Valentine's Day

If you are planning on asking that someone special to marry you

You will want to read this article.

Some Thoughts on Choosing the Right Engagement Ring

Engagement rings are a symbol of a promise and a commitment for the future. They are highly romanticized and something that girls fantasize about, probably starting about the time they first notice boys. They will most likely change their mind more than several times, both about the boy they envision giving them the ring and about what the ring that symbolizes their engagement will look like.

Engagement fantasies are just that - fantasies; I can assure you that they are not thinking along the lines of what a discount ring, or even an affordable ring will look like. As they get older, their character and values will determine whether their fantasies are more towards marrying for love, or for status. It is a horrifying thought to know that the majority of marriages are somewhat of a business decision. I guess that would apply as well then, to the engagement.

Inexpensive engagement ring ideas may come to mind for the pure of heart who only fantasize about that the man of their dreams be wonderful and kind, and not necessarily worldly and successful. One of the main arguments that create conflict in a marriage is finances. If the man of your choice doesn't have unlimited financial resources at the time of his proposal, you may want to choose an affordable engagement ring. .

Jewelers offer beautiful rings in all qualities, sizes and price range. It should not be difficult to find a ring to suit your taste and budget but if you are creative and can't find the ring of your dreams, another option would be to design your own ring and have it custom made.

One thing to ask the jeweler before choosing a ring is the grade of the diamond. Diamonds are graded and priced according to what is referred to as the four Cs for color, cut, clarity and carat weight.

Color - Colorless diamonds emit more sparkle. The whiter a diamond, the higher its value.

Cut - Cut is the most important factor affecting quality. The brilliance of a diamond depends heavily on its cut. Do not confuse cut with shape.

Clarity - The visibility and size of inner flaws or inclusions determine clarity. Clearer diamonds create more brilliance and therefore priced higher.

Carat weight - The size of a diamond is measured by its weight in Carats. Of course, size matters... but it is not a measure of love! One point to remember is that a smaller stone graded higher in color and clarity may have the same value as a larger diamond graded lower in terms of color and clarity.

Shape - The round brilliant diamond is the most common, but by no means the only shape available. There are many shapes to choose from, some of which are oval, marquise, pear shaped, heart shaped, emerald cut and princess cut.

Engagement ring visions typically are thought to be of a brilliant cut diamond solitaire ring. Also common, is the three stone ring, with one large diamond in the center and smaller diamonds on each side.

If you are looking for something less traditional, a rectangular emerald cut engagement ring should be less costly than a comparable round brilliant cut. Along the same lines, another choice might be a princess cut diamond engagement ring, a very popular square cut.

If diamonds are out of the question and you need to find a cheaper engagement ring, a cubic zirconia engagement ring might be just the thing you need to look for.

Another question to ask would be the type of metal used, the two most common being gold and platinum. Gold is more affordable and it is available in different Karats and colors. Most jewelers offer rings made of white or yellow gold. 18K gold will undoubtedly be more expensive than 14K or 10K gold.

Platinum, a white metal, is the most expensive, but its luster brings out the brilliance of diamonds far better than gold. Remember to take these points in consideration when you compare prices whether shopping for your engagement ring online or at your local jewelry stores. This will enable you to make an informed decision before you make a commitment to buy the ring that you will hopefully wear for a lifetime.

One last point to remember is to have your ring appraised by an independent jeweler and added to your insurance policy.

Now that you have the engagement ring, plan a special evening or get away to a romantic destination and pop the question.