Getting your hands on the perfect engagement rings at affordable prices

Shopping for an engagement ring for their loved ones is a major expense which most people are more than happy to bear. However, an engagement involves various other expenses as well and buying an engagement ring encrusted with diamonds can be an expensive proposition for many. It is, however, possible to find an impressive engagement ring if you’re armed with a few basic facts about diamond engagement rings.

Everyone has heard about the 4Cs of diamonds: the holy grail of the diamond world. For the uninitiated, the 4 Cs refer to color, carat, clarity and cut. These factors can be quite perplexing for most people but a brief understanding of them is necessary to make an informed purchase. The following sections will explain these terms in layman’s terms to give you a general idea about them and help you find the perfect engagement rings.

· Color: Loose Diamonds are normally available in a host of colors ranging around pale yellow. This range of colors is referred to as the normal color range of diamonds. Diamonds are also available in other colors such as brown or dark yellow, but diamonds with these colors are very rare and hence extremely expensive. There are also diamonds that appear to be completely devoid of any colors and appear as bright white in color to an observer. Such diamonds are of the highest purity. The complete range of colors found in diamonds is specified on a scale of D to Z with D being colorless and Z referring to diamonds with pale yellow color. Diamonds in the color range of F to I are most common while there are a few diamonds that are rated above Z in the color range. Such diamonds are very rare and expensive and are called fancy colored diamonds.

· Carat: The carat rating of a diamond refers to its weight with one carat being equal to 200 milligrams. This method of representing the weight of a diamond is quite old and originally was intended to measure the weight of a diamond vis a vis that of the seed of a carob.

· Clarity: Loose Diamonds occur naturally in nature and therefore are not always free of deformities or flaws. In fact it is very rare to come across a diamond that is completely free of any flaws. The clarity rating of a diamond is used to rate the stone on the basis of its inherent flaws. The scale used for such a rating starts with FL, which refers to a completely flawless stone, and terminates in I3 which means that the diamond is seriously flawed. The commonly found diamonds that are easily available in the market are likely to have a clarity rating of SI1 or SI2, which means slightly included. There are diamonds available which have such clarity ratings such as IF, which means internally flawless, but these stones are unlikely to fit into the budget of the average buyer

· Cut: An uncut and unpolished diamond is quite ordinary in its appearance. That is why the cut of a diamond is of such importance since it essentially brings out the brilliance of an otherwise ordinary looking stone.

Everything you ever needed to know about diamond engagement rings

You can actually buy diamonds without paying through your nose. It makes no sense at all to go in debt just for buying your engagement ring. A common trend among people is to buy a diamond ring that costs you as much as your two months’ salary, but where did this trend originate from, one might ask? This is nothing but propaganda spread by the various diamond companies who’re only interested in their profits and the health of their balance sheets.

People often make hasty decisions while buying Engagement rings because of the emotional value attached to them and feel guilty about buying a not so expensive ring. It has sort of become a fashion among young couples to make a statement with their rings where the size of the diamond reflects the amount of love between the couple. Bigger the diamond, greater the love and attachment between the two.

Are diamonds a good investment option?

This is a common misconception among most first time diamond buyers who think that diamonds are good investment option. This myth is further promoted by diamond companies and jewelers who’re always trying to push you into a diamond worth more than you can really afford. The value of Loose diamonds does not appreciate significantly over time like other jewelry items and stones. Also, it is always advisable to avoid combining investment decisions with emotional decisions. You’d never be able to convince yourself or your partner to sell off your engagement rings to pay off a bad debt or loan.

Figuring the right amount to spend on your diamond engagement rings

Before you venture out shopping to select a Loose diamond ring for your engagement, it is advisable that you first come up with an approximate figure for your budget and the maximum amount you’d be willing to spend. This decision should only be based on your financial health and various other factors such as emotional value, fear or a temptation to make good impression on your partner or your in-laws should be kept aside. The salesman at the diamond ring store will also try his best to sell you a ring worth much more than your real budget so you should steer clear of his pressure tactics.

Decide on whether to choose the ring with your partner or all by yourself

This is a tricky decision to make for all men. You can choose the ring yourself and then later surprise your partner. This way you get to see her reaction on seeing her Engagement ring for the first time. But there’s always the risk that she may not like your choice or has a preference for other stones. It’s a catch 22 situation and it can be very tricky getting out of it.