You’re happily engaged, and can’t wait to finally marry your husband-to-be, however much he annoys you by leaving the toilet seat up and leaving his dirty boxers in the kitchen. But one thing is missing – the perfect wedding ring.
The choice of the wedding ring was all left to someone else, and sometimes the relinquishing of choice is a weight off the shoulders. Thrust back into the choosing game, it can sometimes be difficult to decide which wedding ring is right for you. There are so many things to consider, not least cut, colour, clarity and carat, and all of this makes for a daunting task ahead. Together with Angelic Diamonds, specialist retailers in bespoke round engagement rings, we provide you with the 5 IDEAL tips when choosing a ring which will look perfect on your finger.
CONSIDER THE CUT
Look a cut above on your wedding day by considering the cut of your ring. The correct cut results in the most dazzling sparkle, meaning the choice of diamond is the one most important factor if you want to shine on your big day.
Without the perfect cut, there is a danger, despite the best colour and clarity, that your diamond will look a little dull. You want your ring to be catching the light and winking in all those Facebook uploads, so be super considerating when contemplating the cut.
Encouraging a radiant, eye-catching sparkle involves selecting a cut which will not be too shallow or too deep, and will allow light to pass through it so that it reflects evenly throughout the diamond.
COLOURLESS EQUALS SPARKLE
Following cut, colour is the second most key consideration. Studies have shown that the eye detects the cut first, and is drawn to the colour of the diamond second.
A near-colourless diamond with grade between G-H will strike a balance between budget and being truly eye-catching – and who doesn’t want to maximise the best of both?. Colour in diamonds appears as a pale yellow, so if this is evident anywhere in the ring you are considering,, we would recommend avoiding it, as the naked eye responds better to a colourless finish.
CLARITY IS KING
In technical terms, inclusions refers to the small imperfections which are on every diamond. It’s more a question of how small and how many. The less inclusions in the ring, the better the clarity, with a high clarity meaning your wedding ring will shine bright no matter where, and under what light, you are.
By purchasing an SI (slightly included) quality diamond, you’re getting something both visually stunning but without the astronomical cost and extreme rarity of a diamond that contains no inclusions and no imperfections.
Read: 6 alternatives to traditional wedding rings
CONSIDER CARAT
The fourth C in the bible of wedding ring selection is carat, meaning weight. There are common misconceptions concerning the carat weight of the diamond on your wedding ring, with many believing that the term refers to the diamond’s size, and not its weight. Well, this isn’t the case – so try to keep this in mind when choosing your ideal ring for the wedding. As with all jewellery, precious stones and metal, ‘reassuring weight’ is not just a saying, but a marker of quality.
The cut of the diamond will change how large the carat weight appears, so it’s important to get a good balance of both so that your ring sits well on the finger, but also provides you with the shine and brilliance you need to make heads turn on your wedding day.
DON’T FORGET FINGER SIZE
It’s really important to keep in mind that the size of your finger will affect the appearance of the diamond. If you’ve got really slender fingers, the diamond will appear large in comparison. It’s important to get the balance right, as correct sizing equals elegance. Also of note, not all ring fittings will fit all diamond carats and shapes, so it’s important to consider what type of diamond shape you’d like before choosing its design.