Buying A Diamond Engagement Ring

Introductions

I’m a guy that recently went to a whole lot of trouble to research and finally purchase the perfect diamond engagement rings for my fiance. I spent hours pouring over diamond reports, deciphering the intricacies of the 4-C’s of diamonds, and filtering out all of the junk to get to what’s important. In this article I relate the knowledge I gained and teach you how to avoid most of that work, while still making your partner the most delighted and envied girl she knows. All this, while hopefully leaving you at least a little cash in your wallet. Because, really, do we care about the process of buying the ring? Do we even really care what it looks like? Well, yeah, but only to the extent it makes our girls happy, because we feel good when they’re happy and life is better when they’re happy. If you haven’t learned that yet and you’re planning to propose, maybe you should reconsider 🙂
But anyway, on to the article!

Purchasing  Weeding Rings Can Be Simple!
So, you’ve decided that you want to propose. You’ve thought about what it means to promise to spend the rest of your life with that one special someone, you’re sure that you’re doing it for the right reasons, and maybe you’ve even tested the waters by getting her opinion on marriage before putting yourself out there. Now you just have to buy a ring and do the proposing. Easy, right? All of the many, many details (and expense) of the wedding will most likely be out of your hands, so your job is straighforward and simple…at least it seems that way until you actually look into purchasing the diamond.*

Engagement rings can be quite pricey, and you want to get the most for your money. You don’t want to buy into the advertisers’ claims that the only way to express your love is to put yourself in debt for the rest of your life, but you want your girl to be proud to show off her ring and proud to say that you bought it for her. Tons of sites exist on the web that will tell you everything you could possibly want to know about purchasing a diamond but I’ll begin by telling you in two sentences what you should do: Purchase a diamond that’s pretty big (as big or bigger than the friends she’ll compare it with) and purchase a diamond that has an ideal cut. Buy it online and get it appraised and insured. That’s all there is to it, the diamond’s beauty will be very forgiving as long as you get these right. If you’ve heard of the 4 C’s of diamond buying, you can largely ignore the other two (color and clarity) as long as they’re not bad enough to be noticeable.

Following those four guidelines will get you an amazing diamond for a great price. If you remember that advice, you could even stop reading right now if you wanted, although I encourage you to read on to see why I strongly believe in my advice. Doing so will also help you defend your choices to your girlfriend when she asks – more importantly, you can turn the tables on that guy that wants your girl and always seems to find fault with what you do (that guy always exists). Keep reading to learn the details that will make her love you for all the time you obviously spent pouring over diamond manuals to find the perfect stone that she’s already fallen in love with.
Shopping Doesn’t Have to Be A Bad Experience

If you’re anything like me, you hate shopping. You dread the day that you’re finally forced to replace ragged pants or worn-out shoes. When you have to do it, just like ripping off a band-aid, you make it quick and painful. You choose the closest store and buy the first of whatever it is that you’re looking for that’s reasonably priced and not something your buddies will tease you for owning. Despite what a lot of people will tell you, ring shopping can be like this too.

The reason shopping for yourself is so easy is that you know exactly what you want, you know what you care about and what you don’t. The hard part about shopping for women is that you rarely know what they want. In terms of engagement rings, women want big and sparkly. Big translates to the Carot size, somewhere and sometime the standard size for an engagement ring was set to 1.0 Carots. Don’t go much above 1.25 Carots, because it’ll take a big change in the weight above this to make a difference in the apparent size of the diamond.

If you choose a ring larger than 1.0 Carot, then approximately 1.25 Carots is the optimal price point because it looks noticeably bigger than a 1.0 Carot stone, meaning she can impress her friends, but a 1.5 Carot stone only appear marginally (if any) bigger than a 1.25 Carot stone. This has to do with the area of the top face of the diamond increasing only in proportion with the square root of the Carot weight. Regardless of the size you choose, you can often save a lot of money by purchasing a ring approximately 0.1 Carots less than your target weight. A 0.91 Carot ring costs a lot less than a 1.0 Carot ring for example. Be flexible, there difference between these sizes to the eye is almost unnoticeable and is completely unnoticeable as you approach rings that are 1.25 Carots and above.

