With this ring

While the convention of a wearing a diamond ring on the fourth finger of the left hand as a symbol of love dates back to the ancient Egyptians, the first diamond 'engagement' ring was given to Mary of Burgundy by Archduke Maximilian of Austria in 1477.

Although few but the very wealthy and powerful could afford these precious gems and metals in the centuries that followed, the discovery of vast diamond resources in Africa in the late 19th century and the ensuing mass production of jewellery put these precious gems within reach of the average man and his wife.

A thing of beauty and a symbol of love everlasting, a diamond is also a huge investment. Knowing what to look for before you buy will help you to make the right selection out of the dazzling variety of rings available today.

The value of a diamond is determined by the four Cs – carat, clarity, colour and cut:

• Carat – A measurement of weight rather than size, a carat (200mgs) is divided into 100 parts known as points. Thus 100 points equals 1.00 carat and 50 points 0.50 carat. However, owing to the scarcity of larger diamonds in nature, a one-carat diamond usually costs substantially more than a diamond half its weight.

• Clarity – After carat weight, clarity has the most bearing on cost. Each stone has its own fingerprint, made up of a number of naturally-occurring flaws or inclusions, resembling tiny crystals, clouds or feathers. Inclusions are ranked on a scale of perfection, from IF (internally flawless) to VVS (very, very slight), VS (very slight) and SI (slightly included), with SI2 being the grading after which flaws become visible to the naked eye. Some flaws can be concealed by a mounting, but an inclusion in the middle or top of a diamond could affect its lustre.

• Colour – While diamonds can be found in almost any colour, white diamonds remain the most popular choice. The colour grading scale ranges from D (colourless) to Z. The finest are D to F, with G to J almost colourless, and K to M slightly coloured. White diamonds (D-J) look best with white gold or platinum while warmer tones (K-Z) complement a yellow gold setting.

• Cut – Often considered to be the most important of the four Cs, the cut determines the diamond's brilliance, with a well-cut stone reflecting light internally from one mirror-like facet to another, which is then dispersed and reflected through the top of the gem. Cut may also refer to the shape of the stone; for example pear, emerald or marquise, with round being the most radiant due to its symmetry and ability to reflect nearly all the light that enters.

When buying a ring, it pays to spend a little time shopping around, getting advice from experts, surfing the net and browsing through local jewellery stores. Consider buying a small, good-quality diamond in a shape that flatters your hand and then choosing a setting to complement the stone and your unique style. Buy the best ring you can afford, with the general guideline being that the cost should be equivalent to one or two months’ salary.

It takes a qualified gemmologist to distinguish between a natural and synthetic diamond, and even reputable jewellers may have difficulty in spotting treated and imitation diamonds. To protect yourself, always insist on a laboratory-certified diamond.

By choosing your wedding ring at the same time as the engagement ring, you'll be sure that the two bands complement one another. If different metal weights are used, the harder metal will wear down the softer. Also bear in mind that while platinum may be more expensive than gold, it is also scratch-resistant and keeps its colour.

Remember that prices at privately owned jewellery stores may be negotiable, unlike those at national chains. If your budget is tight, look into credit options such as an instalment plan. Finally, don’t forget to insure your precious possession.

Size counts

• If you want more gem for your money, consider downgrading on colour or even clarity, but never cut, as this releases a diamond's brilliance

• Maximise a diamond's size by surrounding it with smaller pavé diamonds

• Pear, oval or marquise cuts make a diamond look larger

• To create the illusion of size, group smaller less-expensive diamonds together in a sparkling cluster ring

• A white gold or platinum setting makes a diamond appear bigger

Style counsel

The shape, setting, cut and colour of your engagement ring makes a unique statement about who you are. Four-prong settings are fairly traditional, a six-prong gets top marks for showing off a diamond's lustre, while the deeper bezel setting is more modern and tends to hide flaws better. The traditional cut for a diamond is round, although an emerald cut is also classic, and there are a range of new fashion cuts to please the less conventional bride.

Contemporary girls need a ring that's equally trend setting. Think chunky designs and different textures, and consider teaming diamonds with coloured gemstones such as orange sapphires or tourmalines, or paring a purple amethyst with pink diamonds. Other choices could include a beautiful enamel band set with a solitaire diamond, or even a series of stacking wedding bands.

Retro-romantic brides might prefer a ring that’s equally dreamy and nostalgic. Consider intricately engraved bands in rose or white gold, delicate antique styles encrusted in diamonds, and vintage-inspired platinum bands set with sapphires and diamonds.

Finishes in wedding bands range from mirror to matte, and can be plain or patterned. The two-toned band is also very stylish, with combinations of yellow with white gold or platinum, or white gold with rose or yellow gold inlay.

Cutting edge

Some of the latest ring designs comprise elements of classical art, while chunky gothic designs worn by the likes of celebrities Pink and Madonna have definite star appeal! When it comes to wedding bands, a rustic, handcrafted look with interesting organic textures is very contemporary, and if you want your ring, like your love, to last forever and a day, the metal of choice is indestructible titanium.

The perfect fit

If your engagement ring or wedding band is a family heirloom that needs to be resized, remember that this can be done by jeweller, and can take from a day to a few weeks depending on how elaborate the setting is.

Caring for your ring

• Have your jeweller check your ring regularly to make sure the stones are secure – you can check yourself by holding the ring next to your ear and tapping it gently with your finger.

• Clean your ring by first soaking it in warm soapy water, use a soft brush and then rinse in clear water.

• Try not to wear your ring at the beach, in the swimming pool or garden, or while you’re doing housework.

Precious advice for wise buys

• Spend a little time shopping around – get advice from experts, surf the net, or browse through local jewellery stores.

• Consider buying a good quality diamond first, picking a shape that flatters your hand, and then deciding on a setting to complement the stone and your unique style.

• It pays to buy the best you can afford, with the general guideline being that the cost of the ring should be equivalent to one or two months' salary.

• Jewellers suggest buying a smaller good quality diamond rather than something larger but full of flaws.

• By choosing your wedding ring at the same time as the engagement ring you'll be sure that the two bands complement one another. If different metal weights are used, the harder metal will wear down the softer.

• While platinum may be more expensive than gold, it is also scratch-resistant and keeps its colour

• It takes a qualified gemmologist to distinguish between a natural and synthetic diamond, and even reputable jewellers may have difficulty in spotting treated and imitation diamonds. To protect yourself, always insist on a laboratory-certified diamond.

• Remember that prices at privately owned jewellery stores may be negotiable, unlike those at national chains.

• Remember that prices at privately owned jewellery stores may be negotiable, unlike those at national chains.

• If your budget is tight, look into credit options such as an instalment plan

• Finally, don't forget to insure your precious possession!