Find the right shape for you.
Knowing what your partner wants in diamond shape will help you focus your engagement ring hunt. Each cut (also called a shape) has a different cost and is unique. The most expensive cuts are round, while pear or marquise have the lowest prices. You can get more carats for a lower price if you choose a different shape than the traditional round cut. Be sure to research ring cuts before looking for an engagement ring.
Select a metal for the band
Traditional engagement rings and wedding bands are made of yellow, white, or platinum. However, rose gold has been a popular alternative in recent years. Although platinum looks very similar to silver, it is much more expensive because of its higher density and rarer nature. Some metals scratch more quickly than others. Before you make a decision, consider your lifestyle and budget. Also, consider whether you want stones to be set in your chosen band.
Keep a Carat Size in Your Mind
It is a matter of quality versus quantity that rings are made. Some people prefer larger stones to whiter ones, while others desire the clearest diamonds, regardless of their carat counts. Jaclyn Kirorian, Jupiter Jewelry in New York, says the spouse-to-be should know about her or his stone size. Although people may say that size doesn’t matter, it is the starting point because color, clarity, and price can be adjusted to ensure you find something within your budget.
When shopping for jewelry, size is important. Be sure to keep the right carat size in your mind and adjust the price of other items to fit your budget.
You should also be open-minded. While your significant other may think they know what size or shape they prefer, trying on rings might reveal they are looking for something completely different. Finding something entirely new is always possible once you see it on your finger. Smaller carat weight can help you save significant money. The most desirable weights are the ones that increase diamond prices. Consider half- and whole-carat weights (.50 to 1, 1.5, etc.). Emily Duke, Finesse Diamonds Corp, says that if a diamond is less than these common weights, it will cost you less, and nobody will be able to tell the difference.
Take the time to measure correctly.
Although it may seem obvious, make sure you measure your ring fingers. A ring that cuts off circulation is not a good idea. Or worse, if it’s too loose, it could cause problems with your circulation. You want it to feel comfortable but not too snug. You can shop for your engagement rings separately or go to a jewelry store and get sized. Then, casually mention your size the next time you are asked.
Take a look at how your engagement ring will look with your wedding band.
It is easy to get wrapped up in searching for the perfect diamond. However, the engagement ring only represents one-half (or less if you go the stack route). The other half of the equation is the often-overlooked wedding band. It is the symbol of your marriage. Consider what type of wedding band you would like to match your ring. You may be unable to fit a wedding band flush against some engagement rings. It is important to look at the whole package of prongs versus channel-set stones and pave before you commit to a style.
Always buy certified
An engagement ring can be one of the most costly purchases in your life. Take your time and shop wisely. Make sure you only purchase a certified stone from an accredited laboratory like the American Gem Society for Gemological Institute of America. Diamonds can be certified by other labs to have higher grades. This can give the customer the illusion that they are getting a better deal, warns Ira Weissman of The Diamond Pro. Weissman says this is the most common trick jewelry shops use.
Make sure the certificate matches the diamond.
The majority of diamonds have laser engravings on the girdle. This can be checked using a jeweler’s loupe. Many have inclusions, so you can examine the diamond to see if the imperfections match the map on the certificate.
Make sure you are careful about the quality of your cut and clarity.
Weissman suggests you save big by buying the lowest-color diamond, which will still appear colorless to the naked eye. This is the most common color for round diamonds made in white gold. It’s usually an I or J. He says that you can even get a K color in yellow gold. “The price difference between a J and D color is huge.” The same principle applies to clarity. He suggests you choose the lowest clarity diamond, which is still visible to the naked eye. It will look identical to a flawless diamond, provided all other factors are equal. The price difference between a flawless diamond and one with SI1 or SI2 clarity is significant.
Private jeweler Dan Moran, the founder of Concierge Diamonds, advises clients not to sacrifice the quality cut of the diamond. Why? Why? It’ll look stunning if you take a rough diamond and make it perfect. You can’t take a top-of-the-line rough diamond and make it look bad. It will look like garbage.
Negotiate like a boss
Rosey West founder Michael Dobkin explains that engagement rings can be marked up far beyond their required margins. Some rings can be marked up to 500 percent. Dobkin recommends that you do your research and negotiate. A good jeweler will work within your budget to get the best quality for you.
Go to the Wholesale District
Monil Kothari is the founder of Andre, an NYC fine jewelry startup. Kothari says that a wholesaler or private retailer like me can work one-on-one with customers to design a ring for them. We don’t have the overhead that traditional retailers do, so we can save them more than 30%, giving them the best bang for their buck.
Leave a Reply