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Castle Jewelry, Jewelers - Retail, Lexington, KY






 
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How to Choose an Engagement Ring

Choose your Setting, Choose your Diamond and Build a Ring of Love

Choosing a Style:


There's no doubt that the diamond is the most important element in a great engagement ring; however It's important to consider the setting first as the setting is the display vehicle for the diamond.  The  setting determines whether you have a "vintage," "classic" or  "contemporary" design. It's a symbol of your love and commitment, but it should also express her personality. Here are some examples of popular settings...


Solitaire

The solitaire setting is our most popular engagement ring setting. The prongs position the diamond in the center to catch the most light. A four-prong setting shows a bit more diamond, while a six-prong setting offers more security.




Variations:

A setting with side diamonds or gemstones adds additional sparkle or color. Channel settings protect side stones from damage by keeping them flush. Other settings allow more light to enter the side stones and creates an edge of brilliance.



Classic sets:
If your bride would like a fitted wedding band to wear with your engagement ring, consider settings with matching wedding bands.


Three-Stone Settings
For a ring that's truly unique choose a three-stone setting. The three-stone ring has one diamond for the past, one for the present, and one for the future and has become a very popular engagement ring selection.



How do you surprise her with ring she'll love? How do you make certain you choose the right one? 

  • Take some time to notice the jewelry she wears. Is it classic or vintage in design?
  • Does she typically wear white gold or yellow gold?
  • Does she like simple pieces or a little more flare?
  • Discreetly ask her what type of ring she might like someday.
  • Ask her friends and family what she likes.
  • Notice when she comments on jewelry advertisements or photographs.
  • Pay attention when she admires someone else's jewelry.
  • Browse with her at a dependable jeweler.
  • Learn about the 4-C's so that you can make an educated purchase.

There are so many things to consider, like how much should I spend?
The accepted standard is two times your monthly income.  If your monthly pay before taxes is $4,000, you would look for a $8,000 ring, but according to Modern Jeweler Magazine, the average engagement ring is 1 carat in weight and costs $4,300.  The two-months salary convention is a common starting point, but we believe that regardless of the amount you budget, your most important considerations should be quality and value. We'd love to assist you with the process--it's always exciting to be involved!

And Finally... Choosing Your Diamond

Our consultants are very knowledgeable and would love to advise you before you decide on a diamond, but If you consider her tastes and her lifestyle you can be confident you've make the right choice.

The Cost Of Your Diamond Is Based On The 4-C's:

CUTThe cut of a diamond has the biggest affect on its sparkle, also called brilliance. Even with perfect color and clarity, a poor cut can make a diamond look dull.

COLORColorless diamonds are most highly valued and are priced accordingly. For the best value, choose a colorless or near-colorless diamond that has no noticeable color, grades D-J.

CLARITY Diamonds free from internal flaws or inclusions are very rare, highly valued and very expensive. The best value in diamond clarity is a diamond with no inclusions visible to the unaided eye which is an SI clarity or better.

CARAT WEIGHT Since larger diamonds are more
rare than smaller diamonds, diamond value rises exponentially with carat weight.    

The most popular diamond engagement rings today are set with round diamonds, closely followed by princess cut. Other popular diamond shapes are readily available and you'll find a great selection within your budget at The Castle Jewelry.


In summary, a clear understanding of the 4-C's will help you balance the overall cost to the quality, size and shape of the
diamond you select.

Consider The Castle’s "Bigger Ring, Lower Price" Promise before you buy:  If your diamond doesn’t’ appraise for at least 50% more than what you paid for it… we are here to help you choose another ring and we provide money back guarantee if you're unhappy with your online purchase. We realize the importance of an engagement, the importance of the ring, and the importance of happy clients!

Spend a Little Time at The Castle and Save a Lot of Money