by Kristine Tucker

Created on: February 04, 2010   Last Updated: April 03, 2011

If a diamond truly is a girl’s best friend, then you want to choose an engagement ring that is a perfect example of the endearing qualities of friendship.  Diamond engagement rings vary in size and design, so you need to choose a high quality diamond that best fits your girlfriend’s style and personal taste. 

Some grooms believe that the engagement ring should be a total surprise, so they make the diamond selection based on their own preferences.  This can be a wonderful way to surprise your fiancé, but in can also be a risky decision.  A few practical suggestions will help you choose a diamond engagement ring that will help you in the buying process, whether the engagement ring will be a surprise or not.

 ~The Main Diamond is the Most Important Feature~

 Diamonds are luxurious and expensive, but the single diamond or solitaire, is the main bulk of your investment.  Dozens of tiny diamonds don’t add up to the value of one larger diamond, so base your selection on the most expensive part of the engagement set.  Sometimes your budget is limited, so you can choose the ideal diamond to stand-alone and then add a diamond-filled setting or wedding band at a later date.  These make perfect anniversary gifts.  When purchasing the one central diamond, or solitaire, take into consideration the size of the diamond, the cut the stone, the color of the diamond, and the internal clarity of the gemstone.  In jewelers’ terms, this is referred to as the four C’s.

~The Size and Shape of a Diamond do Matter~

The carat weight of a diamond in an engagement is extremely significant.  Diamonds that are less than half a carat are often seen as accent diamonds rather than primary stones.  If possible, try to save enough to purchase a main diamond that has at least a half a carat in weight.  Anything smaller will not have the visual impact that a larger diamond would make.  Reasonably priced diamonds can also be purchased on line through online auctions, so just make sure you research the seller carefully.  Ebay is one of the best places to get the most for your money when it comes to purchasing an engagement ring.  The shape of diamond that retains its intrinsic value the best is the round brilliant diamond.  This shape tends to have the most illustrious facets.  Other popular and attractive shapes include princess, marquise, and emerald designs. 

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