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About This Quiz
Picking the perfect engagement ring is no easy task. After all, it's a piece of jewelry she'll wear for a lifetime, so there are plenty of factors to take into consideration. How much should you spend? What shape should you go for? Platinum or gold? Before you walk up to the jewelry counter, test your engagement ring savvy.
An easy question first! You've heard of the 4 Cs, right? What are they?
cost, carat, cut and color
cut, clarity, color and carat
This is Engagement Ring 101! The 4 Cs are cut, clarity, color and carat. You can narrow your search for the perfect ring by finding out what matters most to her. Does she want a totally flawless ring, or does she want a knuckle-buckler with a few imperfections?
clarity, circumference, carat and credibility
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No one plans to leave her engagement ring in the hotel bathroom or flush it down the toilet, but accidents happen. How much will it cost to insure your diamond?
1 to 3 percent of the ring's value
Brides-to-be will rest easier if their sparklers are insured, and you can cover the ring for about 1 to 3 percent of its value.
8 to 10 percent of the ring's value
15 to 25 percent of the ring's value
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Of the following shapes, which can you NOT request for a diamond engagement ring?
emerald
constellation
Diamonds come in all shapes, from square and round to emerald and cushion. You can even buy heart-shaped diamonds! But we've never heard of a constellation-shaped one.
cushion
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What's the difference between pavé and channel set diamonds?
Pavé diamonds are much larger than channel set diamonds
Pavé diamonds aren't used for infinity bands, while channel set diamonds are typically mounted all the way around a ring
Pavé diamonds are mounted close together, whereas channel set diamonds are mounted side by side in tidy rows
The basic difference is in the mounting. Pavé diamonds are placed close together to hide the metal on which they're mounted, and channel set diamonds are flanked on either side by metal. Channel set diamonds aren't going anywhere, but some pavé diamonds have been known to fall out of their setting over time.
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What is the typical cost of a ring appraisal?
It's a flat rate of about $20.
It's a rate determined by the size of the diamond. Rates start at $30 for diamonds less than a carat in weight.
It's an hourly rate that ranges from $50 to $150.
Jewelers will usually charge an hourly rate to appraise diamond rings, and rates may vary from $50 to $150.
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The more colorless a diamond, the more valuable (and expensive) it is. If you want to purchase a near-colorless diamond, what color grade should you choose?
a diamond graded K through M
a diamond graded D through F
a diamond graded G through J
The color scale starts at D, and diamonds graded D through F are considered colorless. For a near-colorless diamond, choose a rock graded G through J, though be advised that J-graded diamonds might show some color to the naked eye!
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How much should you expect to spend on an engagement ring?
two months' salary, according to tradition
whatever you can afford
Despite what you may have heard, there's no rule about what you have to spend on an engagement ring. According to tradition (or clever advertising), guys should pony up two months' salary but the wise thing to do is to buy what you can afford.
three and a half months' salary, according to tradition adjusted for inflation
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Of the following metals, which isn't one you'd consider for an engagement ring?
pewter
Rose gold and palladium might not be as common as gold or platinum, but they're totally legit in the jewelry world! What you'll have a hard time finding is pewter, which is an alloy of tin and lead. Save the pewter for any teapots on your wedding registry.
rose gold
palladium
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What's a conflict-free diamond?
a diamond that's got certified origins and wasn't obtained through any human rights violations
Beneath the luster of the diamond industry lies a dirty secret: Many diamonds are obtained through violent means. If you've seen the Leonardo DiCaprio movie "Blood Diamond," you know what we're talking about. For poltically minded couples, only clean diamonds will do, so ask your jeweler if the rock is certified conflict-free.
a diamond that's sold at face-value, no negotiations with the jeweler necessary
a diamond that's guaranteed to appreciate in value to at least double what you pay for it
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Your girlfriend has given you absolutely no indication as to what type of ring she prefers. What classic engagement ring style is your safest bet for this lady of mystery?
a cushion cut diamond in a rose gold setting -- romantic!
the round solitaire on a platinum or gold band
When you're blindly choosing an engagement ring, unless you know her personal style, opt for the timeless solitaire. Round is one of the most enduring shapes, but you can also choose princess or marquise pretty safely, too. As for the metal? Note what kind of hardware she wears most frequently, and match the ring to that.
an oval diamond with princess cut side stones -- a little variety will win her over
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When determining the carat of a diamond, what are you referring to?
size
weight
Start your finger exercises now! Carat refers to the diamond’s weight, not its size.
both
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What is the symbolism behind a three-stone engagement ring?
Each stone represents the bride, groom and future children.
Each rock represents the an angel guarding the marriage.
Each rock represents the past, present and future.
A three-stone engagement ring represents the past, present and future of the couple’s relationship.
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If you prefer a gemstone instead of a diamond for this symbolic ring, the color is important. The ideal stone:
will be evenly colored throughout
An ideal stone of color will be evenly colored throughout. The brighter colors are more expensive.
will reflect its color
will have a pale color
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What is a split-shank setting?
an engagement ring/wedding band designed to fit perfectly together
diamonds embedded in the band
a band that is split in half as it approaches the center diamond
The split-shank setting widens the central focal point of the ring by splitting the band in half in the center of the ring.
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How is the clarity of a diamond determined?
by the color of the diamond
by the number of inclusions in the diamond
Clarity is determined by the number of flaws or inclusions in the diamond.
by the ability to see through the entire stone
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When shopping for an engagement ring on a budget, what important detail should you always remember about the future bride that could help you save money?
the bride’s finger size
The future bride’s finger size can help you save money. The smaller the finger, the larger the diamond will appear. Opt for a smaller carat if the future bride has a small finger.
the bride’s birthday
the bride’s favorite color
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Which of the four C’s refers to the sparkle of the diamond?
cut
The diamond’s sparkle is dependent on how well it was cut from the rough diamond.
clarity
carat
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Which of the following metals is the strongest precious metal?
platinum
Platinum is the strongest metal and is resistant to damage.
14K gold
silver
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When examining a diamond’s color, the ideal diamond is:
yellow
white
clear
Ideally, all diamonds would be colorless. Some diamonds have a slight yellow or white color.
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Which of the following is a popular and sometimes fool-proof alternative to a diamond?
cubic zirconia
The cubic zirconia is a man-made diamond is usually fool-proof unless eyed by a professional.
Swarovski crystals
rhinestones
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You Got:
/20
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