Buying a Diamond Engagement Ring What You Need to Know .

When deciding to get engaged, you’ll surely have a lot running through your
mind, but putting yourself into debt by buying an overpriced engagement ring
shouldn’t be one of them.
Here’s some advice so that you can buy a diamond
engagement ring without breaking the bank.


The Diamond as an Investment
Sit down at any jewelry counter and you’ll be sure to hear a sales
pitch about
the highest quality diamonds being a good investment. It’s true that diamonds
are  a  precious commodity  and that they  may  increase in  value  over  time,  but
seriously,  no  one  should  be  buying  an  engagement  ring  as  a  way  to  diversify
their portfol
io. Diamond engagement rings shouldn’t be a couple’s emergency
relief   fund,   so   focus   your   finances   on   the   present   and   think   about   the
diamond’s price today.
How much should I spend?
Decide on your budget
before heading out to the jewelry store, where you put
yourself under the pressure of sales people and special offers. Remember that
you aren’t out to impress the jeweler (who you’ve never even met before) or
anyone   els
e   with   the   price   of   your   engagement   ring.   Stay   within   your
parameters and you’ll keep yourself out of debt.

Should we buy the ring together?
Relationship  statistics  show  that  more  than  half  of  men  surprise  their  loved
one  with  a  diamond  engagement  ring  dur
ing  their  proposal.  This  means  that
the majority of men get no input if size, cut, and cost are important to her. By
bringing  her  along  to  the  check  out  rings,  you  can  get  a  better  picture  of  the
finances behind the ring and you’ll know that she will get t
he engagement ring
she truly wants.
How much do diamond engagement rings cost?
There  are  two  major  factors  which  contribute  to  the  cost  of  a  diamond:  a
ratings  system called  the  “Four  Cs” and  whether  or  not  the  diamond  is
ASG/GIA  certified.  The  Four  Cs  ref
ers to the diamond’s color, cut, clarity, and
carat  size.  As  a  general  rule,  as  a  diamond  increases  in  size  and  clarity,  and
decreases in color, the price of the diamond rises. Diamonds that are ASG/GIA
certified  are  also  more  expensive.  Most  jewelry  store
s  follow  this  pricing
structure:
Quarter carat or less diamond, $125 to $500 set in 14 carat gold
.3 to half carat diamond, $750 to $1,000 set in 18 carat gold or platinum,
possibly more if ASG/GIA certified
For  diamonds up  to  .75  carat,  or  smaller  ASG/GIA  certified  stones,
$1,000-$2,000
For diamonds up to 1 carat, $2,000 to $3,500, set in 14 carat gold
High  quality  1  carat  diamond,  $4,000  or  more,  set  in  18  carat  gold  or
platinum
A diamond m
ay last forever, but if you aren't in the financial position to afford
a big expensive ring you can always start out small and upgrade later.

Tips for Saving Money on a Ring
Here are some alternatives to buying your ring from an expensive
jeweler:
Use a family ring for your engagement
Buy a ring from an antique shop
Stunning high quality cubic
zirconia
Pawn shops or classified ads
Consider an alternative stone to a diamond
Purchase a setting using several smaller stones instead of one large
stone