• The shape or cut of the diamond is known as the fancy cut or fancy shape, according to the Gemological Institute of Americaengagement ring image by jimcox40 from Fotolia.com
  
  Picking out an engagement ring is an important step in asking the love of your life to marry you. Selecting the ring that you will present to the person you want to spend the rest of your life with is one of the happiest events in your life. The number of styles for the diamond, ring setting and size can make the decision a difficult one. The ring that you ultimately choose is the symbol of your relationship.
  
  

Cuts

• The diamonds in an engagement ring are cut into a shape referred to as the cut. The brilliant cut diamond has a round shape with cuts in the stone designed to sparkle in the light. According to the Gemological Institute of America, most diamond jewelry uses the round brilliant stone. Princess diamonds have a high degree of sparkle, but the jewelry designer cuts the stone into a square cut. An emerald cut stone has a rectangle shape. The heart shape diamond, pear shape, oval and the marquise cut stones are additional choices for a diamond engagement ring.
  
  

Color

• The most common diamond for an engagement ring is the white or colorless diamond. You can choose colored diamonds for an engagement ring as well. Yellow, blue, pink and champagne are shades of diamonds used in rings and jewelry. The color of the stones ranges in intensity and is used to determine the quality of the stone in the same way that the clarity of a white diamond determines quality.
  
  

Setting

• The setting for the diamond engagement ring should set off the stone and complement the style and taste of your recipient. The most common metal for a diamond engagement ring is 18k gold. You can select white or yellow gold for the engagement ring setting. Platinum is another popular choice for diamond engagement rings.
  
  You can choose a single diamond setting for the engagement ring or a multi-diamond setting. Some ring designs feature one larger stone in the center with smaller stones set alongside. The ring can also have smaller diamonds set into the band of the engagement ring.