Rings are special pieces of jewellery that can be brought for multiple special occasions in a person’s life. Rings are most often associated with engagements or weddings. However, they can be purchased on birthdays or whenever a person has to celebrate, say a personal achievement or any personal bond for that matter.
Rings are the most widely purchased and exchanged piece of jewellery for multiple reasons. Firstly, unlike necklaces or bracelets, they are small and convenient for everyday use. Again, since they are small, they are much more affordable for all sorts of consumers. So if someone is looking for a store that sells stylish rings for all occasions, they can go to StoryJewellery.
However, buying a ring is not such a simple affair. And some important points to keep in mind before making a purchase are worth the money spent on the ring.
7 Things To Look For When A person Wants To Buy A Ring For Themselves
1. The Purity Of The Metal Or Stone
Whenever people purchase an expensive piece of jewellery, the first thing that comes to their mind is how pure gold or diamond is. Most jewellery is made using 18 or 22-carat gold. These numbers imply the percentage of pure gold in a mixture of gold and other metals like zinc, copper etc. It is always a good idea not to go for high purity of the metals as carving jewellery requires the metal to have some amount of strength and rigidity. Also, the specific tinge a metal produces depends upon the metals mixed in it to strengthen it. For instance, gold that has a high percentage of copper has a slightly reddish tinge.
Again for diamonds, purity matters, and the clarity value of a piece of diamond is a measure of its purity. A diamond, while it is being mined, includes dirt and blemishes on its surface. So higher the percentage of these unwanted impurities lower is the clarity and the value of the stone.
2. Always Look For Gemstone Certificates And The Hallmark Markings
A vigilant consumer should always insist on getting gemstone certificates. Usually, a certificate mentions four criteria for the consumers. Apart from the clarity, which takes into account the impurities, there is a mention of the carat, cut and colour. In this case, carat means the weight of a single diamond is much more valuable than many small ones. The cut reflects how well the stone is polished, its symmetry etc. The better the cut, the higher the shine and the price. And finally, the colour can vary a lot, starting from yellowish to brown.
Also, a consumer should make sure that any precious stone is conflict-free. Some stones are illegally traded, and the sale proceeds are used to fund illegal activities like human trafficking, illegal arms trade etc.
For metals, most countries mandate that the hallmark symbol is inscribed on the piece of jewellery itself. Hence it is always advisable to go to a reputable store to buy expensive rings. The certifications and hallmark marks are important even from the point of view of reselling a ring.
3. Knowing The Resale Value
Although engagement rings are to be worn lifelong yet, other rings might be resold at a later date for multiple reasons. Jewellery is sold for immediate cash or because someone thinks that a particular piece is out of fashion.
Most expensive stones have a lower resale value because the colour, the shine etc., varies with usage. Hence, only an expert can determine the accurate value at the time of resale.
4. Knowing The Size Of The Ring
The stores do not have a standard size. Also, if someone is getting something imported, then the sizes of the shop will be standardised based on the women of the home country. Hence, measuring the finger size in centimetres or inches is a good idea and then selecting a size accordingly. Doing this will prevent unnecessary hassles involving returns and refunds.
5. Knowing The Latest Trends
The latest trends in rings keep on changing. At present, people do not go for expensive stones and metals. People instead go for zirconium, which looks like a real diamond but is quite cheap. Again, people prefer nickel instead of platinum or white gold.
In the present age, people go for mid-finger and open rings. Moreover, a lot of symbolic values are attached to each design. Some designs spread messages about the environment, and others depict the importance of human solidarity etc. Some latest trends promote gender neutrality by advocating designs that both men and women can wear.
Many designs are made of compostable material or from eco-friendly materials like cane or bamboo. Some designs can be personalised so that a person’s name or an important date gets engraved in them.
6. Wearing Astrological Stones
Some people wear astrological stones like sapphire, ruby, cat’s eye etc. These stones also have a definite carat value. If they have any astrological value, they should be worn after getting advice from an astrological expert.
7. Setting Of Stones
Whatever the stone that is used, be it a diamond, an astrological stone or zirconium, the way it is set on the metallic band is crucial. If the setting uses prongs, then four or six prongs just hold the stone. The grip is not the best in such cases, but the stone gets ample light to shine and sparkle.
Apart from prongs, the bezel is another well-known setting arrangement. Here, the stone is tightly fitted onto the metal band using a metal strip that outlines the entire stone.
Conclusion
Buying a ring involves a lot of market research before someone actually makes a purchase. Modern jewellery showrooms offer online services where the phone or laptop camera can be used to try on the jewellery. However, these cameras only tell about the overall appearance, and people have to make sure that size fits well.
Also, the colour of a metal that suits a particular finger type( long and slender) might not go well with people with other finger types (stubby). Hence, trying out different pieces and deciding which design best suits one’s personality and budget is a worthy way to utilise one’s time.