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).

Unattractive Engagement Rings

Sometimes despite the best efforts and intentions of the man, his fiancee does not like the engagement ring. This is a common situation that can come about for many reasons. Perhaps the man has totally missed the mark in assessing what style of ring his fiancee would like. Sometimes it can be because the ring is an heirloom ring and there has been no choice about the design. Whatever the reason, there is a good way of dealing with things.

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Like everything else in a relationship, early honest communication is very important. The bride to be should first make sure that they are really not happy with the ring, as it may just have been a momentary reaction.

If the bride is still sure she does not like the ring, she should bring the subject up with her husband to be. For his part, he should be aware that she needs to feel comfortable wearing it every day.

This is of course assuming that he has not bought exactly what she requested – if he has, and she has changed her mind, then that's not really a good situation to be in.

Sometimes there is a more specific reason that the ring is not a good match for the bride. If the bride has a specific metal allergy the ring may be unsuitable for that very reason.

If rejecting an heirloom ring, be clear that it is just the bride's personal preference rather than any inherent problem with the ring. This will help avoid any family hurt.

A very unusual situation can be that the bride does not wish to wear an engagement ring. Usually, the couple will have discussed this by the time of the proposal, but this situation can still occur on occasion. Once again, clear communication of the reasons for not wanting the ring is needed as early as possible.