Wedding Digest Philippines Weddings. More fun In the Philippines Edition | Page 48

Shopping for an engagement ring is a personal experience that is just as important as the actual proposal itself. Luckily, Ms. Caroline Dizon Gorriceta , E-commerce, Sales Director of Karat World is here to help guys everywhere find the perfect engagement ring! Contributors Wedding 101 10 How to Choose Engagement Ring in 1. Is there a difference between “band” and “ring”? Be familiar with jeweler lingo. The band is the circular part of the ring which can be made from gold, silver, platinum or a combination of metals. The setting refers to the piece that holds the gemstone in place, which is attached to the band. The gemstone is the feature piece of the ring, usually a diamond. 2. What is a carat and is it really important? Watch the 4 C’s in choosing a diamond: carat, color, clarity and cut. The Carat refers to weight. Colors are graded from D (colorless and rare) and most good quality diamonds will be around F and H. The less imperfections, the better the Clarity of a diamond. The Cut is its final shape after being refined. A high quality cut is more important than color or clarity since a proper cut will reflect the most light and impact the overall brilliance of a stone. 3. Which ‘cut’ would you suggest? There are several ways to cut a diamond and the cut impacts the sparkle of the diamond. The cut that produces the most sparkle is the round, while radiant and princess cut are better at hiding their flaws. Oval cut looks best with large stones and looks bigger than the round cut. 4. How much should I prepare for an engagement ring? The range in cost can vary greatly. There is a tradition that a man should spend at least 2 months of his salary on an engagement ring. Whether or not you follow this is up to you but it is best to start with a figure for your jeweler to work on. 5. Where do I find a good jewelry shop? Look for a store that makes you feel comfortable, where the staff are pleasant and helpful and can provide you with the information that you need. Check the track Ways record. See how long the jeweler has been in business. Choose a good jeweler who can offer a wide variety of rings to fit your style and budget. 6. How do I choose the ring for my girl? Is she an outdoorsy type? Consider a ring she can wear during her activities. Is she more modern than traditional? Then choose a platinum or silver band. Another way to know her preference is to ask a trusted friend who you know won’t spill the beans. 7. Anything else I should look out for? Durability. Find out how each band changes with wear and tear. 8. Can I know her ring size without spoiling the surprise? Yes. You would want the engagement ring to fit perfectly once she tries it; or at least, not be too loose or too tight. The easiest way is to secretly get a ring she owns, preferably one she wears on the ring finger, and use it for measurement. 9. Do I go with my gut feeling or not? Once you covered the cost and durability, go with a ring that speaks to you. Choose the one that will suit the personality of the person you’re giving it to. 10. I got the ring, am I all set? Almost. Purchase the ring of your choice and make sure you pick it up before you pop the question. Plan your proposal well --- when, where and how. Be ready with the ring you chose and then, propose! Find Out More To find out more about Karat World log on to www.karatworld.net