The sparkle of a diamond is determined almost completely by its cut, so get a diamond with as close to an ideal cut as you can afford. The cut determines the angles of the diamond that control how much of the light that comes in is reflected back out. The more light that is reflected out, the more the diamond sparkles. Here, here, and here are some excellent resources for learning more about what makes a good cut. If you’re shopping with a reputable diamond seller, it’s usually fine just to purchase a diamond with “Ideal” or “Excellent” cut quality as determined by them, because, when it comes down to it, you’re trusting them to provide you with the correct dimensions in either case. Even though few women know it, the cut is the most important feature of a diamond and an excellent cut should be preferred, even at the cost of other features.

So, what about those other features? Choosing your diamond is the hardest part, but should you choose a ring made of white gold or platinum? Should you choose a band with inset diamonds along the sides, maybe a setting with a couple of accent diamonds on the side? My advice is to simply choose what appeals to you and what you think your future fiance will like, again, without sacrificing the quality of the main diamond you. White gold is a bit cheaper and it looks quite similar to platinum. White gold must be refinished or it will turn yellow and platinum needs to be polished or it will lose its shine. Platinum is a heavier metal so it won’t wear down as fast, whereas a gold ring will become thinner with age. These decisions can make the ring you choose really stand out, but they should generally be a secondary decision unless your girlfriend has expressed a strong preference.
The Diamond Retailer for You

Now you know all about what features to look for in a diamond and ring, but where should you look? That depends on what kind of person you are and what your significant other is expecting. The best value is to be had is online, but you miss out on actually being able to see your ring before purchase. You can get pretty close to wholesale prices by buying from online stores (most offers an approximate 5% markup or less). They can offer you these low prices because of their lower overhead. There are also the tax advantages that come with purchasing online, and avoiding sales tax can make a huge difference if you’re buying a ring that costs several thousand.

Unfortunately, if your future fiance is expecting to receive her ring in a Tiffany & Co. blue box, you should reconsider proposing to her. Well, maybe not, but if she is then buying from an online jeweler probably isn’t the route for you. Tiffany & Co. (and other chain stores) mark their products way up from retail. A Tiffany engagement ring may offer high quality, but you can get a high-quality ring for much less elsewhere. Essentially, if you buy at Tiffany & Co. you pay thousands of dollars for that blue box, which isn’t necessarily that crazy. Buying a diamond engagement ring is all about paying a lot for what it symbolizes, because, despite myths to the contrary, diamonds are not scarce, but rather heavily price-controlled by the international diamond cartel De Beers. If your girl wants a Tiffany ring, then consider giving her one, even if it means a smaller ring.

In my search I found two high-quality, low-priced online diamond retailers – Fully Bonded Diamonds and Blue Nile – although there are likely more. Both have favorable reviews online, both are legitimate, and both have real people you can talk to just a phone call away. The main difference between them is that a fully black diamonds come with a lifetime buy back gaurantee, so you can be pretty sure that nothing’s wrong with it. Blue Nile lets you return the ring up to 30 days after purchase for a full refund but that’s it. Blue Nile tends to be a bit cheaper, and if you talk to their representatives both will try to convince you that buying from them is the only way to go. Depending on your preferences, at least one of the two will probably suit your needs. If you choose another retailer online, check with the Better Business Bureau before purchasing, be sure they have some sort of gaurantee and have your diamond appraised after you get it. Buying online can save you tons of money but there are people out there waiting to rip you off and it’s easier for them to get away with it if you can’t point the police to their brick & mortar store around the block.

Buying Your Wedding Rings

The Wedding Rings
Now that you’re engaged (hopefully after having read my Engagement Ring Article), you’re now ready to purchase your wedding rings. Both partners receive these in traditional marriages, and, while some debate exists as to weather a man is expected to always wear his, both partners wear their rings to signify the commitment they each made on their wedding day. Fortunately, for us men, the most difficult part of the pre-wedding ring buying experience is over. Having already purchased the engagement ring, our days of guessing what our fiance will like have gladly ended and we are left to approve happily of whatever ring she picks and help choose a ring we think we’ll be able to bear.

Purchasing Your Wedding Rings Can Be Simple!

