how to buy an engagement ring for the perfect engagement
Post on 14-Sep-2014
782 Views
Preview:
DESCRIPTION
TRANSCRIPT
Custom-Unique-Engagement-Rings.Com - Perfect Ring, Perfect Engagement
©Copyright custom-unique-engagement-rings.com 2012 – thousands of rings from multiple websites all in one place. Not to mention the guides, articles and reviews to help you find the perfect ring.
Pag
e1
Custom-Unique-Engagement-Rings.Com
Presents………..
The Perfect Ring for
the Perfect
Engagement
The Essential Guide to Purchasing the Perfect
Engagement Ring and Avoiding the Biggest Pitfalls
By Peter Webber
Custom-Unique-Engagement-Rings.Com - Perfect Ring, Perfect Engagement
©Copyright custom-unique-engagement-rings.com 2012 – thousands of rings from multiple websites all in one place. Not to mention the guides, articles and reviews to help you find the perfect ring.
Pag
e2
Legal Notice:
This ebook is copyright protected. This is only for personal use. You cannot
amend, distribute, sell, use, quote or paraphrase any part or the content
within this ebook without the consent of the author or copyright owner.
Legal action will be pursued if this is breached.
Disclaimer Notice:
Please note the information contained within this document is for
educational purposes only.
Every attempt has been made to provide accurate, up to date and reliable
complete information no warranties of any kind are expressed or implied.
Readers acknowledge that the author is not engaging in rendering legal,
financial or professional advice.
By reading any document, the reader agrees that under no circumstances
are we responsible for any losses, direct or indirect, which are incurred as a
result of use of the information contained within this document, including –
but not limited to errors, omissions, or inaccuracies.
Custom-Unique-Engagement-Rings.Com - Perfect Ring, Perfect Engagement
©Copyright custom-unique-engagement-rings.com 2012 – thousands of rings from multiple websites all in one place. Not to mention the guides, articles and reviews to help you find the perfect ring.
Pag
e3
Table of Contents
Engagement Ring Essentials………………………….….....pg. 4
Importance of Selecting the Right Ring; What You Should Expect to Spend; Engagement Rings
vs. Wedding Rings; Components of the Engagement Ring
Are Diamonds Really a Girl’s Best Friend?……………….pg. 9
The Four C’s; Diamond Settings; Diamond Certification; Diamond Alternatives and Other Gems
and Precious Stones
It’s All About Her……………………………………...............pg. 20
Preventing Disappointment; Finding Out What She Wants; Understanding Her Style; Secretly
Learning Her Ring Size
Selecting the Right Design for Her..……………................pg. 25
Cost and Value; Choosing the Right Band; Precious Metals
The Jeweler Experience……………..……………................pg. 29
Selecting a Jeweler; Getting the Best Deal, Insurance, Warranties and Fine Print; Five Pitfalls to
Avoid
Buying the Ring………..……………..……………................pg. 36
Creating a Lifelong Memory; The Best Ring at the Best Price; Your Best Ring Buying Option
Engagement Ring Trivia………………………………...……pg. 39
Custom-Unique-Engagement-Rings.Com - Perfect Ring, Perfect Engagement
©Copyright custom-unique-engagement-rings.com 2012 – thousands of rings from multiple websites all in one place. Not to mention the guides, articles and reviews to help you find the perfect ring.
Pag
e4
Engagement Ring Essentials
Buying an engagement ring is both an exciting
and terrifying process. You want the ring to
show the person who you will be with for the
rest of your life how much you love them, but
you are also making what for most people is
one of the biggest financial expenditures
they’ve ever made.
If you are like most people, the biggest
purchase you’ve made so far is probably a
car. But when you walked into the showroom, you probably already had an
idea about what you wanted in terms of vehicle type, horsepower, options,
color and so on. But with an engagement ring, most people are walking in
knowing next to nothing.
There’s a lot to know about engagement rings and you’re required to
become something of an expert very quickly so that you buy precisely the
right ring and avoid over-spending. Unfortunately, as the first time buyer,
you probably don’t know very much about diamonds, metals, shapes cuts,
clarity or any of the other details that distinguish one ring from another.
And you also are at a disadvantage because the sales clerks at
jewelry stores usually work on commission and are naturally going to try to
Custom-Unique-Engagement-Rings.Com - Perfect Ring, Perfect Engagement
©Copyright custom-unique-engagement-rings.com 2012 – thousands of rings from multiple websites all in one place. Not to mention the guides, articles and reviews to help you find the perfect ring.
Pag
e5
sell you the highest priced ring they can. Can you really trust them to give
you the greatest value for your money, especially with such an important
purchase?
Importance of Selecting the Right Ring
Unlike other major purchases in your life – cars, homes, investments
– buying an engagement ring is a highly personal act because when you
present it to your intended, you want it to be a magical moment that is
going to make a clear statement about the depth and strength of your love
for her.
From that moment on, that little ring
is going to serve as a visible symbol
of your love and she probably is
going to wear it every day for the rest
of her life. The ring will be shown off
to her friends, family, co-workers and
acquaintances. And everybody who
sees it is going to have an opinion
about it. The type of diamond or other stones you select, its size, the type
of cut, the metal band, the setting, all of these things are going to be noted
and judged for years and years to come.
No wonder most people find buying an engagement ring so terrifying.
Custom-Unique-Engagement-Rings.Com - Perfect Ring, Perfect Engagement
©Copyright custom-unique-engagement-rings.com 2012 – thousands of rings from multiple websites all in one place. Not to mention the guides, articles and reviews to help you find the perfect ring.
