How to Buy Diamond Engagement Rings

There is much to consider when purchasing a diamond – especially diamond engagement rings! The tradition of presenting a woman with a diamond engagement ring when proposing began in 1477 when Archduke Maximilian presented a diamond ring to Mary of Burgundy – and in most cases, the woman you plan to propose to will expect a ring to accompany that proposal!

First, determine how much ring you can afford. Most people use the ‘two months salary’ rule. This means that the ring should cost the equivalent of two months of your current salary. Because you have other bills to pay, saving up this amount of money may take quite a bit of time. You should consider financing. Simply go to the jeweler of your choice and tell them that you plan to buy an engagement ring, and that financing will be necessary. Go ahead and get the credit check out of the way, find out what your payments will be, and how much of a down payment is required.

Now, have your mother, sister, or your girlfriends best friend take your girlfriend shopping, and make sure that they gaze at the engagement rings to get an idea of what she might like.

Due to their high brilliance, the most popular diamond shapes are the round brilliant cut and the princess cut. Other diamond cuts used in the jewelry trade are emerald, heart, marquise, pear and oval.

A setting that is gaining in popularity is the bezal or the half bezal setting, where there is a strip or frame of gold or platinum around the diamond. This is an important point to consider if the woman is an active person because the bezel ring setting would protect the diamond.

Engagement rings and wedding rings are available in wedding sets . These consist of engagement rings and wedding rings or bands which match perfectly and can be both worn together or separately.

Make sure that the jewelry store you buy the ring from will allow you to return the ring, if that is required, or allow your girlfriend to exchange it for another if she isn’t happy with it!