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One of the most common wedding traditions is for the groom to propose to the bride with an engagement ring. Traditionally the engagement ring features a diamond. Choosing a diamond engagement ring can be tricky; it is not something that a lot of guys have much experience with. Follow these tips to guide you to a ring that she will love.

Firstly it is important to remember that you should always buy a ring you can afford. Traditionally the groom would save two months of his salary to pay for the engagement ring, however, depending on your circumstances this may not be possible, so only spend what you can practically afford. There is no point in going bankrupt for an engagement ring, plus you will probably need a fair amount of money for the rest of your wedding planning so spending too much early on will do you no favors.

Arm yourself with information to make sure you get the best deal for your money. If you walk into a jeweler with little or no idea what you are looking for you may end up with something completely unsuitable. Diamonds are graduated by four different characteristics, clarity, cut, carat, and color. These are known as the 4C's of diamonds.

The price you pay for your diamond is primarily determined by its clarity. This is classified by the amount of internal flaws, known as inclusions, are present in the diamond. The fewer the inclusions the higher the clarity, the more the diamond will shine and twinkle in the light. Most people opt for a diamond that falls somewhere within the small inclusions and very very small inclusions categories.

Cut is also a major factor that determinates the diamond's radiance. An extremely experienced jeweler can cut any diamond so that it shines magnificently. You should ask your jeweler to present you with an assortment of differently shaped diamonds and clarify how the various cuts have an effect on the stone's appearance. The most popular shaped cuts are the round and oval, with most people choosing stone's of these shapes for their engagement rings.

The carat basically describes how large the diamond is. One carat is 100 points on the stone, the more carats, the more points, and the larger the diamond. A three-carat diamond is often a prevalent size for engagement rings.

The final character of a diamond is its color. As a rule, people favor a diamond that has no color whatever but these can be extremely costly. Diamonds do range in color from those that are a clean untainted white to those with a more yellow tinge. You will be required to use your eyes to weigh up which color is best for you.

Once you have chosen a diamond that you are interested in, there is generally some room to barter on the price; this can help you to cut your costs. However, your work is not done yet. You will next need to decide what metal you want the ring to be made from, and how you want the diamond to be set in the ring. Again, a little homework can go a long way to helping you choose the perfect diamond engagement ring.

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Source by Amanda Jane