Whether your wedding rings travel down the aisle displayed on a delicate silk cushion in the hands of a young attendant, or secure in the pocket of the best man, they’re symbols of commitment and fidelity.
Most weddings involve three rings: the all-important rock, given by the groom-to-be to mark the engagement, and wedding bands for both of you. Not all grooms wear a wedding band, though numbers have increased in recent years. You can have three completely different rings, or a suite of rings made by the same jeweller. For the bride, an engagement and wedding ring made to be worn together will usually sit more comfortably on the finger, without the problem of friction, possible damage to the settings and excessive wear. Usually made of precious metals, such as gold, platinum or silver, wedding rings are often engraved on the inside, either with names and dates, or a special message of love, increasing their symbolism and sentimentality.
Cut
Nature gave the diamond its incredible beauty but its glitter rating is enhanced by clever cutting which allows the maximum amount of light to enter the stone at the best angle.
Colour
The more colourless your diamond, the better, unless it’s a rare coloured diamond. Found in red, blue, pink, green or yellow, these diamonds are extremely valuable.
Carat
You want lots of these. Carats are the universal measure of the weight of the stone. And one big stone is always more exciting than several little ones that add up to the same number of carats.
Clarity
When it comes to diamonds, purity pays. Tiny traces of minerals, gases or other elements trapped within the stone are known as inclusions. Some are so small they’re hardly visible. If you can see them, they reduce its value. Very few stones, though, are completely pure and therefore flawless.
While the diamond is the most popular stone for engagement rings, only those born in April can claim it as their birthstone: it signifies purity, invincibility and good fortune. (If the first two fail, you can always flog it to realise the third.) Many engagement rings feature other birthstones set alongside diamonds to bring personal significance to a ring loaded with sentiment.
