mythbusters happens to be one of our favorite tv shows. whiteflash.com happens to be one of favorite experts in the wedding industry. put them together and you’ve got a top-notch breakdown of five myths all grooms should be aware of when shopping for a diamond engagement ring. the only downside is we don’t get to blow anything up.

Myth: Engagement ring shopping has to be one of the most stressful, frightening shopping experience in a guy’s life. Fact: With a little information and guidance, you can pick out the perfect engagement ring without going gray. You can, in fact, be confident in your choice and know that you are buying a ring she will wear with pride for years and years.

The best way to approach buying a diamond ring is to think of it like buying a new car. When you are thinking about buying a new car, you don’t just watch a couple dramatic commercials and then swipe your credit card. You read up on fuel efficiency, performance and handling, fuel efficiency, and then weigh your options carefully, so you know you are buying the model that is right for you and your lifestyle. Personal taste plays an important role, of course, but information is key.

Let’s debunk some of those myths that are making engagement ring shopping such a daunting prospect.

Myth: The engagement ring has to be a surprise.
Although the chick flicks would have us believe that the girl is shocked when the guy whips out that little velvet box, chances are, if you are thinking about marriage, she is too, and you’ve probably even discussed it. She knows what’s coming.

Although tradition would tell you to ask her best friend for help choosing the engagement ring, you should probably do that only if you’re pretty confident in your engagement ring choosing abilities or if you know she loves surprises. These days, more couples than ever are going engagement ring shopping together, which allows the girl to finally get to have an opinion about the one piece of jewelry she will probably wear more than any other. And remember, you can always present a non-surprise engagement ring with a creative proposal that will take her by surprise.

Myth: You have to be a gemologist to know how to pick a good diamond.
It might not be as gripping as Car and Driver, but the educational section of a jewelry website that specializes in engagement rings will tell you everything you need to know about diamonds and engagement rings.

Frequent some online forums where educated consumers will be discussing everything from fluorescence to crown angles. (Don’t worry if you don’t know what those are quite yet.) Focus on the Four C’s—Cut, Clarity, Color and Carat. Try to pick up some of the important vocabulary words so you’ll be able to make an informed choice when it comes time to buy the loose diamond, and remember that it all comes down to personal preference.

L - Whiteflash Double Halo with Amphora Setting. R - The Katie Engagement Ring

Myth: Women are mysterious creatures, and their choices in jewelry and clothes will never be understood by men.
Especially if you are planning on surprising her with the engagement ring, it is now time to start paying attention to your girlfriend’s taste in everything from jewelry to makeup. Consider her lifestyle—a preschool teacher who works with her hands will probably want a ring with a low profile that won’t get caught on anything, while an interior decorator known for her sleek design concepts will probably be looking for something with modern flair. There are literally thousands of engagement ring settings available, so in order to choose the engagement rings of her dreams, put yourself in your girlfriend’s impractical high-heeled shoes for a few minutes. Would she appreciate the glittery look of a halo setting, or maybe the alternative elegance of a sapphire center stone?

Myth: Engagement rings have to cost exactly two month’s salary.
Once you see all the stunning engagement rings available, it’s pretty easy to let your imagination take hold and start bookmarking engagement rings that cost more than your house. In order to make a responsible purchase, you will want to think about budget very carefully. Yes, a diamond engagement ring is an investment, both literally and symbolically, but at the same time, you aren’t doing your fiancée any favors if you spend money you don’t have on her engagement ring. The two months salary rule is quoted often, but it isn’t set in stone—you have to decide what makes sense for you.

Think long term—reputable jewelry houses like Whiteflash often offer a lifetime upgrade policy—which means that you can trade in your current diamond for a bigger or better one and only pay the difference forever. Also, keep in mind that no two engagement rings are exactly the same—the same dollar amount is going to amount to slightly different characteristics in two different stones. When in doubt, opt for quality (i.e. cut) over quantity, or carat size.

Myth: You are in this alone.
When it comes down to it, you aren’t just going to go online and click “purchase” like an engagement ring was some 2 AM Ebay impulse buy. Before you buy an engagement ring, a qualified sales representative should review all your options with you, making sure you know exactly what you’re getting. (Anyone who guarantees eternal domestic bliss is suspect.) While some customers prefer brick-and-mortar stores for their “human element”, the fact is that online shopping can be a more practical option for many guys. But don’t let shopping online mean you wander alone through virtual aisles of merchandise—the best online boutiques offer friendly and attentive customer service that would put a mall-counter sales clerk to shame.

