subject: Considering Diamond Rings For Your Engagement [print this page] Your bride-to-be may or may not be well-versed in what makes a good engagement ring. If you are in the market for the right ring, you would be wise to take your girlfriend out shopping for diamond rings. There is nothing quite as exhilarating to a girl as that specific shopping trip.
Diamond rings hold a certain magic to a girl. More than the value, it is the beauty and the fact that it means someone thinks she is special. Some people choose to go with wedding bands. There is nothing wrong with that. It might be that you cannot afford to buy a ring when you first get married. If that is the case, plan to get one for another occasion.
If you do end up looking at diamond rings, it is important to look for quality. Buying a ring that is not quality will only frustrate you down the road. You may have spent a lot of money in your eyes, but in ten years, you will wish you had just waited and saved for something more beautiful. She might wear it proudly, but you will always regret it.
If you want some professional help in knowing what diamond rings are good quality and what ones are not, you would be wise to go to a private jeweler or a jeweler that is more sophisticated then those at the average mall store. You can ask them about diamonds and how to know what is a good price for various qualities. You can explain how much money you have, and they should be able to give you options.
Once you get some professional advice, hopefully you will be able to make a decision. If you and your girlfriend have never made an agreement not to get an engagement ring, then it might be a major error on your part to assume that if you cannot get a nice one, she will not want one. That might be how you feel, but she will not feel that way unless it was a specific decision between both of you. You could still talk to her about waiting and just having bands for now. You could also look into other options such as payment plans at jewelry stores, sales, or even estate jewelry that can be rebuilt for a lower price. Talk to your parents too. They may have a ring they were hoping to pass down to you.
If you go with an alternative, start planning now for the future. Almost all diamond rings have beauty. Most likely your bride will not mind whatever you choose, but she will love it if you save and give her something even more beautiful down the road.
