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Determining what is “best” for you is the challenge in purchasing a diamond engagement ring. Would you like the most superior, sparkling, biggest diamond of a specific hue? All this factors will affect your choice of engagement ring.

The setting may actually be the first choice. This leaves you two main choices. Reputable jewelry stores have beautiful settings you can choose from .    These are often classic styles in which manufacturers vary only in the details.

Almost everyone will feel these timeless pieces are excellent choices for their rings. Do you want to have the raised prong setting without much of embellishment? (frequently referred to as a Tiffany setting) A more stately piece like a three stone setting with a central stone and two side stones is a good setting for a perfect ring.

If you are interested in a more original piece you should think about going to jewelry designers other than normal jewelers. These can be found by a friend telling you about it or by looking it up in the yellow pages, online or at high level crafts events and higher bracket jewelry stores.

A classically trained jeweler is trained in all aspects of jewelry design, as opposed to a repairman or counter person. At the center of jewelry design should be things such as the materials, strength, safety for the stone. Sadly these aspects are rarely considered.

Start thinking about a stone once you decide on a setting. Both of the purchases do not need to be identical. Many couples can blend family history and future hopes by using a stone from a family piece that has become worn or outdated. A modern setting can provide a stronger ring with Grandmother’s diamond blessing the new marriage.

Work with a good jeweler if you would like a new diamond or if you need a new diamond. This is the major pitfall to a novice engagement ring purchaser. How on earth does one ever make a decision on a stone?  Do you go for the little stone that has no flaws , the large but with a few flaws, a clear stone but with little fire?  How do you make choices on the cut, clarity and carat? Would you be wiser to select a stone that has some color to it? Which is the best overall cut?

This way you can get an expert jeweler well- trained in diamond sales.  It is advisable to seek an appointment with the jeweler, appraise him that you are a layman to stones and need his guidance, before you actually buy them. Make sure to request a large variety of options to view and let the jeweler know up front you will likely be asking a lot of questions.

A jeweler with a lot of skills and experience shouldn’t be bothered by this approach. Any good jeweler would appreciate that you understand your own limits. It’s well worth having a jeweler appraise a diamond that you’re thinking of buying, just as it’s a good idea to have a building appraiser inspect a home before you purchase it.

Just because you can’t afford the price of a high quality diamond, remember that you can celebrate this love with a stone of a lesser quality or even a diamond substitute.  Perhaps for a later anniversary, when you have the money and the years in the relationship, you’ll be able to upgrade it to something even more special, to celebrate the years of your great love.

For more please see round brilliant solitaire engagement rings and three stone emerald cut rings.