Dating services

As a symbol of endless love and commitment, an engagement ring is a cherished piece of jewelry for soon-to-be-married couples. It’s not a surprise then that men go out of their way to give their special someone an incredible ring that evokes the desired reaction. Although choosing an engagement ring is no easy task, because both aesthetics along with budget need to be taken into account. The good news is that there is an broad choice as far as ring selection is concerned – from custom-made rings for those who are able to afford to splurge to simpler ones weighing under a carat for moderate budgets.

Choice of gems and bands

When considering the choice of band for your engagement ring, you have three primary possibilities – platinum, white gold and also yellow gold. Platinum, the most precious metal in the world, is also the hardest and hypoallergenic. But the drawback is its high price level, and in combination with a diamond of high carat value, it might cost you a small fortune. Yellow gold is conventional and pleasing to the eye. A 24k gold band is the purest form with a fantastic luster, and feels soft against the skin. White gold has also become a popular selection as it complements most gem settings and is more affordable in comparison with platinum.

When it comes to choosing the precious gem for your rings, there are alternatives aplenty, which range from diamonds, sapphires and rubies to garnets, aquamarines and emeralds. While diamonds may very well be default option for most couples, other gems may also be desired by the more daring kind, who wish to stand out and be different. Duchess of Cambridge “Kate Middleton’s” sapphire-studded engagement ring is making waves and some years ago, then-couple Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez fueled an interest in pink diamond engagement ring settings. Though the most talked about engagement ring within the last couple of days adorns the finger of Kim Kardashian. Let’s take a look at just how spectacular her diamond ring, gifted by boyfriend and NBA star Kris Humphries, is in terms of sheer carat weight.

Understanding carat weight

A single diamond carat translates into 200 mg, something that nearly all couples can afford- Kim Kardashian’s 20.5 carats is mammoth, and offers plenty of room for customization given the larger surface area. And according to People magazine, this is exactly what Humphries has done. The ring is engraved with two verses from the Bible, one about love and the second one, about ‘the perfect woman’. The ring also has another inscription depicting the initials ‘K’.

Kim showed off her rock in Monaco, where she and her fiance were attending a charity fashion show by nightclub Amber Lounge for the Special Olympics this year. Humphries is said to have devoted quite some time deciding on the perfect ring, and looks like the effort paid off, considering the media buzz surrounding the one-of-a-kind ring.

For many who don’t rake in millions each year, your choices in carat weight start at 0.1 carat upwards. But design-wise, twisted bands, vintage styles, raised settings, and even eco-friendly recycled gold are a few alternatives you can explore. So, in terms of engagement ring array, you are spoilt for choice. If you’re based in a big city like Austin, there will be many Austin engagement rings that will fit into your budget.

This article was written by Carrie Haley who is a jewel specialist and former attorney. He owns and manages jewelry shops in austin for more than five years helping clients with one of the most important decisions of their life.