Bridal Jewelry Buying Guide | Know About Engagement & Wedding Rings

Getting ready to propose? Marshall’s Jewelers has created a handy guide to help you navigate engagement and wedding ring choices.

You will be confronted with a dizzying array of choices when it comes to engagement rings. Have a price range in mind. Going in with fairly specific parameters will help your jeweler find the right engagement ring to fit your budget.

What kind of jewelry do they already wear?
Know their ring size
Are their preferences hard to pin down?
Know what diamond shape suits them

By now you have noticed your significant others distinctive style in fashion and jewelry. Whether they are sporty and simple or if they prefer to go bold and blinged out. Perhaps, they are simply elegant and sophisticated. When they are wearing their favorite jewelry have you noticed if the metal is white or yellow? Whatever their particular style happens to be, share this with Marshall’s Jewelers as they are experts on translating their style into the perfect engagement or wedding ring.

If you have gone window shopping for rings, you may have already know this important information. If not, don’t sweat it, the professionals at Marshall’s Jewelers will expertly size your fingers. There are several covert ways to get the size right too. You might consider using one of their rings as a guide. Maybe they have a discreet friend or relative who might know their size.

If you are still concerned, it is alright to present the ring first and size later. In fact, rings today are stocked most commonly in sizes anywhere between size 6 and 7. When you are ready, Marshall’s Jewelers will expertly gauge their ring size can have the ring sized in house very quickly. Because of the delicate nature of the way diamonds are set in the ring, it is always best to have the ring sized once instead of twice due to a sizing mistake.

If the answer is yes, the best answer is to choose a classic solitaire. Choosing a solitaire engagement ring gives them the joy of showing off their new brilliant diamond or a any modern gemstone choice while shopping with you for the perfect setting.

Shape is sometimes confused with Cut, one of the four C’s. Shape refers to just that, think Round, Cushion, or Radiant. The cut actually refers to how well a diamond reflects and disperses light. A well cut diamond will reflect light and create a beautiful sparkling effect, called “scintillation”. Cut has long been known as the most important “C”, however, the recipients taste in shape will be as equally important in making your decision on which diamond to purchase.

Consider the following when shopping. Have they been hinting about their “Dream Diamond” and what shape it is? Have they admired someone else’s diamond?

If you’re still unsure, consider the classic shapes Round and Princess. These shapes are timeless and compliment most styles of engagement ring settings. A third classic, the Emerald cut has clean lines and is designed to show off high quality diamonds.

Modified versions of the Round and Princess are very popular right now and can be seen in the Radiant cut. This shape is popular in both a square and rectangle.

Looking for a large diamond? The Marquise, Oval and Pear shape diamonds while beautiful in any size and well suited for most ring settings, make a stunning statement in sizes 1 Carat and larger.

Last but not least are the very uniquely cut Trillion and Heart shaped diamonds. These shapes can be difficult to work with, but set in the right setting are perfect for the person with an artistic flare.

What kind of jewelry do they already wear?

By now you have noticed your significant others distinctive style in fashion and jewelry. Whether they are sporty and simple or if they prefer to go bold and blinged out. Perhaps, they are simply elegant and sophisticated. When they are wearing their favorite jewelry have you noticed if the metal is white or yellow? Whatever their particular style happens to be, share this with Marshall’s Jewelers as they are experts on translating their style into the perfect engagement or wedding ring.
Know her ring size

If you have gone window shopping for rings, you may have already know this important information. If not, don’t sweat it, the professionals at Marshall’s Jewelers will expertly size your fingers. There are several covert ways to get the size right too. You might consider using one of their rings as a guide. Maybe they have a discreet friend or relative who might know their size.

If you are still concerned, it is alright to present the ring first and size later. In fact, rings today are stocked most commonly in sizes anywhere between size 6 and 7. When you are ready, Marshall’s Jewelers will expertly gauge their ring size can have the ring sized in house very quickly. Because of the delicate nature of the way diamonds are set in the ring, it is always best to have the ring sized once instead of twice due to a sizing mistake.
Are their preferences hard to pin down?

If the answer is yes, the best answer is to choose a classic solitaire. Choosing a solitaire engagement ring gives them the joy of showing off their new brilliant diamond or a any modern gemstone choice while shopping with you for the perfect setting.
Know what diamond shape suits them

Shape is sometimes confused with Cut, one of the four C’s. Shape refers to just that, think Round, Cushion, or Radiant. The cut actually refers to how well a diamond reflects and disperses light. A well cut diamond will reflect light and create a beautiful sparkling effect, called “scintillation”. Cut has long been known as the most important “C”, however, the recipients taste in shape will be as equally important in making your decision on which diamond to purchase.

Consider the following when shopping. Have they been hinting about their “Dream Diamond” and what shape it is? Have they admired someone else’s diamond?

If you’re still unsure, consider the classic shapes Round and Princess. These shapes are timeless and compliment most styles of engagement ring settings. A third classic, the Emerald cut has clean lines and is designed to show off high quality diamonds.

Modified versions of the Round and Princess are very popular right now and can be seen in the Radiant cut. This shape is popular in both a square and rectangle.

Looking for a large diamond? The Marquise, Oval and Pear shape diamonds while beautiful in any size and well suited for most ring settings, make a stunning statement in sizes 1 Carat and larger.

Last but not least are the very uniquely cut Trillion and Heart shaped diamonds. These shapes can be difficult to work with, but set in the right setting are perfect for the person with an artistic flare.

What Setting Makes Sense?

solitaire

A single stone. Still the most popular choice in engagement rings. The head secures the diamond. Prongs allow the diamond to catch the most light. A four-prong-setting shows more of the diamond, but a six-prong setting is often more secure.

sidestone

Diamonds or other gemstones, flank the main stone for additional sparkle or color. Popular sidestone settings include 'channel', which protects stones by keeping them flush, and 'bar-channel', which allows more light to enter the sidestones.

three stone

Three Stone - One diamond for the past, one for the present, and one for the future. Typically, the center diamond is larger than the two side stones.

halo

Halo - The main stone is surrounded by tiny diamonds to add sparkle and the illusion of greater size.