Tips on buying a ring for that special one

I'm sure many of you have wrecked your heads over how to buy a diamond for your partners. Even if you're not of that age now, you will fret over it in the future! So let me help you. If you were to follow these tips, I promise you that you will no longer lose sleep over a ring.

1. Spending Within Your Means
Never go into debt for a diamond ring. It just doesn't make sense!
I know it can be difficult to be practical when deciding how much money to spend on a diamond ring because what it symbolizes is priceless. You and your intended have probably been made to believe that the size and quality of the diamond (the bigger the better) reflects the depth of your love and commitment.

2. It Is Not An Investment
The diamond you buy may or may not increase in value, depending on its quality, but investments should not be made in anything as emotionally charged as a diamond ring. Don't be fooled by the jewellers ploy to try and make you feel better about spending more than you can afford by assuring you it is a worth it investment.

How would you feel about selling the ring if you needed the cash for a new car or to pay off debt? Not very good. So keep your investments separate from the tradition and symbolism of a diamond engagement ring.

3. Sales Pressure
Don't be influenced to spend more than you can afford because of fear, a desire to impress anybody, or pressure from a salesperson who may try to make you feel cheap or question your commitment.

4. A Surprise? Or Buy The Ring Together?
More than half of all men surprise their loved one with a diamond ring, but choosing a ring together allows you to discuss things with your partner, including her feelings about diamonds versus other gemstones, size, cut, cost, etc. Shouldn't she have some say in a ring she will wear every day for her entire married life?

5. What To Look Out For
The price means little unless you understand the four factors that determine the quality and price of a diamond, known as the four Cs: color, cut, clarity, and carat size. Before you even begin looking for a diamond, educate yourself about the four Cs so you understand how trade-offs between the four factors affect price.

6. Last Couple Of Tips

• Use a family ring as your engagement ring
• Choose a stone other than a diamond
• Buy a high quality cubic zirconia which resembles a diamond so closely that even your jeweller may not be able to tell
• Buy a piece of jewellery from a pawn shop or through a classified ad and have the stone reset
• Buy several smaller stones in a beautiful setting rather than one large stone. Smaller stones cost much less