Engagement Rings How To Select and Care For
Women begin to fantasize about their weddings at a very early age. They dream about the dress, the romance, the ceremony, the reception, the proposal and what her Mr. Right would look like. However, another big fantasy that she also dreams about is the engagement ring. After all, this is the ring she will be showing off to all her friends and family, as well as wearing it for the rest of her life. Each woman has different perspectives when it comes to an engagement ring. Some like gold or silver; some prefer big and gaudy, while others like small and not so obtrusive. Some women prefer diamonds, while others may want gems that may have special meanings to them. In any case, there are things you should know when it comes time to select, wear and care for your engagement ring. How To Select Your Engagement Ring Keep in mind that when selecting your engagement ring, this ring will stand out over the wedding band. The wedding band may represent the marriage, but the two rings usually go together as a matching pair. The engagement ring will generally have some kind of gemstone set into it. Most often that gemstone is a diamond solitaire, as the diamond is still looked upon as the creme de la crème of gemstones. The diamond, which symbolizes security and strength, is still Earth’s hardest substance. If buying a diamond ring, you should be aware of the 4C’s, which is how diamond properties are measured. The 4C’s include: – Cut: The Cut of a diamond will indicate its shape as well as how the diamond was cut to that shape. – Clarity: The measure of purity is the diamond’s Clarity. This also determines how many flaws the ring has in it. – Colour: A diamond’s Colour defines the tint of the yellow hue it has. The higher end diamonds are generally clearer in color, thus costing more. Diamonds that have the most yellow tint in them are listed at the lower scale of colour. – Carat: One Carat is equal to 200 milligrams or 1/5 of a gram. A carat is also known as a point and it can contain up to 100 points. Jewelers are happy to give you advice about your engagement ring selection process. As well, they are also very good at suggesting ideas and to show you as many examples as needed to fit within your budget. Therefore, when diamond ring shopping, be sure to look and ask about the 4C’s and their price. That will allow you to make an informed decision that works for you and allow you to get the most value out of your money spent. How To Wear Your Engagement Ring Your engagement ring is placed and worn on your third finger of your left hand, also known as the ring finger. The ring varies in symbolism depending of which part of the world you are from. It is thought that the ring began as early as 3,000 B.C. in Egypt. Egyptians are known to have come up with the phrase, “without beginning, without end.” However, the third finger was not always the finger of choice. It first began on the index finger, but many believed the third finger includes a particular vein which leads itself straight to the heart or known as the “vein of love.” One other thought was dating back to the 17th century when a priest began counting on the bride’s left hand, beginning with her thumb, with each finger as the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. The next finger (ring finger) was next and received the ring. How To Care For Your Engagement Ring One mistake many women make after getting their ring is that they don’t take care of it properly. Therefore it’s important you take care of your rings so that they keep their shine and looking top notch. Always be aware when you remove your ring from your hand as pieces can get scratched or broken off. One way to keep your ring clean is by washing and removing dirt and any sludge away with warm soapy water and a soft toothbrush. However, if your ring includes emeralds or opals, you should avoid immersing them in hot water. The sudden temperature change can cause the stones to crack. If this process worries you, there are products available to buy that can also clean them without the worry about ruining your gems. You can also take your ring to a jeweler for a cleaning. In addition, remember your band may also lose its shine. That too can be restored with a quick polish by a local jeweler.