Your Guide to Engagement Rings


            Shopping for an engagement ring can surely seem daunting—There are so many different style options to choose from and we know that it can be pretty overwhelming at first glance. Rest assured, you’re not alone! To help you, we’re breaking down the types of stone shapes, ring settings, and metal choices so you can choose the perfect ring for popping the question.

            First, you should know all of the different diamond shapes that are available. Round and princess cut diamonds are popular choices among ladies who have a more classic style, whereas emerald cut, asscher cut, and pear shape diamonds are often favored by those who tend to go bolder in style and love to be unique. Here's a helpful chart of diamond shapes:

Diamond shapes

 

Now that you know about diamond shapes, it’s important to understand the common types of engagement ring settings:

Solitaire
           
Solitaire settings are by far the top-selling setting for engagement rings. Solitaire means that the center stone is the focus of the ring with no other stones next to or surrounding it—this style is simple but very elegant. Traditional solitaires feature a plain band, but if you're looking for some extra sparkle, consider choosing a diamond wedding band to accompany your engagement ring.

Solitaires
 

Halo
           
A diamond halo features small diamonds that surround the shape of your center stone. A halo will dramatically enhance the appearance of a ring, and it will look beautiful regardless of the shape or stone type, whether it's a diamond or colored gem. A halo will make a center diamond look larger and will add a lot more sparkle to the ring.
If you’re all about the sparkle factor, you can even add a double halo!

Halo Rings

 

3-Stone

            In a 3-stone ring, 2 side stones accent the center stone. All of the stones can be the same shape, as shown in this emerald cut diamond ring:

3 Stone

 

...but don’t be afraid to mix it up! For example, a round center diamond would look great with tapered baguette diamonds on each side. Or, how about this emerald cut center surrounded by a halo with trillion cut (triangular shape) diamond side stones?   

Emerald ring

 

 AND, for an even bigger, bolder look, consider a 3-stone halo ring, where each stone has its own halo:

3 stone halo

 

Now that you have an idea about the center stone shapes and settings you like, it’s time to get to know the precious metals:

             White gold and platinum are the two most popular choices for engagement ring metals. Platinum and white gold are very similar in appearance, however platinum is a brighter white metal and it is very strong and hard to scratch. Over time, platinum gains a beautiful patina that is preferred by many people over a polished look. While platinum is more expensive, it's worth it!     
             Yellow gold is a beautiful choice for an engagement ring, though it is less common today. Be sure to compare gold types because their colors do differ. For example, 14k is a paler gold than 22k. In the future, if you change your mind, we can put a rhodium plating over the yellow gold to make the ring appear as if it were originally white gold, however the coating will wear off over time and the ring will need to be recoated.
             Rose gold is another a pretty color option for those who want their ring to be a little different. Rose gold offers a hint of pink, making it beautifully unique for modern brides-to-be.

So that's your basic guide to engagement rings! If you have any questions at all, feel free to give us a call at
(860) 521 - 3202. Our engagement ring experts are ready to help you!

 

Visit us:

West Hartford - 65 LaSalle Rd

Old Saybrook - 105 Elm St (Near Stop & Shop)

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