| It's often the first item on a bride's 'to do' list, and | | | | You'll find millions (literally) of photos of |
| is an extremely important decision. After all, this is | | | | engagement rings you can browse through at |
| the ring you'll wear for the rest of your life. | | | | your leisure. Use this resource to find a design |
| The unique nature of this purchase is the key to | | | | that truly speaks to you. You'll know it when you |
| getting it right. In this article, I'll explain the | | | | find it, because the ring will leap off the page. |
| different factors you need to consider. | | | | I also recommend that you print a photo of any |
| Budget | | | | ring you love, and take it with you when you visit |
| If you're not wealthy, you may be tempted to | | | | a jewellery store. You never know when you'll |
| compromise and get a ring you don't really love | | | | find something close (or even better) to the |
| for the sake of price. Your fiance may even try | | | | ultimate ring you're searching for. |
| to pressure you into lowering your expectations | | | | Do I need Real Stones? |
| to better match your budget. | | | | Most of the cost of jewellery comes from one of |
| Men don't tend to value jewellery the way | | | | the following... |
| women do, and it's often useful to be able to | | | | - The brand name (you pay for the name) |
| explain your choice in way they can relate to | | | | - What it's made of (the materials and stones) |
| Here's why you shouldn't scrimp on your | | | | Yet the thing that gives you lasting joy is neither |
| engagement ring... | | | | of these things. So the question to ask yourself is |
| - This ring will continue to give you pleasure for | | | | 'do I really need a rock that size from a named |
| the rest of your life. It's an eternal reminder (and | | | | jeweller? Your answer comes back to your |
| public statement) of your love for him | | | | personality. Is it the design you're in love with, or |
| - Over the course of your entire life the price of | | | | the brand/stone? |
| this ring is minuscule (mere pennies per day) | | | | If it's the design you love, I suggest you |
| - Long after you've both forgotten the price, your | | | | investigate the cost of having the ring custom |
| ring will continue to give you pleasure (but only if | | | | made by a manufacturing jeweller. There are |
| you choose the one you love). That pleasure is | | | | loads of manufacturing jewellers in London, and |
| forever associated with him | | | | the rings they produce are typically a fraction of |
| - If you compromise, and settle for a less | | | | the cost of the big names. What's more, some |
| expensive ring that you don't really love, it will | | | | jewellers will sit down with you and design a |
| instead be an eternal reminder that you settled. | | | | virtual ring right on computer before your very |
| And that pain is forever associated with him | | | | eyes (see link in author profile below). |
| What are you like? | | | | The virtual ring is very realitic, and can be viewed |
| The perfect ring should reflect your personality? | | | | from any angle. This is the single best way to get |
| Do you tend to be a flashy person? Then your | | | | the engagement ring you've always wanted. In |
| ring should reflect this. Is your personality more | | | | particular, it's an excellent way to get the design |
| low key? Then perhaps you're better off with a | | | | you wanted for a reasonable price. There are |
| more subtle (and elegant) design. | | | | other benefits too, such as being able to recreate |
| Fashion trends tend to get in the way of this | | | | the ring on demand if it's lost or stolen. |
| process, and can result in unnecessary | | | | Colours |
| disappointment later on. Remember, this ring will | | | | An engagement ring needn't be a traditional clear |
| stay with you for your entire life. Today's | | | | diamond. The old adage of colour, clarity, cut and |
| momentary trend will quickly lose its shine if it | | | | carat shouldn't apply unless you specifically want it |
| doesn't reflect your true personality. | | | | to. Your personality must dictate the type of ring |
| Rather than browse jeweller's window displays, I | | | | you buy, rather than the fact it's an engagement |
| suggest you take a look at ring designs using | | | | ring from some big brand. |
| Google images. Here's how... | | | | For example, my wife has blue/grey eyes. She |
| | | | chose an engagement ring with bluish/purple |
| 1. Go to Google | | | | stones. This colour brings out a stunning bright |
| 2. Click the 'Images' link at the top of the page | | | | blue in her eyes that isn't otherwise there. The |
| 3. Type 'engagement rings' into the search box | | | | result is spectacular, and this simply wouldn't be |
| 4. Click the 'Search' button | | | | the case if she'd gone for a traditional clear rock. |