L - Platinum Cathedral Platinum Engagement Ring. R - 5th Avenue Engagement Ring

Brides, which of the Whiteflash.com rings featured in this post is your favorite? Grooms, did you encounter any of these myths during your engagement ring shopping experience? Let us know by posting a comment below.

Three Stone Custom Trellis Engagement Ring

By Guest Blogger Whiteflash.com

There are some things in life a man should never compromise; his values, his scotch, his leading lady and the diamond he will present to her when he proposes. While we would be happy to talk to you about fine scotches, this piece isn’t about booze-it ‘s about bling- so pour yourself a glass, sit back and  read up because we’ve done the research and are going to show you how to buy a diamond that will rock her world.

MAKE A BUDGET

These tough economic times have left many men worried they simply can’t afford to get engaged but contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to sell a piece of your liver or hawk Great Edna’s china to impress your bride-to-be.  “Setting a budget is an essential first step as is being informed.  For example, many men do not know that buying just under the carat weight will save them money,” says Bob Hoskins, Master Gemologist for Whiteflash.com

SAVE THE SAPPHIRES

Women have been dreaming about diamond engagement rings since the Archduke Maximilian of Austria presented Mary of Burgundy a diamond ring while proposing marriage in 1477.  As the centuries have passed, trends have come and gone but the now-classic diamond remains the gold standard in engagement rings. The bottom line: Save the sapphires, rubies and emeralds for the many birthdays and anniversaries you’ll be celebrating together.

STAY A CUT ABOVE THE REST

Most of us are aware of the four-C scale: Cut, which refers to how well the diamond is shaped and not the style, (i.e. cushion cut), color, clarity, which determines how many flaws are in the stone, and carat.  While the other C’s get the most press (and are the easiest for most consumers to understand) Hoskins says that paying up for a perfectly clear stone is less important than finding one that is shaped well.   “A lot of buyers focus on size and carat weight but it’s important to remember that the cut of the stone is the most important factor when purchasing a diamond since the cut is what determines its brilliance,” he says.  What this means is that  when a stone is cut with perfect precision (see Hearts & Arrows) it allows the maximum amount of light to enter and pass through it. This is what causes the sparkle your fiancée-and her girlfriends- love so much.

LEFT - Princess Cut Pave Diamond Engagement Ring RIGHT - Jennifer Diamond Engagement Ring

GET HER SOMETHING SHE WILL ACTUALLY WANT TO WEAR

Many men will try to convince themselves that a woman should like any ring given to her if she’s saying “yes” for the right reasons but the reality is that most of us aren’t that interested in wearing things that don’t vibe with our style.  Think about that reindeer sweater your grandmother gave you.  Do you want to wear that sweater every day for the rest of your life and show it off to friends just because you love your nana?  We didn’t think so.  So, how does one avoid making his fiancé force smiles as she shows off a ring she hopes to “lose”?  Find out what her preferences are before you go shopping advises Hoskins. “Wander into a jewelry store together and pay attention to her reaction to different stones.  Does she toward classic or contemporary designs? Knowing the answer will make ring shopping a lot easier and more fun,” he says.

ENLIST THE TROOPS

Yes, fella’s, the rumors are true; most women have at least one friend or relative with whom they have shared the details of their ideal engagement ring, and she did this, in part, to ensure that when this day presented itself, you’d have some help.  We know, that was very thoughtful of her.  Just be careful about who you go blabbing your plans to.  It’s hard to believe but some women can’t keep secrets.

Jennifer Diamond Engagement Ring

Many modern couples are forgoing tradition for the chance to bond by building a ring together so if one of the reasons you love your girl is that she’s so hands-on, let her have a say in the ring she’ll be wearing.   Propose with a stand-in ring, pour a couple of glasses of champagne and a spend some time designing a ring together using Whiteflash’s unique custom design option.  “Some of our happiest female clients had a hand in designing their ‘dream ring’,” says Sheerah Koloroutis, a Whiteflash Creative Designer Specialist who notes that collaboration has replaced tradition in many aspects of wedding-planning, including the ring design.   “Most couples discuss marriage possibilities and plans for the future ahead of time so it’s not uncommon for them to work together to create the symbol of their love as well,” she says.

RELAX

Diamonds may be a girl’s best friend but you’re the love of her life and though the ring might sparkle (and it will because you got one that was cut well), the reason she squeals is because she’s just been asked to spend the rest of her life with you.

