Perfect match: everything you need to know before buying an engagement ring

What do I need to know about diamond shape?The shape refers to that of the diamond, be it round, emerald, heart, oval or pear Use shape as the foundation, as it can also help to connect the dots and determine the style of ring you like: a marquise diamond exudes a vintage elegance while a cushion shape is innately modern What do I need to know about a diamond's properties?The diamond is the lynchpin of any engagement ring, so before beginning your search, spend time decoding what jewellers' speak to as the four Cs describing a diamond's intrinsic properties: cut, colour, carat and clarity.

"A diamond's 'cut' actually refers to its proportions, symmetry and polish, and not the shape of the diamond as many are often led to believe," says Matthew Ely, owner of namesake Woollahra boutique, of the most misunderstood of a diamond's virtues, adding it can also be interpreted as simply the sparkle factor Diamonds come in a range of shades including pink, yellow, champagne and chocolate and while white diamonds are rated on a chart of D to Z, alternative colour shades are more valuable the higher in pigment they are "[He] recognised that an exceptional diamond should be heralded rather than hidden," says Kirtley, a mantra that has flowed into engagement ring design today.

What do I need to know about my wedding band before buying an engagement ring?While an engagement ring is the singular piece that will define your union, it's important to consider the wedding band at the time of the proposal, too. . Source