There will be no questioning of the fact that engagement is one of the most memorable occasions in a person’s life. And to make this grand occasion more special, we usually do all the arrangements for it in the finest way possible. One of those necessary arrangements is getting a perfect diamond engagement ring for the engagement. Everyone wants to get the best ring for their engagement. You will find a wide range of rings in the market at different prices. You will find some inexpensive rings to highly expensive diamond rings. So, it will be you who have to decide the amount to spend on the ring. If your budget is tight, go for a ring with a tiny and light diamond that can be afforded easily. On the other hand, if no problem with the budget, look for a stunning heavy and shiny diamond for your engagement ring.
People think that a diamond engagement ring should only be brought from big and full furnished showrooms. However, this is not compulsorily required as it’s the reputation that matters and not the size of showroom. You can even purchase your ring from small jewelry stores instead of buying it from a huge store. You will definitely get the benefit of cost cut as big showrooms have very high margins on their products. The small jewelers are ready to offer their jewelry at a very fair price in order to get a large number of sales. The huge jewelry shops, on the other hand, sell their products at very high prices to cover the cost they are spending on their showcase. So, it is better to choose a small and reputable dealer for your diamond engagement ring.
Another thing to consider is to make sure that you are getting your ring at the right price. You must know the real price of a diamond ring in the market. If you don’t know the actual price of the jewelry, you cannot evaluate the cost and become unable to do a good bargain with the seller. Thus, ask a number of jewelry retailers about the price of your ring. You can also visit thrift shops or pawnshops so as to get a general idea about the cost.
Last but not least, you must check the certificates that you will get with your diamond engagement ring. Don’t even think of buying a diamond ring without the certificates that verify its value and cost. Take the recognized certificates as they will be laid as a proof of what you spend is worth of what you’ve got.
The following are reputable independent laboratories that issue trusted certifications or grading reports:
- American Gem Society Laboratories
- GemEx Systems Inc.
- Gemological Institute of America
- Gemological Science International
- International Gemological Institute
Not every diamond ring comes with a certificate, and diamond rings with a certificate and those who don’t have one look pretty much the same to each other. So, why bother buying a diamond ring with a certificate on it?
As you can see, a diamond engagement ring is considered as an emotionally and personally significant purchase as well as a sound financial investment. If you had to buy a diamond ring to your fiancee, it must be supported with trusted documentation which means that a certified diamond ring has undergone a rigorous certification process.
Another factor you may have to consider is the warranty, apart from the certification/grading report. Getting a warranty from a reputed jeweler is also a smart way to shop for a diamond engagement ring.
Diamonds are supposed to be forever, so at first, you’d think you don’t need to look for a warranty. However, you will be surprised to discover their durability is not actually that exceptional as they are reputed to be. A diamond can also become prone to chip or break, or fall off from the ring’s claws, but that depends on the cut and/or mounting. That’s why getting a warranty is a great idea as it will protect you from buying a diamond engagement ring that turns out to be defective or of poor quality. It’s always good to “make forever last” by purchasing a diamond ring which is backed up by a reliable warranty – it will also save you money in the long run as well.
Diamond alternatives
You may also consider diamond engagement ring alternatives that look like the real thing. Most people won’t know the difference between a genuine diamond and its worthy look-alike substitutes such as cubic zirconia or moissanite. Moissanite is almost as hard, durable and scratch-proof as a genuine natural diamond; in fact, it produces even a lot more sparkle than a diamond does – something that your future spouse would really love. Moissanite is a naturally occurring mineral (mostly found in meteorites), but you can also find simulant (man-made) moissanite whose physical and chemical properties are identical to those of mined diamonds. Cubic zirconia is a synthetic stone which looks like a natural diamond. It typically does not shine as brightly as a diamond or moissanite, but it is still very sparkly.
These diamond alternatives like moissanite and cubic zirconia look really pricey but in fact, they’re definitely cheaper than mined diamonds. You will be able to save some money without sacrificing beauty and quality.
There is another advantage of purchasing synthetic diamond engagement rings. Replacing a genuine diamond engagement ring with lab-created alternatives are definitely more environmentally friendly and more reliably ethical. According to a recent study, lab-created diamonds produced less than one-fifth of the carbon dioxide from diamond mining. Which means that replacing the annual diamond production at mines with synthetic ones would eliminate the equivalent of over 480 million miles’ worth of auto emissions. If you and your significant other have a huge heart for Mother Nature, you will definitely be happy to settle on a lab-grown diamond engagement ring alternative, knowing that you are contributing something good for the environment.
We all need to save money. If you are a student especially getting engaged then you probably have to spend money on tuition, help from a College Essay Writer, board, food, etc. Money for an engagement ring can be hard to come by.
You may also want to ask your betrothed about the type of ring that they would like. If they like colored stones (like sapphire or emerald) that speak more of their personality and preference, then you’ll probably won’t be spending a lot on them like you would on a diamond. After all, it’s the happiness of your future spouse that really matters, right?