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Engagemet Ring Guide

The classic engagement ring is composed of two parts: 1.setting , and  2.diamond.

1.Choose the Right Setting

Victoria's Diamonds offers a large selection of engagement settings, Decisions to make include the choice between various metal types and the style of ring setting. These decisions are based on which setting complements her lifestyle, matches her existing jewelry, and fits your budget.
 

 
1.1. CHOOSE THE METAL
 
Gold   
Gold is the most common metal used in engagement ring settings. Gold's rich color best complements darker skin tones and provides a complementary setting for rich colored stones, such as rubies and emeralds. The reflection of yellow gold also can help mask the tint of yellowish diamonds by making the diamond look brighter. Most engaged couples choose 18K gold because it offers a good balance of gold color and strength. Click here for more information about metal
 
 
Platinum 
Platinum is naturally a white metal with incredible density. It is the strongest precious metal used in jewelry today. Platinum's density makes it much heavier than 14K gold and gives it a unique, more substantial feeling. Another appealing characteristic of platinum is its durability. A scratch in platinum may leave a mark on the metal, but it will not wear away. Over time, platinum will develop a natural patina or satin look that many people prefer over the high polish, shiny appearance. Click here for more information about platinum.
 

Platinum Solitaire Platinum vs. White Gold

Platinum is naturally a white metal, but its higher cost makes white gold an excellent alternative. White gold is a mixture of gold and other metal alloys, which gives it a white color. Because white gold is mixed with other metals, its natural color has a slight yellowish tone. In the final process of manufacturing, white gold is rhodium plated to give it a brilliant white luster. Rhodium is an extremely hard and shiny white metal. However, over time, rhodium may wear off. To keep a white gold ring looking its best, re-plating may be necessary every 12 to 18 months. Consider the differences below when deciding between these two metal choices:

              Platinum properties:                         White gold properties:
              Naturally a white metal;                     Requires rhodium plating;
              90-95% pure;   18k is                       75% pure, and 14k is 58.3% pure;
              Does not wear away;                         Will wear away and require repair;
              Almost twice as heavy as white gold;   Easy to repair and polish;
              More expensive than gold.                 Less expensive than platinum.

1.2. SELECT AN ENGAGEMENT SETTING STYLE

Victoria's Diamonds offers a wide selection of engagement ring settings in the finest quality platinum, white gold, and yellow gold. The styles range from solitaires to accented settings. Below is a brief summary of the various setting styles:
 
Solitaire Settings
The solitaire setting is simple and elegant. It consists of the head and the setting. A solitaire setting has a simplicity that attracts more attention to the center diamond. Positioning of the prongs allows the center diamond to catch the most light. With a round diamond you are given a choice between a four-prong setting, which shows a bit more diamond, and a six-prong setting which offers a security advantage.
View our solitaire settings.

Side Stone Settings
A setting with side stones is a nice complement to the center diamond. The various setting styles include channel set, pavé set, bezel set and prong set. Each of these setting styles offers its own unique beauty to your engagement ring. View our settings with side stones.

Settings with Matching Bands
If you'd like a wedding band to wear on the same finger with your engagement ring, consider settings with wedding bands designed to match. View our settings with matching wedding bands.

2.Choose the Right Diamond

Learn to Choose a Diamond She Will Adore
Victoria's Diamond offers over 10,000 high quality diamonds that are sure to fit your budget and quality requirements. In this section, we provide a tool for selecting the shape and determining the right size to fit your budget. Read on and you will also get valuable information about the 4Cs of diamond quality.
 
  
 
A diamond's beauty, rarity, and price depend on the interplay of all the 4Cs-cut, clarity, carat, and color. The 4Cs are used throughout the world to classify the rarity of diamonds. Diamonds with the combination of the highest 4C ratings are more rare and, consequently, more expensive. No one C is more important than another in terms of beauty and it is important to note that each of the 4Cs will not diminish in value over time.
Carat
Refers to the weight of a diamond. Carat is often confused with size even though it is actually a measure of weight. One carat is equivalent to 200 milligrams. One carat can also be divided into 100 "points." A .75 carat diamond is the same as a 75-points or 3/4 carat diamond. A 1-carat diamond costs exactly twice the price of a half-carat diamond, right? Wrong. Since larger diamonds are found less frequently in nature, which places them at the rarest level of the Diamond Quality Pyramid, a 1-carat diamond will cost more than twice a 1/2-carat diamond (assuming color, clarity and cut remain constant). Cut and mounting can make a diamond appear larger (or smaller) than its actual weight.
CLARITY
Refers to the presence of inclusions in a diamond. Inclusions are natural identifying characteristics such as minerals or fractures, appearing while diamonds are formed in the earth. They may look like tiny crystals, clouds or feathers. To view inclusions, jewelers use a magnifying loupe. This tool allows jewelers to see a diamond at 10x its actual size so that inclusions are easier to see. The position of inclusions can affect the value of a diamond. There are very few flawless diamonds found in nature, thus these diamonds are much more valuable. Inclusions are ranked on a scale of perfection, known as clarity, which was established by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). The clarity scale, ranging from F (Flawless) to Included (I3), is based on the visibility of inclusions at a magnification of 10x.Some inclusions can be hidden by a mounting, thus having little effect on the beauty of a diamond. An inclusion in the middle or top of a diamond could impact the dispersion of light, sometimes making the diamond less brilliant. The greater a diamond's clarity, the more brilliant, valuable and rare it is-and the higher it is on the Diamond Quality Pyramid.

COLOR
Refers to the degree to which a diamond is colorless. Diamonds range in color from icy winter whites to warm summer whites. Diamonds are graded on a color scale established by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) which ranges from D (colorless) to Z. Warmer colored diamonds (K-Z) are particularly desirable when set in yellow gold. Icy winter whites (D-J) look stunning set in white gold or platinum. Color differences are very subtle and it is very difficult to see the difference between, say, an E and an F. Therefore, colors are graded under controlled lighting conditions and are compared to a master set for accuracy. Truly colorless stones, graded D, treasured for their rarity, are highest on the Diamond Quality Pyramid. Color, however, ultimately comes down to personal taste.

CUT
Refers to the angles and proportions of a diamond. Based on scientific formulas, a well-cut diamond will internally reflect light from one mirror-like facet to another, disperse, and reflect it through the top of the stone. This results in a display of brilliance and fire, thereby placing well-cut diamonds higher on the Diamond Quality Pyramid than deep or shallow-cut diamonds. Diamonds that are cut too deep or too shallow lose or leak light through the side or bottom, resulting in less brilliance and ultimately, value. Cut also refers to shape-round, square, pear, or heart for example. Since a round diamond is symmetrical and capable of reflecting nearly all the light that enters, it is the most brilliant of all diamond shapes and follows specific proportional guidelines. Ask a jeweler to find out more about these guidelines. Non-round shapes, also known as "fancy shapes," will have their own guidelines to be considered well-cut.