Purchasing wedding rings is pretty simple and straightforward, but this short article will help you avoid common pitfalls. Almost everyone wants to get the ring of their choosing for as little money as possible, so I’ll also give you some tips on getting a great deal.
Wedding Rings

Later, I’ll offer some specific advise for the bride and groom about choosing their respective rings, but first some general advice. For many men, the process of buying an engagement ring can be stressful. Not only do you have to worry about proposing a life-changing commitment, but you also have to pick out a ring that your future bride will love, try to be sneaky about determining her size and plan an amazing proposal. Choosing your diamond engagement rings are  much different. It can be done together and, for many couples, the wedding rings will be the first major purchase that they make together. It’s a great chance to grow and learn about the person you’ve chosen to spend the rest of your life with.
What’s a good ring for him?

Much of what will make a good ring for the groom is dependent on his tastes. Whether he prefers gold, white gold or platinum is largely a personal choice. Gold is slightly cheaper but can wear down over many years. White gold is plated yellow gold and can eventually turn yellowish. Platinum is a heavier metal and, while it tends to ding more than gold, it can be polished back to its original size and shape. Other options you can choose from are whether or not to have diamonds or other stones in the ring, whether or not to have a design in the ring and, finally, the width of the ring.

Regarding the width, most men will be happier with a wider ring. Especially when viewed online, the thinner rings can look like they’ll be sufficient and they’re certainly cheaper, but a wider ring looks more masculine and most men prefer them. Unless you have shorter than average fingers, I suggest you choose a ring that is at least 6 mm wide.
What will match her engagement ring?

You’ll want the metal used in her engagement ring to be the same as the metal used for her wedding ring. Her wedding ring will be worn on the same finger as her engagement ring, so pick its thickness so that the combined width of the engagement ring and wedding ring aren’t too much for her finger. I suggest a combined width of no more than 7-10 mm depending on the length of her fingers and her willingness to put up with discomfort.

Other than that, it’s mostly about personal preference and price.
Where should you buy your rings and how do you get a deal?

Purchasing your rings online via a reputable online retailer can allow you to get a great price without sacrificing anything. If the retailer isn’t based in your state, then you can also avoid paying sales tax on the ring, which could add up to a couple hundred dollars. Of course, you’ll want to check with the tax laws of your local state to see if you’re expected to pay the sales tax at a later date. If you buy online, you’ll still need to know your ring sizes and, fortunately, Blue Nile will be happy to send you a handy ring sizer. Just fill out the request here and in less than a week you’ll receive your free ring sizer. As an added bonus, when I bought black diamonds rings the ring sizer came with a discount code that let me save $100 per ring off the already low prices that they offer.

There are some advantages to buying a brick & mortar store, however. Chiefly, you’ll be able to see and touch, in person, the ring that you’re going to buy. You’ll also be sure to get the size right the first time and, if anything goes wrong, you can just take it back to the store. Of course, you’ll also pay a higher price because buildings and salespeople aren’t free and are added onto the cost of your rings. You’ll also have to pay sales tax unless you happen to live in Oregon or Delaware where there isn’t a sales tax. If you’re particularly thrifty and don’t mind walking into a moral gray area, you can visit a brick & mortar store, and pick out your ring and get them to size you, but purchase the ring online. You might even rationalize it by saying that if you’re particularly struck by a ring that you will buy it.

Carolina Queen Emerald

“Carolina Queen Emerald” is said to be the largest, finest and most significant emerald ever found in North America. It has 18.88-carat and a pear-shaped cut. The only emerald rivals are the finest of the fine emeralds of Muzo and Chivor mines of Colombia.

The “Carolina Queen Emerald” was discovered by James K. Hill, president and CEO of North American Emerald Mines, in his 94-acre family estate in Hiddenite, North Carolina, in 1998, was named “Carolina Queen” to reflect the state of origin of the emerald as well his intention to start a series with royal names.
Gem cutter Allan Koo shaped the 71-carat rough stone into two exceptional quality emeralds, the 18.88-carat, pear-shaped “Carolina Queen Emerald” and the 7.85-carat, cushion-cut “Carolina Prince Emerald.” initiating what is known as the Royal Family collection.

The “Carolina Queen Emerald” surpassed the “Tiffany Emerald” both in weight as well as quality. After cutting and polishing the AGL certified the “Carolina Queen Emerald” as the largest and finest emerald of North American origin to ever pass through its laboratory. Mr. C. R. Beasley  the internationally renowned gem appraiser has placed a value of over $1,000,000 for the “Carolina Queen Emerald.”