Pag
e6
What You Should Expect to Spend
You may have heard that an engagement ring should cost about two
three month’s salary. This figure originated from an advertising campaign
for DeBeers, the world’s largest diamond company. For most people, this is
a staggering amount of money.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average college
educated male in their mid to late 20s has an annual salary of about
$38,000. But according to jewelry industry statistics, the average
engagement ring costs $3,150. So if the average person makes $2,375, it
stands to reason that despite what the diamond industry wants you to
believe, most people don’t actually spend two to three month’s salary on an
engagement ring. They spend about 1.3 month’s salary.
So how much should you spend? It depends on a lot of factors. In
reality, you don’t have to spend anything on an engagement ring because
you don’t legally need one to get married. But for most people, that’s not a
realistic option.
What’s more realistic is that you should buy the best possible
engagement ring that you can afford to pay for in cash. Having a big debt
load is a stressful way to start your new life together. And when you finance
the ring or use a credit card, you are going to end up spending much more
Custom-Unique-Engagement-Rings.Com - Perfect Ring, Perfect Engagement
©Copyright custom-unique-engagement-rings.com 2012 – thousands of rings from multiple websites all in one place. Not to mention the guides, articles and reviews to help you find the perfect ring.
Pag
e7
than the original cost due to interest payments. A better plan is to buy a
ring that you can afford.
Engagement Rings vs. Wedding Rings
For people who have never been married, the difference between an
engagement ring and a wedding ring can be confusing. The engagement
ring is what you present to your intended when you ask her to marry you. It
usually has a diamond or other precious stone set on a decorative band
made of gold or another precious metal.
Wedding bands are the rings you exchange during the wedding
ceremony. Traditionally, they are less ornate than an engagement ring but
are usually made from gold or another precious metal. Sometimes the
engagement ring and the wedding ring are sold as a set.
Wedding rings can be plain or have patterns, multiple metals and
even gems. Because the wedding ring and engagement ring are
traditionally worn together, many brides prefer that they have similar
designs. Sometimes both partners’ rings match while other couples choose
to have separate designs. Many couples will have inscriptions etched into
the inside of their wedding rings, such as the date of their wedding or a
short quote about love.
Custom-Unique-Engagement-Rings.Com - Perfect Ring, Perfect Engagement
©Copyright custom-unique-engagement-rings.com 2012 – thousands of rings from multiple websites all in one place. Not to mention the guides, articles and reviews to help you find the perfect ring.
Pag
e8
Probably the biggest difference as far as you are concerned is that
you select the wedding rings together as a couple, while with the
engagement ring you are most likely completely on your own! In both
cases, you traditionally are the one paying.
Components of the Engagement Ring
Engagement rings vary from the very plain and simple to elaborate rings
containing multiple jewels and complicated designs. But for our purposes,
the rings can be broken down into three key elements:
Stone – This is the center stone of the ring. In about 80% of all
engagement rings, the center stone is a diamond. The stone can be
purchased separately, or already set on the ring.
Setting – These are the small metal pieces that hold the center stone in
place. “Setting” is also sometimes used to describe side stones, special
designs, and so on.
Stone
Setting
Band
Custom-Unique-Engagement-Rings.Com - Perfect Ring, Perfect Engagement
©Copyright custom-unique-engagement-rings.com 2012 – thousands of rings from multiple websites all in one place. Not to mention the guides, articles and reviews to help you find the perfect ring.
Pag
e9
Band – This is the metal that goes around the finger. It is usually made of
solid gold or platinum, but it also may be plated. Other precious or even
non-precious metals can be used as well.
Custom-Unique-Engagement-Rings.Com - Perfect Ring, Perfect Engagement
©Copyright custom-unique-engagement-rings.com 2012 – thousands of rings from multiple websites all in one place. Not to mention the guides, articles and reviews to help you find the perfect ring.
Pag
e10
Are Diamonds Really a Girl’s Best Friend?
Diamonds are the stone traditionally used in engagement rings.
Unless your intended has specifically told you otherwise, you probably are
going to want to buy a diamond engagement ring. You’re not going to like
the look on her face if she opens the box to find a different stone if that’s
not what she was expecting.
There are a lot of components to consider when selecting a diamond.
Most people who have never purchased an engagement ring before are
unfamiliar with the many differences between various diamonds, making
them susceptible to the influence of the diamond seller. By learning a few
simple terms, you can remove this disadvantage and get yourself a better
value on your purchase.
First, diamonds come in many different shapes. Partly, this is due to
the way diamonds are created. Essentially, diamonds are made of carbon
that has been compressed by enormous geological pressures until it
becomes crystallized. Miners in diamond mines around the world remove
these tiny nuggets of crystallized carbon and give them to diamond cutters,
who clean them and then examine the stone to determine the cut that is
most appropriate to its natural shape.
Most diamonds are cut into round shapes and these make up the
majority of diamonds sold in engagement rings. But other shapes include
Custom-Unique-Engagement-Rings.Com - Perfect Ring, Perfect Engagement
©Copyright custom-unique-engagement-rings.com 2012 – thousands of rings from multiple websites all in one place. Not to mention the guides, articles and reviews to help you find the perfect ring.
Pag
e11
the princess cut (square), oval, tear-drop (pear-shaped), marquise, hear-
shaped and others.
The Four C’s
Custom-Unique-Engagement-Rings.Com - Perfect Ring, Perfect Engagement
©Copyright custom-unique-engagement-rings.com 2012 – thousands of rings from multiple websites all in one place. Not to mention the guides, articles and reviews to help you find the perfect ring.
Pag
e12
If you’ve done any research at all on diamond buying, you probably
already have encountered the Four C’s. These are the primary factors that
distinguish one diamond from another and also determine their value.
Carat – The quality of diamonds that most people talk about is the carat.
While you may think this refers to the diamond’s size, it actually is simply
the diamond’s weight. One carat is equal to .2 grams. Diamonds that are
cut in different shapes can have the same carat, but appear to be different
sizes.
