A Guide to Engagement Rings Atlanta
Are you preparing to pop that question? When it comes to selecting the perfect engagement ring, you can never be too informed. At Rox, we believe in educating our customers on some key factors to look for when buying jewelry. Therefore, we created this guide to engagement rings Atlanta to help you make an informed decision before you buy.Traditional and Non-Traditional Rings Explained
There are no real rules on what constitutes an engagement ring. However, for over 80 years, the diamond engagement ring has been the most popular, and here’s why. In the 1940s Ayer and son popularized the diamond ring with a strategic marketing campaign. They coined the slogan “Diamonds are Forever” and convinced the public that diamond rings were the perfect choice for the engagement ring. It was such a successful campaign that the tradition still reigns to this day. The diamond is the hardest mineral, rating in at a 10 out of 10 on the Mohs Hardness Scale. Therefore, it is the most durable stone to have in jewelry. If you are looking for a traditional and elegant engagement ring, a diamond ring may be your best bet.Today, non-traditional engagement rings are gaining popularity. Non-traditional engagement rings could be described as rings with gemstones other than diamonds or bands made of metals that aren’t gold or silver. Gemstone rings are a great option if personal style is meaningful to your partner. Another reason to consider gemstones is that non-traditional engagement rings can also be very affordable without sacrificing appearance. It’s important to know that not all gemstones make for durable engagement rings. For example, an emerald, while beautiful, has a higher risk of chipping with everyday wear compared to sapphire.
Popular Gemstones for Engagement Rings Atlanta
So we’ve explained the difference between non-traditional and traditional rings, but what are the best choices when it comes to gemstones? Like we said above, some gems aren’t great for everyday wear due to durability. Here are some common diamond-alternative gemstone options for your engagement ring.Amethyst
This quartz mineral gemstone ranges in color from a light pink to deep purple, with the more saturated purples being the most expensive. If having a large stone is appealing to you, amethyst is the right choice because large amethyst stones are readily available. Amethyst rates at a 7 out of 10 on the Mohs Hardness Scale. As a result, jewelry with amethyst stones are tough enough for daily wear.
Sapphire
This gemstone is a part of the corundum mineral family. Sapphires can come in many colors, most notably blue, black, colorless, and pink. They come in at a 9 out of 10 on the Mohs Hardness Scale, making them another good choice for a durable engagement ring gemstone.
Moissanite
This stone was first discovered in Canyon Diablo, Arizona by Henri Moissan. Initially, he misidentified Moissanite as a diamond. It is very similar in appearance and durability to the diamond. However, Moissanite comes in at 9.5 out of 10 on the Mohs Hardness Scale vs. the Diamond’s 10 out of 10. Moissanite has only been discovered near the upper mantle rock and in meteorites, making them one of the rarest naturally occurring minerals. Thankfully, Moissanite is synthesized, which makes them readily available and affordable engagement ring gemstones.
Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat
When choosing your stone, it’s helpful to know the basics of the 4Cs. The first thing to look at while choosing your engagement ring is the cut. The cut of the engagement ring affects the intensity of the stone. It’s what makes the ring shine and sparkle. If a gemstone is poorly cut, the gem will not be as brilliant.
Color is essential when it comes to choosing an engagement ring because the ring will most likely be work daily by your partner. For diamonds, colors range from colorless to yellow. There are other, fancy diamonds, that are graded differently. Colorless diamonds are rare and costly. A diamond that appears white but has a lower color rating will cost you less!
The clarity of a diamond is how flawless a diamond is. A flawless diamond allows light to easily pass through it! The Gemological Institute of America has 11 grades of diamond clarity, which you can find here.
Lastly, the carats are the unit that diamonds are weighed. One carat equals 100 points. This is the least subjective measurement of a diamond.