So you've been in that perfect relationship for some time now. You've been dropping hints about the future and he is receiving you loud and clear. It's time to do a little "window shopping." After all, you don't want to leave one of the most important decisions in your life entirely up to him, do you? He WILL lose sleep over finding that perfect engagement ring, even though he will not admit it. So why not help him out a little, give him some guidance and direction.
There are so many choices when it comes to shopping for engagement rings and you and he will hear a lot of advice from a lot of "helpful" people. His "Uncle Charlie" will know a guy who knows a guy. Your sister will tell you that you have to get your ring where she got hers. Your co-worker will tell you about this really cool website. And on and on, there will be advice around every corner.
Let's go through some of the available options and identify the pros and cons of each. This should help you both figure out what the best option is for you.
Your Local Jewelry Store: Definintely a great place to start. A jewelry store will have a small selection of pre-set engagement rings for you to see in person, and try on. If you run into a helpful sales associate that is willing to spend some time with you and explain all of the nuances of buying diamonds, it will be well worth your time.
PROS Seeing the diamond in person. Nothing beats the feeling of seeing diamonds sparkle on your finger!
Talking to a knowlegable human being and getting answers to questions face to face.
CONS Limited selection. Most local jewelry stores do not have the financial resources to carry a large inventory of diamonds. However, many stores do work with suppliers who are able to send them goods on memorandum (like consignment) if they have a customer who is looking for a particular diamond.
Price. You will pay more at a jeweler, period. Sure you can try and negotiate and feel like you got a better price, but a jeweler will not sell you that diamond for less than a substantial profit. Most jewelers need to make a "keystone" markup on every item, which is double what they paid for that diamond. This markup covers the high overhead costs of running a store including insurance, rent and sales commissions.
Antique Shops: If you are looking for a ring that is truly unique, this is the place for you. You'll need to do some leg work and visit many different stores to see what's available, but it could be worth it in the long run.
PROS Most likely to find a one of a kind ring. If you have the need to be an original, stick to your search and you will find that proverbial "diamond in the rough."
CONS Unless you get lucky, expect a long search. You may only find a handful, if any rings in the shops you visit.
Most rings will not have any type of certification or appraisal. Unless you know a great deal about diamond grading, it is possible to get taken advatage of very easily.
The Internet The Holy Grail and the Bottomless Pit of information, all wrapped in one. By far, you will find the largest selection of diamonds and engagement rings here, but that can be quite overwhelming. Start with the basics and work your way through this checklist.
1. Shape - Diamonds are cut into 10 most common shapes, but there are countless other "designer" shapes popping up in the industry on a regular basis. Most of the shapes are self explanatory (round, oval, pear, heart), but do you know what a Marquise or a Radiant looks like? Take a look at the most commonly available diamond shapes and decide what you like best.
2. Size - Bigger is better, right? Not necessarily. Unless your fiance has very deep pockets, you will not be getting a 5 carat boulder to weigh you down. Too many men are convinced that it has to be big. Would you like to have a big ugly rock that is dull and lifeless on your hand, just so you could tell everyone it's 3 carats, or would you rather have a beautiful, sparkling beacon of light catching all of your friends attention. You won't have to wave your hand in front of them to notice, they will come to you!
3. The 4 C's - The most common phrase in the diamond business and the most important when shopping for a diamond online. The 4 C's represent a diamond's cut, color, clarity and carat weight. CUT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECT OF A DIAMOND'S FIRE AND BRILLIANCE. So many people buying diamonds focus on color and clarity, that cut is often overlooked. You can spend a fortune buying a flawless clarity and perfect color (white) diamond, yet if it is poorly cut, it will be dull and lifeless.
4. The Mouting Metal - This is basically a matter of personal preference and what looks best on you. Yellow gold is classic and works best for a solitaire engagement ring. Yellow gold is also better for mounting diamonds with a lower color grade (yellowish tint), because the yellow from the diamond blends into the setting. White gold and Platinum give a modern look and work best with three stone rings. Be sure to choose a diamond with a high color grade, otherwise the white moutning will negatively emphasise a yellowish diamond.
5. The Online Engagement Ring Builder - The most fun part of buying a diamond online is being able to build your own ring. Choose a diamond and a setting, then email it to your fiance. Even if he doesn't buy it online, he will know exactly what style to look for when he goes shopping. No surprises, and everyone is happy!
