Engagement ring shopping can be one of the most exciting experiences for a couple! While this is a milestone many people are excited to reach, it’s important to be mentally and emotionally prepared before you start the buying process.

Spend What YOU Can Afford

You never want to purchase an engagement ring that will leave you in an uncomfortable financial situation. Remember, an engagement ring is meant to symbolize your commitment and love to your significant lover. It’s not meant to put you in financial stress!

Make sure you’ve reviewed your current debts and income, even before setting a budget and visiting a jewelry store. Of course, this will be different for every couple. As you sort through your finances, give yourself a ballpark estimate on what amount you’d feel most comfortable investing in an engagement ring.

If you feel uncomfortable reviewing your finances on your own, it’s a great idea to contact a financial planner to give you some advice on a reasonable budget to set. They will be able to guide you during this process.

What is your fiancé-to-be expectation?

Being proposed to can be one of the most exciting milestones in a persons life.

Be sure you’re on the same page as your partner. You wouldn’t want to ruin the moment by doing the wrong thing. If your partner expects an extravagant engagement ring, it might be helpful to talk about finances before shopping. In todays modern times, there are couples who are open to splitting the cost between both of them.

Three Months Salary Rule – Is it outdated?

If you’ve done any online research so far, you’ll most likely come across the two month salary “rule”. This rule was created by De Beers marketing team after

Let’s do some simple math. If you earn $60,000 a year, you’d be expected to spend $15,000 on an engagement ring. If that sounds like a reasonable amount for you, then stick to this guideline. For most people, this is not a comfortable budget. Therefore, we say calculate your budget based on your current income, debts, and desires.

Prioritize! What’s most important to you?

Priorities differ from couple to couple. Perhaps you dream of putting down a large down payment on a house over purchasing a large engagement ring. Or vice versa!

There are diamond “alternatives” such as moissanite and manmade diamonds which can significantly bring down the final cost. You don’t have to sacrifice on quality if you have a lower budget.

What is your lifestyle?

This portion of the engagement ring shopping often goes unnoticed. If you’re soon to be fiancé lives a very active lifestyle, it might be a clever idea to purchase a smaller center stone. A smaller center diamond reduces the chances of an engagement ring getting damaged by outside activity. There are a few couples who even decide to get rid of the engagement ring all together, and stick with wedding bands. Discuss these options with your partner!

Is Bigger Better?

Often times, designing an engagement ring filled with sentimental qwerks that will tug at her heart strings. That being said, bigger carat weight isn’t always what she wants. There are ways to personalize any ring without a large center stone.

How do I Save up for an engagement ring?

Try working backwards. Once you set your budget, figure out a timeline for your proposal date. Divide your budget by the number of months you have until your proposal day. Keep in mind, it could take up to a month to create an engagement ring, especially if you’re hoping to create a custom design.

So for example. Let’s say you have set a budget of $5,000 for your engagement ring, and want to propose in 5 months. You should plan to save $1000 a month. Make sure you contact your jeweler and ask if any financing is available if you’re not able to save up before your planned proposal date. Keep in mind, wholesale jewelers like Diamond and Gold Warehouse offer better prices than most jewelry stores, but typically do not offer financing plans. It’s a great idea to discuss payment during the beginning moments of your appointment.

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There are many traditions being broken in the wedding industry. Women are opting to keep their last name, and some are keen on ditching the idea of a white dress. Here are a few new trends we’ve seen when it comes to engagement ring shopping.

It’s normal to shop for the ring together

As tradition goes, the groom-to-be takes up the responsibility of choosing the engagement ring for his future fiancé. With so many jewelry designs and styles available, this can quickly become an overwhelming task.

Shopping together takes the pressure off when having to choose the perfect ring without the insight of your significant other. Ring shopping together gives you an opportunity to choose specific styles that represents your everlasting connection.

Since this is a big investment, it’s a great idea to get exactly what you want the first time around. If you’re still looking to be surprised, suggest certain elements you MUST have, and leave the rest up to him!

The Center stone doesn’t have to be a Diamond

With cost-conscious movements like Tiny Homes, you can see there’s a big wave of people looking to save money on big investments. While diamonds are the most traditional route, a great way to save costs on your engagement ring is by choosing a Gemstone as the center stone.

Popular gemstones include (but are not limited to) sapphires, pink moissanite, and amethyst.  For those who lean towards very unique center stones, there are about 130 species of gemstones to choose from. While a gemstone can add a fun pop of color to your ring finger, it’s a smart way to save on costs.

Non-traditional Stone Shapes are Trending

Engagement rings have become a way to express your personal style. While Oval Cut and Round Cut diamonds will always be popular for its timeless aesthetic, it could be worth your while to choose a diamond cut that is less expected. Keep in mind, trending diamonds usually see a spike in price. As the market fluctuates, browse diamond cuts that have been overlooked.

Take for example the Marquise Cut diamond. This particular diamond cut has the illusion of appearing larger than its carat weight. Its unique shape is unexpected, yet elegant. Shopping for non-traditional cuts has the potential to save you money in the long run, and is a great way to express your individuality.

Splitting the Cost is an option

Engagement rings can be an expensive investment! While this is a controversial topic, more couples are having the conversation to split the cost. Some women agree to contribute, relieving their partner of any financial pressure. Other women don’t find it appropriate and see an engagement ring purchase as the duty of their spouse. Whatever your perspective is, it’s best to open the conversation and see what your partner stands on this matter.

Guys can wear engagement rings too

This switch in tradition has slowly gained popularity within the past few years. It has become more common to find men are equally as interested in showing off their commitment before the wedding day, just like their bride-to-be. The rise of “man-gagement” rings can surely be a new trend to come, as more woman want their partner to be more inclusive in the engagement process. And as an added bonus, the price for men’s wedding bands is far more affordable than an engagement ring.