You can buy best diamond engagement rings from our suggested ebay store.

Have You Ever Tried to Sell a Diamond?

The diamond invention—the creation of the idea that diamonds are rare and valuable, and are essential signs of esteem—is a relatively recent development in the history of the diamond trade. Until the late nineteenth century, diamonds were found only in a few riverbeds in India and in the jungles of Brazil, and the entire world production of gem diamonds amounted to a few pounds a year. In 1870, however, huge diamond mines were discovered near the Orange River, in South Africa, where diamonds were soon being scooped out by the ton. Suddenly, the market was deluged with diamonds. The British financiers who had organized the South African mines quickly realized that their investment was endangered; diamonds had little intrinsic value—and their price depended almost entirely on their scarcity. The financiers feared that when new mines were developed in South Africa, diamonds would become at best only semiprecious gems. You can read more for  wedding rings

 

The major investors in the diamond mines realized that they had no alternative but to merge their interests into a single entity that would be powerful enough to control production and perpetuate the illusion of scarcity of diamonds. The instrument they created, in 1888, was called De Beers Consolidated Mines, Ltd., incorporated in South Africa. As De Beers took control of all aspects of the world diamond trade, it assumed many forms. In London, it operated under the innocuous name of the Diamond Trading Company. In Israel, it was known as “The Syndicate.” In Europe, it was called the “C.S.O.” — initials referring to the Central Selling Organization, which was an arm of the Diamond Trading Company. And in black Africa, it disguised its South African origins under subsidiaries with names like Diamond Development Corporation and Mining Services, Inc. At its height — for most of this century — it not only either directly owned or controlled all the diamond mines in southern Africa but also owned diamond trading companies in England, Portugal, Israel, Belgium, Holland, and Switzerland.

De Beers proved to be the most successful cartel arrangement in the annals of modern commerce. While other commodities, such as gold, silver, copper, rubber, and grains, fluctuated wildly in response to economic conditions, diamonds have continued, with few exceptions, to advance upward in price every year since the Depression. Indeed, the cartel seemed so superbly in control of prices — and unassailable — that, in the late 1970s, even speculators began buying diamonds as a guard against the vagaries of inflation and recession.

The diamond invention is far more than a monopoly for fixing diamond prices; it is a mechanism for converting tiny crystals of carbon into universally recognized tokens of wealth, power, and romance. To achieve this goal, De Beers had to control demand as well as supply. Both women and men had to be made to perceive diamonds not as marketable precious stones but as an inseparable part of courtship and married life. To stabilize the market, De Beers had to endow these stones with a sentiment that would inhibit the public from ever reselling them. The illusion had to be created that diamonds were forever — “forever” in the sense that they should never be resold.

In September of 1938, Harry Oppenheimer, son of the founder of De Beers and then twenty-nine, traveled from Johannesburg to New York City, to meet with Gerold M. Lauck, the president of N. W. Ayer, a leading advertising agency in the United States. Lauck and N. W. Ayer had been recommended to Oppenheimer by the Morgan Bank, which had helped his father consolidate the De Beers financial empire. His bankers were concerned about the price of diamonds, which had declined worldwide.

In Europe, where diamond prices had collapsed during the Depression, there seemed little possibility of restoring public confidence in diamonds. In Germany, Austria, Italy, and Spain, the notion of giving a diamond ring to commemorate an engagement had never taken hold. In England and France, diamonds were still presumed to be jewels for aristocrats rather than the masses. Furthermore, Europe was on the verge of war, and there seemed little possibility of expanding diamond sales. This left the United States as the only real market for De Beers’s diamonds. In fact, in 1938 some three quarters of all the cartel’s diamonds were sold for engagement rings in the United States. Most of these stones, however, were smaller and of poorer quality than those bought in Europe, and had an average price of $80 apiece. Oppenheimer and the bankers believed that an advertising campaign could persuade Americans to buy more expensive diamonds.

Oppenheimer suggested to Lauck that his agency prepare a plan for creating a new image for diamonds among Americans. He assured Lauck that De Beers had not called on any other American advertising agency with this proposal, and that if the plan met with his father’s approval, N. W. Ayer would be the exclusive agents for the placement of newspaper and radio advertisements in the United States. Oppenheimer agreed to underwrite the costs of the research necessary for developing the campaign. Lauck instantly accepted the offer.

