Engagement days are a dream come true. Everyone dreams of the day that they will be able to say “yes”, knowing that their lives are about to take a new, exciting turn. Unfortunately, the days leading up to the proposal can be quite stressful. Choosing an engagement ring can be one of the hardest decisions; those small riches represent how much one cares for their partner.

With so much pressure to pick the perfect ring, people often feel pressured to buy a ring that is not necessarily within their budget; of course their partner is delighted to receive such an impressive, symbolic piece of jewellery, but at what cost? Payments on the ring could last years. One of the best memories of people’s lives should not be tainted by the burden of such heavy costs. With time, research, and patience, anyone can find the perfect engagement ring to fit their budget.

The first step in purchasing an engagement ring is determining a budget. Engagement rings are considered a major life purchase. They often become family heirlooms that are passed down for generations, always maintaining their value. So the first question is, how much is one willing or able to spend? Everyone’s budget will be different based on their individual situations. Once the budget is set, the process of searching within the budget begins.

Certain styles are easier on the wallet than others, yet equally as beautiful. Below are some tips on ring styles that look great and will not break the bank:

• A halo design, or ring where the centre diamond is surrounded by a circle of smaller diamonds. This style gives the effect of one large solitaire diamond, which would cost significantly more. With a vintage feel, the halo will give the illusion of more carats.
• The fewer facets, or cuts, a ring has, the less it costs; therefore, emerald cuts are an excellent option, because they allow the stone to be larger without costing as much; its clean lines can make for a stunning, sophisticated engagement ring.
• Highlight the centre stone with a band that has a twist or engraving, and avoid costly eternity bands. A sweet engraving can be just as special, if not more special than expensive diamonds.
• Choose a stone other than a diamond for the centre. Diamonds, although traditional, are expensive; other stones can be much more affordable. If size is important, buy a large sapphire ring or other gemstone.
• Purchase a ring with baguette-cut supporting stones. These stones can add sparkle and enhance a smaller centre stone to its fullest potential. These accent stones have few cuts, and are the least expensive, but they leave a luxurious impression.
• Get a pronged setting, because less metal means a lower cost. Spend the money on a larger stone and not the setting.
• Buy a wedding set; many stores will discount the price if one purchases the engagement ring at the same time as the wedding band. In the long run, it will be worth it.

After deciding which style suits your partner and your budget, you need to find the best place to purchase the ring from. You will find these days that the Internet offers a larger selection of quality rings at better prices and values. The Internet has the capability to search hundreds of styles and thousands of diamonds within a matter of moments, and pricing comparisons can be done within seconds. Overall, there are any number of advantages to purchasing your engagement ring online.

However, if online purchasing is not something you are comfortable with, there are other bargain alternatives. Family heirlooms, which are traditionally passed down from one generation to the next, are wonderful options. Antique shops carry vintage jewellery, which can be unique and special. Remember that stones can be reused in new settings as well.

Finally, no matter where one decides to purchase their engagement ring, in order to save money, remember the Four C’s: colour, clarity, cut, and carats. The Four C’s are the key to finding the perfect ring, at the perfect price…

• Colour – Diamonds are categorized by their colour, the clearer or less colour there is (D, E, or F), the more they cost; however, most diamonds that are not in the highest colour (G, H, I or J) categorisation, are close behind and seem equally clear to the naked eye.
• Clarity – Diamonds are considered the best clarity when there are little to no microscopic imperfections within the stone. However, most, once again, cannot be seen by the naked eye.
• Cut – The cut of a diamond is not something one wants to skimp on; the cut describes how the diamond reflects light and is responsible for making the diamond sparkle. Spending money in this area can make all the difference.
• Carat – The cost of a diamond is based highly on the number of carats it weighs and the price of a diamond rises drastically as the carats increase. Buy a .9 carat diamond instead of a 1 carat diamond; small differences like this will save a lot of money without changing the look and quality of the ring.

Keep this information in mind and one is guaranteed a beautiful ring at a great price.

Guest Blogger: Linda Neubauer blogs at “Everything Princess Cut“, and writes about Princess Cut Engagement Rings, wedding rings, and other fine jewellery.

Did you know?

Before the end of the 19th century, the bride-to-be sometimes received a sewing thimble rather than an engagement ring.

-Tari

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