Generally, the higher the carat, the more expensive the diamond, but
the relationship between carat and price is not linear, it’s exponential. A
diamond that is twice as large as another can cost much, much more. This
is mostly due to the rarity of larger diamonds. About one million rough
diamonds are mined for every one found that is large enough to be cut into
a one-carat diamond. So while a ½-carat diamond can sell for less than
$1,000, a 1-carat diamond usually will cost at least $4,000-$5,000.
More 1-carat diamond engagement rings are sold than any other
size, making it the standard for most people. As a result, the demand for
rings with 1-carat diamonds is much higher, driving up the price. For
example, a ring with a .93-carat diamond will look identical with the naked
eye to one with a 1-carat diamond, yet it will cost much less.
Custom-Unique-Engagement-Rings.Com - Perfect Ring, Perfect Engagement
©Copyright custom-unique-engagement-rings.com 2012 – thousands of rings from multiple websites all in one place. Not to mention the guides, articles and reviews to help you find the perfect ring.
Pag
e13
In fact, any diamond between .8-carats and a full 1-carat will look
identical if it’s in the correct setting. So while you may want to impress your
intended with a 1-carat diamond, there is an opportunity to reduce your
costs by getting one that is slightly smaller.
Cut - The way a diamond is cut affects its sparkle, sometimes referred to
as its fire. When light hits a diamond, it is reflected back by its many
surfaces. If a diamond’s cut is too shallow, most of the light escapes out the
bottom. If it’s too deep, the light goes out the sides. The most sparkly
diamonds of all are round, also called brilliant. With these, about 92% of the
light is reflected back out the top of the diamond.
An individual diamond’s cut is rated according to a scale developed
by the Gemological Institute of America:
Custom-Unique-Engagement-Rings.Com - Perfect Ring, Perfect Engagement
©Copyright custom-unique-engagement-rings.com 2012 – thousands of rings from multiple websites all in one place. Not to mention the guides, articles and reviews to help you find the perfect ring.
Pag
e14
1. Excellent Cut
2. Very Good Cut
3. Good Cut
4. Fair Cut
5. Poor Cut
Diamonds graded with an “excellent cut” are the most expensive, but
the difference between “excellent” and “good” are so indistinguishable to
the untrained eye that you actually are just spending the extra money on
the rating, rather than the way the diamond actually looks.
To get maximum value, you should never buy a poor or fair cut
diamond because its lack of sparkle is noticeable. Most jewelers won’t sell
these quality diamonds anyway. Nor should you buy an excellent cut
diamond unless money is no object to you. Instead, get one that is rated
good or very good. It’s going to have the same amount of sparkle as an
excellent cut, but without the pedigree or the corresponding price tag.
Incidentally, many diamond stores will rename their excellent cut
diamonds into a specific brand name for their store. When a salesperson
Custom-Unique-Engagement-Rings.Com - Perfect Ring, Perfect Engagement
©Copyright custom-unique-engagement-rings.com 2012 – thousands of rings from multiple websites all in one place. Not to mention the guides, articles and reviews to help you find the perfect ring.
Pag
e15
refers to a “Signature Ideal Diamond” or a “Brilliant Fire Cut”, usually these
are just excellent cut diamonds with a brand name and a higher price.
Color – Although there are colored diamonds that are very rare and high in
value, most people buy diamonds that are considered colorless. But even
“colorless” diamonds have a small amount of color in them. And, generally,
the more color they have, the less valuable they are.
A colorless diamond’s color is rated on a scale from D (completely
colorless) to X (light yellow). What happened to A through C? Diamonds
with that degree of colorlessness haven’t been discovered yet, so the
industry has reserved those grades for when they are.
Colorless D, E, F
Near Colorless G, H
Custom-Unique-Engagement-Rings.Com - Perfect Ring, Perfect Engagement
©Copyright custom-unique-engagement-rings.com 2012 – thousands of rings from multiple websites all in one place. Not to mention the guides, articles and reviews to help you find the perfect ring.
Pag
e16
White I, J
Very Faint Yellow K, L, M
Faint Yellow N, O, P, Q, R
Light Yellow S through to Z
Image courtesy of a1-diamond.com
Diamonds graded with a color score of D are going to be much more pricey
than lower color grades. Yet the human eye is incapable of noticing the
color in a diamond without magnification until you get to around G or H.
Above those grades, a diamond’s sparkle is much more noticeable than the
very slight coloring it has.
Custom-Unique-Engagement-Rings.Com - Perfect Ring, Perfect Engagement
©Copyright custom-unique-engagement-rings.com 2012 – thousands of rings from multiple websites all in one place. Not to mention the guides, articles and reviews to help you find the perfect ring.
Pag
e17
The amount of color you can get away with in a diamond is also
related to the band you choose. The amount of yellow in a G or H diamond
on a yellow gold band will be nearly impossible to detect, while the same
diamond on a platinum or white gold band may be show more of its yellow
color.
True yellow diamonds, called “Canary” or “fancy colored diamonds”,
are extremely rare and very expensive and are graded on a scale of their
color intensity -- from faint light to vivid. Unless your intended has made it
clear that she prefers one of these, you probably don’t need to worry about
them for now.
Clarity – Because of the way they are created underground by massive
geologic pressures, almost every diamond has imperfections. These
include bubbles, cracks, scratches, pits and chips. Most are microscopic
and can only be seen using the 10X amplification of a jeweler’s scope and
don’t affect the diamond’s radiance.
Custom-Unique-Engagement-Rings.Com - Perfect Ring, Perfect Engagement
©Copyright custom-unique-engagement-rings.com 2012 – thousands of rings from multiple websites all in one place. Not to mention the guides, articles and reviews to help you find the perfect ring.
