There are so many different types of engagement rings to choose from–from ever-classic solitaire engagement rings to elaborate mulit-gemstones–making it hard for those looking to purchase one for their loved ones more than a bit difficult. Considering much of the hype over quality, look, feel, and then some, it’s often no surprise that potential proposers struggle now and then with finding a piece that their partner will cherish for years to come.

A little bit of investigative work, when it comes to the personal preference of the person you are getting the ring for, can truly make searching for the right ring a smoother process. If your partner is a bit closed-mouth about the type of rings or style of jewelry they prefer, then some suggest asking a friend or relative of theirs that you can truly trust to keep the secret, asking if they can casually find out for you.

If there is no one available to help in the guesswork of finding out a partner’s style preference, then another option that one can do is to check out the jewelry that the other person already has. The chances are good that if they have simple-styled jewelry, that the same will likely be for their desired engagement ring, and vice versa. For example, if you note princess-cut gemstone rings within their jewelry collection, then it may be a safe bet to consider princess cut engagement rings.

There are many different types of shapes when it comes to an engagement ring’s stone choices, often making it the hardest of choices one will face, and it also happens to be likely the most significant thing to sort style-wise, as everyone’s taste will vary. Cuts such as square-shaped, emerald, oval, heart, asscher, pear-shaped, radiant, the classic round-cut and oval are generally the most well-known and popular options available.

When in doubt of what type of shape to get, the princess-cut and round-cut stones are often the most popular choices, as they generally do not cover the finger, to help prevent catching or snagging of things, and offer a timeless sense of style. Round-shaped stones are generally well-suited for those with smaller hands, while princes or square-cut settings often complement larger hands quite nicely.

A ring’s type often entails the type of metals that are involved with the band of the ring, such as silver, white or yellow gold, two-tone, or platinum. Gauging the type of jewelry that the person wear on an average basis is often a good method for determining their preference, as well as taking not of household items within their living item that are metal-based. When all else fails, the most popular and all-around favored metal is often platinum or white gold.

The style of a ring’s band is also something buyers may want to think about, as there are many different types to choose from when regarding the width and design. A good rule of thumb is to take the basic jewelry style of the wearer into consideration, as well as thinking about the overall sense of taste and personality. For instance, a more modern-style person may enjoy something that is simple and elegant. For those who enjoy old-time style or that of vintage, choosing an antique engagement ring may be something that’s right up their alley.

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The most exciting time for new couples is the prospective engagement and the planning of a wedding. It takes time to find that special someone and when you do you want the physical representation of your engagement to be as perfect as you are to each other. Here are some tips for choosing the right engagement ring.

One option that many women go for is to choose the ring first. Although this takes a lot of the mystery out of the proposal it can be something that many brides to be will want to personally select. This avoids the problem of worrying about sizing and having to return a ring that isn’t quite the right shape.

Solitaire engagement rings are popular choices and have a timeless quality making them highly sought after. They can make a bold and dramatic impact depending on the size of diamond. Smaller stones can look elegant and understated.

Another option with this kind of ring is that you can create it as you go. You can personally choose the size of diamond, decide how you would like the stone to be set and choose any designs such as celtic patterns or smaller encrusted diamonds which you may want to include.

Engagement rings come in a host of styles. They can be set within gemstones, positioned at angles and come in different shapes, one of which is the square cut diamond, a popular and contemporary choice.

The antique engagement ring is a beautiful way of preserving the past and buying a special vintage piece for your fiance. These rings can be from all decades depending on which you are most attracted to and the prices can be competitive with more modern pieces. These unique pieces are more likely to be one of a kind and this may be more significant for you.

Antique engagement rings come in an eclectic mix and you could even share a family gem with your new bride which would be unique and special and crystallize the commitment you are making. They can come as a single diamond or encased with sapphires and emeralds.

These are some tips on selecting the right ring, but whether you go vintage or modern you should decide what will work best for your wife to be. Good luck with the selection and congratulations.

