Education - Engagement Rings

How to choose the perfect engagement ring

Shopping for an engagement ring should be an exciting experience. It is part of the build up to what will be a life-changing event and it is something to be enjoyed and appreciated. But all too often, trying to find the perfect diamond engagement ring becomes overwhelming. The sheer volume of choice can seem confusing. Confronted with loose diamonds, unset diamonds, engagement ring settings and the huge array of engagement ring styles on offer, engagement ring shopping can seem more daunting than it is exciting. So, we’ve put together this quick guide to choosing the perfect engagement ring to help ensure that your engagement ring buying experience is one of pleasure not panic.



Tips to make sure you are choosing the right engagement ring

The first and most important step when shopping for an engagement ring is to make sure you get an understanding of what you are looking for before you start browsing.



Tip 1 - Set a budget

One of the first questions people ask themselves is how much to spend on an engagement ring. Of course, this is primarily down to personal circumstances. The old adage was that an engagement ring should be the price of 2 months’ salary. Forget that. Work out what you can afford to spend and browse in that price range. You don’t want to overspend and leave yourself out of pocket, but neither do you want to scrimp on it. An engagement ring is a statement of love and commitment. Get it right, and that ‘wow moment’ is one that will be treasured forever.



Tip 2 - Educate yourself on diamonds

Diamond education is another key element of your quest for the ideal engagement ring. You’ll find a wealth of information online and, although you won’t become a diamond expert in a matter of weeks, finding out about the 4 Cs (carat weight, cut, color and clarity) will set you in good stead. At this stage, we recommend that you choose your diamond shape too. If you want help in deciding which is the right diamond shape for your other half, feel free to get in touch. We’ll be more than happy to help.



Tip 3 - Don’t sacrifice cut for clarity

The cut of your diamond is what provides its luxurious sparkle. So cut trumps clarity – especially if the diamond is smaller than 1ct. Clarity refers to blemishes and inclusions within the diamond and can have a huge impact on the price you pay. Some of these imperfections are visible while others are invisible to the naked eye. For an eye-clean stone, look for SI1 or SI2 diamonds so you get all the lustre without overpaying.



Tip 4 - Things to know about diamond color

The best value diamonds are G, H and I. These are near colorless and offer excellent value. They’re slight yellow tint will be noticeable when compared to better quality diamonds. If your budget allows, you should go for E, F or G, which are colorless.



Tip 5 - Bigger doesn’t necessarily mean better

Try to imagine how the ring will look and whether it will be practical. Remember, this is a ring, which will be worn everyday for many years to come. Consider setting, finger size and diamond shape. It doesn’t have to be huge, it has to be right.



Tip 6 - Ask for certificates

Proper paperwork for your jewelry is essential for peace of mind and for insurance purposes. If the retailer can’t supply certificates, walk away. This piece is more than just a ring. It’s an investment in your future.



Tip 7 - Never buy under pressure

Before you buy, you need to be 100% confident in your choice of engagement ring. Diamond advisors should be focusing on helping you select the perfect diamond engagement ring, not just forcing through a sale. At Arctic Fame Diamonds, we pride ourselves on our diamond encrusted customer service. But don’t just take our word for it. Check out our reviews on Google to get the views of previous customers.



Tip 8 - Trust your instincts

Choosing an engagement ring is a labor of love. Having a little knowledge about diamonds is a good thing, but try not to be too rational. Trust your instincts and allow yourself to be guided by your heart.

Feel free to call us at a toll free number +1(888)643-0068 and one of our diamond specialists will assist you, or Book virtual Appointment

Ring Types

There are a number of different ring types to consider when selecting the perfect engagement ring. Here, we take a look at some of the most common styles.



Solitaire Engagement Rings

The classic style. A single stone set within a plain shank provides sophistication and timeless elegance.

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Halo Engagement Rings

Modern and stylish, this setting features a single stone, which is showcased by a ‘halo’ of accent diamonds. It can be complemented with a plain shank, single row diamond or a more extravagant twist diamond shank to make a real statement.

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Three-stone Engagement Rings

The perfect choice for an engagement ring or an anniversary gift. This stunning style represents the past, present and future of your love for your partner.

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Side-stone Engagement Rings

This style features a central stone flanked by smaller stones which bring added lustre and sparkle. It is minimalist and discreet whilst maintaining its allure.

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Vintage Engagement Rings

Based on Edwardian and Art Deco engagement rings, this style is a throwback. Designed to look like an antique, it features multi-stone settings, unique craftsmanship and creativity.