Pag
e18
A diamond’s clarity is rated according to the following scale:
Image courtesy of a1-diamond.com
Diamonds with higher clarity are more valuable, but only diamonds
with a clarity rating below SI1 have imperfections that are noticeable with
the naked eye. While most jewelers will try to sell you higher clarity
diamonds (due to the higher price and, hence, higher commissions), a
better plan is to consider diamonds that are “eye clean”. In other words,
their imperfections can’t be seen without a jeweler’s scope. These are SI1
up through IF.
Diamonds Settings
The diamond itself is only part of the engagement ring equation.
Another important factor is the setting, or how the ring presents the stone.
The setting is made up of two components:
Custom-Unique-Engagement-Rings.Com - Perfect Ring, Perfect Engagement
©Copyright custom-unique-engagement-rings.com 2012 – thousands of rings from multiple websites all in one place. Not to mention the guides, articles and reviews to help you find the perfect ring.
Pag
e19
The Shank – This is the band that encircles the finger, also known as the
band. It can be plain or have grooves, channels and even hollows to hold
smaller stones.
The Head – This is the mechanism that holds the diamond or other main
stones.
Settings usually are designed around the center stone and are made to fit
certain size. Most will hold a diamond between .7 and 1.5 carats.
Setting heads vary from ring to ring. The most
common is the prong setting. It has 3 to 6 claws or
prongs that hold onto the sides or corners of the
diamond to hold it securely in place. Most people
prefer the prong setting because of the security it
provides: the diamond is less likely to fall out.
A tension setting uses compression between portions
of the band to hold the stone, making it appear as if
the stone is floating.
A bezel setting has the stone set in a collar of
precious metal which fully or partially surrounds the
stone. In addition to being very secure, it also can be
used to cover up imperfections that could otherwise
Custom-Unique-Engagement-Rings.Com - Perfect Ring, Perfect Engagement
©Copyright custom-unique-engagement-rings.com 2012 – thousands of rings from multiple websites all in one place. Not to mention the guides, articles and reviews to help you find the perfect ring.
Pag
e20
be seen from the side of the diamond. The downside is that there tends to
be less sparkle.
A channel setting has smaller stones embedded into
a small channel dug into the band of the ring. A bar
setting is the same as a channel, but has bars of
metal separating each stone.
A pave or bead setting has one or more rows of tiny
stones embedded into the band, as if it were
“paved” with diamonds. It makes the ring look as if it
is coated with sparkle. This type of setting can make
a smaller center stone appear larger.
Besides the style of the setting, another thing to consider is the
height. A high setting lifts the diamond up higher, making a more dramatic
presentation. But high settings get caught on things more easily. A low
setting holds the diamond closer to the band, providing less drama but
more security.
Diamond Certification
There are various agencies that certify diamonds according to their
grades on the Four C’s. The most respected are the GIA and the American
Custom-Unique-Engagement-Rings.Com - Perfect Ring, Perfect Engagement
©Copyright custom-unique-engagement-rings.com 2012 – thousands of rings from multiple websites all in one place. Not to mention the guides, articles and reviews to help you find the perfect ring.
Pag
e21
Gem Society (AGS). Diamonds don’t need to be certified legally, but
certification gives the consumer the confidence of knowing that they have
evaluated and rated by a third party. Certification is sometimes required
when insuring a diamond.
If you are buying a non-certified diamond, you probably want to have
it appraised by an independent professional to make sure you are getting
what you are paying for. This type of service usually costs about $50.
Diamond Alternatives and Other Gems and Precious Stones
Engagement rings come with many precious stones besides
diamonds. Some of the most popular include rubies (red), emeralds (green)
and sapphires (various colors). One more affordable alternative to a
diamond might be an engagement ring made with your intended’s
birthstone.
Custom-Unique-Engagement-Rings.Com - Perfect Ring, Perfect Engagement
©Copyright custom-unique-engagement-rings.com 2012 – thousands of rings from multiple websites all in one place. Not to mention the guides, articles and reviews to help you find the perfect ring.
Pag
e22
Another option is naturally occurring diamond alternatives. The most
well known is Cubic Zirconium. Like diamonds, Cubic Zirconium stones are
formed by geologic forces and are mined from the earth. Unlike diamonds,
they are not durable, will scratch, wear down and appear hazy. They are
generally known as “fake diamonds” and you can get a 1 carat stone for
less than $100.
White sapphires are sapphires that are treated with heat to appear
colorless and they look and feel exactly like diamonds. The primary
difference is that sapphires score a 9 on the Moh’s Scale of Hardness
whereas diamonds score a perfect 10. The upside is that they are less
Custom-Unique-Engagement-Rings.Com - Perfect Ring, Perfect Engagement
©Copyright custom-unique-engagement-rings.com 2012 – thousands of rings from multiple websites all in one place. Not to mention the guides, articles and reviews to help you find the perfect ring.
Pag
e23
expensive than diamonds. The downside is that they are not genuine
diamonds.
Synthetic diamonds are created in a laboratory rather than mined
from the ground. As such, they tend to be flawless and superior to natural
diamonds in terms of durability. And because there is theoretically an
infinite supply, they are much less expensive than natural diamonds.
Besides cost, the advantage of synthetic diamonds is that they come
in a variety of colors. However, they are not as valuable as natural
diamonds.
Custom-Unique-Engagement-Rings.Com - Perfect Ring, Perfect Engagement
©Copyright custom-unique-engagement-rings.com 2012 – thousands of rings from multiple websites all in one place. Not to mention the guides, articles and reviews to help you find the perfect ring.
Pag
e24
It’s All About Her
Now you know a lot about how to tell one diamond from another, and
what makes a diamond valuable. But you don’t know the most important
thing of all: The kind of engagement ring your intended wants.
