subject: 5 Tips For Shopping For A Diamond Engagement Ring [print this page] 5 Tips For Shopping For A Diamond Engagement Ring
Buying an engagement ring should be something you do once. It's a big investment and without experience in buying a diamond engagement ring, it's easy to become stressed about whether you have found the perfect ring for the love of your life. These 5 tips for shopping for a diamond engagement ring will have you finding the perfect one in no time at all.
1. Set Your Budget
There's no point in starting to shop until you have determined your budget. When you are looking for that perfect ring for your sweetheart, it's easy to forget about the cost. Once you know what you can afford to spend you can fine-tune the rings you are looking at. The general rule of thumb - the amount you should send is two months' salary, but of course it's completely up to you.
2. Choose a Diamond Cut
There are all kinds of great diamond cuts including the pear, round, marquise, emerald, princess, and the list goes on. The round solitaire shape is the classic shape seen but why be like everyone else. One way to get more for your money is to look for a diamond with high color and cut and a little less in the clarity.
3. Choose a Setting
Just as you have all kinds of diamond cuts to choose from you also have all kinds of settings. There are filigree settings, solitaires, settings with side stones, and more. There is yellow gold, white gold, titanium, platinum, rose gold, and even stainless steel.
4. Get Your Sweetheart's Input
These days it's common for your sweetheart to be involved in the decision. And consider how much fun that could be if you decide together what the perfect diamond engagement ring will look like. Think of the joy of shopping for that ring together. A great way to make memories. Of course, if you'd rather keep it a surprise that's okay too.
5. Know What You Are Buying
Buying a diamond engagement ring can be confusing. It's important that you know what you are buying. There are all kinds of great deals to be found, especially online but you need to make sure you are comparing like items (apples to apples). One way of doing that is to understand the four C's - cut, clarity, color, and carat weight. There's actually a fifth C and that's the certificate with the information about the four C's completed by a gemologist.
You can get the most out of your diamond engagement ring budget by shopping online. Jewelry, and especially traditional retail store, wedding and engagement rings have higher mark-ups. One way to save is by doing your shopping online. There are some great deals to be found. Lower overhead costs helps to contribute to those better prices for you. Add that to the highly competitive market and there's a far lower mark-up online. For you that translates to great savings.
Online offers yet another perk - options and choices. There are so many more rings to choose from online that before you know it you will have found that perfect diamond engagement ring.
