Ultimate Guide For Picking the Perfect Engagement Ring

Choosing an engagement ring can sometimes seem like a complicated task – there are many different styles and cut designs, not to mention the range of colors. However, with the help of Laatukoru’s expert guide, choosing an engagement ring is easier when you don't have to figure it all out on your own.

In this guide, we'll help you navigate the intricacies of gemology, explain the 4Cs (cut, color, clarity, and carat), explain about the various styles and settings, and help you the choose the perfect engagement ring.

How to choose the best engagement rings

When choosing an engagement ring with diamonds, it is important to consider four criteria that affect the quality of the diamond. These are called the 4C's of the diamond. The 4Cs of a diamond are: Cut, Color, Clarity and Carat.

Not only does the cut affect the clarity and sparkle of the diamond, but the cut can also shape the size of the diamond to the eye of the beholder. Color and clarity, on the other hand, are directly linked to the beauty and value of the diamond. Carat is the weight of the diamond and it naturally affects the size of the diamond and the overall appearance of the ring.

You should also consider whether you want platinum, gold or white gold, as your choice of metal can shape the appearance and durability of your ring.

Understanding the 4 Cs of Diamond Quality

In this article, we present the 4C's of a diamond quality grade in general. We also recommend reading our comprehensive diamond guide , where you'll learn more in detail.

How Cut Affects a Diamond's Beauty

The way in which a diamond is cut will affect its appearance - which is a very important factor when choosing an engagement ring. A well-cut diamond reflects light better, making it brighter and more sparkling.

Popular diamond cuts include the round brilliant cut, the square or rectangular princess cut and the cushion cut, which is similar to old diamond cuts. Brilliant cuts are also available in drop, heart or oval shapes.

Which cut you ultimately choose is a matter of taste. Although round brilliant diamond cuts are by far the most common in Finland, other diamond shapes have also become more popular recently.

Choosing the Right Color for Your Diamond

The colour of a diamond plays an important role not only in its appearance, but also in the value of the ring. Only a small proportion of the world's diamonds are colourless or almost colourless – most are yellowish or brownish. The more colourless a diamond is, the higher its value. On the other hand, fancy colour diamonds with a strong natural colour can be worth much more than colourless diamonds.

In order to clarify the colour shades of diamonds, colour grading scales have been created, of which the GIA (Gemological Institute of America) is the most widely used internationally. The scale is denoted by the letters D to Z, where D is the rarest, colourless diamond and Z is the most yellowish. All yellow shades above the Z grade are fancy colour diamonds, which are graded entirely on their own.

In addition, the PTN (Nordic Diamond Nomenclature) can be used in Finland to classify diamond colours, but an understanding of the GIA scale will already help you a lot with choosing the right diamond. 

What Clarity Means for Your Diamond

When it comes to evaluating diamonds, clarity is very important. Inclusions, or internal flaws, can affect how shiny and sparkly the diamond is. A diamond with fewer or no inclusions is highly sought after because it looks better and is worth more.

The clarity of a diamond affects how it looks overall. Diamonds with excellent clarity look very bright and captivating, so they are more desirable and valuable. On the other hand, diamonds with lower clarity have visible flaws that make them less beautiful and valuable.

Different levels of clarity, from Flawless to Included, really affect how beautiful a diamond is. Flawless or Internally Flawless diamonds are very rare and desirable because they have hardly any inclusions, making them look stunning.

Deciding on the Carat Weight of Your Diamond

The carat (ct) is used to measure the weight of a diamond, and one carat weighs 0.2 grams. A higher carat weight means a bigger and more impressive stone, but it also comes at a higher price. 

It's important to find a balance between size and quality to make a diamond sparkle and look good. Rather than focusing only to carats, it's best to prioritise colour, cut and clarity, so that inclusions are minimised and the diamond looks beautiful.

Lab-Created Diamonds

Instead of natural diamonds, you can also consider lab grown diamonds. To create laboratory diamonds, the same conditions are created in the laboratory as in the process of creating real diamonds. Lab-created diamonds have the same characteristics as traditional diamonds, but they are cheaper and more environmentally friendly as they do not require mining to create. They are therefore often referred to as conflict-free diamonds.

Lab-created diamonds are not only affordable, they are also a beautiful and sparkling choice for the natural diamonds.

Considering Other Gemstones

In addition to diamonds, other popular choices for engagement rings include sapphires, morganites, rubies and emeralds. The deep colours of these gemstones add a stunning, personal touch to the ring.

Compared to traditional diamonds, other gemstones can vary in hardness, durability and clarity. Diamonds are known for their hardness and sparkle, but other gemstones may require special care to maintain their appearance over the years.

When selecting an alternative gemstone for an engagement ring, it's important to consider factors like color intensity, clarity, and overall wearability. Also, think about the stone's symbolism and personal significance to ensure it aligns with the couple's values and preferences.

Exploring Different Diamond Shapes

When choosing a diamond shape for an engagement ring, it's important to know the popular options and their characteristics.

For example, round diamonds are classic and versatile, while princess-cut diamonds have a modern, square shape. Emerald-cut diamonds are elegant, and oval diamonds create the illusion of longer fingers.

Consider how the diamond shape affects the overall look of the ring. Elongated shapes like pear or marquise cut can make fingers appear longer. Heart-shaped diamonds symbolize romance, while unique shapes like cushion-cut, radiant-cut, and Asscher-cut offer a stylish appearance.

Understanding the characteristics and impact of different diamond shapes is important when selecting the perfect ring for a significant milestone.

Diamond Settings

Diamonds can be set in a ring in many different ways, each of which has its own characteristics and advantages. There are many options, from the high crown setting of the Solitaire ring to the detailed multi-stone halo ring. Diamond settings play a big role in how a ring looks, as some settings will amply lift and accentuate the diamond, while some setting styles are more subdued. The number and shape of the claws (that hold the diamond in place) also affect the appearance of the diamond.

When choosing a setting, it's important to consider the practicality of the ring and your own personal style. For example, an active lifestyle may be better suited to a lower setting so that the stone doesn't get in the way in your everyday life. For those looking for a classic or modern style, a variety of settings will suit, so take the time to consider which setting is right for you.

Choosing the material of the ring

Yellow gold

Yellow gold is a popular choice for engagement rings – the warm, golden hue gives the ring a timeless and classic look. This makes it an excellent symbol of everlasting love and commitment. Yellow gold is durable and requires little maintenance to maintain its shine. Unlike other metals, such as white gold or platinum, yellow gold does not need to be plated with rhodium to preserve its colour. Yellow gold also enhances the appearance of the diamond by creating a beautiful contrast to the bright, sparkling diamond.

Rose gold

Rose gold is also a very popular metal for engagement rings. Rose gold has a warm, pink colour that contrasts with white and yellow gold rings. The colour adds a unique, romantic look to the ring. Its soft and feminine tone is elegant and gives the ring a timeless vintage feel.

White gold

White gold's cool, silvery-white lustre is often compared to platinum. However, white gold is more affordable than platinum, making it a great choice for those looking for a more affordable ring. Suitable for everyday wear, white gold also lasts well in everyday life without fading. The versatile ring metal goes very well with stones of different shapes and colours, and white gold jewellery is easy to alter and repair.

In Summary

Choosing the right engagement ring doesn't happen overnight, so take your time to find the right one. And remember, it's not the size of the carats or the clarity of the diamonds that matters, but the fact that the ring feels like your own and reflects your love.

At Laatukoru we are happy to advise you on any questions you may have, so please feel free to contact us if you need help choosing just the right engagement ring. You can also check out our wide range of engagement rings!