Engagement Rings and Beautiful Settings

Article by Suzanne Mooney, January 23, 2009

Very often, budget determines the size of the diamond or other gemstone that serves as the central focus of engagement rings. You’ve already decided how big you can go in carat weight without sacrificing too much in terms of colour or clarity. You probably already have a cut in mind, whether the classic round brilliant or the less common but unarguably symbolic heart-shaped stone. The next issue is setting. Rather than being limited to a traditional, simple setting, modern buyers instead have a wealth of choices. A little time spent considering the options available will ensure that you achieve the very best possible look for your fiancé, one which she will be proud to display to her friends and family. It might surprise you to learn that there are more than just style benefits to reap in your choice of setting. For example, if your diamond has a little more body colour, it would be advisable to invest in 14ct or 18ct yellow gold band engagement rings.

Wedding rings up close

This will serve to mask any yellow colour that would be much more obvious in a white gold or platinum setting. Similarly, if you have decided that a sapphire is the gem that your partner would truly cherish, a white metal will better highlight the rich, deep blue of the stone. Alternately, choosing a setting with smaller, side diamonds decorating the shoulders of the ring will increase the impact. These ‘melee’ will add extra sparkle and ensure that this piece of jewellery catches your eye. Designs are numerous in the world of engagement rings. In this arena we are spoiled for choice with all styles available, thanks to the internet, from modern to classical and traditional to cutting-edge. However, what is much rarer is a genuine choice of metals. Had you ever considered titanium? Had you even heard of palladium? These precious metals both enjoy specific benefits of their own. If your beloved works in a job that is tough on a ring, such as a chef, she may appreciate the indestructibility and light weight of titanium. Alternately, if you love the look of platinum but your budget does not stretch that far, palladium is an affordable and beautiful option. Admittedly, most online jewellers do not offer these modern metals. Some customer-oriented companies do though. Try www.thebeautifulcompany.co.uk for a selection of Engagement Rings and wedding rings in all precious metals. I mentioned wedding rings specifically. This is an important consideration that is often overlooked. Does the ring you buy have a matching wedding ring that you can come back for later? Is there a broad selection of men’s wedding rings so that you can match your partner’s in design? A good jeweller should offer all of these things and should also include other jewellery items like bracelets and necklaces, earrings and pendants. You may require bridal party jewellery as thanks to your bridesmaids. Whichever company you decide to buy from, be sure that they have a money-back guarantee. Just in case.