Cushion Cut Diamond Ring- Fourtane

Today, more than ever t0-be-brides are picking out their wedding sets with their partners.  Jewelry can be so personal, and many men are involving their brides in the decision making process.

If this happens to be you, then you might love to look at the suggestions we have in this article.

If you have never purchased a diamond or a ring before, you will very quickly find out that there is a whole lot more to it than picking out something that is shiny and pretty. It is actually fairly complicated, and there are a lot of questions you need to ask and a lot of things you need to consider before making your purchase.

The most important factor, of course, is what is practical for you and your soon to be husband.  Many women don’t like bulky rings and would be just as happy with a simple gold band.

Be sure to figure out what styles are practical for you and your husband, so that your jewelry doesn’t end up in a drawer years down the road.

Many women have some very precise ideas regarding what their style looks like, so before buying a ring it is absolutely essential to discuss with your fiancee about preferences.

In fact, many recently-engaged couples have little to no knowledge of what to look for in an engagement ring at all. That is where this guide comes in.

The following are five questions to ask when you are getting ready to purchase an engagement ring….

#1) What Is Your Budget?

Many couples can be tempted to go overboard financially when purchasing an engagement ring.  That is why it is best to decide upfront what your budget is for purchasing a ring and to stick to that budget no matter what.

Today it is just as fashionable to buy a center gemstone than a diamond.  You can go for a variety of metals that look just as beautiful as a gold ring.  You certainly shouldn’t go into debt to buy jewelry when starting out your marriage.

#2) Do You Want Something Old Or Something New?

There are a lot of choices besides just the classic diamond solitaire engagement ring.  Many antique engagement rings are absolutely spectacular.

So the truth is that there are lots of choices out there and lots of opportunities to pick something that will suit your particular style.

#3) What Kind Of Stone Do You Want?

An engagement ring does not have to have a diamond on it.  In fact, a growing number of couples are opting for other exotic stones rather than diamonds for their engagement rings.  For example, blue sapphire engagement rings are becoming very popular.

So don’t be afraid to incorporate other gemstones into your engagement ring, and don’t be afraid if you want to leave diamonds out of your ring altogether.

#4) Do You Know Your 4 C’s – Cut, Clarity, Carat, and Color?

When looking at an engagement ring, you are going to want to ask about all four of these categories.  The cut of the diamond is more of a style choice, but the last three categories can have a huge impact on the value of the diamond you are choosing.  The truth is that two diamonds can look remarkably similar and yet have vastly different values.

#5) What Metal Do You Want The Band To Be Made Out Of?

Most of the focus when purchasing an engagement ring is on the gemstones.  But the band is another very important consideration.  The three most common choices are gold, platinum and white gold, although many couples go another direction in order to save some money.

The truth is that picking out an engagement ring can be an exhilarating experience, but you can also get burned if you do not know what you are doing.  It is important to get educated and to do your homework.

For young couples that are working on a tight budget, sometimes you can still get a great ring and save money at the same time by shopping places like Ebay, Craigslist and Amazon.  When you do shop online, be sure to research the seller you are considering purchasing from to make sure that they are reputable.

Having purchased an engagement ring online myself, I can honestly say that it does work and you can get a lot more ring for your money than by shopping at the jewelry retailer down at the mall.

But wherever you buy your engagement ring, always be careful and always do your research.  If you protect yourself and if you are willing to put in the hard work to find just the right ring, you will have a better chance of ending up with something that you both will love for decades to come.

Ebay is filled with local jewelry and antique stores who are listing their inventory on ebay as a chance to expose their product to a larger audience. Others are regular people who are looking to liquidate their possessions, and ebay is the easiest way to do it. Who knows, maybe you might buy a ring previously owned by a couple who had walked together for 60 +years. Ebay makes it interesting because there is a little bit of mystery of having an antique piece. Why not stay home to shop if you can.

One piece of advice is true……….find out all the questions you have for the seller before buying. Request extra pictures if necessary. If you purchase a ring, be sure to know you could return it, just in case there was something you missed on the listing.