If you plan to marry in the future, it is tradition for the man to present his bride to be with a special ring, and someone must shop for engagement rings. But what is the best way to shop and how can one keep from going over budget? Here are some helpful tips to get you started.
What is Most Important?
Are you shopping for rings with the largest diamonds? Perhaps you want the most fire or sparkle? Maybe you are interested in diamond paving or perhaps three stone engagement rings. Determine which feature is the most important and go from there. Once you set your priorities it helps to determine your budget.
Strategies for Finding the Perfect Ring
If size matters a great deal, there are ways you can make a diamond appear larger. Here are some things to consider:
- Halo rings – a halo setting includes many small stones surrounding the center diamond. This setting can accent your stone and make it appear large. You can choose from many different styles of halo engagement rings, depending on the type of center stone you want.
- Bezel – a bezel setting is a good strategy when you are on a budget. You won’t have to pay for a lot of diamonds as the center stone is the main feature of bezel engagement rings. If you want something with more sparkle, choose paved diamonds instead of smooth gold or silver.
- Vintage rings – many vintage or antique style rings are made to accent or enhance the main diamond. You can choose from a variety of styles and there are a lot of affordable selections available.
Diamond Cut
Some cuts will naturally appear larger than others. In fact, if you go with fancier cut diamond like oval or pear shaped cuts, you can greatly enhance the center stone’s appearance. Engagement rings with round cut diamonds may be the least desirable unless you can afford more carats.
More Sparkle
The higher the clarity rating the more sparkle you will receive. However, it costs more to get a stone with fewer flaws. Round cut diamonds deliver the most fire for their size and if you enhance them in a halo setting you can make them look larger also.
Color tips
Clear or colorless diamonds are expensive. However, you can go with a stone with slightly more yellow and still get plenty of sparkle. Instead of choosing an F or G rating, check out what is available in J or H. You may find a significant difference in price, too.
