When my husband and I got engaged, he managed to find a better deal on a diamond ring than he would have gotten if he had gone to the major jeweler in the area. By going about the shopping in a different way and considering different factors it’s possible to find your own bargain, whether you are hunting for gifts or looking for an engagement ring.
The cuts and clarity
Cuts and clarity are areas that you can’t compromise on. You might think that you want a certain type of carat, but the thing that makes the diamond sparkle is the cut. A big diamond that is kept poorly will not look good, and clarity measures the flaws within the diamond. You can always use a diamond clarity chart for reference. My husband chose a slightly smaller carat to instead get better clarity, and I am so glad he did.
Carats and color
When it comes to carats, it all depends on the budget you have — there can be a difference in price between 1.25 carats and 1.5 carats. The reality is that unless you are a diamond expert, you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between the two, which means that if you opted for a slightly lower carat, this would make a big difference in your overall costs. When it comes to color, you may want to look at a color chart. It starts from D, which is colorless, all the way to Z+, which is a posh-looking yellow. If you are looking for an engagement ring, anywhere between D and J is perfect. This means you’ve got seven different types to choose from within your budget.
Compromising
You need to operate with a budget in mind. But this means compromising to a certain extent. It’s important to remember that if there is a diamond that appears cheaper in price than the rest, it’s very likely there’s a reason. It could have many more flaws, for example. Consider what is important to you.
Finding alternatives
You may be looking for sustainable or ethically sourced diamonds, but the fact is that you could opt for a lab-made diamond that costs approximately 30% less than mined diamonds with the same type of quality, aesthetics and durability.
Style of the ring
Having a ring style that suits the recipient’s personality will make a big difference in the ring in general. It’s also important to consider the band that would house the diamond because this can also make a big difference in the price. Some people prefer a simple band, while others want smaller diamonds surrounding the main stone.
If you are looking for a ring for a particular occasion, then that will obviously need to feed into this decision making process as well. Finding the ideal Halo engagement rings can be particularly difficult, for instance, so when you come across one that seems suitable, you should definitely make sure you grab it. All in all, the style needs to be appropriate for the situation at hand.
Many people nowadays are also opting for other gemstones. Do things your way without going overbudget.
Marette Flora is the founder of Floradise blog and personalized gift shop. Marette is a passionate storyteller and creator. She attended the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University and obtained a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communication.
She is passionate about creating helpful and meaningful things.