Choosing the Right Engagement Ring
All being well, you only buy engagement rings once, so it’s worth putting some effort into getting this hugely important purchase right. And when you start looking for engagement rings, you’ve probably not bought one before. Here are a few pointers to make things easier.
Engagement rings are, of course, emotive purchases. It can be easy to equate the amount you spend with the amount you love the person you’ll be marrying, but it would be wrong. The cliché that you should spend at least a month’s salary is just a diamond industry myth. So decide your budget before you even start looking at engagement rings, and be sure to stick to it.
If you’re looking at engagement rings, you have quite a few choices to make. Platinum or gold? Modern or traditional? Understated or unashamedly flashy? Put some thought into these decisions, and if you’re buying to surprise your girlfriend, think about the kind of jewellery she has already. If she loves silver with intricate designs, for example, think about a platinum engagement ring with intricate designs (often called filigree).
Diamonds, rubies and sapphires generally work best for engagement rings, because they are the most resistant to scratches and knocks. Your fiancée will be wearing this ring every day, remember! Emerald and topaz, for example, are not quite as long-lasting. Think about the shape of stone you want – a round diamond solitaire is the most popular choice. Think hard about the setting you want for your jewel as well.
You may want to consider taking your sweetheart’s mum or best friend with you when you go looking for engagement rings. But more couples are shopping for engagement rings together. You may lose the element of surprise, but at least that way you’ll know she loves her ring.
Making the Most of Your Budget
There are ways of getting the most from your budget. If your intended has always loved huge diamond rings, ask for a stone with a greater surface area. This will make it look bigger, even if it may not dazzle quite so much. Choosing a weight slightly below the carat you’ve been looking at, say 1.9 instead of 2, can save you money while barely affecting the ring’s appearance.
Rather than solitaire diamond engagement rings, a more affordable option is to have a less expensive central gemstone lie sapphire or topaz, with a couple of small diamonds either side. White gold engagement rings are less expensive than those made of platinum. Equally, you may be surprised to learn that antique engagement rings can be another cost-effective option.
Finally, going for a diamond with a high colour and cut, but a slightly lower clarity can also save you money. When choosing a stone, be sure to look at it through a loupe, or jeweller’s magnifying glass.
It’s important to choose your jeweller well, and Marlows Certified Diamonds, with its strong reputation and extensive selection of engagement rings and other jewellery, is a highly trusted name. Browse through some of our popular designs online and contact us for more details.
