Symbolizing eternal love and devotion, an engagement ring is a cherished piece of jewelry for soon-to-be-married couples. It isnt a surprise then that men go out of their way to present their special someone a sensational ring that evokes the expected reaction. Although buying an engagement ring is not an easy task, considering that both aesthetics and budget have to be taken into consideration. The good news is that theres an broad option as far as ring selection is concerned – from custom-made rings for individuals who can afford to splurge to simpler ones weighing under a carat for modest budgets.

Choice of gems and bands

When it comes to the choice of band for your engagement ring, you have three principal options – platinum, white gold plus yellow gold. Platinum, the most precious metal in the world, is also the hardest and hypoallergenic. Though the downside is its high price tag, and in in conjunction with a diamond of high carat value, it can cost you a small fortune. Yellow gold is conventional and pleasing to the eye. A 24k gold band is the purest form with a very good luster, and feels soft against the skin. White gold has also become a common selection as it complements just about all gem settings and is less expensive in comparison with platinum.

When it comes to selecting the precious gem for ones rings, you will find selections aplenty, which range from diamonds, sapphires and rubies to garnets, aquamarines and emeralds. While diamonds could be the default selection for most couples, other gems may also be desired by the more adventurous type, who wish to stand out and be different. Duchess of Cambridge “Kate Middletons” sapphire-studded engagement ring is making waves and some years ago, then-couple Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez fueled an interest in pink diamond engagement ring settings. But the most talked about engagement ring over the last couple of days adorns the finger of Kim Kardashian. Lets look at precisely how spectacular her diamond ring, gifted by boyfriend and NBA star Kris Humphries, is in terms of sheer carat weight.

Understanding carat weight

A single diamond carat translates into 200 mg, something that nearly all couples can afford- Kim Kardashians 20.5 carats is gigantic, and offers a lot of room for customization because of the larger surface area. And according to People magazine, this is just what Humphries has done. The ring is engraved with two verses from the Bible, one about love and the second, about ‘the perfect woman’. The ring also has an additional inscription depicting the initials K.

Kim showed off her rock in Monaco, where she and her fiancée were attending a charity fashion show by nightclub Amber Lounge for the Special Olympics this year. Humphries is said to have spent some time deciding on the perfect ring, and looks like the effort paid off, considering the media buzz surrounding the one-of-a-kind ring.

For many who dont rake in millions each year, the choices in carat weight start at 0.1 carat and go upwards. However design-wise, twisted bands, vintage styles, raised settings, and even eco-friendly recycled gold are a couple of options you can explore. So, when it comes to engagement ring array, you are spoilt for choice. Should you be based in a large city like Austin, there will be a wide variety of Austin engagement rings that will easily fit in your budget.

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Jewelry, Watches & Diamonds