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).
Poetry For Engagement Announcements
One way to spice up or formalised your engagement announcement is to add some poetry to the announcement card.
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A traditional option is to use some form of formal verse in your engagement card. However, if you are a little more adventurous as a couple and you aren't worried about what your friends and family will think you can go for less traditional poetry options.
If you're lovebirds at heart, you can choose romantic verses, of which there are many to be found. Just don't get too soppy and regret it later.
If you're more of a quirky fun loving couple, you could go for a comedic verse. Just be sure to stay on the right side of the line between appropriate humour and disrespectful jokes.
If you do go for a less conventional type of verse, remember to consider the wide range of cultural backgrounds and generations that your audience may come from. This is important not only in terms of not offending anyone, but also in considering whether your humour will be understood by everyone from all different backgrounds.
One thing you should be careful of is copyright and correct attribution of the verses. If you're using a verse written by a family member or friend and you have their permission to use it, usually all you need to do is a tribute the verse correctly.
However, if you're using a poem written by someone you don't know you may need to check firstly whether you have permission to use it, and secondly what the rules regarding copyright are. For example, if you publish your engagement announcement on a website, you are in effect publishing the text online, which has implications for copyright if you use a poem or verse written by someone else.
If you are really keen on having an original verse or poem that no one has ever used before, you can commission a poet to write one especially for you. That way, you are guaranteed that the poem is unique to your engagement.