Most of the gentlemen require a huge amount of time before they finally decide to propose a lady and an equal amount of time to decide on the engagement ring. So if you are one of those confused guys then here is a complete guide for buying the perfect engagement ring for you. After all an engagement ring is not only an extremely expensive item but also something that is going to be a symbol of the most precious relationship of your life forever.

As a general rule engagement rings are made of diamond. But convenience and fashion have long changed this rule. Now you have rings made of all kinds of precious and semi-precious stones too. Though as the saying goes, Diamonds are a girl`s best friends. So let us start our discussion on choosing a diamond ring.

The most important thing that you need to remember while buying a diamond ring is the rule of 4Cs. That means, cut, color, clarity and carat. All factors are equally important though the cut of the diamond matters the most. The cut determines the sparkle and brilliance of a diamond and also the shape of it. There are many shapes like the emerald, the marquise, the pear, the oval, the princess, and the heart shape. Have a look at all the shapes before zeroing on one.

Next comes the color. The most precious color is white or colorless. Don`t get too much worried about the clarity of the diamond. Check your diamond with the jeweler`s magnifying glass and you will be able to see the feather like small `inclusions`. The weight and size of diamond is measured by its carat. The average size of an engagement-ring diamond is generally somewhere between half a carat to one carat.

If you are a bit low on the budget then you can go for diamond substitutes like Zircon, topaz, white sapphire and quartz. These are natural minerals and can be nearly colorless. Some synthetic substitutes include moissanite and cubic zirconia.

Next the question comes from where you should buy the ring. The traditional convention is to go to a reputable and trusted jeweler and get it from there. But other alternatives could include buying an antique ring from an auction or antique shop. Just make sure that the store you buy from has a good reputation and sell their diamonds with a well-known gemological certificate.

Making your purchase on the web is not recommended as you will not be able to view the diamonds in person and thus all the above rules of the four Cs will go waste. But an advantage would be that by visiting several such sites you will get a very good idea about the types of rings available, the latest trend and style available in market etc.

All this knowledge about choosing and buying the perfect ring are well and good but it can go waste in just a moment if the `special lady` does not like your choice. So subdue your romantic plans of surprising her with a diamond and try to include her in the choice making too.

One of the best ways to know what she would like is by taking a cue from the type of jewelers she wears everyday. Whether she likes flashy pieces or elegant and subtle piece is her style. Does she like modern and contemporary jewelry or traditional ones? Choose according to her taste and not your own. Last but not the least it is your engagement ring so make it as individual as you are.

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Roberto Sedycias works as IT consultant for Polomercantil