You’re planning on proposing to your sweetheart. You’re excited about getting down on one knee and offering them the ring, but what you’re not so excited about? The cost. Is there a way that you can trim down the costs of an engagement ring without sacrificing the quality?
Take a look at three strategies that will help you stay on budget and get a beautiful ring at the same time.
1. Look for Different Stones:
Diamond engagement rings are the most popular choice, but they’re also one of the most expensive ones. So, if you’re hoping to save some money on your ring purchase, this might not be the best gem for your budget.
The good news is that you still have options. If you’re positive that you want to get a diamond, you can cut down the costs by picking lab grown diamonds for your custom ring instead of earth-mined ones. Lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds. They look exactly the same as their earth-mined counterparts — the only difference is their origin (from a lab vs. underground) and what they cost.
Another option if you like the diamond look is to choose white sapphire or moissanite as the centre stone. What is moissanite? It’s a clear, white, sparkly gemstone that looks very similar to a diamond at first glance — with the benefit of costing much less.
You could also take this as an opportunity to opt for a completely different look. Maybe your future fiancée would love a rich blue sapphire or soft pink morganite in the middle of her ring?
2. Go to a Custom Jeweller:
One of the best things that you can do for your budget is skip the large jewellery chains for a smaller, local business. With a local custom jeweller, you won’t have to contend with high mark-ups on rings. They don’t have the same overhead costs to cover.
Another problem with big jewellery chains is that the rings are already made, and their prices are already set. If you shop there, you’re going to have to hunt for the options that work with your budget and hope they look good, too.
With a custom jeweller, you can make an engagement ring that works with your budget. You don’t have to limit yourself to a corner of a store. Talk to the jeweller ahead of time about what your spending expectations are, and they’ll guide you in the right direction.
3. Shrink the Size:
One thing that you might notice about the most expensive celebrity engagement rings is that the centre stones on them are enormous. Generally speaking, the larger the stone is, the more it’s going to cost. So, if you are concerned about your budget, you need to shrink the size of the rock.
Don’t get discouraged by the smaller size. You can still make the ring look stunning with some clever design tactics. Choose a dramatic cut like “oval” or “radiant,” which will make the stone look bigger. You could also make the stone look bigger by surrounding it with a halo of small diamonds. Essentially, there are plenty of ways that you can trick the eye.
Don’t push your finances to the brink just to get an engagement ring. You can find something that will work with your budget and make your future fiancée happy. It’s nowhere near impossible.
