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| Green amethyst |
The rules of engagement are for the average Joe, not that clearly defined. Everyone knows that an engagement ring signifies your undying love, life-long commitment and devotion to the woman of your dreams. Is it as easy as popping down to your local jewellery store and picking out a ring, or do you involve her and let her pick it out herself? The latter is probably the best option if you want her to absolutely love it. Women who are in relationships often spend many hours pre-shopping for engagement rings online. Statistics have proven that online engagement ring and loose gemstone searches are predominantly single women between 35-50.
Most men are still hopeless romantics when it comes to love. Armed with a little more than secondhand advice from their best mates at the pub and a budget, they venture out on a Saturday morning to find her the perfect engagement ring. Without paying attention to the kind of woman she is, these men can ultimately end up buying a ring that is completely not what their significant other had in mind. Of course she will never let you know that as you slip it onto her finger. She will accept your token of undying love with a smile and some tears, show her friends and wear it on the fourth finger of her left hand (the vena amoris/love vein is believed to run from the fourth finger to her heart) everyday - but all the time wishing it was something different.
Pay attention to her likes and dislikes.
1. Does she wear jewellery?
Rings, necklaces, earrings and bracelets
2. What kind of jewellery does she wear?
Vintage, contemporary, understated, bold or classic
3. What kind of metal does she prefer?
White, yellow or rose gold. Silver. Platinum.
4. Is she big on colour?
Red, blue, green, pink, orange, purple...
5. Is she dropping hints?
Notice if she remarks on her friends' ring and make a mental note of what it looks like if she likes it
6. Does she like diamonds?
Some woman prefer coloured gemstones to diamonds
7. Would she wear a family heirloom?
Would she really want to wear your grandmother's engagement ring?
Pay attention to her hands.
If she has long elegant fingers then she can wear big bold rings and thick or multiple bands. If she has short fingers, then go for a small delicate setting and a thin band. Gemstone cuts and shapes can have an impact on the ring's overall look. Marquise and oval cut gemstones can elongate fingers while emerald and other square cuts can make fingers look shorter. Not every bride likes the standard round princess cut, so make sure you look at all the options.
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| Amethyst and diamond ring |
Know her style.
A classical woman has a timeless beauty like Coco Chanel. She is always polished and manicured and she wears suits, fitted skirts, loves fine fabrics like silk and tweeds and is rarely seen without scarves and sunglasses.
A delicate woman is petite and small with fine features - think Kate Moss. She is sensitive and dainty like a porcelain doll. She wears light fabrics and will opt for pants instead of jeans.
A trendy woman always has her nose in fashion and beauty magazines, loves shopping and her style changes as often as the seasons. She will wear the coolest fashion label and mix n match like a pro.
A bold woman is outgoing and adventurous. She has a relaxed personality and is often found mingling with the guys. She opts for comfort over high fashion and lives in her jeans and tshirts.
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| Marquise cut tanzanite |
Taking the above into account, her lifestyle is probably the single most important factor when shopping for an engagement ring. If she is sporty and adventurous, fussy settings with pointed prongs will probably not be the best choice. For the record, Tanzanite, although the "it" gemstone at the moment does not make an ideal stone for an engagement ring. It is soft, scratches easily, becomes dull and therefore is not recommended for everyday wear.
In part 2 we will discuss:
- How much to spend on the engagement ring
- Ring sizing
- Certification
- The 4C's
- How to buy from a reputable online shop and save big
Helen Squirrell for Touchstone Gems cc
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