What to Look for When Buying an Engagement Ring
Possibly one of the most expensive and definitely one of the most important purchases you will ever make, is for an engagement ring. Before heading out to the local diamond stores and retailers in your area, and getting their high pressure sales tactics… make sure you know what to look for when choosing an engagement ring. You want to buy the highest quality and most attractive engagement ring that you can afford, but not get ripped off at the same time.
Before choosing an engagement ring, you will have to decide what type of ring you are looking for. No matter where you get your engagement ring advice from, each ring comes down to three different characteristics , which are:
- The Diamond,
- The Type of Ring Metal; and
- The engagement ring design
Creating the right combination and mix will not only give you a wide variety of options to explore, but you can spend more in one area for improved quality over another area. If the diamond is what your partner wants the most, spend a good portion of the budget on the diamond, and less on the ring metal and design.
Engagement Ring Design Advice
Now that we know what three different options you have in designing your engagment ring, let’s cover a few different points on each.
- The Diamond
The diamond is usually what makes the engagement ring, so this is where you will want to spend most of your focus. The grading system of diamonds is broken up into four different ratings, which are the diamond cut, color, clarity and carat. If you want a big diamond, you will most likely have to sacrifice the quality, and vice versa.There are many different types of diamonds and cuts. Not all diamonds are created the same, nor will they cost the same. - Ring Metals
When choosing an engagement ring, you will want to choose and color and metal that you feel comfortable with. Your ring should be comfortable to wear, being strong enough to never break or damage during daily wear, securely hold your diamond or gem stone in place and should compliment the overall look and feel of your ring. The most popular metals purchased when buying an engagement are white gold and platinum. - Ring Design
Lastly, the ring design will pull everything together and bring your engagement ring to life. If you want to exploit the look of your diamond, a simple ring will do nicely, however you have many options when it comes to ring designs. Fancy cut engagement rings will focus solely on the diamond, while multi stone engagement rings will have diamonds all around the ring, or down the top sides of the ring. You can also have custom design rings, with fancy shapes and designs cut into the ring.
Engagement Ring Shopping
Now that you have a better idea on what to look for when shopping for your engagement ring, be sure to look through various web sites and online jewelers to see what options are possible. If you are planning on visiting any retail jewelers in your area, be sure to look for any Zales coupons or promotions in your area. Even if you aren’t ready to buy, walk inside and ask see any employee to ask any questions you might have, or just for their engagement ring advice.