Call Us

New York Office

Phone: +1 917 539 9007

Hong Kong Office

Phone:+852 9248 4222
diamond registry logo diamond registry logo About Us

9 Things I Wish I Knew Before Buying a Diamond Engagement Ring

wedding ring engagement ring diamond jewelry

If you’re looking for a diamond ring, don’t just buy any old one. Make sure it fits your budget and style. If you have any doubts about what to look for in an engagement ring, ask friends or family members who have been married before. They can tell you what worked well for them and what didn't work out so well!

When you're shopping for a diamond engagement ring, it's easy to get caught up in the thrill of the moment. But what happens when you realize that you've spent thousands of dollars on a ring that you didn't love? Or worse, what if your fiancé doesn't like it either? In an attempt to avoid these scenarios, I decided to do my research before buying an engagement ring. Here are some things I wish I knew before buying one:

1. The 4 C’s of diamonds are not created equal

You may be familiar with the 4 C's of diamonds: cut, color, clarity and carat. It's important to remember that these are not created equal. While the first three can often be overlooked in favor of size or price—and you should definitely do your research on those as well—cut is by far the most important element of a diamond. Cut refers to how well a stone has been crafted and polished, which affects its brilliance and sparkle. Color is also important but less so than cut; it refers to how strongly colored (i.e., yellow) or pale (i.e., white) a stone appears under certain lighting conditions (e.g., daylight). Clarity refers to imperfections inside the stone that can be seen under magnification; in other words, this is where flaws such as scratches or chips form on its surface when it's being cut out from its original rough shape during manufacturing process called "sawing"--and yes! these imperfections are natural because no two gems are exactly alike!

2. It's good to be skeptical

I’m not saying you should walk into a jewelry store and immediately assume that every person who walks out with an armful of diamonds is a liar, but you should be wary of salespeople who are too eager to close the deal. They might be trying to take advantage of your excitement for this very special purchase by making unreasonable promises about how much money you could save at the last minute by buying that diamond ring now, even though it’s already been paid off in full. Or maybe they’re just giving their best pitch so they can make their commission on your next big purchase. Either way, it doesn't hurt anything for them if he or she is telling you what you want to hear—it only hurts if they're not being honest with themselves about what kind of value their product offers compared to other options available today.

If something doesn't feel right—if there's any suspicion at all that something isn't quite right here—then don't hesitate: Walk away! I know this sounds counterintuitive given how many people have told me over the years “I wish I had walked out before things got too far along," but trust me when I say those regrets will quickly fade once happiness starts flooding back into your life again after getting away from whatever bad decisions were made while under pressure or influence by others around them during those crazy days leading up until December 25th each year (if Christmas Day falls on Saturday).

3. Even $10,000 is a good deal for some engagement rings

Even if you thought $10,000 was a lot to spend on a ring, remember that the average cost of an engagement ring is around $5,000. This means that you’re actually getting a pretty good deal for your money!

If you want something more expensive than what I’m suggesting here and are willing to spend over $10,000 on an engagement ring, then good for you! You should get whatever makes your heart sing. Just make sure it isn’t so expensive that someone could potentially buy it with their pocket change (aka don't go crazy).

4. Be patient

A diamond ring is a big purchase, so it's important to be patient and not rush into it. It's easy to get caught up in the excitement of finding the perfect engagement ring, but you shouldn't buy it before you've done your research. There are other things that need to be considered when purchasing a diamond.

Also, don't feel like you have to pay full price for your engagement ring—there may be ways you can save money on your purchase! For example, look around at different jewelers and see if they offer any promotions or discounts that can help reduce the cost of getting married (and buying an engagement ring). Or try negotiating with them: ask how much off their price would be if there were no extra charges (like sales tax) added onto the final amount due today. You might also want some flexibility about when payment needs to happen; maybe there's no rush since this won't affect anything except on paper right now anyway?

