Giving a diamond is a way of expressing your deepest feelings.
But, what ring will knock her over?
What ring will make her drop in worship of you?
What size, shape, and setting will be exactly what she's been dreaming of?
Choosing the right diamond and a setting requires care, consideration, and the confidence that you know what to look for in a gemstone and how much you should pay.
Here are some thought starters to make sure you dazzle her with your diamond selection, and not break the bank doing it.
Consider her other jewelry.
Every woman wants her diamond ring or diamond jewelry to stand out and also to complement her other jewelry.
Does she prefer contemporary pieces or is her jewelry more traditional in style?
Round diamonds are the most traditional choice, emerald cuts are considered very elegant; whereas princess, pear and marquise have a more modern look to them.
It's best to ask one of our Fey sales professionals to point out the more classic settings versus those that are contemporary. If you're feeling creative, you can also design a setting of your own and ask us to create it for you.
When you're choosing a setting ask yourself these questions:Does she usually wear silver jewelry (in which case she'd probably prefer a white gold or platinum setting) or is yellow gold the precious metal of her choice?
Trying on various diamonds in different settings is, of course the best way to see what appeals most and looks most beautiful on her hand, but if that's not your desire, listen for hints.
Does she ever comment on diamonds she sees in magazines or engagement rings her friends wear? If not, you might ask her close friends or family members (if they can keep a secret) to help you make the choice.
Do you know her ring size?
Ask her family or friends. Another trick is to make an imprint in a bar of soap using one of her rings. Then bring the soap to us. We can measure it and determine what size you should buy.
Is your bride-to-be very independent?
She may accept whichever diamond and setting you choose with utter delight, but indicate to you a few days later that perhaps a different setting would make it even better.
If that's the case, no need for suicidal tendencies!
Remember, the most important thing is that she said “yes,” that you want her to be thrilled for life with her diamond.
This is why it's so important to buy your ring from a fine local jeweler, like Fey & Co.
It will be easier for us to make adjustments than if you deal with a faceless online diamond seller.
Think about the various diamond shapes and settings.
A common mistake people make is to think that the shape of a diamond is the cut. It's an easy mistake to make since you hear the term Emerald cut diamonds or Princess cut diamonds, but those are actually diamond shapes. Cut is really the craftsmanship applied in cutting and polishing the facets of a diamond. A good cut is also called a good “make” in the diamond trade.
The choices in diamond shapes and settings may seem overwhelming at first, but there are ways to narrow the field immediately. Diamonds come in a variety of beautiful shapes – round, princess, marquise, oval, Asscher, cushion, and heart, to name the most popular. Learn and see more about diamond shapes...
But remember, a diamond that catches your eye in the jewelry case may not be flattering on her hand. For example, on a small, delicate hand, a round diamond may look more beautiful than a marquise that covers more of her finger.
If the size of the diamond makes a difference, then you may prefer a shape that reveals more surface area than depth to maximize the appearance of size, such as a marquise or an emerald shape.
Hint - You may want to check out our Opus Masterwork Diamond, the newest fire-starter in our Masterwork Diamond collection and is exclusive to Fey. It marries the perfect balance of incomparable brilliance and beauty, with a difference you (and she) can see. It’s a great place to start your comparison shopping.
How much should you spend on a diamond? What you can afford.
We get asked this question quite a bit, and believe it or not we tell our friends not go crazy with the amount you spend on an engagement ring or diamond gift.
We know you feel a lot of pressure to propose or give a gift with a huge diamond in it. Just know, you can get a diamond that will excite her, her family, and her friends no matter how much money you have to spend.
Keep in mind that it's the love and commitment a diamond stands for – not the size or cost of the stone – that's most important to the woman you're marrying or have been spending your life with.
Start by setting a budget that you're comfortable with and then go about selecting the highest quality diamond you can find within your budget. (Starting a marriage in debt is never a good idea.)
If you're buying a diamond engagement ring , the commonly accepted guideline for purchasing diamonds is two months' salary . That figure may or many not work for you, but it is a good place to start.