Choosing Your Engagement Ring
Choosing a diamond engagement ring is very personal and perhaps one of the most emotional purchases that can be undertaken. An engagement ring is such a significant symbol, one to be worn ‘till death do us part’ and so at Michael Matthews we like to think that a diamond should talk to you and demand your attention. At Michael Matthews we want you to utilise our experience and we to translate our passion so that you can understand a diamond and can appreciate a diamond’s rarity and perhaps fall in love it’s story. Our promise to you is to find that diamond and to assist you in making the engagement ring that you deserve. We offer a wonderful selection of classic, and modern diamond engagement rings that can be sized, or ordered to size. Alternatively we can work with you to create a unique design, or a variation on one of our many designs. Our experienced staff will be happy to assist you with the each careful step along the way.
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It is said that you can’t choose who you fall in love with, but that it just happens. There is much more ‘choice’ involved with falling in love with an engagement ring! Here is our step by step guide to making that choice:
1. Work Out Your Budget
Once you have decided on a budget, we will help you to establish the options available to you. You may like to browse the examples on our website and get an idea of the styles, settings and metals you like at this stage.
2. Diamond Research
We have put together some useful information about Diamonds in our Diamond & Gemstone Guide, such as The Four C’s which may help you to establish some of the more important factors when selecting your diamond. At Michael Matthews each diamond offered for sale has been hand selected and chosen for carefully considered qualities. Many of these diamonds are accompanied by an independent diamond laboratory certificate detailing unique aspects of characteristics and measurements, as well as offering assurances to the quality of the diamond’s ‘finish’ grade. There are a number of diamond laboratories around the world, some more reputable and importantly stringent than others. We work with some of the most respected and renowned laboratories, providing our customers with complete peace of mind. Generally the laboratories we use are the GIA (Gemological Institute of America), IGI (International Gemmological Institute) and the HRD (HodeRaad van Antwerpen).
3. Select A Diamond Shape
The shape of a diamond is often referred to as the ‘cut’. All of the Michael Matthews diamonds are cut to a very high standard and we always carry a large variety of fancy shape diamonds to compliment an extensive collection of more traditional shaped diamonds. Round diamonds are often referred to as a Round Brilliant Cut for a simple reason, their ‘brilliance’ (sparkle) is considered as being the most impressive. However, each shape of diamond offers its own unique brilliance and attractive quality often going hand in hand with a series of engagement ring designs to compliment.
4. Select Your Setting
The ‘setting’ refers to the method in which your diamond is secured. Choosing your diamond setting is very important as you will have to consider not only the aesthetics that you like but it’s suitability to your lifestyle. Whether you have decided on a solitaire diamond, or several diamonds, there are several ways in which the stones can be set. Traditionally a diamond solitaire is set using a ‘claw’ setting which allows for both a secure setting but also for maximisation of light refraction (or brilliance). We would be happy to show you the settings we have on offer or to talk you through the various options available to you.
5. Select A Metal
At Michael Matthews we can create your chosen design in any metal. The most traditional metals we offer are yellow, white and rose coloured 18ct gold and of course the most precious of all - Platinum. We also offer a collection of Palladium engagement rings. Each metal displays different qualities in strength and durability and can vary hugely in price, which may affect your decision a member of our staff will be happy to assist you with your choice. See our Precious Metal Guide for further information.
6.Ring Sizing
If you know the ring size you require but we don’t currently hold that size, we will be happy to alter most of our rings to the correct size for you, or create your chosen design to the required size, generally at no further cost (although under some circumstance a small cost may have to be incurred). Should you want us to accurately measure yours or your partners ring size then please visit us in Bournemouth and a member of our staff will be happy to do this for you.
Guessing the correct ring size for your partner can be difficult. You may be able to ask a family member or close friend to help you with your partner’s ring size. If you do not know an accurate ring size, we recommend that you purchase the ring of your choice in a size that we have available, and we will be happy to re-size it to the correct size once this has been established.
7. Let Us Create Your Perfect Ring
At Michael Matthews we utilise several different goldsmiths, all with strengths in various fields. Once we have established your design requirements we will allocate the best craftsman to carry out the creation of your bespoke diamond engagement ring. As you might expect, we offer one an extremely comprehensive after-sales service which includes complementary cleaning, and the checking of all stone setting (as per most insurance requirements), as well as re-sizing, repairs and re-finishing including rhodium plating. Please see our Care Guide to ensure that your diamond jewellery lasts a lifetime.
