Style & Price
Primary consideration are style and price. It's vital that you set yourself a realistic budget before you even set foot in a jeweller's shop. There's a vast range of prices for engagement rings, no matter what type of stone you are looking for. If you go in without an idea of your limits, you'll have too many rings to choose from, and may end up with a ring which doesn't totally satisfy you.

• A reputable jeweller will show you a set of rings within your financial range, including your favourite gemstone and the particular style you prefer.
• If the jeweller has a general idea about what you're looking for, he can contact his supplier and order a number of selections along the lines you've indicated. This may take just a few days to a week.
• He or she will inform and advise you about the quality, durability, cut of stones, and about the care and maintenance of your ring.
• The jeweller will measure your ring finger, and the ring you select will be sized to fit by the jeweller. You can collect it in a day or so.

Practical Matters
Most women wear their engagement rings all or most of the time before they marry, and often after the wedding, so it is important that the style of ring allows you to perform your every day tasks without hindering you in any way. Otherwise, you will end up not wearing it most of the time.

• A ring with a high setting might catch in clothing or scratch surfaces.
• A chunky style of ring with a large stone might be uncomfortably heavy and awkward for women who do a lot of typing or work with their hands.
• If you intend to wear both your engagement and wedding rings together often after you marry, make sure that the engagement ring does not take up too much room on your finger.
• Although you will be wearing the ring, try to find a style which he likes also. If he dislikes it, he may not always tell you. As a symbol of shared commitment, it's important that both of you are happy with the choice.

The Diamond
The diamond has, in recent years, returned to its position as the gemstone of choice. It is resilient and brilliant, if cut properly, and is still considered a rare gem. Because it is so durable, it is the perfect symbol for everlasting love. Prices will depend on -

• the carat, or weight, of the diamond
• the cut and brilliance of the gem
• its flawlessness and colour
• whether its industrial or natural Industrial diamonds may be harder and brilliant. They will look the same, but will be less expensive. The jeweller is in the best position to advise you about the best stone for value, so do talk to a reputable one.

Other Gemstones
There are other precious gemstones such as sapphires, rubies and emeralds, or hard semiprecious stones such as amethyst or tourmalines.

• Other stones to choose from include somewhat softer opals, bloodstones, lapis lazuli and coral, which will be cut differently to suit their different structural circumstances.
• You might also choose your Birthstone. Each birth stone has a special meaning attached to it, and is associated with the Astrological Sun Sign of the wearer.
• The all-diamond engagement ring remains the most popular choice, particularly the solitaire diamond, followed closely by a sapphire and diamond combination.
• With such a variety of gems to choose from, each with an individual beauty, no one needs to feel that a diamond is a must. You might choose to be different. Whatever gem you choose, it will be precious to you, and that, after all, is the important thing.

The Right Setting
The usual metals used in engagement and wedding ring settings are yellow or white gold, either 9 or 18 carats (ct.) The higher the carat, the purer the gold, and the softer it will be. This is an important consideration, as the softer the gold, the less durable it will be in shape and scratch resistance, and any patterns upon it will fade more quickly. You could choose platinum as an alternative to gold, although it isn't as highly used, or appreciated, today as it was in previous years.

Antique Rings
Another option is to look at antique rings, or having a ring especially fashioned for you from a family brooch, or from an old ring which has a special meaning for you. Antique rings have more character and charm, more intricate settings and better craftsmanship. It could be fun browsing in antique shops looking for a traditional ring with some old-fashioned elegance, and there are some lovely rings available at fairly reasonable prices. Once again, unless you have a professional knowledge of jewellery, go to shops with good reputations

Unique Designs
Having a ring designed for you will cost you more, but it will be unique and of great personal value. Ask around in good jewellery shops and galleries for local designers' names and how to contact them, and take it from there. One other alternative to an engagement ring is to have a gemset wedding ring, fashioned after the eternity ring. Although not a widely used option, it is a nice one, and eliminates having to wear two rings on the same finger. It's also a somewhat less expensive option for those on a limited budget.

Traditions
According to tradition, the engagement ring should not be worn in public until the engagement has been announced. It's worn on the third finger of the left hand. If the woman decides to end the engagement, etiquette demands that she return the ring to her former fiancee. If the man should break off the engagement, tradition dictates that the woman is entitled to keep the ring if she wishes to do so. If the ring should happen to be a family heirloom meant to be passed down and kept in the man's family, it is proper to return it to him.

Wedding Rings
The unbroken circle of the wedding ring represents everlasting fidelity and love. Gold is the metal most widely used, although some couples do opt for the more expensive platinum rings. The carat measure is also used for gold, but measures the purity of the gold, and not the weight, as with diamonds. The purest form of the metal is 24ct., but this pure gold is actually very soft, scratches easily and looses its shape. Therefore it is unsuitable for jewellery which would be worn often. Most engagement and wedding rings in this country are therefore fashioned in 18ct. or 9ct. gold. These have a higher proportion of other metals mixed in with the gold to make it harder and more durable. It is advisable to have both your wedding and engagement rings of the same carat gold, or else the harder ring will wear away at the softer one.

Style & Fit
The styles of wedding rings vary, and the rings should be purchased to fit comfortably on your particular type of finger. You can select your ring from flat and domed styles, in various widths, some plain, some engraved with designs. More recently available are meshed, pleated and ribbed effects with a strikingly contemporary look. It is becoming a more common practice to buy matching wedding rings for the Bride and Groom. You could have your names and the date of your marriage engraved on the inside of the wedding bands, which is a lovely sentimental touch, and can make a plain gold band very special.

Insurance Receipt
Wedding and engagement rings may be seen as investments which will hold their value in time. Some will increase in value. For this reason you should always receive a receipt and insurance valuation for the rings you purchase. Rings should be covered with an All Risks Policy, and settings checked periodically in case the stones should become loose and fall out. Because the giving and exchanging of rings represents betrothal and the exchange of vows, a great deal of thought is required beforehand, and quick decisions could have disappointing results. However, at the end of the day, it is not the price or the quality which matters, but what is represented. True marriages can be made without rings or jewellery, love may last longer than diamonds, and true hearts are purer than gold!