The moment you get engaged is one of the most memorable in your life. It's all topped off with the perfect ring! It's hard to know what to choose with so many styles and designs. Those old rules are gone - today it's all about the individual and their engagement ring that reflects their style, taste, and values. You can also find sparklers for every budget. If you're thinking about proposing - or if you want to give your other half some ideas on what to buy - keep reading this guide to different engagement ring shapes, colors, and sizes.
Shapes
Oval Cut
As an elongated version of a round diamond, an oval-shaped stone has just as many facets as a round diamond, so it sparkles just as much. The oblong shape can lengthen the finger, and it's elegant and out-of-the-ordinary. In the wrong cut, however, it can have the same "bowtie" effect as a marquise-cut stone, and it will also show flaws and inclusions. You can combat this by choosing a salt-and-pepper oval-cut diamond so that otherwise unwanted inclusions become part of the look.
Pear Cut
Pear-shaped diamonds date back to the 1400s and are also known as teardrops. These unique shapes take cues from both the oval and marquise, making them perfect for vintage-inspired brides who think two is better than one. Because most of the stone shows from the top, pear-shaped diamonds tend to look bigger than they really are, so if size matters to you, this is a great cut. Due to their pointed tip, pear cut rings work best in a half-V or bezel setting. In addition, they're more likely to show inclusions and aren't as brilliant if they're not cut right.
Princess Cut
Who doesn't want to feel like a princess on her wedding day? A popular engagement ring style is the princess cut. With its square or rectangle sides, the princess cut makes a great choice for nearly any kind of ring. With a princess-cut diamond, you get a modern, geometrical look with a lot of brilliance, and they're usually a lot cheaper than round diamonds. Princess-cut diamonds are known for chipping at the corners or falling out, so make sure you pick a protective setting.
Cushion Cut
Because of the square-cut combined with rounded corners of this cut, the stone is often compared to a pillow. The classic 58 larger facets add to the stone's brilliance. Cushion-cut diamonds have been around since the 18th century, and they were huge in the 19th century (though they were called mine cuts). Their old-world vibe makes them perfect for vintage settings, and they've recently come back into style. Although they look great in modern settings, they don't have as much sparkle as brilliant-cut diamonds.
Round Cut
The round-cut diamond is a favorite among brides everywhere. It's no surprise that this is the reigning stone, since its shape maximizes the diamond's fire at the right reflection of light. Solitaires, two- and three-stone settings, and geometric settings for a retro look look great with round, brilliant-cut diamonds. If you're more on the alternative side, you might want to look for a cut that'll appear on fewer fingers.
Emerald Cut
An emerald cut diamond is known for its Art Deco aesthetic, featuring a rectangular step cut, an open table, and cropped corners. The diamond's clear clarity is captured by its long silhouette and angular lines, while its understated sparkle gives it a "hall of mirrors" effect. Vertically set, their shape makes fingers look longer and slender, perfect for selfies. Color and clarity are of utmost importance, since it has fewer facets to distract from blemishes. If you're looking for a mega sparkler, this isn't the cut for you.
Heart Cut
They're not usually used as engagement rings or for Valentine's Day nuptials, but maybe that's what makes them so special. You can wear it as a solitaire on a simple band or in a more elaborate setting if you're a hopeless romantic. A heart-shaped stone will cost more because of the labor that goes into creating its symmetry and brilliance. This ring might not be right for you if you're looking for something timeless. It's also a bit too trendy for some people.
Ring Sizing Basics
When it comes to choosing the perfect engagement ring, there’s much more to consider than just the style and shape! One of the most challenging parts of the engagement ring process is determining the band fit because several different factors influence it. Here’s some things to consider when choosing a ring size:
Environment and Activity
Your fingers can be affected by temperature, diet, pregnancy, and other factors. Your finger might change size, so don't worry! There are so many factors that can change it, like activity, season, and so on.
Finger Shape
There's different kinds of fingers, and they can affect ring size and fit! The base of your ring finger will be the tightest if you have a tapered ring finger. It's incredibly important to have a snug fit when wearing rings on tapered fingers. A knotted finger, on the other hand, has its widest part at the middle knuckle, which the ring has to fit over. If the ring doesn't fit right at the base of your finger, it might move around.
Band Width
Rings with thinner bands tend to run a bit large, while rings with thicker bands fit snugger. More metal around your finger means more space and a tighter fit. For example, a thin size 6 ring won't fit like a thick size 6 ring. Choose a slightly smaller ring size if you want a thin, delicate band (super trendy right now).
When to Measure Ring Size?
Whether you believe it or not, you need just the right conditions to measure your ring finger. Cold weather shrinks our fingers, and warm weather makes them swell. If you're going to measure your fingers, don't eat salty foods, drink hot cocktails, or do anything strenuous before you measure. Your body temperature should be normal and natural. For the most accurate, comfortable fit, get measured around the middle of the day at room temperature, when your fingers are swollen.
Colors To Choose From
There are some disadvantages to silver as a precious metal, including the fact that it discolors easily, requires frequent cleaning, has a higher allergy rate than other precious metals, is prone to scratches, and can't be laser engraved. A gold engagement ring is a great choice, it comes in three shades: silvery white gold, classic yellow gold, or romantic red gold. In essence, it's red gold, but with a softer hue, which is why they're sometimes compared.
Whether you want a gemstone in pure, transparent white, yellow, pink, orange, red, green, blue, or even black, gemstones come in all colors of the rainbow. There are a few minerals that are especially suitable for engagement rings, including ruby, sapphire, emerald, and diamond. Colorless diamonds are particularly popular for engagement rings because they are transparent and sparkle when light hits them!