Knowing the Different Types of Engagement Rings

Selecting an engagement ring these days is no easy task. When you think about the different sizes and shapes, stones and settings, the possibilities are endless. If you're ready to pop the question but don't know a thing about engagement rings, perhaps what follows can help.

Basically, engagement rings have three parts:

For many people, the stone is the most important part of engagement rings. The size and the shape of the stone is usually a matter of budget. The bigger the stone, the more expensive it's likely to be. When one generally speaks or hears of engagement rings, it's usually assumed that the stone on the ring is a diamond. This isn't always the case, and doesn't even have to be the case, but it's a good assumption. Diamonds are the stones most often associated with engagement rings.

The setting is the part of the ring holding the stone. On some rings, the setting is pronged, while other settings are more "invisible."

The band is the part of the ring that goes around the finger. Bands are made of silver, platinum or gold.

Choosing the type of stone is easy, choosing the size (or carat) and shape of the stone is a whole other story. The different cuts of diamonds for engagement rings are as follows:

Round — The most popular style for rings. Round goes with just about any setting and is supposed to be the best shape to show off the stone's brilliance.

Princess — A square diamond which looks bigger than differently shaped diamonds of the same weight.

Emerald Cut — This rectangular diamond is considered the most sophisticated of all the shapes.

Marquis — Although it's also round, it looks longer than a round or oval cut diamond because it's pointed at two ends.

Pear — The pear shape is almost rounded at the top but pointed at the bottom. The pear doesn't look very good as a single stone set into a ring. This shape is recommended for other types of jewelry, such as necklaces or earrings.

Oval — This cut is similar to the round cut, but looks bigger because of its shape. This shape works best with larger stones.

It's okay not to know what type of engagement rings to purchase. Doing some research beforehand helps. If you have any questions or aren't sure which diamond is right for you, don't be afraid to ask the jeweler. If he's reputable, he'll be happy to share his expertise and help you to find the best engagement ring for your special day.