Like all things classic, the diamond engagement ring never goes out of style. In fact, the proposal will probably go down in your personal history as one of the most – if not the most exciting events in your life. No matter if you are on the giving or the receiving end of A diamond engagement ring, it symbolizes the road ahead for both of you. Now, consider the idea of surprising her with something slightly less traditional than the ring itself; consider proposing with a loose diamond, presented in a ring box or any one of a million clever ways. And before you brush the idea aside altogether, consider the reasons for buying a loose diamond instead of a preset engagement ring:

• You want to surprise her and have no idea what setting she might choose.
• You know she would prefer a larger stone; by buying the stone separately from the setting, you can save considerably, and purchase a larger, higher quality stone at a price that suits your budget.
• You don’t want to settle for anything less than the best. By purchasing a you are assured of getting the highest quality stone you can afford.
• Her ring will always be that much more special, since you hand-picked the diamond yourself.

Since her diamond engagement ring is something she will wear for the rest of her life, it has to be special. More and more gentlemen are passing on the traditional pre-set diamond engagement ring and opting to buy a loose diamond that she can have placed in the setting of her choice. Did you know that you’re likely to save a considerable amount of money while maintaining complete control over the size and quality of your stone by purchasing a loose diamond? Here’s why. When you purchase a preset diamond engagement ring, it is  impossible to determine the color and clarity of the ring’s diamond. Prongs can hide flaws within the diamond, and the diamond’s color can be obscured. The truth is no jeweler, retailer, or wholesale in the diamond market would consider purchasing a high value diamond that has already been set, and neither should you. If your budget is less than $2,000, buying a loose diamond can work to your advantage, since you will probably find a higher quality stone in the size and shape desired than you would with a preset ring. Even if you plan to spend more than $2,000 on a diamond engagement ring or any piece of diamond jewelery, you are very likely going to save money by purchasing a loose diamond and having it set. You can purchase a loose diamond online from Van Scoy Diamonds, specifically chosen by a Van Scoy diamond expert from their extensive in-house diamond inventory. Each diamond is selected to represent the high quality diamonds sold daily in Van Scoy’s store, so online shoppers know they are selecting from the best certified loose diamonds available. Van Scoy Diamonds offers one of the best opportunities to give her the diamond engagement ring of her dreams, at a price you can afford. Having your diamond appraised is a great way to be sure your purchase is a good one, and to determine the approximate real value of your diamond. Although the value of a diamond can change over time, the approximation provided by an appraiser is generally used as a guideline to determine future value. Before you begin the process of finding that perfect diamond, get to know the 4C’S - those four qualities by which diamonds are graded: cut, color, clarity and carat. At a time when customization and budget tightening are part and parcel with planning a wedding, the popularity of buying a loose diamond and having it set in the ring of her choice is rising in popularity. Jewelry makers are rising to the demand as well, designing custom settings in gold, silver, and platinum according to each customer’s taste and budget. There’s no need to settle on a diamond engagement ring that isn’t exactly what she has always dreamed of. Find out more about purchasing a loose diamond, and enjoy the search! When all is said and done, you will both have the pleasure of knowing hers is a true, one-of-a-kind engagement ring.