In their subsequent investigation of the American diamond market, the staff of N. W. Ayer found that since the end of World War I, in 1919, the total amount of diamonds sold in America, measured in carats, had declined by 50 percent; at the same time, the quality of the diamonds, measured in dollar value, had declined by nearly 100 percent. An Ayer memo concluded that the depressed state of the market for diamonds was “the result of the economy, changes in social attitudes and the promotion of competitive luxuries.”

Although it could do little about the state of the economy, N. W. Ayer suggested that through a well-orchestrated advertising and public-relations campaign it could have a significant impact on the “social attitudes of the public at large and thereby channel American spending toward larger and more expensive diamonds instead of “competitive luxuries.” Specifically, the Ayer study stressed the need to strengthen the association in the public’s mind of diamonds with romance. Since “young men buy over 90% of all engagement rings” it would be crucial to inculcate in them the idea that diamonds were a gift of love: the larger and finer the diamond, the greater the expression of love. Similarly, young women had to be encouraged to view diamonds as an integral part of any romantic courtship.

Since the Ayer plan to romanticize diamonds required subtly altering the public’s picture of the way a man courts — and wins — a woman, the advertising agency strongly suggested exploiting the relatively new medium of motion pictures. Movie idols, the paragons of romance for the mass audience, would be given diamonds to use as their symbols of indestructible love. In addition, the agency suggested offering stories and society photographs to selected magazines and newspapers which would reinforce the link between diamonds and romance. Stories would stress the size of diamonds that celebrities presented to their loved ones, and photographs would conspicuously show the glittering stone on the hand of a well-known woman. Fashion designers would talk on radio programs about the “trend towards diamonds” that Ayer planned to start. The Ayer plan also envisioned using the British royal family to help foster the romantic allure of diamonds. An Ayer memo said, “Since Great Britain has such an important interest in the diamond industry, the royal couple could be of tremendous assistance to this British industry by wearing diamonds rather than other jewels.” Queen Elizabeth later went on a well-publicized trip to several South African diamond mines, and she accepted a diamond from Oppenheimer.

In addition to putting these plans into action, N. W. Ayer placed a series of lush four-color advertisements in magazines that were presumed to mold elite opinion, featuring reproductions of famous paintings by such artists as Picasso, Derain, Dali, and Dufy. The advertisements were intended to convey the idea that diamonds, like paintings, were unique works of art.

Great prices at Diamond, Pearl and Gemstone Jewelry

If you planed all year long to get something valuable as a gift this holiday, maybe you’ll find my jewelry suggestions inspiring (starting from now, I will post a lot of appealing jewelry discounts from which you can choose from).

Today’s hint is that Ice.com has great prices at diamonds, pearls and gemstone jewelry. Most pieces can be found for under $300, with a few as low as $45. According to price, the items are split into easy to browse categories.
1. Hearts and diamonds…twice as nice!
We all know by now that “diamonds are forever”.  And diamonds in the shape of a sterling silver heart pendant?  Eternity times two!
2. Hey!  It doesn’t have to be a diamond!
Large, show-stopping rings are all the rage.  For extra dazzle, try a colored center stone, such as a green amethyst or a pink topaz, and make a big statement without the big price tag! Or even a beautiful colored pearl ring.
3. Mix it up a little!
If you think that adding color to your wardrobe is a mood-lifter, try adding jewel-tones—from genuine jewels—to your accessories! Try mixing a mint green amethyst with a traditional purple one for a ring that’s as unique as it is eye-catching.
4. Silver is Cool and Sexy!
With the cost of gold sky high, there couldn’t be a better time to check out sterling silver.  Whether combined with enamel and studded with diamonds or paired with a colored stone and luminous mother of pearl, sterling says “glamor” and “sophistication” without breaking the bank.
5. Tennis Anyone?
Sometimes you just can’t beat a classic.  Want a twist?  Try a diamond tennis bracelet set in cool sterling.
6. Hot, Cool and Icy
No, we’re not talking about some new holiday cocktail and yes, you can mix yellow and white metals in a single piece of jewelry. Try a ring of white diamonds, set into icy sterling silver and highlighted with hot, (14K) yellow gold.

