The popularity of engagement rings has never been so great. The importance of an engagement ring has never been in doubt but whereas it was once symbolic in a simple way it is now part of a much bigger gesture that encompasses a person's personality and style. On the back of this a whole area of the jewellery industry has grown to accommodate the demand for unique pieces of jewellery of this kind. Newspapers, TV programmes and website are full of stories about celebrities getting engaged and all the stories are accompanied by glamorous pictures of the engagement rings that have been exchanged. 2008 has been a particularly busy time in this respect. Rumours that Johnny Depp has been seen buying an engagement ring puts his partner, Vanessa Paradis, on the same list as people like Beyonce, Uma Thurman and Scarlett Johannsen who have all received engagement rings this year. Famous film stars and singers have always appeared glamorous to the world at large and their dress sense, the way they carry themselves and the jewellery they wear has always had an influence on people and trends. Today this is truer than it has ever been. There are even companies that manufacture engagement rings that are exact copies of the ones worn by celebrities. So what are the things to look for when buying an engagement ring? Most people will tell you to look for the four C's; colour, carat, clarity and cut. But this can be looked on a as a very scientific way of choosing a ring. For a more personal touch you may like to consider the following: 1. One stone looks good but a good stone, say 1 carat, is expensive. If you choose a ring that has lots of tiny stones that collectively make up a carat you can make a huge saving, sometimes up to 90 per cent. If you're on a budget it's worth considering. 2. There is more than one way to display a stone. The setting that you choose should be the one that get the most from the stone or stones you choose. A bezel setting that consists of a small band of metal that wraps around the stone gives the illusion of a greater size. 3. An engagement ring is often one of the most expensive things you'll ever buy in a single transaction therefore it's understandable that you'll want to know that you are getting something of value as well as beauty. If you buy something that is a carat or more you should get a gem report which will list things like the four C's and some even list distinguishing characteristics and measurements. 4. Platinum and gold are the metals of choice when it comes to engagement rings. Gold is traditional but some say it doesn't work well with diamonds. Platinum is far more expensive but is currently in vogue as it looks modern and is a much more durable metal. 5. As the carat measurement increases so does the price but sometimes the physical difference is very slight and hardly noticeable. A 2.9 carat diamond costs considerably less than a 3 carat gem but there is virtually no difference in size. Again this is worth bearing in mind if you're on a tight budget. 6. If you have a specific idea of the kind of design you want many places will happily make a piece of jewellery to your exact specifications. It means that you'll have a genuinely original engagement ring and it won't break the bank. 7. Another way to save money is to buy the diamond and take it to a jeweller to be set. There are many reputable places online and you could save as much as 40 percent.
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