A Guy's Guide to Choosing an Engagement Ring

You’ve found “the one.” Now you need to find the one ring she’ll wear for a lifetime. No pressure, right? Don’t worry, you can find the ring that’s perfect for her. It just takes some thought and a little homework. Check out these tips that can help you with both. First the homework:

Step 1: Know the Diamond Basics

Know the diamond basics. You’ll hear people mention “the four C’s.” They’re referring to:
Clarity  – Blemishes (which are found on the external surface of the diamond) and inclusions (which are flaws within the diamond) affect the value of the diamond. The closer to flawless, the better the diamond. 
Cut  – Yes, there are round, pear-shaped, emerald-cut diamonds and more, but for grading purposes, “cut” is not the shape, but the skill that was used in cutting the diamond for maximum sparkle. The grade goes from excellent to poor.
Color – Diamonds are graded on a color scale that starts at D, which is colorless, and goes up to Z, with each grade increasing in color. A colorless diamond is the most valuable. Check out this demonstration to see how diamonds are graded according to color.
Carat – The simplest of the four c’s, carat is the weight of the diamond. A metric "carat" is 200 milligrams.

When thinking about the four C’s, GQ recommends keeping it simple: “For a diamond, avoid any color grade below H (too yellow) or any cut grade below Very Good (not enough sparkle). We'd choose a better cut and clearer color over more carats, but if she's expecting a boulder, your choice is made for you.”

But there are really six C’s. Add in “cost” and “certificate.” Obviously, you have to consider cost unless you’re one of the lucky 1%. You’ll also want to make sure the diamond you buy is certified by a reputable agency, such as GIA, AGS, or EGL, or HRD.

Step 2: Find Her Ring Size

Once you’ have a grasp of the six C’s, you’ve still got one more bit of homework: find out your girlfriend-soon-to-be-fiancé’s ring size. If you can snitch one of her rings for a day, take it to a jeweler to find out the size. You could also trace the inside of the ring on a piece of paper, or even slip it on and mark where it stops on your finger with a Sharpie.
Now comes the thoughtful part, where you try to figure out what she will absolutely love. How to do it?
Ask her girlfriends. They’ve probably talked about jewelry in general or even engagement rings in specific. Make sure to swear them to silence.
Listen for hints. Does your girlfriend cringe at bling, or love lots of sparkle? Pay attention to what she says about jewelry and fashion when you’re watching TV or out on a date.

Photo Credit: mDavisPhotography via Photo Pin

Step 3: Design and Style

Consider her personality. If she’s practical or sporty, she may like a simpler ring. A romantic soul may want a vintage ring (or a vintage-looking one: older rings can be a bit delicate) .
A fashionista may want a ring that makes a statement, while a traditional girl may want something, well, traditional.

Think about a custom ring. Design something that perfectly suits your fiancé— and your budget. Believe it or not, custom rings don’t have to cost more. Many jewelers will let you choose the stone and setting separately, and some even use CAD (computer-aided design) to help you really custom-design your ring. How much more personal could you get?
So yeah, choosing a ring is no small undertaking. But neither is finding the one you want to marry, and you've done that. These tips should help you figure out where to begin. And remember, taking some time and thought now will pay off over a lifetime.

Photo Credit:  slgckgc via Photo Pin
Photo Credit: Diamond Treasures