Maybe she doesn’t even want a diamond. If so, you may be able to
get away with a less expensive ring made with another type of stone. But
the truth is that 99 percent of women want a diamond engagement ring, so
unless she has specifically told you something else, you should probably
plan on buying one.
Preventing Disappointment
Presumably, you know that she is going to accept your offer of
engagement before you make it. If not, good luck.
Custom-Unique-Engagement-Rings.Com - Perfect Ring, Perfect Engagement
©Copyright custom-unique-engagement-rings.com 2012 – thousands of rings from multiple websites all in one place. Not to mention the guides, articles and reviews to help you find the perfect ring.
Pag
e25
You want to make the moment as memorable and as special for her
as possible. You want to give her a ring that tells her how much you love
her and shows your commitment to her happiness for the rest of her life.
The last thing you want is for her to open the box and find a ring that she
doesn’t like.
The diamond is meant to represent the eternal nature of your love.
They say, “Diamonds last forever, and will my love for you.”
Finding Out What She Wants
Your intended may have been dropping hints about the type of
engagement ring she wants. In fact, if your relationship is at the point
where you are about to propose, it’s almost certain that she has. A good
plan is the next time you are together at the mall to stop by the jewelry
store to look at watches. Pay close attention and you may be able to
identify exactly the style and size ring she wants.
Another option is to ask her girlfriends or family members. If you want
your proposal to be even the slightest bit of a surprise, this is not
recommended. Most people have trouble keeping even little secrets, let
alone one this big and exciting. If your plan is to ask her friends what she
likes, you might as well ask her directly because it will cause less drama.
Custom-Unique-Engagement-Rings.Com - Perfect Ring, Perfect Engagement
©Copyright custom-unique-engagement-rings.com 2012 – thousands of rings from multiple websites all in one place. Not to mention the guides, articles and reviews to help you find the perfect ring.
Pag
e26
If your proposal is expected, you might consider asking her anyway
rather than risk disappointing her with a ring she doesn’t like. If you truly
want to make it a surprise, some jewelry stores will let you “rent” a single
diamond solitaire ring to use for your proposal. If she likes it, you can apply
the rental cost towards the purchase price. If she doesn’t, you can simply
return it and let her choose the ring she really wants.
Understanding Her Style
If you are determined to select and
buy the engagement ring without her
input, you should consider her
personal style when making your
decision. Look at her other jewelry
and see if you can identify any
patterns. This gives you a good idea
of what she already likes.
Consider her personality and her values. If she is very active, for
example, you probably want to avoid a ring with a high setting that can
easily get caught on things. If she is passionate about politics, you may
want to make certain that any diamond your purchase is not a conflict
diamond or is not mined by workers who are exploited.
Custom-Unique-Engagement-Rings.Com - Perfect Ring, Perfect Engagement
©Copyright custom-unique-engagement-rings.com 2012 – thousands of rings from multiple websites all in one place. Not to mention the guides, articles and reviews to help you find the perfect ring.
Pag
e27
Secretly Learning Her Ring Size
Another important consideration is selecting a ring that fits her finger.
In the absence of taking her to a jeweler and measure her ring finger, how
can you determine her ring size without her knowing about it?
There are actually several methods to do this, each with various
amounts of risk and accuracy. The first is to ask her sister, mother or close
friend. As we already have seen, the risk of them blabbing your intentions
is high, but the accuracy level also is pretty high.
If you have friends who have recently become engaged, have them
invite your girlfriend to try on her ring. If it is too large or small, you can
guess the necessary adjustments. This may naturally lead to a
conversation about ring sizes anyway, especially if she’s anticipating your
proposal.
Another option is to use an existing ring. You could take one of her
existing rings to a jeweler and have them size it, but you risk her noticing it
missing. A better option is to use a piece of string and measure the ring’s
circumference. Then use this chart from Lumera diamonds to figure out her
ring size. Another method is to wait until she is not around, get a bar of
soap and take an imprint of one of her rings then measure that.
Or you could just guess based on her height and weight:
Custom-Unique-Engagement-Rings.Com - Perfect Ring, Perfect Engagement
©Copyright custom-unique-engagement-rings.com 2012 – thousands of rings from multiple websites all in one place. Not to mention the guides, articles and reviews to help you find the perfect ring.
Pag
e28
If she’s shorter than 5’4”, she probably is a size 6.
If she’s shorter than 5’8”, size 7.
Shorter than 6”, size 7.5.
If her fingers are plumper than average, round up a half size
While ideally you want the ring to fit perfectly on her finger the
moment you propose, if you have guessed wrong on the size it’s not the
end of the world. Metal rings that are too small can be made larger at any
jeweler. For rings that are too large, a tiny sleeve can be inserted into it to
make it fit better. This may affect its cosmetic appearance, however, so if
you are going to err, you want to get a ring that is too small rather than too
large.
Custom-Unique-Engagement-Rings.Com - Perfect Ring, Perfect Engagement
©Copyright custom-unique-engagement-rings.com 2012 – thousands of rings from multiple websites all in one place. Not to mention the guides, articles and reviews to help you find the perfect ring.
Pag
e29
Selecting the Right Design for Her
When it comes to purchasing the engagement ring, you have two
options: You can either purchase a ring that has already been assembled
or you can design one yourself by telling your jeweler exactly what you are
looking for in terms of diamond quality, setting, shape and design.
Many jewelry stores mass produce standard engagement rings. If you
select one of these, you can expect to pay a little less because there’s no
labor required for customization. Another advantage is that you don’t have
to wait for your ring to be made, so these types of rings are available right
away.
Another option is to use an heirloom ring from a family member or to
purchase a used engagement ring. Obviously, these are far cheaper
alternatives. But most women prefer a ring of their very own, rather than a
hand-me-down from somebody else. And then there’s the bad luck factor to
consider with used rings from engagements that have been called off.
