Diamond Rings

By far the most common diamond rings are engagement rings and wedding rings. Of course, these are not the only diamonds you might want to wear--such limitations are discriminatory and totally unfair if you have a love of fine jewelry and don't think what you have on your fingers should depend on a man. If what you want is classic sparkle and timeless elegance or to make a bold statement of your independence and style, consider buying yourself a beautiful diamond ring to wear on any finger you choose.

Engagement rings are often solitaires (single stones set in simple bands or embellished with much smaller stones), and anniversary style rings are usually three diamonds, typically with a larger one in the center surrounded by two smaller stones. World class jewelers offer much more elaborate filigree settings and channel set diamonds in bands made from any precious metal. While these styles of rings have come to be associated predominantly with the romantic context, there is nothing which says they have to be. The finger on which you wear the ring says more than the style of the ring itself, so don't hesitate to wear a stunning solitaire on your right index finger if you so desire.

The Four C's in Diamond Rings

As with any diamond you buy, consider the four C's when you buy a diamond ring. Color, cut, clarity, and carat (or karat) weight are the important ways to evaluate a diamond. Depending on your budget, you may opt for a stone that has some technical flaws in order to get a flashier and larger stone, or you may like the idea of sheer perfection and be willing to scale down the ring in order to achieve it.

There's another thing you should consider if you want a diamond ring: you may be able to reset a diamond that you already have for a fraction of the cost of a new ring. Look at jewelers who offer semi mounts. These are bands (ranging from simple to quite ornate and set with diamonds or other precious stones) in which you can set a diamond from another source. This may be a diamond from an heirloom engagement ring that you inherited, or which you were able to acquire wholesale.