Diamonds are a Girls Best Friend

When undertaking the planning of a wedding, the first step comes in securing an engagement ring for your spouse-to-be. Ever since American media made famous Marilyn Monroe’s line from her infamous line in the movie, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes:

“A kiss on the hand may be quite continental… But diamonds are a girl’s best friend .”

This single line has stood as a theme for many women for several generations and is engrained in all our conscious. Although diamonds are forever the meaning of the engagement ring has significantly changed over the last century. The giving of a ring is a sign of an invisible commitment, a bond or union. It signifies two people together forever.

Once upon a time, diamond rings weren’t just gifts. They were, frankly, virginity insurance. A now-obsolete law called the “Breach of Promise to Marry” once allowed women to sue men for breaking off an engagement. Back then, there was a high premium on women being virgins when they married — or at least when they got engaged. If the groom-to-be walked out after he and the bride-to-be had sex, that left her in a precarious position. From a social angle, she had been permanently “damaged.” From an economic angle, she had lost her market value. So Breach of Promise to Marry was born. Effectively, if  the couple never made it down the aisle, she’d at least be left with something. And that something was almost always small and shiny. The diamond ring was insurance.

Times have changed with women having their own careers and far less financially vulnerable then a generation ago. In addition having pre-marital sex doesn’t carry the same stigma it used to. Nowadays women should return the ring if things do not work out. It is no longer about security, it is though still about commitment, union and together forever.

The diamond ring still remains the de-facto gift to represent a new union. It must be noted that not all diamonds are the same. Diamonds come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and cuts with most people having a particular favourite in regards to style. Upon your impending engagement, the world of diamonds can easily become overwhelming – We will guide you through the many facets of the diamond ring. Thus, leaving you with an informed knowledge, which you can use to select the perfect diamond.

Shapes

The first thing to consider when selecting a diamond ring is the actual shape of the diamond. In terms of commercially sold rings, there are ten spate shapes that diamonds are available in. All of which are named after the shape they take, with one exception. The ten most popular shapes of diamonds are Round, Princess, Emerald, Asscher, Marquise, Radiant, Oval, Pear, Heart, and Cushion. Most of these shapes are self-explanatory. However, the Princess-shaped diamond is essentially a large and rigid square shape. When it comes to selecting a diamond shape it all comes down to personal preference. In order to pick the best shape suited to your spouse-to-be, you will have to subtly go about finding their preferred preference.

Colour

While they are often thought of as being crystal clear, diamonds actually come in a range of colours. This range is specified on a letter scale, ranging from D – Z. Diamonds in the range of D, E, and F are regarded as colourless, or clear. Diamonds in the range of G, H, J, and I are considered to be near colourless. Diamonds in the range of K – M will have just a slight hint of yellow while diamonds in the N – R and S – Z range are very light yellow, and light yellow respectively.

Diamonds also come in a range regarded as “fancy colour diamonds,” however these more rare diamonds have proven to be less popular on the market over the years. Instead of being graded on a scale of “colourless,” these diamonds are graded on their intensity of colour and are available in a wide range of colours.

Summing Up

When it comes to your wedding, choosing the right engagement ring is a pivotal part of setting yourself on the right path of the long road that is to follow. While this article will have laid out a handy guide in the classification of diamonds, it is up to the purchaser to find the diamond that best suits their spouse, which is ultimately decided upon based on personal preference. Whoever said, “All diamonds are the same,” clearly never spent any time in a jewellery story. Every diamond is just as unique as he who purchases it. Selecting the “right” diamond can be a difficult task, but it is one that will fill your spouse with joy and happiness.

We have teamed up with The Diamond Store who were voted “Jewellery E-tailer Of The Year” and a perfect place to go for an online purchase.

Jewellery – The Perfect Gift – The Diamond Store.co.uk

and Abelini who have a studio within Hatton Garden, London.

Alternatively, if you want to visit a shop in person you should head to Hatton Garden in London where the area is filled with numerous shops related to diamond jewellery.

If you are nearer Birmingham it too has a jewellery quarter – Birmingham Jewellery Quarter