So, the time has come and you’re ready to propose. You’ve asked your future in-law’s permission and everyone is waiting on tenterhooks for you to pop the question. The only problem is: the engagement ring. It’s a piece of jewellery that your wife-to-be will be showing off to family and friends, with reckless, relentless abandon, and that puts a lot of pressure on you. It’s not as if you can walk into a jewellery store and ask for the cheapest one – that would be mortifying. No, buying a ring on a budget is a thoughtful process. So, here are 4 IDEAL tips on how to save money on an engagement ring.
Know Your Budget
You’re the only one who knows what your budget can stretch to. So, it’s important to figure out what you can afford before you start shopping. It’s also vital to know your options. Browse through a few different online stores, visit some bricks and mortar establishments and find out if there are any sales happening within your time frame. You’ll probably already have a specific date in mind for the proposal, so you’ll need to know whether delivery of the ring can be arranged by then. You should also be aware that some rings need to be sent away if they need re-sizing.
Second-Hand
Buying a second-hand ring isn’t as bad as it sounds. In fact, it can sometimes be just as, if not more, romantic. Imagine coming across a beautiful diamond ring in a charity store and knowing that the person who owned it had a long and wonderful marriage. There are many places where you may find a second-hand ring, for instance, a car boot sale, online seller’s stores like Amazon or eBay, even Facebook has selling pages. Always remember to identify real diamonds from fake ones, unless you want a nasty surprise later down the line.
Decrease Size
You could save yourself a significant amount of money simply by decreasing the size of diamond you’re looking for. If your partner has a particular ring in mind, it won’t be difficult to find the same sort of style but with a smaller diamond. You may be worried that she’s not getting the exact ring that she showed you, but the engagement will be much more important than the ring. If you’re not sure what to go for, take a picture of the ring she likes with you to stores and ask for the assistant’s recommendations. Asking could result in you seeing something that isn’t on display yet.
Four C’s
The four C’s stand for cut, clarity, colour, and carat. If you’ve spoken to your bride-to-be about the kind of rings that she likes, the cut is the priority above all else. You can save yourself some money by lowering the colour. The colour of a diamond is usually graded, so going down a grade won’t make much difference to how the ring looks, but it could make a huge difference to how much money is left in your pocket.
Remember, an engagement ring is not a commitment to financial insecurity, but a representation of your love. So be smart, be wise, and be thrifty.
