Finances & Money

Why Shape Matters When Buying a Diamond Engagement Ring

Joining together forever with the love of your life starts with a thoughtfully planned proposal, and usually sorting through multiple diamond engagement rings before settling on the one that aptly expresses your devotion. You can alleviate some of the pressure of choosing the perfect ring by starting with the diamond shape. The shape can inspire a rush of excitement that is further enhanced by the well-known criteria of carat, cut, clarity, and color. The options for diamond ring shapes include the following:

• Round
• Princess
• Emerald
• Oval
• Marquise
• Cushion
• Pear
• Asscher
• Heart
• Radiant

Consider these factors when choosing the shape.

Hand Characteristics

Just as no two diamonds are the same, no two hands are the same. Studying your intended’s hands can provide clues about which stone shape will be most flattering. For instance, people with long, slender fingers have hit the hands jackpot because any shape will look fantastic.

If your beloved is not endowed with versatile diamond-wearing digits, don’t worry; many shapes lend themselves to a beautiful hand in matrimony. Short fingers look best wearing elongated, vertically oriented diamonds like marquis, pear, and oval. For thicker fingers, look for full shapes that provide ample skin coverage, like pear or oval.

Large hands can handle large stones, but first, decide on the shape. Oval, marquis, and emerald shapes can fill out a setting and create a pleasing ring to hand ratio. For tiny hands, beware of full angles like those found on emerald cuts; they can overpower small fingers. Classic, round diamonds always work, but the sinuous lines of heart-shaped stones can at once create interest and daintiness.

Diamond engagement rings represent a considerable investment for most people, and the stone shape may determine the purchase value. Multi-faceted round diamonds cost the most because they require the highest skill and labor from the diamond cutter to achieve the brilliance and sparkle that characterize them.

It makes sense that diamonds with fewer facets will command lower prices. Fortunately, you can find a diamond shape that strikes the right balance between affordability and the dazzle that is the raison d’etre of diamond jewelry. For this, look no further than the princess shape. Princess diamonds are cut to resemble inverted pyramids. High brilliance, comparable to that of round diamonds, can be achieved with a smaller number of strategically placed facets. Fewer facets reduce labor, making princess-cut diamonds a fantastic value.

Online Purchasing

It’s no secret that online shopping is overtaking in-store purchasing, and this trend extends to engagement rings. Online retailers with comparatively low overhead, often offer enticing savings to make buying a ring on the internet a reasonable choice. When searching for the diamond shape of your choosing online, pay close attention to how much information is given about the stone. At a minimum, the site should provide you with measurements, symmetry, and polish, in addition, to cut, color, clarity, and carat size. It’s also vital to make sure your diamond is certified and comes with a certificate from an authorized grader, such as the International Gemological Institute. 

Always make sure you are buying from a reputable source that provides the appropriate certifications, return policy, sizing accommodations and safe shipping. Put in the necessary research to find the right company. Reading reviews is the best way to learn about how the brand handles everything from customer service to resizing. 

Choosing an engagement ring is the first meaningful step on your way to the altar. If you are planning a surprise proposal and want to explore diamond engagement rings, start paying careful attention to your future spouse’s hands to know which diamond ring shapes will be the most flattering. Once you’ve chosen the best diamond shape, every other detail of your search will be stress-free.