When it comes to engagement rings, diamonds are the most popular stone

Once the commitment to get wed has been made couples are quick to turn their attentions to getting a ring to show to others and to themselves they are committed to another person. Of all the rings one can buy, one with a diamond as a centre stone is by far the most popular and traditional. The majority of women have a good idea of what they want their engagement ring to look like, so men should be very careful if they are considering buying a ring in advance of proposing. There’s absolutely no harm in proposing without a ring, and in fact most women will appreciate the thoughtful gesture of letting them choose the ring themselves. If you are at the point of looking at diamond engagement rings and are deciding on what diamond to go for, then there are a few things that you should bear in mind. The basic features can be broken down into four main elements, and are commonly known as the 4 C’s. First you have the carat size, which is probably the most commonly known feature of the four. This will greatly affect the price of a ring, so make sure you have a budget fixed in your mind and go for a size you can afford. Next, there is the colour.

Elegant emerald engagement ring

Diamonds come in a range of colours, with blue, pink, and colourless just some of the examples. Colour also affects the price but for the average customer makes little difference to the appearance of their ring, so don’t go for the most expensive colour unless it is important to you. Third we have the cut, which is another term for the shape of the diamond. Engagement rings come with a variety of differently shaped diamonds, from Princess cut to brilliant cut, and generally come down to personal preference and do not affect price that much. Finally there is clarity, which refers to how clear and free of flaws and inclusions the stone has. This also affects price but for the average consumer will not make that much difference to the appearance of the stone.

Stylish princess cut diamond ring

If you are organising a wedding and are looking for a professional wedding photographer then there are some excellent companies you can do business with. Things you should look out for from a firm is full money back guarantees, a free engagement photo session, free DVD’s of all the photos from the big day, a free online gallery, and for those getting married on a weekday make sure to ask for a discount as most photographers work on weekends, so are happy to take on weddings during the week for a specially reduced price. Most reputable firms will offer half day and full day deals, with special packages including two photographers to capture every moment of the day. If you can find a firm that you are happy with and that has received glowing reports, you can then turn your attention to engagement rings, and spend some time with your fiancée picking one out.