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Setting types

The amount of engagement ring setting types can see a little overwhelming at first glance. The trick here is not to get too worried about the name of the setting. The most important thing is that you choose the ring you like the look of and you can envisage it looking stunning on your partners’ finger.



Prong-set Engagement Ring

Also known as ‘claw-set’ this setting sees the center stone held in place by 4 or 6 metal claws. This setting provides maximum light exposure and is the classic way to get all that lovely sparkle that we associate with diamond jewelry.



Channel-set Engagement Ring

The perfect choice for a snag-free setting. Small stones are set in a channel so they won’t catch on clothes or get in the way at work. Elegantly simple and stylish.



Bezel-set Engagement Ring

Bezel-setting engagement rings embrace the stone and use the metal to enhance the gem. A thin white gold or platinum frame for a diamond center stone can add interest while ensuring the diamond remains the star of the show. But choose wisely. The design of your bezel setting can be used to make the diamond look bigger, but it can also make the stone look smaller.



Tension-set Engagement Ring

Tension-setting engagement rings are a sleek and modern setting featuring a diamond ‘floating’ in the gallery. As its name suggests, the gemstone is held in place by tension so it’s not as secure as some other designs. But it does look amazing!



Pave-set Engagement Ring

This setting features accent stones set within metal beads and offers maximum bling for minimum buck and the accent stones can be placed to enhance a central stone and provide added sparkle.

Metal Guide

Engagement rings are built lustre and lasting so should be made from gold or platinum.

When answering the question, ‘How much do engagement rings cost?’ you need to consider the different choices of metal available. When it comes to gold, the price is dependent on purity.

The purity of gold is measured in ‘karats’. Note, that is different from ‘carats’ which is how we measure the weight of diamonds. karat essentially means ‘parts out of 24’.

24 karat (24k) gold is pure gold. This is a very soft metal, which is easily scratched and damaged which is why it is rarely used for jewelry which is designed to be worn on a daily basis.

Jewelry is generally produced using either 10k, 14k or 18k gold. 18k is the purest form and has fewest alloys, while 10k has the most alloys but is the strongest.

The higher the karat of gold, the more yellow it will look.

Gold is more malleable than platinum and is easier to work into intricate patterns and designs.


Yellow Gold Engagement Rings

These are the classic style and allow the yellow gold to shimmer and show off the diamond using contrast



Rose Gold Engagement Rings

Rose gold has a pink tinge to it and is created by mixing gold with copper. It has become increasingly popular in recent years and adds a slight modern twist to a metal that has been at the forefront of luxury for thousands of years.



White Gold Engagement Rings

White gold is the most popular choice for diamond engagement rings. It is particularly stunning when paired with a colorless or near colorless diamond. This sleek combination displays sophistication, vitality and understated beauty. It’s a perfect alternative if your budget won’t stretch to platinum.



Platinum Engagement Rings

Platinum is the rarest and most expensive of all precious metals. A platinum diamond engagement ring boasts a similar look to a white gold diamond engagement ring but with the added stature and prestige. Platinum is stronger than gold so platinum prongs are less likely to break, but it is also the heavier of the two metals. It is hypoallergenic due to its purity.

Platinum is more susceptible to scratches than gold and will need to be cleaned and polished more regularly.

Find Your Ring Size

Before you even think about measuring your finger, you need to answer the question. ‘What hand does the engagement ring go on?’ The answer is the left hand. Your engagement ring, and your wedding ring go on the fourth finger of your left hand – otherwise known as your ‘ring finger’.

The best way to find out your ring size is to visit the Arctic Fame Diamonds and have it measured. Of course, this is not always possible when shopping for an engagement ring so, if you're shopping for a surprise ring, try to bring in a ring which your significant other currently wears on their ring finger.

If you want to measure your ring size yourself, make sure you measure at the end of the day and when you have warm fingers. Finger sizes fluctuate throughout the day and are smaller in the morning or when cold. Measure your finger 3-4 times to avoid making a mistake and use string or lint rather than paper which is prone to stretching or twisting.



RING SIZES IN CANADA

In Canada, women’s rings typically range from size 3-9 with 6 the most commonly purchased.

Men’s ring sizes tend to range from 8-14 with size 9 being the most popular.

One question, which we’re regularly asked, is ‘Do men wear engagement rings?’ There is no stock answer to this question. Traditionally it was only women that wore engagement rings, but these days more and more men are opting to wear one too. So, why not?

If you are buying the ring as a surprize, please refer to the our measurement chart: