A lot of people get stressed out when they think about buying an engagement ring. That’s understandable, but it doesn’t have to be that way. People tend to worry because an engagement ring isn’t just an expensive purchase, it’s also an important one. An engagement ring is meaningful and it’s a symbol of your love for your special someone. You want to get it right and this expectation can be stressful. When you add in the fact that most people who buy engagement rings don’t have much experience with buying high-end jewelry, it’s easy to see why the process is intimidating for many.
But it doesn’t have to be that way. We’ve put together a guide that contains five easy steps. Follow these steps and you’ll breeze through the engagement ring shopping process. Then all you’ll have to worry about is how you’re going to propose!
Set Your Budget
Before you buy a ring, you’ll have to set a budget. You might have heard various guidelines such as “two months’ salary” or “three months’ salary” but these are just guidelines. They are not rules and there’s reason why you must follow them. Instead, look at your financial situation and your other obligations. If you are paying a mortgage, an car loan, student loans, and have various other financial responsibilities, then the amount you have available to spend on a ring will be different compared to someone who doesn’t have these commitments, even if you both earn the same amount of money.
Don’t worry, no matter how much you have to spend, there’s a very good chance that you’ll find a ring that fits your budget. There are thousands and thousands of engagement rings out there at many different price ranges, so you just have to know your budget and then start looking.
Learn About Diamonds
You wouldn’t buy a car without knowing anything about cars, right? So, it makes sense that you should learn a thing or two about diamonds before you head out to buy one. One of the most important things to learn is the 4 Cs of diamond quality. Not only will learning the 4 Cs help you understand a more about diamonds, but you’ll also find out how you can compare diamonds to one another. This will help you find a better diamond and help you compare two diamonds with one another to get greater value in your purchase.
Ready to learn some more? Check out our diamond education center for everything you need.
Determine Her Style
Many diamond engagement rings look great, but to find the perfect ring for her, you’ll want to get one that’s exactly her style. Think of her personality. Is she flashy and loud or quiet and understated? Does she like to keep up with the latest trends or is she partial to the classics? This information can help guide you towards the right ring.
When all else fails, sneak into her jewelry box when she isn’t looking and see what kind of jewelry she already owns. Is it mostly white gold, platinum, rose gold, or yellow gold? Is it simple or elaborate? Take clues from what she already owns and use this information to guide you.
Shop Around
Not all jewelers are created equal. There is a big difference between the chain jewelry store in the local mall and the smaller jeweler that’s a bit farther away, for instance. Not only will they have different collections in stock and possibly different focuses (one might have more modern styles while the other has more classic looks, for instance) but the level of service you receive will be different as well.
Don’t forget about online jewelers either. You might be able to save a lot of money by shopping online. However, if you do, make sure you choose to shop at a reputable jeweler and not an online classified site, as there are a lot of scams out there.
Buy the Ring
Once you’ve done your research and figured out what you want, it’s time to buy the ring! Before you do, make sure you fully understand the policies of the jeweler you’re buying from. For instance, what can you do if the ring you buy doesn’t fit properly? Does the jeweler offer resizing and, if they do, is there a cost involved? These are important questions to ask, the answers to which can make the engagement ring buying process much more pleasant.
