subject: How Can I Find A Cheap A Low Cost Engagement Ring? [print this page] Most of us find engagement ring shopping to be pretty intimidating, and it's no secret why. This is an expensive item that has a lot of personal meaning - we all want to get it right. However, there are ways to pay less, reduce your stress, and know you're getting a good deal.
First, here's something you probably already know: big diamonds are the most popular. This is one of the things that puts so much stress on ring shopping - we're afraid we'll have to spend more than we can afford. After all, larger diamonds come with a larger price tag.
Fortunately, there's some good news. You can find a larger diamond for a much smaller cost than you'd think. Just shop smart and learn about how diamonds are priced.
Here's an example to show you what we mean.
Diamonds are graded using four major characteristics - cut, carat, clarity and color. We'll check out color to see how you can get a larger diamond for less.
Color grading is done on a scale ranging from D to Z - D is the best of the grades and Z is the worst. Color grades for each diamond are performed by inspecting the diamond under high magnification on a white background in a lab.
What's the catch? Diamonds that are D grade won't look differently from one that's four grades lower in quality - an H.
There's no difference at all between the two to the naked eye. Unless you look at both diamonds side by side on a white background, under magnification, you'll never see any difference at all. Even trained eyes can have a hard time telling the difference between I and D diamonds, though there's a little visible decrease in color quality if you know what to look for.
So what's the point? You should never pay for a D grade diamond when the human eye can't distinguish it from an H!
The price difference is a big one, too. It could be thousands of dollars. Of course, as can be expected, jewelry stores try to sell the highest graded diamonds for the most profit - you would, too. Unfortunately, most people don't take the time to educate themselves, and pay a lot more than they need to.
That's just one example of ways to save money on an engagement ring. Picking a diamond that has a lower color grading but doesn't look different to the naked eye will allow you to buy a much bigger diamond for the same amount of money. Learn about diamonds and how to buy, and you'll get a good deal.
