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History of the Engagement and Wedding Ring
The history of the engagement and wedding ring goes all the way back to the ancient Egyptians.  They thought that the second last finger on the left hand was the "vain of love".  They believed that vain went directly to the heart.  

The ancient Greeks thought that the diamond was a splinter from a fallen star.  It later became known as the stone of love.  Back in the 15th century, Arch Duke Maximillian of Austria combined the two legends and gave his fiancé a diamond ring to mark their betrothal.  This is where the tradition of exchanging rings for both the engagement and wedding was born.  The ring is a circle that symbolizes perfection.  There is no beginning and no end. It also symbolizes the sun and the universe. 

Diamonds vary in color from colorless to light yellow.  Diamonds are rated by a color rating system by the GIA (Gemological Institute of America.  The "D" through "J" rated diamonds are the most desirable and most expensive.
A flat angled surface is called a facet.  The placement of the facets on your diamond affect the brilliance and beauty of it.  An improper cut will make the diamond look glassy, but when it is properly cut, the diamond will look brilliant.  The most popular.  Another thing that people get confused is the cut and shape of the diamond.  When you hear "Marquise Diamond", that is talking about the SHAPE.  There are several different shapes:  Brilliant (round), pear, princess, emerald, marquise, oval and heart-shaped.
Brilliant Pear Princess Emrarld Marquise Oval Heart
The weight and size of a diamond is expressed in carats.  One carat has 100 points.  So, when are looking at a ˝  (.50) carat, you know it have 50 points.  Both the weight and size will determine the value of the diamond
Almost all diamonds have some naturally occurring characteristics called inclusions.   If a diamond has no inclusions, it is considered Flawless.  These diamonds are extremely rare and VERY expensive.  The size, the location and the number of inclusions determine the clarity rating. The less inclusions that your diamond has, the more expensive.  If you can see an inclusion with your naked eye, it will be graded in the "I" category.
January---Garnet or Zircon
February---Amethyst
March---Aquamarine or Bloodstone
April---Diamond
May---Emarld
June---Pearl
July---Ruby
August---Sardonyx or Carnelian
September---Sapphire
October---Opal or Moonstone
November---Topaz
December---Lapis Lazuli or Turquoise
Some of the above information is from www.bridesave.com
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