Custom-Unique-Engagement-Rings.Com - Perfect Ring, Perfect Engagement
©Copyright custom-unique-engagement-rings.com 2012 – thousands of rings from multiple websites all in one place. Not to mention the guides, articles and reviews to help you find the perfect ring.
Pag
e30
Cost and Value
Your budget is going to play a huge role in the type of ring you select.
You may want a flawless ring with a diamond 1-carat or higher in a custom-
made setting embedded with dozens of tiny diamonds, but if your budget
doesn’t allow it, you are wasting your time daydreaming. It’s better to be
realistic.
From a practical standpoint, in addition to showing your undying love,
a diamond engagement ring is also a financial investment. Precious stones
tend to hold onto their value, and even increase in value, over time. And
although nobody likes to think about having to sell it down the line, it’s nice
to have the peace of mind knowing that you are have a valuable asset.
Choosing the Right Band
Like diamonds, bands come in a variety of styles and materials. The
cost of the band you select will depend on what it is made out of, if it
includes any other precious stones, and whether or not you want a
customized design. When selecting a band, remember that the one you
choose now can always be changed later for something more elegant or
unique.
Precious Metals
Custom-Unique-Engagement-Rings.Com - Perfect Ring, Perfect Engagement
©Copyright custom-unique-engagement-rings.com 2012 – thousands of rings from multiple websites all in one place. Not to mention the guides, articles and reviews to help you find the perfect ring.
Pag
e31
One of the least expensive options is sterling silver. This metal is a
brilliant blue white color that is made of 90+% silver and +/-10% other
metals, usually copper. While it is among the most affordable precious
metals, sterling silver is soft and will tarnish and show wear quickly. In
some cases, the other included metals such as copper can cause allergic
reactions, such as turning the surrounding skin green.
Yellow gold used to be the most popular for engagement rings. Gold
is the most malleable of metals, so it is often fortified with other metals such
as copper, silver or nickel to make it more durable. It comes in a variety of
purities, with 24 karat gold considered to be “pure” gold. Most rings,
however, are made of 9k to 18k gold, with the most popular being 14k gold.
White gold has become one of the most popular metals for
engagement rings in recent years, mostly because it looks like the more
expensive platinum. It is actually composed of yellow gold combined with
white metals such as silver or nickel. The lower the karat, the whiter the
gold.
Most white gold rings are plated with an outer layer or rhodium, which
protects the finish. Over time, however, the rhodium will wear off, exposing
white gold’s underlying yellowish tone. This requires that white gold rings to
be re-plated with rhodium every two or three years. This process, called re-
Custom-Unique-Engagement-Rings.Com - Perfect Ring, Perfect Engagement
©Copyright custom-unique-engagement-rings.com 2012 – thousands of rings from multiple websites all in one place. Not to mention the guides, articles and reviews to help you find the perfect ring.
Pag
e32
dipping, costs about $50 per treatment and can add substantially to the
lifetime cost of the ring.
You also can get rings that are gold plated, rather than struck through
with gold. These are less expensive, but are less valuable and the gold
coating will eventually wear away.
Platinum is a dense, white metal that occurs naturally. Although it
does eventually wear down, because of its strength this takes much longer
than it does with gold rings. It is extremely durable and will hold diamonds
in place more securely than other metals. Platinum is the most expensive
precious metal in the world, however, so expect to pay a lot for this option.
It also is twice as heavy as gold.
Custom-Unique-Engagement-Rings.Com - Perfect Ring, Perfect Engagement
©Copyright custom-unique-engagement-rings.com 2012 – thousands of rings from multiple websites all in one place. Not to mention the guides, articles and reviews to help you find the perfect ring.
Pag
e33
The Jeweler Experience
For most people, buying an engagement ring is a once in a lifetime
experience. As a result, walking into a jewelry store can be an intimidating
experience, especially if you are unknowledgeable about diamonds,
engagement ring styles and other factors.
Fortunately, with this guide you have the tools necessary to defeat
the jeweler who tries to overwhelm you with industry jargon and high
pressure sales techniques. When you understand exactly what you want in
a diamond, the type of ring you are looking for and, most importantly, your
budget, you can skip a lot of the nonsense usually associated with
engagement ring buying and get right down to business. Once the jewelry
salesperson sees that you know what you are talking about, they will drop
the sales pitch and give you what you want.
Selecting a Jeweler
Drive down any Main Street in America or visit any shopping mall and
you will find lots of choices when it comes to jewelers. In big cities such as
New York and Chicago, there are even entire areas devoted to the jewelry
industry. Not to mention wholesale jewelers and online jewelry shopping
that are available. So how can you choose the right place where you are
going to get the best deal and, more importantly, be sure you aren’t going
to be ripped off?
Custom-Unique-Engagement-Rings.Com - Perfect Ring, Perfect Engagement
©Copyright custom-unique-engagement-rings.com 2012 – thousands of rings from multiple websites all in one place. Not to mention the guides, articles and reviews to help you find the perfect ring.
Pag
e34
Probably the best method is still word of mouth. The sound advice of
a trusted friend is worth more than all the advertising, sales catalogues and
online pitches put together. If you know somebody who recently has
purchased an engagement ring, save yourself hours of research and stress
and simply ask them about their experience. Odds are, they visiting a
variety of jewelers before making their purchase and can advise you on the
individual benefits and drawbacks.
If you are determined to do this on
your own, chain retail jewelers like
the ones found at most shopping
malls offer the advantage of having a
national reputation to maintain, which
requires them to “play fair” and avoid
the gamesmanship you will find at
privately owned jewelry shops. They
also tend to a have a large selection, good customer service, and the
convenience of being able to bring your ring to any of their stores for
repairs and maintenance.
