When it comes to choosing the design of an engagement ring there are no hard and fast rules. There is no special formula and no mathematical equation. Often it is simply a matter of which one is more appealing to the eye. In other words- it all boils down to personal preference.
To help you in your decision making process, there are four important properties when it comes to the design of an engagement ring. If you find a ring that is lacking in any one of these areas then keep looking.
Easy and practical
Whether a ring is easy and practical has a lot to do with the lifestyle of the intended wearer. If a diamond is set high, then it is more likely to catch and snag on things. Consider the job of your future fiancée. If she works outdoors and does a lot of work with her hands, then she needs a safer ring that will not snag easily.
Sturdy enough for day-to-day wear
An engagement ring must be able to stand up to the everyday wear that it will be subjected to. There are some environments that present worse hazards than others. Offices can be damaging to rings because of the amount of paper that is used. Paper has a mildly abrasive quality to it that can wear down an engagement ring as the years pass. Factories can spell bad news for engagement rings. The solution to this is to select a style of ring that is heavier in construction. In other words, it is sturdy and has a strong shank or band.
Security of gemstones
An engagement ring must be able to hold the stones in it as securely as possible. As far as gemstone settings are concerned, the six prongs (claws) are best, although four prongs are usually very sturdy as well. Safer than a prong setting is a bezel (or rub over). A heavier setting is sturdier and stronger than a light setting. A higher setting can get damaged much more readily than a lower setting.
Appearance of the ring
All women want an engagement ring that looks attractive on their finger. This is where it comes in handy if you pay attention to the little details and know exactly what would appeal to her and what wouldn’t! If you have bought her jewelry in the past, then you should have some prior knowledge of her taste.
