The way you wear your jewelry defines your personal style, but your engagement ring set reveals so much more—not only does it announce that you're in love, but it tells the world that you've made a lifetime commitment to your significant other. While that distinction is important, there's no rule saying your ring set shouldn't make you feel fashionable and chic. But should you wear both rings on your left ring finger, or should you wear them on two different fingers altogether?

 

To help you style your ring set, here are some tips on popular wedding traditions and how to wear wedding bands and engagement rings.

 

What's the difference between an engagement ring and wedding ring?

 

While the terms are often used interchangeably, each ring signifies a different milestone. There are a few differences between a wedding band and an engagement ring, including the design, placement, and price, but the most significant difference is when the ring is given.

 

An engagement ring is given during a proposal, while a wedding ring is given when a couple exchanges vows. Some couples choose to buy matching ring sets with similar styles to signify their commitment. However, it's becoming increasingly common for couples to buy rings that match their own personal style instead of coordinating with their spouse.

 

How should you wear your engagement and wedding ring?

 

In western cultures, the engagement and wedding rings are worn on the ring finger on the left hand. Wearing your wedding band with your engagement ring stacked on top is the most common style, but there are many other ways to mix and match your rings to show off your engagement or marriage.

 

If you're a fan of stacked rings, consider purchasing more than one wedding band to layer on either side of your ring to draw attention to your diamond engagement ring. They could be yellow gold, platinum, white gold—whatever fits your personal style and best complements your engagement ring.

 

Other brides-to-be choose to wear their wedding band on the left hand, but switch the engagement ring to the right hand. If you'd prefer to go hands-free, try wearing your ring set as a necklace or skipping the wedding band entirely.

 

Choosing the Perfect Engagement Ring

 

Whether you're thinking about tying the knot or planning for your wedding, choosing the perfect engagement ring can feel intimidating. With education, research, and help from the expert jewelers at Agape Diamonds, you can rest assured knowing you'll be able to find the perfect diamond engagement ring in no time.

 

Set a budget.

 

Before you start the search for the perfect diamond ring, set a price range. If this is your first time shopping for a diamond engagement ring, a diamond ring might seem like a significant investment. Having an honest conversation with your future spouse can help keep your expectations the same while deciding how much you're willing to spend.

 

If you're searching for an affordable ring, consider working with a wholesale jeweler or opting for lab diamonds. Wholesale jewelers like Agape Diamonds offer free shipping within the United States on all future purchases, as well as lower prices than designer collections from top retailers. In addition to our great promotional discounts, special offer promotions, and lifetime warranty, you can shop for the perfect lab diamond ring without sacrificing your budget.

 

Research the 4Cs.

 

If you're jewelry shopping for the first time, it's important to familiarize yourself with the 4Cs. Regardless of whether you choose a natural diamond or lab diamond, cut, clarity, color, and carat weight are the four main factors you'll need to take into account when purchasing a diamond ring. If you haven't done your homework yet, here's a quick guide:

 

Cut: The cut refers to the fire and sparkle that refracts from within the gemstone, which can only be achieved by faceting and polishing the stone. A well-cut diamond offers better sparkle.

 

Color: Colorless diamonds, also known as white diamonds, lack any hue. Color is highly valued, meaning the less color the gemstone has, the more valuable it is.

 

Clarity: Clarity refers to how clean or clear the gemstone is. In the diamond industry, the clarity of the stone can make a significant difference in its value.

 

Carat: Carat is the measure of how much a diamond weighs. The carat of diamond also refers to the size of the diamond. The carat weight is important to keep in mind. 

 

When you start jewelry shopping, the first step is to let your jeweler know how much you're willing to spend. This will help them guide you through your options when it comes to the 4Cs.

 

Decide which type of diamond is right for you.

 

Every diamond engagement ring purchase is different—whether you're interested in real diamonds or lab diamonds, researching the different types of diamonds can help you make the best decision. If you're looking at a gem lab or jewelry store in recent years, you've probably heard about lab-grown diamonds. Lab-created diamonds maintain the same crystal structure as their natural counterparts and are created in a diamond foundry. That way, you don't have to worry about the ethical concerns of blood diamonds or conflict diamonds.

 

 

 

 

Diamond simulants or synthetic diamonds, such as cubic zirconia, are man-made single crystals which can be manufactured to simulate the optical properties, but not physical and chemical properties, of a natural gemstone. On the other hand, lab diamonds duplicate the chemical, optical, and physical properties of real mined diamonds. A comparison of stimulants, lab-created diamonds, and other "imitation" diamonds shows that they're a great choice when it comes to gem quality. They also avoid the flaws, imperfections, and impurities you might expect of a lab-created diamond ring.

Lab diamonds offer several advantages over mined diamonds, including sustainability, lower diamond prices, and durability. Lab diamonds are grown using high-temperature high-pressure (HPHT) or chemical vapor deposition (CVD) processes, which involve placing a diamond seed in a vacuum chamber and applying a combination of heat and extreme pressure to replicate the diamond growth process within the Earth's surface. Carbon atoms layer onto the diamond seed to create loose diamonds, which are then cut, polished, and graded by experts to create a HPHT diamond or CVD diamond free of inclusions, impurities, and imperfections. This high pressure-high temperature combination results in a diamond that is undifferentiable to natural diamonds except under professional scrutiny.

 

If you're concerned about the look or quality of your gemstone, it can help to consider that lab diamonds share the same optical properties as natural diamonds to the naked eye and can be shaped into the same cut grades and styles. In a recent study, lab diamonds—which are often manufactured for industrial use—were shown to be 10-times more durable than real diamonds. In addition, every lab diamond purchase from Agape Diamonds comes with a Certificate of Authenticity from the Gemological Institute of America with detailed information on color, cut, clarity, and carat size.

 

Choosing a lab-grown diamond means you're helping the diamond industry stray away from less-ethical counterparts. The brilliance and hardness of the gem remain the same without unnecessary mining.  

 

Choose a ring setting.

 

There are several factors to consider when choosing a ring setting, including the collection, type of metal, and number of prongs. If you're not sure where to start, color is usually the easiest to choose.

 

According to a recent study, the most popular choice of metal among younger couples is white gold, followed by rose gold, platinum, yellow gold, and sterling silver. Platinum and white gold are the easiest to pair with other jewelry, while rose gold is one of the newest trends in the diamond market.

 

There are four main engagement ring styles: classic, halo, vintage, and solitaire. While classic settings are the perfect setting for a traditional ring with a timeless style, solitaire offers simplicity and sophistication. With their row of accent diamonds around the center stone, halo rings can your diamond appear larger than it actually is. Vintage-style settings tell the story of the past, making the perfect setting for a family heirloom. When choosing a ring setting, keep in mind that your choice should ultimately depend on you and your future spouse's preference and style.

 

Pick the perfect diamond.

If you're searching for loose diamonds for a previously purchased setting, remember that your choice of natural diamonds or synthetic diamonds will be more limited, as some ring settings can only fit certain diamond shapes. As one of the most popular cuts, round diamonds can fit most natural diamond and synthetic diamond settings.

 

If you're set on a unique diamond shape, such as a cushion cut diamond, consider shopping for loose diamonds before choosing a ring setting. After finding your perfect diamond, narrow your ring setting search to settings that can accommodate your loose diamond.

 

If you have any questions about loose diamonds, the diamond experts at Agape Diamonds can help you choose a stunning diamond that matches your personal style.

 

Above all else, your engagement jewelry symbolizes your commitment to your true love. Whether you choose natural diamonds or lab-created diamonds, your engagement ring set, and how you choose to wear it is up to your personal style and preference.