Ebay Store is Our resource for black diamonds

Laura Tedesco’s Engagement Ring

When someone is in the jewelry biz and deals with diamond engagement rings on a daily basis, when it comes to having one yourself–well, that is actually a tough dilemma!  It took jewelry designer Laura Tedesco several months, a few inspiration boards, and long talks with her groom-to-be to decide on a final creation.  Luckily she is an amazing designer and had a gorgeous Asscher cut diamond to work with–here is her take on the beautiful design:

At the end of March 2012, the love of my life proposed to me with the most beautiful loose asscher cut diamond.  “What an amazing way to propose to a jewellery designer” everyone has said.  I was given the opportunity to design the ring of my dreams.  I definitely took my time with it, even though I wanted to show the world I was engaged as soon I could, but couldn’t rush such an important piece.  I wanted it to be perfect in every way possible.  Therefore, it was challenging to “commit” to a design let alone come up with the design because there are so many things in this world that inspire me. After much thought and picking the brain of my fiance, here are some of the images and ideas that went into creating, in my opinion, a time-less engagement ring.
1 Asscher cut diamond set in platinum. 2 Trapezoid diamond accents on either side, (these geometric step-cuts are my favourite). 6 Marquise cut yellow diamonds set in 18K yellow gold to form laurel shape and to represent yellow roses. 26 full cut round diamonds. Hand-engraving of the ancient laurel wreath motif to symbolize honour and mine and my fiance’s italian (me) and greek (him) decent.

Million dollar necklace

Made by Mikimoto, this 18-inch pearl strand, took 10 years to gather the 27 perfectly round cultured pearls. The pearls are White South Sea AAA quality and are extremely rare. No wonder it took so long! Source of wedding rings

The expensive strand also has a noval clasp with 11,92 carats of diamonds, but its beauty realy lies in the cultured pearls. The high quality is showed in their 15.06 x 17.24 mm diameter, in the way pearls reflect light and a very special luster. Even so, $1,000,000 for a pearl strand?

New jewelry for you

There’s a new jewelry line called Evil Pawn Jewelry I think you’ll enjoy. Designed by Faith Evangeline this collection goes way beyond the norm and consists of eclectic pieces that are sure to command attention and add a little rock n’ roll to any wardrobe.

From the bohemian to the gothic, the demure to the outrageous, this line offers a variety of diverse looks that can complement any style.  Whether you choose one of the silver cuffs or cocktail rings as a single statement piece, or pile on layers of hair pieces, belt buckles and feathered chokers, Evil Pawn is sure to turn heads.
Faith Evangeline, the designer and mastermind behind this line, prides herself in crafting each piece with intricate detail, so you truly feel special when you put on one of her designs.  She also limits the quantities of each piece, and is constantly adding new merchandise so your look is ALWAYS fresh and unique! This line is a great way to keep your style cutting-edge, and is a welcome alternative to the mass-produced, cookie-cutter jewelry lines on the market today.

Article Written source on black diamonds …………

The Strange (and Formerly Sexist) Economics of Engagement Rings

Diamonds are forever, but the meaning of the diamond engagement ring has changed dramatically in the last century. Today’s symbol of love was once something more like virginity insurance.
Why do men buy diamond rings for our fiancées? There’s the emotional story. We enjoy making grand gestures of commitment to the people we love. Behind that, there’s the marketing story. DeBeers’ historic ad campaign, crafted by the real-life mad men at N.W. Ayers, convinced generations of lovers that diamond bands were synonymous with eternal devotion. But behind that, there is economic story that is just as important and fascinating.

***

Once upon a time, diamond rings weren’t just gifts. They were, frankly, virginity insurance.

A now-obsolete law called the “Breach of Promise to Marry” once allowed women to sue men for breaking off an engagement. Back then, there was a high premium on women being virgins when they married — or at least when they got engaged. Surveys from the 1940s show that roughly half of engaged couples reported being intimate before the big day. If the groom-to-be walked out after he and the bride-to-be had sex, that left her in a precarious position. From a social angle, she had been permanently “damaged.” From an economic angle, she had lost her market value. So Breach of Promise to Marry was born.

