by S Prasad
Platinum, known for its durability is a popular choice for rings. Finally, the selection of the ring style is just as important. You could either select a simple ring with a single stone (which is called a solitaire), or a ring with side stones or Baguettes, which will add to the total price of the ring and is more personalized.
Summary:
A special occasion always warrants a special gift. And for an occasion like an engagement, the ring is the gift which highlights the ceremony. When buying an engagement ring, the first decision to make would be the ring size. It is important to note that the ring band (or the part of the ring which surrounds the finger) should fit comfortably and well. The engagement ring itself comes in two parts: the setting (which holds the stone) and the band. The setting is almost always made out of platinum (even on a gold ring) because of the metal’s strength and durability.
A selection can be made whether the stone is gripped by 4 or 6 prongs. A setting with 4 prongs will show more of the stone, but a setting with 6 prongs is more secure. But, whether you would want prongs or any other setting which does not use prongs, for example, a setting which would use a channel to hold the stone, is a matter of personal preference. The band itself can be made out of different materials, most common to note would be gold. The gold used in manufacturing rings is usually alloyed with Nickel, Copper or Zinc to add strength to the band, as pure gold is known to bend easily.
A 24-carat band is known to be of pure gold, where as an 18-carat band will usually be about 68% gold. However, if you would want a silver band that rarely tarnishes, platinum is the metal of choice for the band. But, platinum is much more rare than gold and costs more. Platinum, known for its durability is a popular choice for rings. Finally, the selection of the ring style is just as important. You could either select a simple ring with a single stone (which is called a solitaire), or a ring with side stones or Baguettes, which will add to the total price of the ring and is more personalized. 2. How to choose gemstone. A gemstone is a mineral rock or petrified material that when cut and polished, can be used as either a collectible or in Jewelry. It is usually the organic or hard gemstones like diamonds and rubies which are used in Jewelry. There are four basic gemstones which are considered as cardinal and these are Diamonds, Rubies, Sapphires and Emeralds; and these are classified as precious stones. Others, which are semi-precious, range from Agate to Zircon, which are mostly manufactured to imitate precious stones.
The most common semi-precious gemstones are Opal, Cubic Zirconia (which is a synthetic diamond substitute), Amethyst, Jade, Quartz, Topaz and Lapis Lazuli. When selecting a gemstone, some important factors to consider would be: a) The artificial materials used in the gem: Some artificial materials used include High-Lead glass, and synthetic materials like cubic zirconia, corundum, and moissanite. These are used to strengthen the material. b) The organic materials used: these can range from Amber, Bone, Coral, Pearl to Jet (Lignite). c) The cut of the stone: Some stones, most commonly diamonds, are cut into different geometrical shapes to reflect their dimensions. Most common cuts are Round, Radiant, Pear, Oval and Marquise. The cut defines the shape of the stone and determines the brilliance it reflects. It is the above factors which also determine the price of the gemstone in addition to the setting that the gemstone would be in, the carat weight and the color.
