Those who say that an engagement ring should cost three months' salary should be ignored. That's a ridiculous idea. Get the best deal on an engagement ring so that you can afford a luxurious honeymoon.
The four Cs of jewelry: cut, color, clarity, and carat weight should not be a source of confusion for you. Make the cut of the diamond your first priority if you want to get the best ring for your money. For the most part, that's how rings get their sparkle. Diamonds rated as "very good" in terms of cut quality are the most cost-effective. In terms of light reflection, they're on par with a "ideal cut," but at a fraction of the price.
To show you the flaws in diamonds, jewelers love to put them under a microscope. But if you can't see the flaws, how important are they? A diamond that is "eye-clean" will save you money in the long run. A diamond that appears flawless to the naked eye is referred to as a "flawless" diamond. VS1 or higher on the clarity scale is what you're looking at.
Half-carat rings and full-carat rings are the most popular choices. You can take advantage of the fact that most people aren't going to a jewelry store and asking for a.95-carat ring or a.47-carat ring. You can expect to save at least 15% to 20% if you buy a diamond that is smaller than the average. For such a small difference in size, that's a significant savings. You won't be able to tell the difference between a one-carat ring and a.95-carat ring if you ask a jeweler to show them to you.
If you want to give the illusion of a large diamond, use a halo setting. The center stone is surrounded by smaller accent stones in this setting. It can give the illusion of a center diamond that is half a carat larger than it actually is. Make a 0.5 carat diamond look like a 1 carat diamond with this trick and save $2,400 or more.
Don't get caught up in the price of the diamond and forget about the price of the setting. Platinum or gold can be costly, and it all adds up. A simple prong setting is best for reducing the overall weight of the metal. Despite the fact that it's a classic look, it's also a very affordable one.
Look no further than our selection of stunning engagement rings, which come at an affordable price. Invest in a vintage piece. If you look hard enough, you can find heirloom-quality engagement rings with stunning settings and cuts that are no longer available in contemporary jewelry stores. And what's even better? Due to the lower cost of estate jewelry, you can expect to pay a lot less for your ring than you would for a brand new one.
Spending less is a great way to save money. Then broaden your ring hunt to include antique and pawn shops. It's important to do some research ahead of time to get an idea of what you can expect to pay for the stone of your choice. You don't want to be the victim of a rip-off, but rather the one who makes a good deal happen.
Ask as many questions as you need to feel confident about your purchase, and bring your own jeweler's loupe with you to appear more knowledgeable. You can pick one up for around $10 to $15.
It's possible that the shop does not have the paperwork that goes with the ring, but they should still be willing to accept a return if you find that they've misrepresented something. If you're buying a diamond, make sure you get a sales receipt that includes the carat weight, the type of metal used to set it, and whether or not it's a natural, untreated diamond.
Insist on a full refund if the appraisal does not match what you've been told, and let them know you intend to have the ring appraised. After that, carry out your evaluation. There is a chance that the jewelry store will recommend a gemologist-appraiser to you, but you should choose your own appraiser and not reveal where you purchased the ring.
If your future spouse has any objections to a used ring, none of this will matter. If your fiancé believes that getting married with a used ring is bad luck, don't force the issue or try to sneak one in. You don't get married that way.
Wouldn't it be nice if you could design your own ring? A beautiful stone in an unattractive setting can be found by looking around at secondhand jewelry stores (or a pendant necklace with a knock out diamond). The diamond can then be removed and re-set by a jeweler. As a result, you can afford to spend more time and money on the ring design.
If you have a family ring with an old-fashioned setting, you can use this trick to modernize it. Before dismantling a family heirloom, make sure everyone is on board.
As a result of their lower operating costs, online jewelers are able to offer lower prices. Make a point of visiting local jewelry shops to get a better sense of what you want. Then, go online and search for it. Companies with a good reputation provide a no-pressure sales environment as well as a refund policy. If you want to save the most money, avoid any website associated with a well-known retail chain. Their online prices are likely to be no cheaper than their in-store costs.
In the market for an engagement ring but want to save money? In this case, you might want to avoid proposing at Christmas or Valentine's Day. Because these are popular times to pop the question, you're less likely to find a deal because the selection is likely to be picked over. If you want to get a good deal, avoid shopping from November through February. Ideally, you'll want to go during the warmer months of the year. Prices are more flexible because it's a slow season for sales.
It wasn't until around 1947 that diamonds became the popular choice for engagement rings. Ruby, sapphire, and emerald were the standard before that. Choose one of these stunning gems as the centerpiece of your ring and bring back the tradition. Because they're all hard gemstones, these rings will last for a long time, and since they're less expensive than diamonds, you can get a larger stone.
You're hesitant to buck the trend? Then, for your ring's second gemstone, go with a colorless variety. There are white emeralds, aren't there?
To buy wholesale diamonds from the diamond district in New York City, you'll need to be within driving distance of a wholesale store like Diamond Registry. You should include them in your ring search if that is the case. To some, a warehouse store may not seem like the most romantic place to look for an engagement ring. However, it may be more cost effective than you think, especially when you receive a rebate check each year.
A certificate from the Gemological Institute of America must accompany your ring, regardless of where you buy it. You can only rely on this method to deliver on your expectations of quality. There is no need to take a chance on such a large investment.
