Engagement ring shopping and proposals are common during this holiday season, and as ring purchases are at an all-time high in December, smart husbands-to-be can get bigger savings and better deals. The trick is in knowing a few facts about engagement rings. Take note of these tips before heading to the jeweler:
1) Carat
The cost of an engagement ring goes up depending on the carats, the diamond's weight. While you won't notice the weight of a 0.9 carat diamond against a 1 carat diamond, there's actually a huge price discrepancy between the two. The price tag could differ as much as 20 to 25 percent, according to Washington Post. So, if you'd like to shave off cost, it's perfectly alright to opt for the lower-carat diamond.
2) Clarity
The price of engagement rings is also based on the diamond's clarity or its flawlessness and inclusion grades. However, these particulars will only critically matter to the experts' eyes. "Your fiancé isn't going to study it under a magnifying glass and most inclusions will only be visible to experts," said Vashi Dominguez a diamond expert, via The Guardian. If the imperfections and blemishes aren't noticeable to the naked eye, then go for the more affordable ring.
"We recommend buying an 'eye-clean' diamond, one that has no imperfections visible to the unaided eye," said Josh Holland of Blue Nile, via Daily Finance. "This will save hundreds. After all, why pay for something you can't see? It's like paying someone to paint the bottom of your house."
3) Ring's Metal
For the ring's band, opting to buy gold instead of platinum will provide you with more options, as gold comes in different varieties, such as 14k, 18k, white gold, rose gold and green gold, per Jewelry Wise. Choosing one over the other can pull down the cost of the ring without sacrificing its durability. Silver bands can be a whole lot cheaper but can tarnish and dull quickly.
4) Nontraditional Stones
Some couples are opting to have nontraditional stones on their engagement and wedding rings, which can bring a significant difference to the price. Among the most recent trends include emeralds, sapphires and rubies. Diamonds are often still present on these rings, but only as an accent.
