How To Buy A Diamond (A.S.T Jewellery)
July 30th, 2010 | by |How To Buy A Diamond (A.S.T Jewellery)
if you\’re planning to propose to your girlfriend this Valentine\’s Day, the chances are you won\’t be feeling like diamonds are your best friend. Buying a diamond ring – as 75% of men do when they propose – can be a minefield.
Where do you start? What should you look for? Where do you get it from? How do you know if it\’s the real deal or a fake? And most importantly, is she going to like it?
Your budget will determine the type and size of ring you can buy, so it is a critical first step.
On average you can expect to spend ,500 to ,000 on a diamond engagement ring (though you can find rings with smaller stones for less money, and, of course, you can always spend more).
You may have heard that you should spend two months\’ salary on an engagement ring. Truth is, this standard has no real roots outside of the diamond industry and its influential marketing gurus. Debt, just like diamonds, can be forever.
If you still want to use the two months\’ salary as a general guideline, calculate that amount
Once you start thinking about buying a ring, it\’s best to start saving! Even putting away a little bit of money every week will make a huge difference over time.
The ring you buy should fit into your budget, plain and simple. You should spend what you are comfortable spending, and take into account all the other financial factors in your life: are you saving for a house, do you have significant debt?
As emotional as the engagement ring buying process can be, it\’s important to stick to your budget as this will be the first of many financial decisions you\’ll make that could affect your relationship in the future.
Where to shop?
The best way to find a good jeweler is to ask people you trust.
Close friends or family members who have recently been married should have some good recommendations for you.
You will spend less if you can find a wholesale jeweler. The big stores you recognize will factor advertising, pricey real estate leases, marketing, and other operating costs into the price of your diamond.
Be sure to double check a jeweler\’s reputation by looking him up on the Better Business Bureau