The Big Questions:

One of the most difficult questions to answer is: 'How should I choose a diamond engagement ring for my partner?' After this question, many sub-questions follow:  'Is it all a matter of their personal preference or should there be a logical process behind my choice as well?', 'What is the role of customs and tradition behind my decision?' ,  'Should I buy according to my partner's taste only or consider technical factors like carats and cut of the diamond?' etc. These are only a few of the possible sub-questions that may be buzzing through your head and we are here to try to answer them with this comprehensive blog post.

Giving an engagement ring to your partner is a special occurrence.

The Answers:

First, we will have to put things into perspective. After we finish answering the questions concerning budget, personal preferences, and tradition, we will touch on the more technical stuff like diamond cut and size.
For the sake of simplicity, we will divide the factors into two major categories. Personal Factors (your and your partner's taste, tradition etc.) and the Technical Factors (diamond cut and carats)

Personal Factors on buying the perfect diamond engagement ring :

Taste:

The first and most important factor is your partner's taste. Even if the cut or size is not the ideal one for this instance, if it is what you and your partner like you should go for it. Our partner's excitement and happiness always come first! Do a mini-research on what your partner likes. See their saved jewellery on their Pinterest boards, ask scouting questions, and see the style of rings your partner prefers!! That way you will always be prepared and will have a clear picture of what the ideal ring for your partner will look like. After that mini-research, you can use the information gathered to buy the ring you think is appropriate. Your partner's taste is the first and most important guide.

Tradition:

On the question "What is the role of customs and tradition behind my decision?" the answer is you have to go with your gut. Are you more of a traditional person? If yes you can go for a Princess or Brilliant cut Solitaire Diamond Ring. It really depends on whether you believe in tradition or not. If you do not care about traditional diamond rings you could go for a more daring design or choice of materials. Some examples are Sapphire Engagement Rings and Halo or Double Halo Diamond Engagement rings with usual diamond cuts. This choice is entirely up to you and your partner.

Budget:

Budget is your foundation. It is how you will base all your options. Gauge your funds with caution. There have been instances where people took excessive loans in order to pay for fancy Diamond Engagement Rings and this led them to financial ruin! Save up some money and go for a ring that you can afford. The engagement ring is all about the gesture anyway. If you love your partner and your partner loves you back this ring will have a huge sentimental value for both of you, even if it's made out of tin!

Technical Factors of the ideal diamond engagement ring

The Cut:

The Cut is a factor of great significance because cuts give diamonds different properties. There are many contemporary cuts, 12 being the most commonly used in jewellery, namely the Round cut, Princess cut, Trilliant cut, Asscher cut, Marquise cut, Emerald cut, Pear cut, Heart cut, Oval cut, Radiant cut, Cushion cut, Baguette cut. There are many more that are not currently used due to them not having ideal properties anymore. This means that they do not reflect the light in an ideal way.

Most Common Diamond Cuts [image: courtesy of Earnest Jones]

Round Brilliant Cut Diamond:

The Round Brilliant Cut has been around in its modern form since 1919 and has been revered as the most beautiful and complete diamond cut of them all. Its shape allows maximum light to pass through the stone and its many facets reflect it perfectly in an even and unique way. The Round Brilliant Diamond engagement ring is a safe and beautiful choice that is also in line with tradition.

Princess or Square Modified Brilliant Cut Diamond:

One of the most popular shapes in the list together with Round Brilliant, Marquise, and Asscher cuts, the princess cut is a square-cut diamond cut that was invented in 1979 and became popularized shortly after. Believed by many to be the most glamorous and appealing together with the round Brilliant cut, the Square modified-brilliant cut has been hailed as the cut suitable for princesses.

Trilliant or Triangle Modified Brilliant Cut Diamond:

Trilliant, Trillion, or Triangle Modified Brilliant Cut is one of the more unique diamond ring cuts because of its triangular shape. However, due to the irregularity of the shape and facets, the sparkle is not so bright because the light is not reflected as well as with the 2 previous brilliant cuts. Many people find this cut a bit lackluster because of the low spark and weird shape.

Asscher Cut Diamond:

The Asscher Cut was invented in 1980. This cut has a really pleasant, almost vintage look akin to the shapes used in the Art Deco movement of the 1920s. Asscher Cut Diamond Engagement Rings are relatively hard to come by because the cut does not hide blemishes as well as, for example, a round brilliant. It is one of the best cuts which, due to their form have excellent reflections, and thanks to their octagonal shape they give that very pleasant vintage look while remaining traditional.