About WhiteFlash
WhiteFlash.com is the first company in the U.S. to offer an exclusive brand of Hearts & Arrows diamond and bring the sheer beauty of “super ideal cut” to the Internet. Debi Wexler, founded WhiteFlash.com in 2000 bringing an expansive selection of loose diamonds to the Internet, including an exclusive brand of Hearts & Arrows diamonds. WhiteFlash A Cut Above ® is unmatched in its brilliance, fire and sparkle and remains the only Hearts & Arrows diamond sold online with advertised standards and a “true patterning” guarantee. Hailed as Lord of the Rings on Line, by Kiplinger’s Magazine, Whiteflash.com also offers original, handcrafted platinum and gold settings, diamond engagement rings and wedding bands, custom designs and specialty jewelry.

For more information, log on to www.WhiteFlash.com or call 877.612.6770 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 877.612.6770 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.

Through in-depth education and a outside of the box approach, Whiteflash.com has established itself as the leader in the online diamond retail industry, by providing customers with the highest quality diamonds and jewelry and top notch customer service online. Simply stated, Whiteflash offers the finest classic and contemporary diamond engagement rings and wedding bands for any taste.

In the new year of 2010, Whiteflash is expanding its inventory to include new custom designed rings and a larger stock of in-house loose hearts and arrows diamonds. From stunning wedding bands to sensational engagement rings, you’ll be stunned by the enchanting design and dazzling diamonds. With Whiteflash you’ll find amazing diamond jewelry with certified super ideal cut diamonds that reflect refined taste and stylish sensibilities.

With a plethora of diamond rings to choose from, it’s fun to let friends and family to join in on this memorable occasion. That’s why Whiteflash has taken a huge step into social media – now customers can ask for their friends’ opinions, comments, raves and reviews on a plethora of channels like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Come help Whiteflash Bling in the New Year with some great new designs!

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disclosure: whiteflash is a sponsor of the man registry’s groomsadvice blog

Did you know: Approximately one-third of the 2.3 million annual engagements occur in November and December, making it the most popular time of year for engagement proposals.

What is the ultimate Holiday Gift for a single gal? Well, millions of Americans each year express their holiday spirit by giving their hearts to that special someone. The heart is priceless, but the ring definitely has a hefty price tag which makes it the ultimate Holiday gift. This year especially, more men, who are looking for that ‘special ring’, will choose the Internet over a traditional jewelry store.

6 Crucial Tips for Online Diamond Buying
The convenience and sheer volume of selection is perhaps the biggest draw for men who surf the net looking for an engagement ring.  Convenience can quickly turn to confusion if you are not adequately prepared so; we have compiled some essential tips to help guide you through the process.

•    Don’t Be Passive: With simple research, a few clicks of the mouse and a bit of time, you can gather all of this information you need to become an empowered shopper—Take control of your buying experience.

•    Cut to the Chase- Prioritizing the Four Cs: A loose diamond has four major characteristics – cut, color, clarity, and carat weight, known as the Four Cs. These characteristics determine the diamond’s performance and value. All are important. Many diamonds are beautiful and all diamonds sparkle well in bright jewelry store lights. But, the cut determines diamond performance and light return outside of a jewelry store. Some diamond sites claim true hearts and arrows, but to get great and consistent performance you need a mathematically consistent set of criteria to cut by.

•    Buy Shy of 1 Carat: Diamond prices jump at the carat and half-carat marks, so try to buy just shy of these levels. For example, instead of a 1 carat, look for a .95. You’ll save some money, and the slight size difference will not be visible.

•    Smoke in Mirrors: As color and clarity grades improve, diamond prices increase. However, above certain color and clarity grades the human eye cannot detect these subtle differences. In effect, you’re paying for something that you can’t see, not unlike paying someone to paint the underside of your house. For example, to achieve the best value, consider a near-colorless instead of a colorless diamond or a VS2 (Very Slightly Included) clarity grade as opposed to a Flawless clarity grade.

•    Go With Your Gut:  If it sounds too good to be true buyer BEWARE! All diamonds are not created equal. Insist that your diamond have an independent grading report. Labs which get very high kudos are GIA (Gemological Institute of America) or AGS (American Gem Society). The AGS and GIA have gotten the ‘housekeeping’ brand of approval by the diamond industry.  Diamonds accompanied by these grading reports are the most highly valued in the industry, as their quality is considered guaranteed. Add the Fifth “C” –CAUTION to your diamond buying experience.