There are hundreds of diamond and jewelry web sites out there, but my advice is to stick with the leaders in the field. The two major players are Blue Nile and Mondera. On their sites, you can browse thousands of diamonds as well as build your own engagement ring and see how different settings look with different shape diamonds. They both have highly knowlegable and very friendly customer service staff that can answer questions about diamonds and settings, and offer a no risk 100% guarantee and return policy.
You can also browse our site for weekly updates to diamond prices and more in depth diamond education. We also maintain a searchable database of diamonds from leading online jewelers so you can compare similar diamonds from multiple sources.
Good luck and CONGRATULATIONS!
For more information, please visit Diamond prices and education.
When planning your wedding, what type of entertainment are you... Read More
That first wedding was a dream, a gorgeous long white... Read More
Everybody who has decided to marry wants their day to... Read More
White is traditionally a symbol of purity and as it... Read More
Got a yen for Elvis? Lots of people do. There... Read More
If you are planning to have a full wedding that... Read More
The look of the wedding invitations you send will not... Read More
"Is it better for a woman to marry a man... Read More
If you are looking forward to a vacation of attractive... Read More
How much should you spend on a diamond engagement ring?$100?$1000?How... Read More
Cruising down the river was always deemed by couples the... Read More
"Las Vegas theme weddings are the envy of the world.... Read More
Your lovely fiancée has chosen her 'maids, and now you're... Read More
Weddings are momentous occasions to all people involved; especially the... Read More
A couple should trust each other in many ways. When... Read More
The kids are yelling, the dog is barking, and you... Read More
Today my three-year-old daughter told my husband that she wants... Read More
Whether your wedding will be coming up roses, daffodils, or... Read More
AttendantsAttendants, include the best man, Bridesmaid, ushers, and groomsmen. Generally... Read More
So many couples are planning to have their wedding at... Read More
Just because you don't have a lot of money doesn't... Read More
A frustrating lack of permanence plagues modern relationships. Approximately one... Read More
The tradition of hosting a bridal shower for the bride... Read More
Australia honeymoon vacations are more than just being the pleasure... Read More
Nestled in the beautiful Smoky Mountains, Gatlinburg's romantic and beautiful... Read More
If you're like most people, you probably entered into marriage... Read More
There is nothing more romantic than a wedding by water... Read More
When it comes to marriage, there are things that you... Read More
Weddings are made in heaven, they say, but they have... Read More
Whoever said diamonds are women's best friends, surely missed on... Read More
One of the biggest areas of dispute in estate planning... Read More
1. Start with a nice clean piece of paper (lavender... Read More
"What am I supposed to have in my invitation?" This... Read More
Weddings are made in heaven, they say, but they have... Read More
Diamond hunting can be quite traumatic for the uninitiated. It... Read More
As a personal and professional development coach, I have listened... Read More
He's proposed, and most likely you're flashing your new engagement... Read More
When it comes to consideration for the right wedding favor,... Read More
Make your upcoming event the most memorable ever by adding... Read More
Congratulations! You have found the man of your dreams and... Read More
Just as destination weddings are fast growing in popularity, so... Read More
People are looking for life-long relationships in the most peculiar... Read More
Choosing who should walk down the aisle with you is... Read More
When you think about couples who renew their wedding vows,... Read More
Homemade wedding favors come from a centuries old tradition of... Read More
India is a diverse, multi-cultural country with people of various... Read More
It wasn't the wedding of the century. Six people in... Read More
Of course, times have changed and there are occasions where... Read More
Basically, there are three wedding bouquet styles. The cascade, round... Read More
Bridal showers are one of many pre-wedding parties and are... Read More
Save the Date Cards are announcements that inform your guests... Read More
To keep romance alive and nurture the intimacy in your... Read More
You have purchased the latest bridal magazines from your local... Read More
One of the most memorable days in our lives is... Read More
Biologically, a coupling between male and female (with some very... Read More
Remodels are tough on everyone. The house is out of... Read More
Wedding catering has always been one of the most crucial... Read More
So you're toying with the idea of getting married? Maybe... Read More
Many of the Jewish wedding traditions are derived from ancient... Read More
Diamonds may be a woman's best friend, but modern man... Read More
This is intended as a guide to help you plan... Read More
You've gotten engaged and have set the wedding date and... Read More
You're well into planning your wedding and have finally decided... Read More
Save a substantial amount of money on invitations, without sacrificing... Read More
Mexico, a country rich in arts and ancient cultures and... Read More
OverviewI suppose a typical Christian wedding in the UK can... Read More
Marriage & Wedding |