ENGAGEMENT RING GUIDE
What Does An Engagement Ring Symbolize?
An engagement ring has long symbolized a proposal of marriage, and our Instagram feed is full of these magic moments. You know the ones, right? Where excited, and slightly nervous, proposers are down on one knee. The meaning of an engagement ring shouts: a clear and tangible symbol that you are beloved, and that the person presenting the ring wants to make your relationship official.
While any ring can be considered an engagement ring, by far thenmost popular engagement ring includes a diamond. Of course, the sky’s the limit when it comes to finding your perfect ring. There are no rules—and that includes, what finger the engagement ring is worn on. Traditionally in Western cultures, an engagement ring is worn on the third finger of the left hand, and, like a wedding ring, it’s a clear and very visible way to indicate that you’re in a relationship. However, some cultures wear engagement rings on the right hand, because the left hand is considered unlucky. What feels right to you? However you celebrate, we’re here to help make it happen.
The Difference Between An Engagement Ring And A Wedding Ring
Traditionally, an engagement rings is what’s presented during a marriage proposal and a wedding ring is what partners give to each other during the wedding ceremony. It’s also common for an engagement ring to be more ornate than a wedding ring. One of our best selling combinations is a round diamond solitaire engagement ring paired with a diamond pavé wedding band. On the otherside, we have many customers who love to turn tradition on its head: some customers get the engagement ring together and choose matching bands. Other couples double up on sparkle.
If you are planning to exchange wedding rings, you might wonder where to wear your engagement ring on your wedding day? Many people temporarily shift their engagement ring to their right hand on the day of the ceremony for safekeeping.
Popular Metals Used In Engagement Rings
A popular aengagement ring metal amoung Wonder Jewelers' customers is definitely white gold. Over the last few years, however, rose gold engagement rings, are a fast-rising trend. Rose gold was often used in settings in the late nineteenth century, and is appreciated today for its naturally romantic appeal that particularly suits rings with vintage-inspired styles. Most recently, yellow gold engagement rings are capturing the attention of people who appreciate the way this metal’s beautiful warm glow complements engagement ring settings with colored gemstones.
Popular Engagement Ring Settings And Styles
Technically the terms settings and styles mean different things. A craftsperson working on a custom engagement ring in the Blue Nile workshop will likely use the term setting when referring to the technique that’s used to set a diamond in place. Prong-setting styles and bezel settings are just a few examples of setting styles in the head of a ring. There are also settings, including channel-set styles, that describe the way stones are set into the body of the ring.
But not everyone uses the term “setting” in quite the same way. At Wonder Jewelers, we often use the term conversationally rather than technically to mean the overall style of ring in which your diamond(s) or gemstone(s) will be set.
Choosing The Right Diamond For You
It’s likely that the first thing that you’re going to run across when you start researching diamond engagement rings is a mention of the 4Cs (cut, color, clarity and carat.) Trying to master these principles might even make you feel overwhelmed. But don’t worry. We have experts with years of experience who can help you find the perfect diamond based on your budget and style. With that said, if you love to deep dive into the nitty gritty, we also have great resources that will help you navigate and master the basics.
But before you check out more of our awesome education section, we’ll answer two things that everyone always wants to know. What is the most important C in the four Cs? Answer: Cut. And, How many carats should an engagement ring be? Answer: Our best seller with a single center stone averages out to slightly under 1.0 carat. Of course, that doesn’t mean that your diamond needs to be that weight, but people have told us it’s helpful to have a benchmark. If you’re curious why cut is so important, it’s because a great cut will give you the most sparkle. Carat weight, however, is not related to how well a diamond reflects light.
How To Customize Your Engagement Ring With Wonder Jewelers
Our customers tell us that they love our quality, selection, above-and-beyond service and so much more. But the thing that really makes our customers happy is the ability to create absolutely any style of ring imaginable. Whatever you can dream of, we can help you design. Every engagement ring is handcrafted by an exceptional team of artisans in our Seattle workshop—and then quadruple-checked before it goes out the door. Ready to find your perfect ring?