Chain jewelers tend to be more expensive than other options,
however, because they need to pay for their overhead and giant marketing
campaigns.
Custom-Unique-Engagement-Rings.Com - Perfect Ring, Perfect Engagement
©Copyright custom-unique-engagement-rings.com 2012 – thousands of rings from multiple websites all in one place. Not to mention the guides, articles and reviews to help you find the perfect ring.
Pag
e35
Smaller, privately-owned jewelry stores offer the advantage of
personalized customer service. In fact, in many cases you will be dealing
directly with the store’s owner or family. There is also more opportunity for
to negotiate the final sales price. The disadvantage is that because they
tend to buy diamonds in smaller batches, their prices are high and their
selection is limited. Plus if they go out of business or you move to another
area, it’s more difficult to take advantage of their service options.
Wholesale jewelers, such as the ones found on big cities’ “Jeweler’s
Row”, usually have some of the best prices on diamonds, as well as a huge
selection. Haggling over price is not only allowed, it’s encouraged. And they
also usually are affiliated with ring manufacturers, so creating customized
rings is easier. On the downside, wholesalers are pro negotiators, so
unless you are experienced you are at a real disadvantage. They usually
don’t offer any services after the sale is completed. And while most
wholesalers are legitimate, established businesses, others are pop-up
businesses that may not be around tomorrow, so there’s a higher risk of
getting scammed.
If you know what kind of ring you are looking for, or at least have a
pretty good idea, your best option today is online jewelry retailers. Not only
do they have the largest selection of diamonds and pre-made engagement
rings, but because they don’t have to pay for overhead or marketing, their
prices are among the lowest you will find.
Custom-Unique-Engagement-Rings.Com - Perfect Ring, Perfect Engagement
©Copyright custom-unique-engagement-rings.com 2012 – thousands of rings from multiple websites all in one place. Not to mention the guides, articles and reviews to help you find the perfect ring.
Pag
e36
You can spend as much time as you want browsing their inventory
online. Because there are no salesmen, you won’t be rushed or pressured
into buying a ring before you are ready. They often offer special discounts,
including cash back from your credit card, discount codes, coupons, etc.
And depending on the company and your home state, it’s possible that you
may even avoid paying sales tax, which can be considerable on such a
large purchase.
Getting the Best Deal
The absolute best online store can be found here:
http://www.custom-unique-engagement-rings.com/
This online showroom has more than 14,000 engagement rings
available at rock bottom prices. The site is easy to navigate and you can
even design your own ring and have them make it for you.
The site offers a full range of services and is 100% safe to use. You
can even get GIA certification on many of the rings they offer.
Insurance, Warranties and Fine Print
You probably assume that your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance
will cover the cost of the engagement ring should it become lost or stolen,
Custom-Unique-Engagement-Rings.Com - Perfect Ring, Perfect Engagement
©Copyright custom-unique-engagement-rings.com 2012 – thousands of rings from multiple websites all in one place. Not to mention the guides, articles and reviews to help you find the perfect ring.
Pag
e37
but in reality most policies put a cap on what you can claim for a specific
item or a group of items, such as jewelry. Usually, that cap will be lower
than what you will pay for the ring. Also, if the ring is lost outside the home,
it’s not covered.
To best protect your investment, take out “Valuable Item Insurance”
with your insurance carrier. For a small premium that can be tacked on to
your primary insurance, you can cover the cost of the ring based on its
appraisal and most policies will pay on it regardless of what happens to the
ring.
The type of warranty you get on a ring depends on where you buy it.
Most small jewelry stores and wholesale jewelers won’t provide a warranty,
although they usually will give you the GIA certification and an affidavit that
the report matches the ring they sold you. Chain jewelry stores often will
offer a warranty, usually protecting you against the diamond falling out and
becoming lost due to defect.
Some places even offer an extended warranty for an additional fee,
but you would be better served taking out special insurance. The cost is
generally lower and the odds of it actually being paid out are better.
Finally, beware of certain wording on product descriptions in
catalogues, grading reports or contracts that contain any of the following
phrases:
Custom-Unique-Engagement-Rings.Com - Perfect Ring, Perfect Engagement
©Copyright custom-unique-engagement-rings.com 2012 – thousands of rings from multiple websites all in one place. Not to mention the guides, articles and reviews to help you find the perfect ring.
Pag
e38
“Original prices may not have resulted in actual sales.”
“All carat weights are approximate.”
“May have been treated or enhanced by heating.”
“Diamond grades may vary.”
“Some styles may contain single cut diamonds.”
These are code phrases some jewelers use to protect themselves
when they sell you sub-quality diamonds for premium prices. Whenever
dealing with diamond and jewelry sales, if you encounter anything that
doesn’t smell right, it’s a good idea to walk away from the deal, or at least
ask the seller to provide in writing that they guarantee everything noted in
the characteristics and they you are entitled to a full refund if other
appraisals differ from their claims.
Five Pitfalls to Avoid
As you have seen, buying an engagement ring can be a complicated
experience. Most people are happy that they have to deal with it only once
in their lives. To protect yourself when shopping for your engagement ring,
watch out for these five common pitfalls:
Custom-Unique-Engagement-Rings.Com - Perfect Ring, Perfect Engagement
©Copyright custom-unique-engagement-rings.com 2012 – thousands of rings from multiple websites all in one place. Not to mention the guides, articles and reviews to help you find the perfect ring.
Pag
e39
1. Shopping in a jewelry store – With expensive shopping mall
locations and national advertising campaigns, the prices at brand
name retail stores are considerably higher than you will find
elsewhere, especially online.
