It’s about that time. You’ve been together for a good long while now. You’ve weathered the worst of each other’s moods, and you realize that she embodies everything good in your life. You could spend every day together and be perfectly content.

How can you best symbolize this feeling of devotion? Why, with a ring my good man.

If you’ve come to find that marriage is the next step in your relationship, you’ll need to look into buying an engagement ring. Diamond rings have been the current fashion for a while, more so in the US, but if you choose the diamond route you should do your research on cut, carat, clarity and colour. Keep your budget in mind; I know she means the world and you think buying a huge 5 carat diamond ring is the best way to show that love, but I’ve always been told the rule of thumb is 2 months salary. Carat measures weight and a half carat diamond will come out to about £1000. Typically in the UK .30 carats is OK.

Personally, I don’t believe in buying diamond rings. Diamonds just aren’t socially responsible. Conflict diamonds fund wars Africa and child labourers polish and cut diamonds. If you’re set on a diamond engagement ring, buy it used or use the stone from a relative’s ring.

If your fiancé fancies metal colours like platinum, titanium (very modern) or white gold, diamonds aren’t a good idea anyway since they are mounted in a yellow gold setting. However, a white gold sapphire ring would be a fine combination and sapphires were used to signify eternal life by British royalty.

Another alternative to the diamond is an opal ring. There are superstitions to the opal, but giving your fiancé an opal ring is considered good luck for both of you. The Australian opal is the most durable and has a very robust colour. Black and fire opals are also distinctive opals to set in rings as they are rare.

Whichever stone you choose, make sure you have her in mind and pay attention to what she’s interested in. Good luck!

Did you know?

The first reproducible synthetic diamond was created in 1953 by Howard Tracy Hall.

-Jeff H.

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