How to Buy an Engagement Ring Without Going Broke

There are quite a few myths and “traditions” that come with buying an engagement ring. One of the most popular and most ridiculous is that you need to spend your three months’ salary to get the perfect engagement ring; that a good ring is the one that’s most expensive. This couldn’t be more untrue, to be honest. If you’re on a budget, you can still buy an amazing, gorgeous engagement ring without spending a fortune and saving a good sum of money on it. Here is how to shop smart when it comes to purchasing your engagement ring.

Consider Buying a Loose Diamond
It’s always a wise choice to get yourself a loose diamond and then set it on an engagement ring rather than buying a ring with a diamond already set in it. First of all, buying a loose diamond allows you to pay complete attention to your diamond’s quality. When you are making a big purchase like this it is very important that you evaluate the proportions and cut of the diamond and how it interacts with light to create the perfect sparkle. By being able to inspect the diamond properly you will also be able to check for any flaws that it may have and how visible they are. By buying a ring with the diamond already mounted on it, it’s hard to change things the way you want it but by buying a loose diamond of your choice and in your budget you can really make the engagement ring yours.

Take a Look at the Selection Online
Diamonds and engagement rings at big jewelry retailers are more expensive than the ones online due to high mark-up. These chain retailers usually have really high prices, sometimes even up to 200% more than their online counterparts because these stores have high overhead costs like the upkeep of the store, payment for a large staff, rent, etc. These overhead charges are added to the retail price of the diamond that you buy. On the other hand, online stores do not have these operational charges included in their prices so the same diamond can cost you a lot less compared to the one in a high-end jewelry store.

When Buying Online, Browse and Research
Online retailers usually have a vast collection of jewelry and diamonds but if you find something that you really like, remember to wait a little bit. Check the inventories of different online stores as you might find the exact diamond at a lesser price comparatively. It’s always good to keep your options open and look as much as you can; checking out different stores is ridiculously convenient online so definitely take full advantage of this. You can also choose to buy the loose diamond from one particular retailer and buy the ring setting from another. This way it will be easier to build yourself the perfect engagement ring!

If It's Bling You Want, Get Pave Diamonds
Now, if you want a really sparkly engagement ring that catches everyone’s eye but do not want to spend a fortune on it then definitely consider getting a pave band or halo for your engagement ring. A pave setting is a style where several tiny diamonds are placed close together. It gives sort of a “crushed ice” effect that makes jewelry look absolutely lovely and sparkly; also the small stones aren’t very expensive. Consider getting a smaller center stone and a pave band around to make your engagement ring shine the most without spending an unimaginable amount of money.

Balance the 4Cs
When it comes to the look of your diamond, all the 4Cs are not created equal. Cut, for instance, plays a big role in how your diamond looks. The better the cut, the more the diamond will sparkle. And more the diamond will sparkle, the better and even bigger it will look. A poorly-cut 1carat diamond can appear the same as a well-cut 0.90 carat diamond. On the other hand, clarity is one of 4Cs that doesn't always affect the way a diamond looks because clarity is not obvious to the naked eye. An FL (Flawless) clarity grade diamond will look the same as a VS1 (Very Slightly Included 1) clarity grade diamond to the naked eye. But the difference in price can be thousands of dollars. Diamonds are graded by looking under 10X magnification, so you have to decide, does it matter in your everyday life?

We hope you end up with the most glorious ring and an even more glorious deal! Get started on your diamond journey here.

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How to Buy the Best Diamond for Your Budget

Did you know you could save hundreds of dollars and still get a beautiful diamond for your engagement ring or other diamond jewelry? In this post, we're going to demystify diamonds! There are plenty of tips and smart moves that will help you get the best diamond possible in your budget.

Tip No. 1: Buy Online

Beautiful diamonds are actually quite affordable. Most chain retailers and mall jewelers have a very high markup, sometimes up to 200%. They have high overhead costs like rent, paying for a large staff, upkeep of the store and other costs. All these are added to the retail price of diamonds and so the prices skyrocket. Unlike these retailers, internet retailers don't have huge operational costs so their markup is quite reasonable.  So, buying your diamond online can potentially save hundreds of dollars.

Tip No. 2: Browse Online Retailers

Many of the online retailers share a virtual inventory of diamonds. So, if you find a diamond you like, be sure to check other websites. You may just find the same diamond available at a lesser price on another website. You could always buy a diamond from one retailer and the ring setting from another retailer, giving you the perfect ring at the right price.

Tip No. 3: Cut

A diamond's sparkle is all about the cut. The better the cut, the more brilliant it will appear. Get the best cut you can afford within your set budget. Don't let anybody talk you out of this because a well-cut .90 ct. tw diamond can appear as big as a poorly-cut 1 ct. tw diamond. In fact, before you set out shopping for your diamond, do some research on the 4Cs. The cut happens to be one of the most important factors you'll need to understand for buying a beautiful diamond.

Tip No. 4: Carat

Carat is actually a measure of weight, not size. And, if you stay just under the benchmark carat weights like 1.00 ct. tw or 1.5 ct. tw, you can save a lot of money. A .90 ct. wt. diamond will cost significantly less than a 1.00 ct. wt. diamond. And, if that diamond is mounted in the right setting, like a halo setting, it can look just as big as  1.00 ct. wt. diamond.

Tip No. 5: Setting 

Some settings make the center diamond appear larger than it is, like a halo setting. The surrounding halo of diamonds fools the eye into thinking, this is one big diamond. Another setting is the cathedral setting. In Cathedral rings, the diamond is set quite high, allowing plenty of light to pass through it so it sparkles brilliantly and appears larger. So, choose the right setting to save more.

Use these smart shopping tips to buy a sparkling diamond that also fits your budget.

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