Before looking at possible diamonds for the ring, you must select a setting. From traditional Classic Solitaire, Setting with Sidestones, Pave setting, Tension setting, Three Stone setting to designer jewellery settings, your choice is only limited by your budget, tastes, and imagination. You can also customize and build your own Three Stone Ring. Today’s jewellery designers, including Danhov and Popov, have created engagement ring masterpieces worth considering. With James Allen, you can choose the perfect setting and then find an attractive, certified diamond.

The diamond you choose is priced according to four attributes: clarity, carat, cut, and color. Please read, “How to Choose the Perfect Diamond,” to learn about each attribute in detail and what grade of diamond offers the best value for your budget.

The rule works great, so long as you can count on no financial problems popping up in the near future, which you can’t.

In reality, a couple should work together to decide how much an engagement ring should cost. There are a few considerations to keep in mind while making such a decision:

• Have you made any large purchases that will require payments in the next few months, such as a house or car?
• How much do both of you make? What are your credit histories?
• How much does the reputation of the jewellery mean to you?
• The desires of the bride; a big diamond? A band?
• What kind of work does the bride do? Does it involve her hands?
• How do you plan to pay for the ring? Cash? Credit? Loan? Store financing?

Researcher from the University of Arizona has uncovered a gold necklace made nearly 4,000 years ago near a burial site by Lake Titicaca in Peru. It appears that a nugget of raw gold, which occurs near the area, was pounded flat in a stone mortar and pestle. The gold was then wrapped around a piece of wood and pounded until it was folded into a tube.

Researchers at the site restrung the necklace, alternating nine small gold tubes with a series of round stones, identified as either greenstone or turquoise, with holes in them that were found in the same grave. Before this discovery, the oldest gold ornaments unearthed in this hemisphere were also Peruvian in origin, though some 600 years younger.

This stunning knockout of a ring is the most expensive piece of jewellery ever sold at an auction. This massive 24.78-carat pink diamond was purchased for $46 million.

2. The Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond

This piece of bling has a long and storied history. Originally discovered in the mines of the Indian kingdom of Golkonda, this 35.56-carat diamond was supposedly included in the dowry of the daughter of King Philip IV of Spain,

3. The Perfect Pink

Another large pink diamond ring, the Perfect Pink sold for $23 million in 2010. This 14.23-carat beauty was purchased by an anonymous buyer at a Christie’s Hong Kong auction.

4. Bulgari Blue Diamond Ring

This sensational ring was designed by the legendary Bulgari Company in the 1970s, and was purchased in1972 by a man who gave it to his wife after the birth of their first child.

1. Familiarize yourself with how to measure quality in gold, diamonds or other items you may wish to purchase. Know the difference between carats and karats.
2. Browse sites for information. Some sites offer jewellery made by known manufacturers while others have their own jewellers that make the pieces for sale.
3. Read information on guarantees, secure ordering and returns. A piece of jewellery is a major investment and you want to be sure your purchase is guaranteed and that your purchase price can be refunded if you want to return the item.
4. Check to see if certificates are given, particularly for diamonds.
5. If you find a piece that interests you, you may have to click its image to make it larger so you can get a better look.
6. When you order, pay special attention to sizes and other options offered.