2. Not doing your homework – The jeweler’s favorite customer is the
one who doesn’t know what he wants. That’s because they can
razzle-dazzle him into overpaying for an expensive diamond.
Knowing precisely the type of engagement ring you want and buying
it at the lowest possible price online can save hundreds or even
thousands of dollars off your final purchase price.
3. Buying a ring you can’t afford – Paying for an engagement ring is
hard enough, but it’s even harder if you have to pay high interest
rates on top of the already towering purchase price. Paying in cash
and buying a ring that is within your means allows you to begin your
new life together without having to worry about crushing debt.
4. Disappointing her – The moment you propose will be on the most
important memories in your girlfriend’s life. Don’t ruin it by taking
shortcuts on the engagement ring. Get the ring you know she’ll love
at prices you can afford by buying it at the lowest possible price
online.
Custom-Unique-Engagement-Rings.Com - Perfect Ring, Perfect Engagement
©Copyright custom-unique-engagement-rings.com 2012 – thousands of rings from multiple websites all in one place. Not to mention the guides, articles and reviews to help you find the perfect ring.
Pag
e40
5. Not protecting your investment – For most people, next to a car
the engagement ring is the biggest purchase they’ve made. Make
sure you protect yourself by buying insurance against loss, damage
and theft.
Buying the Ring
You’ve educated yourself on the Four C’s, diamond shapes and
engagement ring settings. You’ve snooped around and discovered your
girlfriend’s ring size. You’ve become familiar with the difference between
buying the ring from a chain store, private store, wholesaler or online.
It’s finally time to do the deed. It’s time to buy the engagement ring.
Creating a Lifelong Memory
The ring you buy is going to be something that your girlfriend – and
soon to be wife! – is going to cherish for the rest of her life. Every time she
looks at it sitting there on her ring finger, she is going to be reminded of
your love for her and all the planning and preparing that went into its
purchase.
You probably already have some ideas about how you plan to
propose. Perhaps there’s someplace that has a special association with
your relationship. Or maybe you plan on surprising her in the middle of a
special occasion, such as a big affair, a sporting event or a family party. Or
Custom-Unique-Engagement-Rings.Com - Perfect Ring, Perfect Engagement
©Copyright custom-unique-engagement-rings.com 2012 – thousands of rings from multiple websites all in one place. Not to mention the guides, articles and reviews to help you find the perfect ring.
Pag
e41
you may even be planning on popping the question during a quiet, romantic
dinner for two.
Whichever method you choose, remember that it’s something she will
never forget and that the two of you will be telling the story for years to
come. You want the occasion to be perfect. And that means you need to
buy the perfect engagement ring.
The Best Ring at the Best Price
If you are like most people, you don’t have an unlimited amount of
money to spend on an engagement ring. You want a ring that is going to
blow her away with its beauty, but you probably can’t afford to spend a
fortune, at least not without saddling yourself with unnecessary debt for
years to come.
If you want to make your money go the farthest by getting her the
highest quality ring at the lowest possible price, there’s no better option
than http://www.custom-unique-engagement-rings.com/. With its
unbelievable selection and the most affordable prices anywhere, you can
get nearly twice the ring for half the money you would spend elsewhere.
This website has the ring you want at the prices you can afford, so
that you can truly make your proposal one of the most cherished and
precious memories of your lives. In fact their mission statement is, “To
Custom-Unique-Engagement-Rings.Com - Perfect Ring, Perfect Engagement
©Copyright custom-unique-engagement-rings.com 2012 – thousands of rings from multiple websites all in one place. Not to mention the guides, articles and reviews to help you find the perfect ring.
Pag
e42
enable anyone to create the perfect engagement experience that goes way
beyond any price tag.”
Regardless of whether your budget is large or small, you can find the
diamond of your dreams at http://www.custom-unique-engagement-
rings.com/.
So now you know all there is to know about buying an engagement
ring, or at least enough so that you can make an educated choice and
avoid getting ripped off. It’s an important decision and one that will have
profound consequences on the rest of your life, so it’s absolutely critical
that you take your time and do it right.
In closing, please allow me to wish you and your new wife these
heartfelt congratulations as you begin your new life together:
May thy life be long and happy,
Thy cares and sorrows few;
And the many friends around thee
Prove faithful, fond and true.
May your voyage through life be
as happy and as free………
………As the dancing waves on the deep blue sea!
Custom-Unique-Engagement-Rings.Com - Perfect Ring, Perfect Engagement
©Copyright custom-unique-engagement-rings.com 2012 – thousands of rings from multiple websites all in one place. Not to mention the guides, articles and reviews to help you find the perfect ring.
Pag
e43
Engagement Ring Trivia
Did you know that …
Engagement and wedding rings are worn on the fourth finger of the
left hand because it was once thought that a vein in that finger led
directly to the heart.
The average engagement period in 2012 is 17 months, which is up
from 16 months in 2002 and 11 months in 1990.
74% of all brides receive a diamond engagement ring. Of those, 60%
are involved in picking out their ring, while 3% actually pick it
themselves.
In the symbolic language of jewels, a sapphire in a wedding ring
means marital happiness.
A pearl engagement ring is said to be bad luck because its shape
echoes that of a tear.
Aquamarine represents marital harmony and is said to ensure a long,
happy marriage.
Custom-Unique-Engagement-Rings.Com - Perfect Ring, Perfect Engagement
©Copyright custom-unique-engagement-rings.com 2012 – thousands of rings from multiple websites all in one place. Not to mention the guides, articles and reviews to help you find the perfect ring.
Pag
e44
Men only began wearing wedding rings during WWII because they
wanted a remembrance of their wives left behind and a connection
symbol.
Seventeen tons of gold are made into wedding rings each year in the
United States!
Find the ring of your dreams at:
http://www.custom-unique-engagement-rings.com/
top related