There is something unromantic to a woman about picking out her own engagement ring. It just does not give the same thrill as receiving a proposal accompanied by a ring - especially one as endearingly romantic as heart engagement rings. The heart shape says all that needs to be said about the romantic heart that purchased it.
The ring should probably not come as a total surprise, in that you should have been asking about her tastes in jewelry and stones. Window shopping together is a great way to gauge her tastes, by observing her reaction to different ring styles and stones. There are brochures discussing different rings to look at, giving you a chance to find out her preferences in the color of gold - some feel white gold is more attractive that the traditional yellow.
You can also observe her reaction to heart jewelry. Does she think it is little girlish? Or does she frequently select necklaces or earrings with the heart theme? She may go for the simple elegance of the solitaire diamond. Her taste may run to the flashier rings with diamond studded settings. Does she love clear gems, or does she feel diamonds should shimmer with shades of other colors such as yellow, pink, green, blue, brown and black? She may feel the colorless stones are not interesting enough. Other diamond lovers are purists who want that clear sparkle. She may have been looking at diamonds since she was little and already know exactly what she wants.
Quality varies among diamonds. Discuss the relative merits of diamond gems with jewelers you trust in your hometown, and research information online so you know what distinguishes a quality diamond from a flawed one. Four factors determine the value of diamonds. Number one and most significant is carat weight, which measures its size. Secondly, the cut, which basically is how the diamond has been shaped by the gem cutter. This is an art requiring great skill to avoid wasting part of the stone or ruining it. Clarity is the third consideration when determining a diamond's value. The purer the stone's structure, without flaws or specks, the greater the value. Diamonds are graded according to flaws, with the lowest numbers, 1 to 3 being the most flawed. A higher number equals higher grade of diamond. Color is the final feature that makes a diamond valuable. Unique colors can sometimes add enormously to its value, if size, cut and clarity are high quality.
But a diamond's beauty is in the eye of the bride-to-be who looks at it. The diamond is not as important as how important it is to her and how much she likes it. Note what her tastes in jewelry are. You do not have to mortgage your future to get the ring - a beautiful one that you chose especially for her with her tastes and dreams in mind will show your love for her. The strength and sincerity of your love demonstrated by the gift is what makes the diamond engagement ring precious to her. So let the search for that engagement ring be an act of love that you can enjoy and remember for many years with the woman you love.