5. Choose the shape of the diamond carefully

It's important to choose the shape of your diamond carefully. The most popular shape is round because it looks good on any finger, but if you have an edgy style or have trouble finding rings that fit comfortably, consider a square or emerald cut diamond. A pear-shaped diamond will also complement an edgier look, as well as adding some weight to your ring so it doesn't feel too light on your finger once it's complete.

6. Consider other gemstones

If you have a limited budget and time frame for shopping, it's good to know that there are other options than diamonds. Many people are unaware that there are other types of gemstones available. If you're looking for something more affordable or with more rarity, take a look at sapphires, rubies and emeralds. Or if you want something more unique and eye-catching than your typical diamond engagement ring, consider purchasing an heirloom piece such as amethyst or moonstone engagement rings. Heirloom pieces can be passed down through the generations and will maintain their beauty throughout time due to their durability compared to traditional diamonds.

7. Get an independent appraisal

If you’re like me, you’re probably wondering how to know if your diamond engagement ring is worth the money that you paid for it.

I wish I had known that while diamonds are forever, the value of their cut and clarity can change over time. What was a high quality stone when purchased might not be so high quality anymore. It may also have been bought at an inflated price because of its popularity or rarity at the time.

The best way to know if your investment will hold its value is by getting an independent appraisal from someone who doesn’t sell jewelry for a living (like some jewelers). This person should be qualified enough to assess several factors of your diamond ring: cut, color and clarity as well as weight and carat size. Once they complete their evaluation they can tell you what they think it’s worth today based on current market conditions—and whether or not it has appreciated in value since purchase—and let them know if any repairs need done on their diamond before resale.

8. Look at the loose diamond before it is set in a ring

After you've chosen a loose diamond and set it in a ring, look at it again. Look at the cut (the proportions of the stone), clarity (the number and size of inclusions or flaws), color and carat weight. Then consider an equally important factor: the shape. A good-looking round brilliant can be ruined by an ugly setting, just as a less attractive cushion cut might look better in an elegant platinum solitaire than a diamond halo with many smaller stones clustered around it.

The next thing to examine is polish - does your ring sparkle? If so, great! But if not, that's okay too - this isn't about vanity but about maximizing light return for your money. The last thing to do is check symmetry and fluorescence: if there are any small imperfections on one side only then they'll be hidden when set in a ring but still visible if held up to light directly (and therefore visible on your finger).

Bonus!

Sell your diamonds with ease with Diamond Registry’s comprehensive approach and vast global industry connections to help you find the best buyer for your diamond fast. Visit www.diamondregistry.com/sell-your-ring to take your first step to fast, easy and reliable way of selling your diamond.

Want to check and calculate diamond per carat instantly? Go to DR’s diamond price calculator to know how. Reliable and trusted carat calculator in the diamond industry since!

Jewelry
Color range: i
  • D Color
  • E Color
  • F Color
  • G Color
  • I Color
  • J Color
  • K Color
  • D Color
  • E Color
  • F Color
  • G Color
  • I Color
  • J Color
  • K Color
Clarity: i
  • I.F.
  • VVS1
  • VVS2
  • VS1
  • VS2
  • SI1
  • SI2
  • I.F.
  • VVS1
  • VVS2
  • VS1
  • VS2
  • SI1
  • SI2
Color: Color i
Color intensity:  Faint - Fancy i
  • Faint
  • Faint
  • Very Light
  • Light
  • Fancy Light
  • Fancy
  • Fancy Intense
  • Fancy Vivid
  • Fancy Deep
  • Faint
  • Faint
  • Very Light
  • Light
  • Fancy Light
  • Fancy
  • Fancy Intense
  • Fancy Vivid
  • Fancy Deep
FREE QUOTE
Check the Wholesale Price
Weight (carat):  1 carat
  • 1
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10
Shape: i
Free Wholesale Quote
Submit your details and our experts will contact you with price information
HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?
Free Wholesale Quote