But in the 1930s, states began striking down the “Breach of Promise to Marry” law. By 1945, 16 states representing nearly half of the nation’s population had made Breach of Promise a historical relic. At the same time, the diamond engagement ring began its transformation from decorative to de rigueur. Legal scholar Margaret Brinig doesn’t think that’s a coincidence, and she has the math to prove it. Regressing the percent of people living in states without Breach of Promise against a handful of other variables — including advertising, per capita income and the price of diamonds — Brinig found that this legal change was actually the most significant factor in the rise of the diamond engagement ring. It’s historically plausible. The initial mini-surge in diamond imports came in 1935, four years before DeBeers launched its celebrated advertising campaign. What’s going on here?

Let’s think like an economist. An engaged couple aren’t all that different from a borrower and a lender. The woman is lending her hand in marriage to the man, who promises to tie the knot at a later date. In the days of Breach of Promise, the woman would do this on an unsecured basis — that is, the man didn’t have to pledge any collateral — because the law provided her something akin to bankruptcy protection. Put simply, if the man didn’t fulfill his obligation to marry, the woman had legal recourse. This calculus changed once the law changed. Suddenly, women wanted an upfront financial assurance from their men. Basically, collateral. That way, if the couple never made it down the aisle, she’d at least be left with something. And that something was almost always small and shiny. The diamond ring was insurance.

So, should a jilted bride give back the engagement ring? Today, the answer is often yes. But back when rings first came into vogue, part of the point was that she wouldn’t. It was a security against a default on the engagement. The good news is that this seems so alien to us today. Women have their own careers. They earn more degrees. And, for the younger generation, they out-earn men. More importantly, the stigma against premarital sex has disappeared. A broken engagement isn’t a lasting financial disaster for a woman like it was before. The diamond engagement ring has itself undergone a transformation. It’s no longer a security. It’s just about signaling nowadays. It’s anachronistic. But don’t try telling your girlfriend that.

Wedding Rings for Guys: How to Choose the One You’ll Like

Men often feel like they’re playing the supporting role when it comes to their wedding. Much of the attention is focused on the bride who usually does the bulk of the planning and decision-making when it comes to the big day. Sure, you had plenty of input, but as some of your friends will joke, you’re just along for the ride!

One area that causes much consternation for men is the wedding band. Until recently, some wedding rings were an option for men, if even given much consideration in the first place. As recently as two generations ago, it was difficult enough for couples to scrape together enough money for just one band for her, never mind that many brides used to forego an engagement ring as having one was considered an extravagance. Those days are long gone!

Getting back to men, we’re not always all that thrilled by the choice of rings presented to us. If you’re like me, you never wore a ring previously; perhaps not liking a particular style or considering some to be too effeminate. Maybe you’ve reasoned this: attention should be given to her hands only, not mine!

Fortunately, wedding ring designers are considering what men want when designing a wedding band just for them and I must tell you this: they can resemble the woman’s ring without all of the glittery trappings. Her gold, silver, or platinum ring may look like yours, but hers is thinner, embedded with diamonds or other stones, and very feminine. On the other hand yours will be wider and definitely restrained when it comes to its appearance. Leave the glitter to the ladies, but still wear a ring that complements her ring nicely.

Before shopping for a ring, you’ll want to consider a few points:

Buy your ring online. Jewelers such as James Allen make shopping a breeze. Avoid the malls and getting dragged from store to store. You can contact James Allen and ask for them to send a ring sizer to you to find out what your size is. James Allen offers gold, silver, and platinum wedding bands for less, usually without state tax, and at prices well below mall stores. When shopping James Allen, you won’t feel mauled as would by shopping at the local mall!

Go with comfort. The shape of the ring and its width are two factors that will go a long way in helping you determine if a wedding band is comfortable or not. Soft, rounded edges are preferable to a ring with angular edges. The curve on the inside of the ring should be soft otherwise you’ll find the ring annoying and not want to wear it. The best wedding band for a man is the one he can slip on forget is there.

Find your style. The pressure to find a ring that matches the bride’s wing often turns guys away from wearing a ring themselves. Though a matching pair can be a nice gesture, you may find that your personal styles are at polar opposites of each other. Better to find rings you both like for yourselves, then to try to agree on a subject that really doesn’t matter.

Once you find a ring that you like then plan to wear it all the time. Sure, when you work on the car or do a household project, you’ll want to remove it, but keep it on at all times to show your commitment to her. There is something to be said by offering her a visible and tangible reminder of your love for her, something she’ll find important and highly significant.