Nicole Richie Engagement Ring

ENGAGEMENT RINGS

Egyptian's were the first people known to exchange engagement rings. The engagement ring was put on the fourth finger of the left hand, as that is where Vena Amoris, or the vein of love is said to run directly to the heart. The tradition of the engagement ring has stuck since then, and now it's an important part of the engagement and marriage process. Choosing an engagement ring is difficult enough when you are trying to find a symbol of undying love and promise, but it can be even more difficult when you don't know what to look for. When you know what an engagement ring needs to do or not do, the question then is just finding the right place to buy it!

Four Characteristics of a Great Engagement Ring

An engagement ring has to be capable of four basic things. The engagement ring needs to be practical to wear every day. An engagement ring that doesn't fit into your lifestyle isn't worth buying at all. Withstanding everyday wear is also a must of an engagement ring, as you shouldn't have to buy another if the first one is not long-lasting. The engagement ring is a sign of everlasting love, so a durable ring is a must! Thirdly, an engagement ring must hold any gemstones securely and comfortably for the ring wearer. Lastly, an engagement ring has to look good! Even if a ring possesses all the other qualities, if the bride to be does not like the ring it's not a winner! For an engagement ring to be considered it needs to exhibit all of these characteristics, and there really is no way around that!

Consider Your Lifestyle

Choosing an engagement ring that is easy and comfortable to wear is as simple as thinking about your lifestyle. If the setting on your engagement ring is really high, you are more likely to catch it on things. So, if you work in a setting where you'll be shaking hands with other people or working with clothing a higher setting won't be right for you. If you work behind a desk all day and don't have much opportunity for a ring to catch on things you'll be able to choose a ring with a higher setting. If you have or work with children you should also consider a lower setting so the children don't get scratched or hurt as a result of the setting. Really take some time to think about how well each setting will fit into your life now and in the future. Thinking about your setting and your lifestyle now will give you more satisfaction with your engagement ring in the future.

Look for Durability

Durability is a huge issue when choosing an engagement ring, too. An engagement ring is typically given and then not taken off except for cleanings and size adjustments so it must hold up well. Most of us come into contact with abrasive items all day every day, and this can slowly wear away at jewelry. For this reason 18k gold or platinum are the preferred metals when choosing an engagement ring. These are the hardest metals and they'll likely hold up to the wear and tear a lot better over the years than softer metals. If you work in an environment where you come in contact with abrasive materials, you should choose a heavier metal or design to help the metal hold up better for a longer period of time.

Choose A Secure Setting

Your engagement ring's ability to securely hold gemstones is also what will secure the value of your engagement ring. When you are choosing an engagement ring, shop for rings that have six prongs holding the gemstones in place instead of four. When you have six prongs holding the gemstones in place the stones are less likely to be lost and also less likely to be damaged. A bezel or rub over setting is more secure than a claw setting and bezel settings have become very popular. A heavier setting is often advisable as it's more stable than a light setting. Also, a lower setting is less likely to be damaged than a higher setting. This is one point that a lot of people overlook when choosing an engagement ring, it's only when they lose a stone that they realize how very important a secure setting really is.

Love the Style

Style is the last part of the equation. If you have found a ring that you like that is also comfortable and fits your lifestyle, is durable, and holds gemstones securely, it's likely that you have found your ring. You must decide how big you want your setting to be, what type of metal is most attractive, and what sort of stones you want. It can be anything you want it to be, and as long as you've thought about the other three parts of the equation you're likely to love and wear the ring forever!

Research the Choices

While it'd be easy to go out and buy the first engagement ring that you see and like, the process should be a bit more methodical than that. It's really not tough to find a ring that is beautiful and everything else it should be, it just means you need to pay attention, ask questions, and know what you want. An impulse buy may be a bit more exciting, but if you really do your homework you'll end up with a quality ring that will make you happier for much longer than your impulse buy!