Quick and Easy Buying Guide
Carat weight: 1 carat = 200 milligrams = 6.5 mm diameter. Doubling weight doesn't double diameter.
Diamond clarity: FL/IF/VVS/VS = super expensive, near perfect. SI = best value if you can check a photo for obvious inclusions (defects).
Color: D-G = colorless, expensive, only if you have money to burn. H-J = best value. Can go lower in gold metal settings than white metal.
Cut: Better cut ratings let more light into a diamond, making it sparkle more. Very important property, don't skimp here.
Set a budget and minimum cut (Premium). Go J color for gold and I/H for white metals. Go searching for SI1/SI2 clarity diamonds at James Allen. Pick a diamond with small/no inclusions. Choose a ring setting and buy it risk-free (60-day returns).
Tungsten Engagement Rings
Tungsten is a very, very tough metal also known as “wolfram”. Not only is it very tough but it also has a very high melting point which means it’s a pain in the a** for jewelers to melt and work with. Apart from engagement rings, it’s used in a lot of everyday applications such as light bulb filaments.
Sponsored Links
So one big plus about getting a tungsten ring is its toughness and durability – you’re not going to scratch it easily if you’re an active sportsperson or tradesperson. But don’t fall into the trap of thinking that it’s an invincible ring – tungsten engagement rings can fracture or break if placed under a lot of pressure or hit hard.
Even something like trying to engrave a tungsten ring can have dire results, and you may end up with several pieces of ring or simply a huge crack running through it – not the result you want!
Other side effects of the metal’s toughness is that you’re not going to find heaps of delicate designs in tungsten rings. Instead most designs will be fairly standard bands with patterns across the surface or fancy edges. You may get some tension settings however.
Until recently tungsten rings have been most popular with men and in particular for men’s wedding and engagement rings. However, that’s no reason to say that a lady can’t wear one – especially if they like the look or appreciate the inherent resilient properties of the metal – perhaps they reflect a personality well!
Pricewise tungsten is more expensive than normal white and platinum gold. Because it’s a relatively rare metal too, the price is going to be high. You’ll have to search around longer to find a reasonable selection of these rings.