Diamond Ring Guide
Although many people’s minds leap to engagements and weddings when they think of rings, this versatile jewelry piece has been used throughout history as a means of identification, to carry a family crest or seal or to denote love and respect. The perfect circle of a ring symbolizes the eternity of life and the cycles of the Earth, making it an ideal presentation for special life occasions.
Women’s Wedding Rings
Platinum, white, and yellow gold wedding rings traditionally complement engagement rings. Couples often coordinate their rings. Brides may opt for lavish designs featuring diamonds or both diamonds and gemstones. Eternity bands have stones encircling the ring or set in unique patterns. These also make great anniversary gifts. Selecting high-quality stones, considering size, cut, color, and clarity, is crucial for your ring's appearance and durability.
Men’s Wedding Rings
Men's rings complete vows in a wedding ceremony and symbolize a commitment. Traditionally thicker, they come in various styles like simple platinum, yellow gold, or white gold bands, often matching the bride's ring. They can feature diamonds, gemstones, or textured designs. Alternative metals like palladium, titanium, tungsten, and stainless steel are gaining favor too.
Diamond Engagement Rings
An engagement ring is a symbol of a couple’s intent to marry. Almost always given during the marriage proposal, the engagement ring is usually selected by the groom, often with help from the mother, sister or friend of his future bride. Once a couple is engaged, the woman wears the engagement ring as a token of her devotion to her fiancé.
Solitaire Engagement Rings
The most popular style for engagement rings is a classic setting of gold or platinum with a single or “solitaire” diamond taking center stage. The solitaire diamond is a timeless symbol of fidelity and commitment. This simple ring can make an elegant or dramatic statement depending on the size and cut of the diamond and the style of setting selected.
Side Stone Rings
A diamond setting with additional side stones is another popular style for engagement rings. This striking setting features a larger center stone, usually a diamond, flanked by complementary diamonds or gemstones.
Matching Diamond Ring Sets
Matching engagement and wedding ring sets ensure a harmonious style for brides. The wedding ring typically fits below the diamond engagement ring, preventing clashes. After the wedding, consider welding them together to prevent rotation and friction, especially in softer, high-carat gold rings.
Alternative Engagement Rings
Diamonds are the most popular adornment for wedding and engagement rings, but they are by no means the only option. Many people choose a more unusual gemstone for their engagement ring, such as a ruby, aquamarine, sapphire, pearl or even a semi-precious stone like amethyst quartz or the diamond look-a-likes cubic zirconium or moissanite.
Gemstone Center Stones
Consider emeralds, rubies, or other center stones as refreshing diamond alternatives for a distinctive engagement ring. Popular ring options include blue sapphires (symbolizing faithfulness), emeralds (representing peace, hope, and revival), and rubies (signifying passion, love, and glamour). Pearls evoke elegance and purity in antique-style jewelry and engagement rings. These gemstones are often paired with the same settings and metals as diamond rings.