•    The Devil is in the Details: Finally, and probably most importantly, know the return/exchange policy beforehand of the e-tailer that you choose to do business with.

Not seeing exactly what you are looking for on the site you have chosen? Well, one of the growing trends for many husbands-to-be is to find a company that allows you to design your own ring.  The customization option that some traditional brick and mortar retailers offer has spilled over to the online retail community thus increasing the personalized aspect of buying online.

One such e-tailer, WhiteFlash.com, might be your best bet to visit when looking for a high quality certified diamond engagement ring online. As a trailblazer in providing some of the best craftsmanship, selection and assurance to online diamond shoppers, WhiteFlash’s site does your homework for you thus making it a dependable destination and resources guide. The company’s heralded site helps shoppers through the process by offering extensive and interactive education tools. Still confused? WhiteFlash.com goes the extra step of allowing potential buyers to connect with their highly knowledgeable diamond and jewelry experts who are available to answer individual questions through a personal consultation over the phone or via email. This nod to impeccable and seamless service will definitely take the jitters out of purchasing high ticket items over the web.

Giving Her Your Heart In More Ways Than One
For a completely unique look Whiteflash offers their own Superideal Cut Hearts and Arrows Diamond brand known as Whiteflash A Cut Above®.  With their selection of more than 30,000 diamonds and over 40 unique settings men can create a staggering array of engagement ring combinations. A Cut Above remains the only Hearts and Arrow diamond with advertised standards and a guarantee of true Hearts and Arrows patterning. Each A Cut Above is faithfully cut so that all 57 facets line up perfectly with their opposites.

Just like the proposal, the engagement ring is a very personal and intimate reflection of the couple’s personality. The key to coming out of the process feeling completely satisfied, and secure in your purchase, is to shop around and find an online site that offers a wide selection, informative staff and, most importantly, a reputation of standing behind their product.  After all, the only surprise should be the look on that special lady’s face when she sees the fruits of your labor.

To learn more about Whiteflash, check out their guest blogger profile.

Whiteflash.com is a sponsor of The Man Registry’s GroomsAdvice blog.

Guest Blogger Profile: Whiteflash.com

If you are dreaming of purchasing a diamond engagement ring for your would-be-bride, then you may have to fork out a huge amount of money from your savings and monthly salary to realize the dream. Most of the prospective grooms do not have the right financial capability. But if they follow some tips, such costly ring jewelry is still within their buying reach.

Diamond Engagement Ring at Whiteflash.com

The first tip that you must follow is to ensure that you have a proper budgeting. This is to make sure that you do not buy a very expensive ring in enthusiasm. Budgeting will keep you focused on a certain price range and even makes the purchasing more easily as the jeweler will be showing you the jewelry that falls within your budget.

Make also sure that you have done lots of comparing of the diamond engagement ring prices on the internet. The internet is the easy and convenient source of buying any product. It allows you to compare as many price tags as you possibly can. A great online diamond vendor is Whiteflash.com, they have impeccable customer service and amazing product.

The online retail jewelers vie each other for a share of online business and they, thus, are compelled to cut down the prices. Hence, your chances of finding an affordable ring are more with the online sellers than the physical jewelry stores.

Prices of diamond engagement rings will fall even more if you first purchase a loose diamond at competitive prices. Many smaller loose diamonds are surely affordable as compared to a greater carat size of a single diamond. So, a pave or channel set engagement ring may be within your reach than a solitaire diamond ring.

Diamonds are the most expensive items on any ring. So, if you have somehow reduced their cost, you have successfully bought a ring of your dream at your prices. About diamonds, know that even with minor quality reductions, their brilliance and glitter is almost the same but the prices will come down substantially. So, you can safely purchase the precious stone that is a little yellowish in color, has some invisible flaws inside of it and is cut in rectangular or square shapes and not in expensive heart and pear shapes.

Prices of the ring metal should also be given a thought. Platinum is a costly metal although due to the recent economy it can almost be purchased for the same price as gold. Choose white gold for cheaper prices if yellow gold is not your choice of the ring metal for diamond engagement rings.

While purchasing the ring jewelry, especially from the online retailers, make sure that the jeweler has a return policy. You can, then, return defective piece in time to purchase the right one. Keep these tips in mind for a greater value of the diamond ring.