women have dreamed of the classic wedding complete with the traditional “Tiffany” style single solitaire set in white gold (or platinum) but like fashion, jewelry and engagement rings evolve with the times and there are so many different styles and metals to choose from. 

While there are definitely advantages to choose a platinum band over gold, personal taste and style has to rule here and not only yellow gold, but rose gold is on major trend right now. As well, there is no written rule that an engagement ring has to be a single solitare diamond. There are so many styles to choose from that include multiple stone settings, halo rings and side stone styles that makes ring shopping that much more fun. 

With the exciting moment in your near future, it is always best to do your research.  With so much information out there, it is our job to help guide you and here at IMFJ, we want your final answer to be yes. Your lifestyle and preferences, along with our expert advice will definitely guide you in choosing the right ring for your special loved one.