You do not need a relationship expert to tell you that you have found the girl of your dreams. You know from deep within that you want to spend your life with her. You have finally decided to make a commitment after dating her for a while, and have an engagement date set and your speech ready. However, the greatest challenge is getting the perfect engagement ring.
Women expect the best when it comes to an engagement ring. You may get a few clues from her about what she expects on the day you propose, but the challenge will be far greater if you are living on a budget. You may have to save for some months to get her the best, but you do not have to rob a bank to do it. Here are a few tips to help you get a discount when buying an engagement ring:
1. Break Away from Traditions
You must forget about the traditions you have heard about what an engagement ring should look like or cost. Every woman knows about the three-months-salary rule. In fact, your girlfriend may bring it up if she suspects that you are about to propose. The reality is that you may have nothing to live on or spend on your wedding day if you follow this rule. She also might not be impressed by what your three months salary can buy if you’re just starting your career. You need to have a discussion with her about such traditions if you suspect that she lives by this rule. The cost of the engagement ring should not affect your relationship if you are serious about spending your lives together. You need to start with a budget in mind and stick to it no matter what you find.
2. Go for a Lower Weight
The weight of the diamonds determines the price of the ring. The heavier the diamonds, the higher the price is. The good thing is that you can get identical diamond rings with different weights. Go for the lighter ring if it fits your budget. Most women will not notice the difference in weights. In addition, it is highly unlikely that your girlfriend will go and check the actual weight of the diamonds. Whenever you see a beautiful ring that she might like but it is beyond your budget, ask the retailer if a similar but lighter ring exists. You may be surprised by the amount of money you can save if you are willing to compromise a little on the weight.
3. Buy Alternative Stones
The first thought that likely comes to mind when you think about buying an engagement ring is diamonds. In fact, they say that diamonds are a girl’s best friend. The truth is that a good diamond ring may be a stretch for you if your earnings are low. It may be a long time before you are able to pop the question if you keep waiting to save enough for a diamond. Instead, consider alternative stones that are valuable, but cheaper than diamonds. For instance, you can go for gems that look like diamonds such as white sapphire or cubic zirconia. If you are not dating a conventional bride, you might be shocked to find that she doesn’t even like conventional diamond rings. For most women, what counts is the effort you put into getting the ring. After all, she knows your income and should be able to appreciate the ring you can afford.
4. Buy a Second-Hand Ring
Have you heard of yard sales? Did you know that some people sell their engagement rings at such things? When an engagement or marriage is broken, most women opt to sell their engagement rings. It is their way of getting rid of the bad memories of a broken relationship. You can get up to 40% off a highly priced diamond ring in a yard sale. However, the seller must provide a certificate of appraisal for the ring. It only takes an hour or so to get an appraisal and hence a genuine seller should be able to do this for you. You do not want to propose with a stolen or fake ring. Many yard sales are advertised on social media platforms. Check the local pages from time to time for the best second-hand rings.
5. Shop Online
Women can shop every day of the week and still not get bored. Men are different. You might think you are ready to make a decision after visiting three jewelry shops on the same street, and you may not have enough time to travel all over town comparing prices. Instead, buy from an online retailer like Adiamor. You will be able to compare the prices and the specifications of different rings from the comfort of your home. The retailer will guide you in choosing the best ring within your budget. In addition, you can compare the retailer’s prices with other online retailers before making a final decision.
6. Avoid Branded Rings
If you are trying to save money on your next engagement ring, forget about brand names. Branded designs are very expensive compared to other rings of the same weight. You can always customize your ring to look like one of the branded designs you admire. Some men do not even know that they are shopping for branded designs. Shopping online helps you differentiate between normal rings and the top-rated brand names. There is nothing wrong with getting a brand name ring if you can afford it. She will treasure it for life. However, if you are on this page looking for ways to get discounts, that might not be the best option for you. Brand names come at a high price.
7. Give a Family Heirloom
A classic way of proposing is to give a family heirloom instead of shopping for a new ring. Some families have engagement rings that are passed down to younger generations. You will not need to use many words to convince a girl that she is special to you if you give her a family heirloom. The price, in this case, does not matter because the item holds value in your family. Ask your parents if such an heirloom exists, like your grandmother’s engagement ring, and whether they would be okay with you giving it to your girlfriend. The beauty of this is that you can still customize it to look like a modern ring. You will save money and carry on with family traditions at the same time.
8. Pay in Cash
Diamonds are expensive and the most convenient way to pay for them is with a credit card. Unfortunately, you will be incurring additional fees and interest rates on your card when you go for this option. You do not want to enjoy a beautiful moment and then have a debt to worry about afterwards. The best option is to pay for the ring in cash, with a check, or via bank transfer. Save the money if you must and pay for it in cash. Overcome the temptation to swipe your card at the next retailer. By the time you wire the money, you will be more than sure that you have found the perfect ring to spend your savings on.
9. Be Willing to Accept Some Flaws
One of the determining factors of the price of diamond rings is the level of clarity. The best and most expensive rings have no flaws. You can get a diamond ring in the S1 clarity range and save some money. The truth is that these rings have some flaws, but the flaws are invisible to the naked eye. It takes a trained eye to notice the imperfections in a diamond ring. For women who like fancy diamonds, their major concern is that they have a real diamond in their engagement ring.
10. Involve Your Partner
It is wise to involve your partner when shopping for an engagement ring. The beauty of a proposal is the element of surprise. Involving her does not take away the surprise if you do it right. Bring up the subject of engagement randomly and ask her what kind of ring she wants. For instance, if a mutual friend got engaged recently, ask her what she thinks of the ring and then start the discussion from there. She might reveal many things about her preferences that will save you some money. You could be thinking of the most expensive diamonds while she prefers alternative gems or a gold ring. You might be starving yourself to get the best while she would be comfortable with any ring within your income range.
You do not have to empty your savings account to buy an engagement ring if you know where and how to shop for one. Hopefully the tips we have discussed in this article will provide you with plenty of alternative options and help you buy a ring that is both suitable and within your budget. Good luck!