Just because you have
limited financial resources doesn't mean you can't get a beautiful
engagement ring. Here's how to buy an engagement ring that your
future fiancé will love while sticking to a budget.
1. Choose an
Affordable Band
The first decision when
you purchase any jewelry of this nature is whether you want a silver-
or gold-colored band. Both are equally elegant, but many people have
a preference for one over the other. Go with whichever hue your
fiancé prefers and then, choose an affordable metal with that
coloring.
If your fiancé wants a
silver-colored band, there are several budget-friendly options.
Sterling silver is the most affordable metal that's considered a
precious metal, but you can also choose an alternative metal that
still has a color similar to that of silver, such as stainless steel.
Stainless steel rings aren't as coveted as silver ones, but the
metals look similar and stainless steel is highly affordable.
Other alternative
metals that have a silverish hue include tungsten and titanium. These
might cost more than stainless steel, but they could still be within
your budget. Platinum also looks similar, but it's a precious metal
and typically costs far more than sterling silver.
If you want to get a
gold-colored band, you'll need to look at true gold rings. Some of
these options may be outside of your budget, but others will be
within your budget because gold comes in a range of quality. For an
affordable choice, look at 9K and 10K yellow gold options. Although
these are on the lower end of the quality spectrum, they'll still be
beautiful.
2. Get a Colored
Gemstone
Although a clear
diamond may be the traditional stone for an engagement ring, it's far
from the only option. There are many other gemstones you can use,
including an array of colored ones. Everything from sapphires,
rubies, and emeralds to colored diamonds look great on an engagement
ring.
In most cases, colored
gemstones (including colored diamonds) cost less than traditional
clear diamonds because clear diamonds are in higher demand. These
alternative stones look just as gorgeous, though, and they let you
personalize an engagement ring to your fiancé's specific tastes.
And if you would rather
not, you don't need to tell your fiancé that finding a unique,
personalized stone for them actually saved you money.
3. Focus on What's
Visible to the Eye
Gemologists and
jewelers grade diamonds and colored gemstones according to the 4 C's.
These are:
These categories are
useful to a point, for they do influence how good a gemstone looks.
When they grade stones, however, gemologists will get to a point
where they assess quality based on features that aren't visible to
the naked eye. They put a stone under the microscope to look at the
quality of its most minute traits.
As a budget-oriented
buyer, you should appreciate the 4 C's for what they're worth to you.
Tell the jeweler whom you work with that you want something that
looks good per these categories, but that you aren't worried about
the smallest impurities.
You only need a stone
that looks good to the naked eye, for (hopefully) no one will put
your fiancé's finger under a microscope to assess their stone. You
won't see impurities that are only visible under a microscope, and
you can get a lower price on a stone that has such impurities because
it won't be graded as highly as gemstones that are perfect under a
microscope.
If you need help
finding an engagement
ring
for your fiancé and want to stick to a budget, contact
Marla's Gem Creations.
