Everyone wants the moment that they propose to be magical. This is something that you and your partner will remember for the rest of your lives and the ring that you present on that special day will be the one that your soon-to-be spouse will wear for eternity. Of course, that means you’ll want an incredible engagement ring. That said, you don’t have an unlimited budget. This means you’ll want to make sure that you get the best deal on an engagement ring.
An engagement ring is an important purchase, but you don’t have to go into debt in order to buy one. In fact, proper financial planning is a big part of a successful engagement. It isn’t “sexy” and it doesn’t sound romantic, but it’s true. If you want to have a successful engagement, marriage and future together, making sound financial decisions is important. In short: it’s not wise to spend more than you can afford on an engagement ring. Remember, once you propose, the wedding comes fast and that means even greater expense.
This makes getting a great deal on an engagement ring even more important.
Don’t worry, you don’t need to be some sort of super negotiator or expert in order to get the best deal on an engagement ring. Here are some tips that could help you.
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Plan your Purchase
- Planning is a crucial part of an engagement. Before you buy a ring, think of what sort of ring you want. Consider your partner’s tastes. After all, you don’t want to buy an engagement ring that your special someone won’t like.
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It’s also critical that you set your budget before buying a ring. This will help you narrow down your search and keep you from falling in love with a ring that you simply cannot afford.
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Do your Research
- There’s a lot to research when it comes to engagement rings. One of the first things you’ll want to understand is the 4 Cs. This refers to cut, color, clarity and carat weight of a diamond. For more information, visit our complete guide to the 4 Cs of diamond quality.
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Don’t worry, you won’t need to become a diamond expert to get the best deal on an engagement ring, but you should certainly spend some time doing research. Not sure where to start? Check out our diamond education center for more.
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Shop Around
- Don’t just go to the jewelry store that’s closest to your home. Not all jewelers are created equal. You will find a very wide variety of diamonds, settings, and services at different stores. Don’t just consider large chain stores either. Smaller stores and independent jewelers may offer more unique rings, more customized services, and potentially even better prices on engagement rings.
- Shop around online and speak with jewelers to find the right store for you.
Buying an Engagement Ring Online
Buying an engagement ring online is an excellent way to save money. If you want to get the best deal on an engagement ring, consider using the internet to make your purchase.
There are a number of reputable jewelers that sell engagement rings online. However, you may want to exercise some caution, especially if you’re trying to buy an engagement ring off of an auction site or a classified site. While you might be able to get a good deal, there are also many scams out there that you’ll want to watch out for. Only deal with reputable sellers.
When buying an engagement ring online, you’ll want to follow many of the same tips that you would if you were buying at a physical jewelry store.
Make sure that the diamonds are accompanied by a grading certificate from a recognized grading institute such as the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), The International Gemological Institute (IGI) and the American Gem Society (AGS).
You’ll also want to confirm the jeweler’s policies on shipping, refunds, exchanges, resizing, and much more. Knowing this information in advance gives you great peace of mind.
Finally, you will want to do some research into the jeweler. Read reviews online and ask friends and family members who have purchased rings before. With a little research, you will be able to find out quite a lot about the jeweler and you could be well on your way to getting the best deal on an engagement ring.