Give a Halo to Your Angel
One of the most popular settings for diamond engagement rings is a halo setting, featuring a larger center diamond surrounded by a series of smaller diamonds. Halo settings are not only beautiful, but they can also be an economical choice if you desire a larger ring but have a specific budget to stay under. Halo engagement rings most commonly incorporate round, cushion, pear, or oval cut diamonds, giving you a wide range of options. While you may find halo settings in any metal, you are most likely to find them in white gold, as the silvery sheen of white gold blends with the diamonds better and gives the illusion of one larger diamond.
”Till Death Do Us Part”
Your diamond engagement ring is the first symbolic gesture of the vows you will soon make when you promise to stay with your loved one forever, and like your promise, the diamond you propose with will last with your love. Diamonds are the ideal choice for a forever promise; they are the hardest, strongest, and most permanent material known to man. While this makes them a practical gemstone for any piece of jewelry, it makes them notably worthwhile to invest in for an engagement ring. Inevitably prone to bumps and scratches due to their location, a diamond won't show wear and tear like other colored gemstones.
Choosing a Metal
Rose gold, yellow gold, platinum, white gold--on top of choosing a style of diamond cut, deciding on a metal for your engagement ring will heavily influence the aesthetic of the ring and depends both on the style and complexion of your beloved. Gold is available in different shades that varies based on the purity of the gold (ranging most often from 10k to 18k in fine jewelry) and the alloy metal it is mixed with. While having a higher percentage of gold may sound preferable, the gold will be softer and more liable to scratches. Platinum affords a more durable but less pliable alternative to white gold and may not be a suitable upgrade depending on the engagement ring band style you choose.
A Diamond Is Forever
Diamonds are both a practical choice and a symbolic one. The first advertisement campaign selling diamond engagement rings dates to 1947, marketing a the sentiment of a lifelong union with the slogan “A diamond is forever.” It may only have been a clever advertising strategy at the time, but they got the message across: as the toughest material on earth, diamonds truly are symbolic of a lasting relationship that can weather any circumstances at any time. Not only strong, diamonds are also reflective and prismatic, catching the light and sparkling delightfully. The only thing diamonds don't have in common with your loved one is that they can be bought - the love you share is priceless.