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The giving or receiving of a ring upon becoming betrothed goes back to the most ancient civilizations. However, these were usually just a simple band of metal rather than the elaborate gems modern brides consider today. The oldest known diamond rings was bestowed in 1477 by the Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian to his fiancee, Mary of Burgundy. Diamonds were then very rare and only the richest could afford them. But during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, the supply increased dramatically. Average income also increased during the Industrial Revolution. The combination of the two factors allowed diamonds to be purchased by more people.

Most couples select solitaire engagement rings. These feature one single diamond, which can be set in a variety of mounts. Although technically a solitaire can be any cut, the stones are normally round. Many feel that this cut showcases the sparkle of the diamond.

A popular variation on the solitaire is the trilogy ring. This style has a large center stone with two smaller stones flanking it. These are normally all diamonds, but in recent times there have been many variations. Sometimes the center stone is a ruby, sapphire, or emerald. The bride’s birthstone is also sometimes used.

Many modern brides long for an antique engagement ring. Since they only have to be more than 50 years old to qualify, the majority are diamond rings quite similar to modern ones. However, during the twenties and thirties, the art deco movement led to the design of some novel mounts and the use of colorful stones. Rings that are older than a century or so may not even have any diamonds at all, especially those that date back to the 1600s and earlier. Most of the rings of this age use other gems, and many also have very elaborate mountings.

Princess cut engagement rings have been gaining in popularity in recent years. These diamonds are cut into a square shape and have a flat top. They are sometimes mounted flush with the band, but the typical mount places the prongs at the corners of the stone.

Emerald cut stones are rectangular in shape. Typically they have facets along each side and a top that is flat. The marquis stone is fairly round, but it will taper into a point at each end. Pear shaped cuts are rounded at one end and sharply pointed on the other end. They are more often made into pendants, earrings, or set among additional stones since their shape is not considered an attractive solitaire.

Many of the modern conceptions regarding diamonds are due to promotional campaigns by major jewelers. One such example is the rule of thumb suggesting a groom buy a ring priced at 2-3 months’ salary. This was not known until a jeweler launched a marketing campaign to encourage spending. Regardless, diamonds are still the most popular choice for engagement rings, although mountings, size, and cut can vary. Today, diamonds are more affordable, plentiful, and varied, allowing virtually any bride to sport a diamond on her hand.

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After all the intense preparation and emotions which go with arranging a wedding and finally getting through the event, you are now able to take a break and be together without being the center of a whirlwind and attention. The time from the gift of an engagement ring to the exchange of wedding rings is a trying and stressful time. The honeymoon is considered the reward for withstanding the trails and tribulations of a wedding; once you’ve married and gone through the ceremony, you will under that though is is “Your Special Day”, in practice it is anything but!

The word “honeymoon” comes from the Vikings and their practice of the newlyweds disappearing off to a cave or hut and staying there, undisturbed, for one lunar cycle of the moon (this is about one calendar month). The premise was that after the extended “vacation” the newlyweds would be expecting a child and given the energy levels required, honey formed a staple part of their diet – hence, “honeymoon”.

Now honeymoons are not without incident, some humorous and some not so funny, but nevertheless it is the matrimonial start of your life together and you’ll have to deal with it, as with everything else in your lives from now on – together!

After an enormous wedding that kept them on their feet all day, one couple honeymooned in Las Vegas. The wedding went without a hitch, but because they were both so very busy they didn’t get a chance to eat anything at the reception and so it came to pass, that the very first meal they had as a married couple was in a KFC just off the strip.

Another couple finally made it from the wedding reception and were on the way to the airport. Nothing to worry about, they were there in good time and all ready for a spot of relaxation after the intense activity of the day until it came time to go through security. It was only then that the groom realized that he didn’t have his passport – from now on his wife knows better than to trust him with this kind of stuff!

