A proposal of marriage.

An acceptance, Thus an engagement is created. Sixty percent of the ladys accompany their beau to select an engagement ring. A symbol of betrothal, ( some feel the money better spent elsewhere or finances do not permit) A symbol to others that a person is loved and a commitment has been form.

The ring which is traditionally worn on the left hand ring finger. Unlike the wedding ring which has a recorded history dating to ancient Egypt the engagement ring appears to have been born from a marketing campaign in the early part of the twentieth

century of the De Beers Family to increase sales.

Unlike gifts a ring is considered consideration in a contract to marry, thus, if the engagement is broken then the ring must be returned. Meyer v. Mitnick, 625 N.W.2d 136 (Michigan, 2001) established the engagement ring as a “conditional gift”.

How is a ring classified?

Carat, Clarity, Cut, and Color

Carat: is equivalent to 1/5 of a gram. 142 carats to an ounce, thus 1 ct = 0.007054 oz. The term point in reference to a fraction of a carat. One point is 1/100 of a carat.

Clarity: Clarity range from flawless to industrial grade. A flawless diamond being very rare.

Cut:

14^th century : octahedral crystal faces: Known as the point cut

1496: pendeloque, briolette a pear shape with triangular facets was introduced by a Flemish polish Lodewyk van Berguem

16^th: Rosette, rose was introduced at Antwerp, symmetrical pattern with flat bottom

17^th Century: brilliant cuts were introduced known as Mazarins with 17 facets

these were rounded squares, or rectangle

18^th century perhaps Mid: old European cut, which is was the foundation for the modern brilliant

In 1919 with modernized equipment the round brilliant cut.was born. Today this has become the most popular. Currently consisting of 58 facets, 33 upon the crown, with 25 on the pavilion

Color: A transparent diamond would be chemically and structurally pure. In reality few are such. Intensely pink or blue diamonds are of great value. Red diamonds are the most rare.

Possible colors gray, white, blue, yellow, orange, red, green, pink, purple, brown, and black

Grading system described at: http://www.gia.edu/lab-reports-services/about-the-4cs/index.html

The engagement ring is normally complimented with a matching wedding band at the ceremony

A wedding set, or bridal set, includes an engagement ring and a wedding band that match as a set.

Gem associations:

http://www.americangemsociety.org/whoisamericangemsoci.htm

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