All the Small Things with Engagement Rings

Getting engaged is a very big deal. There’s shopping for engagement rings and venues and cakes and music, wedding dresses, invitations and the list goes on and on! However, it all starts with that ring, doesn’t it? Don’t get stressed out about the ring, just relax and ask yourself these simple questions and you will be on track to delving into the rest of the planning soon.

How much can I spend? The budget has to be the first thing to be determined. Don’t let anyone talk you into going higher than you can afford to go. Likewise, don’t sell yourself short and regret not spending that extra hundred for the ideal ring. Remember that you cannot measure love with the size of a diamond, but you also don’t want to disappoint. If your partner wants a carat, make sure you hold out for one, even if it means postponing the big question.

What style am I going for?  Gold or platinum? If you go for gold, 14K to 18K settings will give your ring the strength it needs for daily use. If you really need a strong setting, Platinum is the best you’ll find and well worth its price.

You’ll also have a chance to decide on if you want other gem accents. Do you want a solitaire? Pear or princess? To find out what your partner likes, simply ask a best friend or sneak a peek at other rings she owns to see if there’s a preferred style.

Finally, be sure to shop around. Talk to a few jewelers before you decide on who you trust. It’s a big deal, remember?

Loose Diamonds: Catch the Savings

One of the most cost effective ways in which to slash the price of an engagement ring these days is to buy your diamond separate. Buying loose diamonds is the most advantageous way to keep a few dollars in your rainy day fund. Pre-set rings with a stone and a setting sold together often have a higher markup. This is due to their convenience. Many soon-to-be grooms choose to make their selections fast and they want the ring to be ready when they are. This may get them down the aisle a little faster, but picking out a pre made ring does not always save you money in the long run, only time.

Since buying a loose diamond gives you an array of options, you can choose the exact stone that you prefer. This can also allow you to play with your budget a bit more than with a pre-set ring. Singular diamonds can be found through many reputable online retailers, your local jeweler and they can be acquired through estate jewelry stores, as well. Always try to buy a diamond that is certified though, as this will save you time when you insure it. Having a record of your diamond's attributes should give you a bit more confidence in your purchase. From colorless stones to warm toned solitaires, the choice will be yours. Many online sites have easy to use diamond search features. This lets the customer choose the size and grade of diamond as well as the availability in their budget range. Affordable diamonds are widely available at steep discounts. Isn't it time that you found the perfect one and saved a little cash in the process?

Getting the Best in Diamond Engagement Rings

Diamond engagement rings are peerless in their ability to make the love of your life's face light up. Such rings have become a near universal expression of how much that someone special means to you. With so much meaning and tradition behind your engagement ring, finding the right one to represent your relationship can be difficult.

Knowing your price range is very important. While tradition dictates that the groom should spend around three months of his salary on the ring, there is no need to break the bank. Even in slow economies, timeless and affordable pieces can be an option for most budgets. With a practiced eye you will be sure to find "The One".

The most important thing to keep in mind is who you are buying the ring for. Know what your soon-to-be fiancé likes, then look for styles that go well with her tastes. There are so many options for styles that cutting down what types you are looking for can help you save a lot of time.

Next, you should become familiar with the 4 C's, or cut, clarity, color and carat weight. To save some money, try looking at diamonds that are shallow but wide, allowing for a seemingly larger gem. Consider buying a diamond that is just shy of an even carat weight, when the price goes up, as it often times does at each carat.

The last step is to find a professional jeweler you trust. Have a working knowledge of diamonds and know what you are looking for and you are sure to find a few diamond engagement rings that will fit your needs.

Jewelry Stores as a Family Tradition

I grew up in a tiny Southern town. If you were looking for jewelry, your options were best served heading to Nashville, but there was this tiny little jewelry store in the middle of the K-mart parking lot. It had this faded purple trim on the outside and it has been run by the same family for some five generations, three of which still worked there. The latest son to put his hand to the family trade actually designed and manufactured custom pieces in the back. He let me watch him set a ring once, after I had admitted to some junior rock-hound tendencies. 