One 82 year old lady recalled her wedding night 61 years previously. It was a different time and there was no “hanky panky” before marriage, so it was with some apprehension that alone with her husband at last they went to bed. As her new husband stepped from the bathroom, she burst into uncontrollable giggles at the sight of the Pooh Bear and Friend PJs his mother had packed for him. Something he had to grow out of very rapidly thereafter!

Finally, on a more sober note, a bride recalls how during the wedding reception a messenger arrived. Her husband was in the military and the country was at war; the messenger was not bearing good news – the groom was given 24 hours to report to base on the other side of the country.

In World War 2, this was common enough for thousands of newlyweds but in 2003 these newlyweds found that it still happens. She remembers how they spent the night on the road back to Fort Benning, Georgia and the first year of their marriage was spent apart. Today, they have three children and she recalls it was the most intimate night she had ever had with her husband because all they did was hold hands and talk through the miles.

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One man related the tale of how he proposed on Christmas Day and arranged the marriage for New Years Day – “How romantic!”, you hear people claim, but the real reason was because he had a terrible memory for dates and was already in annual trouble for forgetting his other half’s birthday. Not wishing to forget their wedding anniversary, he made sure it was held on a memorable date so he’d never forget!

Perhaps this is one reason why Christmas and New Year proposals and wedding dates are so popular today. The romanticism of New Year’s is obvious with the clock winding down for midnight and emotions and expectations running so high for the New Year. Christmas is a perfect playing field ripe for opportunists launching a romantic ambush - just look at all the mistletoe.

That being said, your imagnination is a vital component of any relationship - especially marriage! It pays to exercise some creativity when you are considering a proposal because not only do you want it to be memorable for both of you, but you also want to stand out from the crowd.

Everyone gets swept away in Yuletide spirits which leaves the rest of the year open for more unique, potentially more special events. Using other dates to propose, wed or celebrate also makes life much less expensive; it stands to plain reason that you will be able to hire a venue at much reduced rates outside of December when company and family parties are booking everything hotel, restaurant and club in sight which raises the price. The same can be said for any other marriage related activity as it is one of the most busy times of the year all round.

Thanksgiving is soon to be upon us and is a time when most American families get together; indeed, many families only get together in such an intimate fashion at this time of year with other, extended family commitments pulling many people away from their own blood relations. If you want to propose in front of the whole family, this is one of the best times to get down on one knee, or even go ahead and get married.

More venues will be open and more caterers will be available, which will give you a wider choice and likely a lower cost. As you are booking outside of the busy December period you can expect to get much more for your wedding budget. Thanksgiving is a popular American holiday but it does not dominate the year the way Christmas and New Years does. Planning your wedding or engagement celebration at this time of the year means it is unlikely to get lost in the whirl of social calendar events that are marked in all over December for most people.

There is also the simple reality that for many people, Christmas and New Years is a time when they want to be with their family, especially if they have children. When you plan a major event (like a wedding) in an already busy holiday season might mean that not everyone can attend. Thanksgiving gives as many people as possible the opportunity for them to attend without the sacrifice but with the cost savings you are likely to benefit from, you will have the budget to cater for them too.

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Lawrence Reaves, writing about wedding rings, diamond rings and other fine jewelry. Danforth Diamond provides wisdom and advice to help you choose the right ring at the right price. Visit DanforthDiamond.com or call 877.404.RING

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If you are looking for something different and beautiful when shopping for engagement rings then Asscher cut engagement rings is a cut you may want to consider. Many people probably don’t even know what an Asscher cut is, but once they see an example of Asscher cut engagement rings they may be surprised at how much they like it.

There are many different cuts for diamonds. Emerald, round, princess and oval are a few of the more commonly known cuts. The Asscher cut was created by brothers who lived in Holland in 1902. The Asscher cut shape is actually somewhat like an octagon. Really it is a square with very trimmed corners. Jewelers may also refer to this as a modified cushion cut diamond. Within the stones cut there are many different steps so that there is actually a mirror effect within the stone itself. These cuts are what give this stone its multi-dimensional look.

