With the romance of Christmas magic and anticipation for the coming New Year in the air, it's no wonder that December is the most common month for proposals.For the ultimate symbol of true love, a jewel represents a sparkling, celebratory symbol of continuity and eternity, and of reassurance and hope for the future. With all this in mind it's important to spend time thinking about the size, shape and finish that will perfectly match the bride.So what makes the perfect engagement ring? Many jewellers tend to refer to the ‘four C's' for quality, that is: cut, clarity, carat and colour.
Add a delicate setting and no small amount of flawless brilliance and you may come close to what you're looking for. For a bride dreaming of a classic proposal with a stone to match, round or princess cuts are the most popular for engagement rings, and highlight the brilliance and sparkle of a diamond's quality.Emerald or oval cuts exude timeless elegance and are ideal for accentuating the slender look of any hand. For something with a vintage touch consider the striking square asscher-cut. With an art deco feel from the 1920s and ‘30s, this shape is now experiencing a wave in popularity and can be sourced in a range of luxurious colours from sapphire blue to emerald green.Known as The Jeweller of Light, De Beers Diamond Jewellers perpetuate a 120-year-old heritage of diamond mastery in Britain which shines through with each of its rings. With in-house craftsmen who combine tried-and-tested traditions with modern high-tech precision the result is contemporary – yet classic – designs that demonstrate an unprecedented level of refinement. With focus on elegance, purity and natural beauty, the chosen finish of the stone can then be personalised to the tastes of the buyer, although, as the president of the De Beers Institute of Diamonds puts it: "Ultimately, it is the diamond that chooses you!".To match the infinite quality of their stones, each of De Beer's engagement bands are created from platinum, the most rare of precious metals, for durability and faultless style that makes every ring a classic to cherish for the rest of your life (with not a scratch to show for it). Diamonds are forever, after all…
How to find the perfect engagement ring• Don't expect to choose the ring you had in mind – always try on the wildcard and different settings as you never know what might catch your eye!• Discuss your budget and go with a clear limit in mind if you're choosing together. Make a day of it, and give yourself a lunch-break with time to go away and think about your choice.• Try out the the more spectacular rings – this is a 'forever' piece you're choosing, so it's a once-in-a-lifetime purchase, and something the bride will never want to take off. If you can't stop smiling when you think about a particular ring, that's the one!
Make sure your wedding is chic and stylish with help from The Secret Quintessentially Weddings Guide. For more information, visit quintessentiallyweddings.com