Guide to Buy Engagement Ring

Hello,

The engagement ring has always been a big deal. For many, it is the pinnacle of love, when you gift the first symbol of eternity to the one you wan to spend the rest of your life with. The ring symbolizes commitment, a new beginning and of course love. Expectedly, buying an engagement ring also comes with a lot of pressure.

Should the ring be traditional or avante garde? What size should the diamond be? Should it be a diamond at all? How many carats? And the most important question of them all, ‘How much should I spend on it?’ If you are soon planning to pop the question to your beloved and these questions are plaguing your mind as well, you have come to the right place.

We are here to help! Here’s all that you need to know about engagement ring price trends, the different types available, the reasoning and expectation behind the ring, and how to pick the perfect one, while balancing the scales of emotionality and practicality!

Keep a Budget from the Beginning

There will be many theories about how much one should spend on an engagement ring. Go through them if you like, but do not get too swayed by these. These are not unsurpassable rules, but points of reference. Have a clear idea from the beginning about how much you want to spend on the ring. Don’t get carried away and spent a humongous amount on the solitaire, and pile up on debts for you and your future partner.

There are engagement rules that say you should spend one month of your salary, or two months of your salary, some even say three months of your salary on the engagement ring. While it is a good estimate to keep, you can always pick a ring that defies these rules. Remember, the right ring is the one that represents your love perfectly. Saving up for the ring is indeed a sweet gesture, but with cost of living shuttling through the roof, you may consider buying a ring at a more affordable price. You may have to search a little harder and longer to buy a beautiful ring at a beautiful price, but trust us, it will be worth it.

Learn the 4 C’s

A lot of men are buying jewelry for the first time, when they are shopping for the engagement ring. The pressure and the confusion is tremendous. While you can pick a simple band for your fiancee, or any other stone you like, the diamond remains the safest bet for many. When purchasing that diamond, know the 4Cs, which are, carat,clarity, color and cut. Carat refers to the weight of the diamond, clarity refers to the nuances of the diamond that can be observed under magnification, color refers to the shade of the diamond ranging from D-Z, while cut refers to the number, placement and shape of the facets. Light bouncing off these facets causes the diamond to sparkle.

Now, if you are looking for a diamond with a lot of fire, focus on the diamond’s cut. If the size of the rock is what matters to your bride-to-be, you can compromise on the cut, clarity and color, and still buy a rock of a considerable size. The point of knowing the 4 C’is to pick and choose a diamond that fulfills all your criteria, and makes a ring, your bride will absolutely love. But do take note that if you try to get the best of all the C’s, you will not just burn a hole in your pocket, but burn the pocket all together itself.

Do a Rehearsal Before the Final Gesture

Women love surprises. There are no two ways about that. It’s a great idea to surprise her with the proposal and the ring. But, to make this moment even more special, do a rehearsal with your girl. On one of your dates, take her out to multiple showrooms, do some ring browsing online, and find out what are her preferences. Does she like a dazzling big rock, or will she love a sapphire? Observe the designs she likes, the colors and cuts that bring a sparkle to her eyes. You will also find out, what price range she is expecting the ring to be within. When you go to finally buy the ring, you already have some idea about the kind of ring that will get her heart racing.

On the other hand, if she is comfortable doing this mock run with you, it’s an indication that she is ready to take the next step too. Cheers to you! Her answer is in the affirmative.

Check Multiple Buying Options

An engagement ring does not come cheap. But like they say, if you like it, then put a ring on it. So, do it, but check multiple options before buying this forever-after piece of jewelry. Tiffany’s is not your only destination to buy precious jewelry. Visit a couple of jewelry stores before you decide to buy the ring. Compare the prices, designs, diamond clarity and value for money. Don’t restrict yourself to the prominent stores within the city only. Travel a few miles to the suburbs, outskirts, and little known stores within, and around the city. You may end up spending more fuel , but you will save a substantial amount of money than your purchase in the glitziest store in the city. And who knows what gems you find in one of these stores (no pun intended)?

If time consuming window shopping, is not your cup of tea and you are a man on the run , opt for shopping the ring online. You will be spoiled for choice, and get the ring at 30-40% less than buying physically. But do take care to do a through comparison of payment options, and prices on a reliable price comparison site. Find about the shipping methods, return and vendor policy, and do not forget to request a certification on your diamond. When you are spending such a large amount, verifying the authenticity of the rock is a must.

To Conclude,

Why worry so much about how much to spend on the engagement ring? Sure it’s a moment of a lifetime, and the ultimate symbol of love, but don’t stress over it. Enjoy the process of picking up something treasured. Stay grounded, take a good look at your finances, understand your girl’ taste and preferences, and remember what counts the most is the love, emotions and promise of eternity that comes with the ring.

Author Bio

Korie Cantor is a writer who writes about living and lifestyle. She possesses a great sense of style and loves to share her thoughts about fashion and it’s latest trends. Follow her @koriecantor