Paying close attention to the type of stone you are purchasing is very important when buying Asscher cut engagement rings due to the increased dimensions of the stone. Due to the large number of facets, any imperfections you stone has will be more visable. Additionally, color is very important in Asscher cut engagement rings. Keeping in mind the cost element, the near to colourless your stone can be the better. When shopping for your diamond you will want to think about size too. Asscher cuts are best at around 1 to 1.5 carats although it is possible to get stones that range from a third of a carat to over 3 carats. The most important thing to check when purchasing your diamond is that it is registered with the Gemological Institute of America or the High Council for Diamonds. The Asscher cut patent is upheld by these two governing bodes who oversee the certification of all Asscher cut diamonds.

Having found the perfect stone you then need to turn your attention to the setting. Many Asscher cut engagement rings use the four-prong setting. This setting is popular due to the increased hight for your gemstone allowing more light to get to the stone therefore creating a more brilliant effect. However, that is not the only way that you can find Asscher cut engagement rings. Vintage styles are also very popular, and they quite often feature pave cut diamonds surrounding the center stone. Accentuating the distinctive beauty of the Asscher cut center stone using other accent stones is also are popular choice of setting.

As important purchases go, an engagement ring is probably one of the most important you will ever make. Investment wise Asscher cut engagement rings are great and they have a timeless, classical feel that will never go out of fashion. Your partner will definitely be delighted when you propose with a stunning Asscher cut diamond which will really show how much she means to you.

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These days there are new additions to the old traditions about marriage. These days more and more women are the ones proposing. To help women make this proposal special there are now several styles of men’s engagement rings available. Since this trend is fairly new there is not as large a selection as you can find when looking for women’s engagement rings.
 
 There are, however, many stylish options for men’s rings. Most of the time men will prefer a simple ring. There are many classy diamond engagement rings available for men which feature simple designs in white gold, yellow gold, or gold. Many men really like a simple engagement ring from either titanium or gold. These rings are simple buy stylish.
 
 While they may be light they are also very strong. You want this ring to last forever so only buy one made from the best possible materials. You will get flawless quality from stones that have been precision cut by machine. It pays to purchase your men’s engagement ring from a quality retailer you can depend on. You want a ring that can be worn and cherished for all the years to come. You can find men’s engagement rings at many different retailers.
 
 Browsing online is a great way to look at the styles and designs of engagement rings on sale. If you decide to purchase your ring online be familiar with the stores return policy. If the store will not stand behind its product you may want to be concerned about its quality. Most online jewelry retailers will give you the option of having the ring engraved. A ring with a special message will be cherished even more. Most of the time the ring will come with a luxurious ring box to give a little flair to your presentation.

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Through our day to day movements our diamond engagment ring gets smudged and soiled.Although you are not wearing them, they get dirty.Our natural skin oils, soaps and lotions will cause dirt and grime on diamonds and affect their brilliance. 

Want to keep that Brilliance and Shine?  Diamonds require cleaning so that maximum
amounts of light can refract fiery brilliance. To keep your diamond as fiery as when you first saw it, all it takes is a few minutes and a little care.

You should use a a soft brush like an eyebrow or lip stick brush and mild soap and
water to clean your jewelry.  Simply make a bowl of warm sudsy water with a mild
detergent and put the pieces into the mixture.  Then brush the diamonds with the
soft brush bristles while they are still in the suds.After you clean them you must make sure you rinse them until the suds are gone.  You can use a small kitchen strainer such as a tea strainer to contain them while rinsing under warm water.Find a cloth tht is lint free, or get a jewelry polishing cloth to dry them.

If your diamonds are in need of a stronger cleansing, you may want to soak them for 30
minutes in a solution of half and half water and ammonia.  Once they have soaked for 30 minutes, remove them and gently brush the mountings with a small brush.Replace the pieces into the solution then swish the around in the liquid then remove them to rinse them then pat them dry.  

