Diamond Engagement Ring
The diamond engagement ring symbolizes love and commitment. The first diamond engagement ring given and recorded on record occurred in 1477. The Archduke Maximillian of Hamburg gave Mary of Burgundy a ring. Traditionally, they were reserved for royalty and the wealthy. However, it did not become a widespread tradition until sixty-seven years ago, in 1939. Ironically, the popularity of diamond engagement rings came about as a result of an advertising campaign aimed at increasing the sales of diamonds, which had seen a decline in the past years.
A diamond engagement ring is often one of the three most expensive purchases a couple will make, following a home and car. There are criteria to evaluate when buying a diamond, such as the clarity, color and cut. Typically, you should spend one to three months researching rings before deciding on a final purchase.
A carat weighs two hundred milligrams or one hundred points. Before making a purchase, have the jeweler weigh the ring. You can determine the carat by taking the number of milligrams reported and dividing it by two hundred. Also, understand the weight and size of the ring are not the same and do not make a purchase based solely on the size and price alone.
The clarity of a diamond engagement ring is also very important. It measures the amount and types of flaws in a diamond. You should realize that most diamonds will have some flaws and that a totally flawless diamond is very rare. However, the smaller amount of flaws means the higher the value of the ring. Clarity is determined using various scales. The most popular method is the Gemological Institute of America or G.I.A. Diamond engagement rings are ranked FL, which is completely flawless to I1-I3, which means that flaws can be seen with the naked eye. There are also VVS1-VVS2, VS1-VS2 and SI1-SI2. The differences in these are very slight and are determined by if only an expert can see the flaw and how long it takes to detect the flaw under a 10x microscope.