Anyway, speaking of family traditions, ours was my mom's pot roast recipe. When my brother-in-law was stationed at the Army base next to our town (where my dad had been stationed, years ago), mom would make her roast, about once a month, and my sister, brother-in-law and their four kids would come over. Mom used to tease her and tease her until one Sunday, she decided to make a roast herself. She learned that day that she didn't have a meat thermometer. It was dry and tough and overcooked like cafeteria food, but Mom wanted to celebrate her success. She bought her a meat thermometer. So she bought one of those cheap-o metal-ringed dial thermometers and brought it to our little local jewelry shop and had it engraved with the date of the dinner and the words “You're cooking now!” So now all our engraving and jewelry needs are taken care of by that family. Do you guys have a shop your family has always gone to? Take a moment and check online and your favorite family run store just might be waiting for you.

How to Find Good Deals at Jewelry Stores

Shopping for fine jewelry can either be memorable or a nightmare depending upon how and when you shop. If you want to avoid getting taken to the cleaners, make sure you do your shopping homework. Here are some easy tips for finding the best jewelry store deals.

Try to shop around the holidays. Timing your purchase between Thanksgiving and New Years can save you thousands at jewelry stores. Even you are shopping for a birthday, anniversary or engagement ring, consider buying it during this time. It could save you thousands.

Do you understand the four C’s of diamonds? Do you know the difference between platinum and white gold? Doing your research will ensure no one take advantage of you on pricing or quality!

Many people are still struggling financially, which means there is a lot of stunning jewelry being sold at huge discounts. Ask your local jewelry stores if they have a consignment area. You can find everything from engagement rings to watches and necklaces in the consignment area.

Don’t be afraid to ask for a discount at the jewelry store. Even at name brand jewelry stores most prices are at least a little negotiable. It won’t hurt and it could save you thousands of dollars.

Purchase Elegant Diamond Engagement Rings

Are you ready to pop the question? First, you need to find the perfect diamond engagement ring! Diamonds are the perfect stone for engagement because they are strong and symbolize purity, beauty and everlasting love. Exactly how you want to represent your love! So, how do you find the perfect ring?

The easiest way to find the perfect ring is to ask your girl what she prefers. Does she want a large stone or several small ones? Would she rather have gold or silver setting? It there a particular shape of diamond she prefers? Is she sensitive to any types of metals?

If you want to keep it a surprise try asking her what she likes or dislikes about her friend’s engagement or wedding ring. That way you can get an idea of what she likes without ruining a surprise proposal! You might also consider taking along her best friend, mother or aunt. They likely know her taste in jewelry and will be able to give you advice.

Carat, color, clarity and cut are the four easiest ways to find the perfect diamond. Carat refers to the size of the stone, color refers to the color tone, clarity is how few flaws are in the diamond and cut is the way in which the stone is shaped. Color and cut are often a matter of choice while carat and clarity affect the value of the diamond itself.

Certified Loose Diamonds: Evaluation

Certified loose diamonds are evaluated by trained gemologists in labs. These industry professionals spend entire work days squinting into high powered microscopes to evaluate the quality of diamonds. When you get a certified diamond from one of these labs, you know exactly what it is worth independent from market trends and any metal into which it may be set. This is vital, especially when considering getting your jewelry insured. Any certification you can bring with you helps to make sure you get an accurate pricing.

To summarize the process, let’s do a quick overview of what determines a diamond's quality. The 4 Cs of diamond evaluation are carat weight, color, clarity and cut. Carat weight, as you might imagine, refers to the mass of the diamond as measured by a gemologist. Color refers to the presence of naturally occurring color in the diamond. Diamonds often have strains of yellow or brown in them and it is almost impossible to find a colorless diamond. Clarity refers to the amount of inclusions and imperfections of the gem. Cut is the design the diamond is faceted and proportioned. All of these factors add to the eventual quality conclusion of the diamond and have a say in its price.