If you find your self too busy to be mixing soaps and ammonias, many department
stores sell liquid jewelry cleaners.Most are kits which contain everything you will need included.You will need to read the labels to figure out which one is best for your diamonds and other jewelry. Read the complete directions and follow all the precautions.

If you find you are more of the high-tech type, even when cleaning your diamonds, you can find several ultrasonic cleaners on the market.  These machines
use high-frequency to create a cleaning motion.  All machines are not the same, so please read the instructions before using.

Only you can select which cleaning method is best for your engagement ring.   But, it is essential to keep your jewelry clean to keep it brilliant and sparkling.Between cleanings, make every effort not to touch your clean diamonds with your fingers or handle your diamond engagement ring by its edges. This will help maintain its shine and brilliance for longer periods.

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There are many things to consider when purchasing a diamond, especially when it is a diamond engagement ring! The custom of presenting a girl with an engagement ring when asking her to marry you started in 1477 when Archduke Maximilian presented a diamond ring to Mary of Burgundy. In most instances, the girl you are planning on marrying will be expecting a ring to accompany your marriage proposal!

First you will want to consider how much you are able to spend on an engagement ring. Most men use the two month earnings rule. This implies that the ring ought to cost the equivalent of two months of your present-day earnings. Considering you have additional expenses to pay, saving up two months of pay could take a very long time. You may want to think about financing. Make a trip to your local jewelry store from which you plan to buy the engagement ring and let them know your are considering buying a diamond engagement ring, also let them know you will need to finance the purchase. Go a head with getting your credit checked and out of the way, find out what you payments would be, and the amount of money required down to proceed.

Request your lady’s best friend to accompany your lady shopping, first making sure this friend will be discrete wth your secret. Make sure that while the girls are shopping they get a chance to gaze at the diamond engagement rings so you can get an idea of what type of rings your girlfriend might prefer. 
Once you have a general idea of what may please your lady, make sure that the jeweler
you purchase the ring from will permit you to return the ring, for an exchange or just in case your beloved is not ready for this big step yet. You want to be very sure about an exchange policy since you want you girlfriend to love the ring she will be wearing for the rest of her life. 

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When you want to ask that special lady in your life to marry you, you will want to select the perfect engagement ring. There are some gorgeous engagement rings out there to choose from, of many varying colors, cuts, styles, and sizes, but it can really be an mind-boggling selection, especially since most men do not have much experience in purchasing jewelry.

However, with the correct tips and advice from others, you will be able to find the perfect engagement ring and make sure that yes is the only answer you will hear.

Even if you want to get a blue diamond engagement ring or pink diamond engagement ring, you need to realize that the cut is probably even more important than the color of diamond that you choose.

The cut of the diamond is what will really give it its complete look, so you have to put serious thought in here and ensure that you select the most beautiful engagement ring for your special lady.

The princess cut engagement ring is one of the most popular choices, and the princess cut engagement ring is actually one of the latest selections, or at least considered as being the most important new cut or shape for diamonds since the invention of perfection of the modern brilliant cut over 60 years ago.

Advantages

There are a few advantages to the princess cut engagement ring that you will want to be aware of, including the fact that the stones are usually square shaped and square stones are preferred for certain design applications such as eternity rings because they can be set in a continuous line with no gaps between them.

One other point to consider when purchasing a princess cut engagement ring is that as the diamond is larger, these type of rings tend to stand out more. Although the classic round cut diamond engagement ring still reigns as the most famous of all, if you compared a round cut diamond and princess cut engagement ring side by side, with the same carat weight of diamond, the princess cut ring would be more prominent.

If you keep these points in mind and you really think about what the woman in your life would want before selecting the princess cut or any other cut of diamond engagement ring. After all, proposing is only something you want to do once, therefore you want to ensure you select the perfect engagement ring.

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