Engagement Rings

How to Buy a Diamond From the Tiffany & Co. Experts

Any guidance on how to covertly find out the ring my better half really wants?

There’s no denying that an engagement ring holds a very emotional and romantic significance for any woman who wears one.  It’s also an extension of their individual style and to some extent, an expression of personality and taste.  So, more often than not, she’s giving you subtle hints of what she wants.  And consider asking her mom, sister or friends for suggestions.  You don’t want to get it wrong, so do your homework.

How about deciphering ring size. I have tried to discreetly pry away her favorite ring, but to no avail. Any other techniques to avoid proposing with an ill fitting ring?

We always recommend discreetly borrowing one of her rings and bringing it into a Tiffany & Co. store and they will be happy to determine its size for you.  If you’re nervous she’ll notice her ring is gone, one of our favorite tricks is to press the ring into a bar of soap which will leave an imprint.  Bring the soap into the store and we’ll be able to assist from there.

We hear that brilliance, fire and scintillation are also important, but we need your help breaking them down. Are they distant relatives of the 4Cs or close cousins?

Tiffany diamonds are cut to maximize brilliance. Other rings are cut to maximize carat weight. The difference is legendary and results in a more beautiful ring.  The “Cut” is the precise shape and positioning of a diamond’s facets— it determines the stone’s general appearance and its beauty. Tiffany diamonds are properly proportioned and cut to achieve the ideal balance of brilliance, dispersion and scintillation.  So, brilliance, fire and scintillation are certainly “close cousins” of 4Cs.

So. I am starting to have a handle on finding the right diamond. Now how do I select the right setting paired with the right metal?

You should look closely at the mounting and take notice of the quality of the finish (the metal) and the design details.  The mounting is critical to the overall beauty of the stone, how it will look when worn and its overall durability.  At Tiffany, we pride ourselves on the superior quality and craftsmanship of all of our mountings. A stone of the finest quality combined with a superb mounting makes for a ring that will remain perpetually beautiful. Platinum is the most durable and a naturally white metal that will always maintain its color.  Yellow gold and rose gold are also great options and regaining popularity.  Platinum remains our most popular metal for engagement rings.

Is there any linkage between the engagement ring and the wedding bands that we (and by that I mean I) will have to wear? I do have a platinum bias.

In many parts of the world couples look for wedding bands when they select their engagement ring. We pride ourselves at Tiffany for offering wedding bands to perfectly match every engagement ring – that includes men’s wedding bands too.  Whether you and your new bride choose to wear matching wedding bands is a personal choice.

Any other parting advice when choosing the right rock?

We would stress to anyone looking to purchase a diamond engagement ring how important it is that they do so from a reputable and highly trusted brand such as Tiffany. In choosing the ring style, think long term. The diamond will last a lifetime and the style of its setting should reflect the taste and personality of your bride. The classic solitaire, a six-prong round center diamond, known as The Tiffany Setting®, will never go out of style.

However, don’t discount the idea of a non-traditional engagement ring. A number of Tiffany customers are attracted to engagement rings with colored gemstones as the center stone or band rings.  Tiffany offers one of the widest assortments of engagement ring style to accommodate every couple’s tastes.

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