Marquise Cut Diamond:

This ring cut has been revered for its ability to make fingers appear slenderer and longer. It is a very luxurious cut that will be admired by royals and aristocrats due to its elegant shape. The refractions of the light are very pleasant to the eye and a properly cut marquise diamond can stun you with its fire. Truly a cut made for queens. The marquise cut was invented in its modern form around 1900 and since then it has been a staple diamond cut for engagement rings together with the brilliant and Asscher cuts.

Emerald Cut Diamond:

Another popular choice for a Diamond Engagement Ring is this rectangular cut diamond which is a classic design loved by aristocrats and royals worldwide. The emerald-cut diamond has wide facets and is ideal for elongating shorter fingers. It was invented around 1900 and is one of the most classic cuts in modern jewellery. It originates from the 1500s cut named the Table Cut.

Pear Cut Diamond:

The Pear Cut belongs in the same category as the emerald cut and the marquise cut since it has the property of elongating fingers. This design is one of the cutest ones. It remains playful and youthful while also being an absolute classic. Its beautiful shape and many facets allow for brilliant sparkle. This together with the marquise diamond was preferred by royals, aristocrats, and wealthy individuals throughout history.

Heart Cut Diamond:

What can we say about this piece? The Heart-cut diamond engagement ring is definitely an overkill of romanticism! It is a very modern and youthful design that shouts "love" like no other diamond cut.  Even though it is revered as the most romantic design -and we believe it is- it is not as popular as the other cuts. The reason must be that the shape of the heart makes the ring more difficult to match with everyday clothing.

Oval Cut Diamond:

Oval-cut diamonds both elongate the fingers and have great sparkle due to their round shape. Another traditional design that started in the 1960s. It is not very commonly presented as an engagement ring.

Radiant Cut or Rectangular Modified Brilliant Diamond:

The Radiant Cut took its name from its trimmed edges and its brilliant cut that permits all these beautiful light refractions. The Radiant cut has 70 facets and it shines brilliantly when exposed to light. It has one of the most versatile designs as it has unique traits of many other cuts like the princess cut, the round brilliant cut and the emerald cut making it a really sought-after type of diamond cut.

Cushion Cut Diamond:

The Cushion cut was developed around 1900 and it originated from the Candlelight Pillow cut. The modern Cushion Cut is Unique in that it does not have the traditional sharp shape of a typical rectangular cut. Rather it features very pretty round edges that resemble cushions. It is a very unique cut because it combines the elegance of a rectangular cut with the uniqueness and playfulness of the round edges.

Baguette Cut Diamond:

The baguette diamond cut was developed around 1920 and is a really sought-after cut for diamond engagement rings, especially in Europe. This cut took its name from the French word @baguette which means thin loaf of bread.
Although the name might be bold and to some people unappealing, this doesn't stop the baguette cut from being one of the most sought-after diamond cuts due to its timeless elegance and simplicity. The shape is minimal but with excellent sparkle making it an ideal, modest, and stylish stone perfect for engagement rings.

The Way the Diamond is cut:

The diamond cut is chosen by the jeweller according to the following factors: The diamond quality, the diamond's shape and size, and the inclusions.  After careful examinations of these basic factors, the diamond is finally cut and polished according to the shape that matches its profile. When a diamond is cut, regardless of the design that is selected there are some rules that need to be followed when it is cut in order to cut the diamond in such a way that will allow maximum light reflection.

A diamond cut shallow A diamond cut is what determines its grading and therefore the price it is sold for. When cutting a diamond, the idea is to cut it to ensure the most amount of light is reflected. There are three types of cuts: shallow, ideal, and deep. How carefully or skilfully your diamond is cut determines its value to a great extent. The shallow cut is not sought-after because it does not allow enough light in the diamond, the deep cut is similar to the shallow cut, but the light might be reflected back up. The ideal cut allows light to come through the stone and is reflected up.

The Diamond Size:

In Diamond Engagement rings the Diamond size is the first and foremost diamond specification to take a hit. And it is pretty understandable and acceptable. Not everyone was born rich, so affordable options should still exist.
Usually, affordable engagement rings span from 0.20ct stones to half a carat. The reason is that prices for bigger stones increase exponentially. Most people are puzzled as to what is an acceptable size for an engagement ring. The answer is simple. The size depends entirely on your budget so don't declare bankruptcy in order to get engaged. Save up some money, and see things clearly. Buying engagement rings with smaller stones does not mean you do not love your partner enough.

Thoughts:

The mist was thick, but I hope this comprehensive Blog Post cleared it even if only by a little. We talked about our budget and our options. About some important technical aspects and about the fact that we need to liberate ourselves from the social pressure of "buying the biggest stone". When choosing a diamond engagement ring do it with your heart. Devote time and care to your choice and be sure that your other half will understand. Here at Diamond Treats, we know what matters. Just create beautiful memories with a lovely diamond engagement ring. Don't be afraid to show your feelings. Perfection does not exist, only completion.