Choosing the right stone is very important since the stone is often the centerpiece of the ring. By far the most common choice for an engagement ring stone is a diamond – although some people do select other stones such as rubies or sapphires.
Among diamonds, the round brilliant, or round, diamond is the number one choice for brides. Other possible, but less popular, shape choices are marquise, heart shaped, oval, princess, cushion, radiant, flanders, trillion, and European cut. See our guide to diamonds for more information about diamond shapes.
We recommended that you obtain an independent certification (commonly called a “cert”) of the diamond you select. A certification serves as written documentation that the diamond is as described to you, so you can be confident that you are getting exactly what you are paying for. One of the most widely used and respected certifications is Gemological Institute of America (GIA). Other grading certification labs include International Gemological Institute (IGI), American Gem Society (AGS) and European Gemological Laboratory (EGL). Keep in mind that some grading laboratories may have more strict or consistent grading criteria than others, so a VS1 clarity grading from one grading laboratory may not necessarily be the same as a VS1 grading from another grading laboratory. We can show you the difference in grading methods and what to look for when comparing diamonds.