What Determines the Price of Engagement Rings?

Giving engagement rings are an age old tradition when taking the big step toward marriage. Over the years, the price of engagement rings has fluctuated. This is due to the quality of the diamond. When choosing how much to pay for an engagement ring, one should have a good understanding of what determines the price of diamond engagement rings

The price of an engagement is based on the diamond that it holds, although the setting also plays a factor. The diamond industry determines the value based on what is known as the "Four C's." The "Four C's stands for Color, Cut, Clarity, and Caret.

The following outlines a description of the "Four C's" when determining the price of an engagement ring:

Color: The color of a diamond is assessed based on the deepness of the color. The higher quality and more expensive diamonds are colorless. The more colorless a diamond is the more valuable it is. Grading is performed on a scale from D (colorless) to Z (light yellow.)

Cut: The 'cut' of the diamond means how the diamond was shaped to permit light to reflect from it. In a fine cut diamond, light enters the diamond and reflects directly into the eye of the person looking at it through a microscope or other stone examining device.

Clarity: Clarity is determined by assessing any flaws inside the diamond. The fewer amount of flaws, the higher quality the diamond. The scale for grading diamond's clarity is:

• Flawless (F): There are no inside or outside flaws.
• Internally Flawless (IF): There is a bit of outer flaws, but no inner flaws.
• Very Very Slightly Included (VVS1-VVS2): There are very tiny flaws that are hard to see when looking under a 10x magnification.
• Very Slightly Included (VS1-VS2): There very small flaws that one can see with some difficulty only under a 10x magnification.
• Slightly Included (SI1-SI2): There are flaws that can only be seen well under 10x magnification.
• Included (I1-I3): There are flaws that one can see when looking at with the naked eye.

Caret: The caret refers to the size of the diamond.

The following are some approximate prices of diamond engagement rings:

• $1,000 to $2,000: diamonds between .30 and .57 carats.
• $2,000 to $3,500: diamonds from .4 to 1 carat in 14 or 18 carat gold
• $3,500 to $5,000: 1 carat diamonds in 18 carat settings

Before you buy a diamond engagement ring, make sure you will be getting an AGS Certificate or a GIA Certificate. This will ensure you are getting a real diamond that is worth what you pay.

Giving a diamond engagement ring to your special love will make the engagement experience even more memorable and romantic. Before you purchase the engagement ring, it is important that you understand what goes into assigning a price to the ring. You should not have to spend more money than what the ring is worth as you will have other important expenses to think about as you and your love begin a life together.