Cost Cutting Engagement Ring Tips

Before ruthlessly making sacrifices to lower the price of an engagement ring, couples must consider what characteristics of the ring are most important to them. If a single solitaire diamond is the most important part of the ring, the couple will want to focus their budget on finding a quality diamond while minimizing accent stones or expensive metals that drive up the price. If, however, an elaborate design is the bride-to-be’s idea of the perfect ring, it may be more important to choose less expensive stones so more of the budget can be concentrated into a stunning arrangement of multiple gems.

When considering what to prioritize their engagement ring budget for, couples should rank the following in terms of importance:

• Metal Type: gold, platinum, titanium, etc., as well as considering multi-metal rings.
• Stone Type: Diamonds, semi-precious gems, pearls, etc., as well as its shape, size, and quality.
• Setting: Prongs, flush, tension, or other settings as well as whether to include enhancers or wraps to upgrade the ring to a wedding set.
• Ring Style: Art deco, contemporary, solitaires, etc.

Once the couple has decided which ring characteristics are the most important, they can begin to investigate different cost cutting tips to purchase the ring of their dreams without a price nightmare

Easy Ways to Lower Engagement Ring Costs

There are many ways to lower the cost of an engagement ring without sacrificing quality or beauty. The most popular cost cutting tips include:

• Opting for a lower karat value metal. While 18k gold may be luxurious and elegant, 14k gold is less expensive and easier to find with very little visual difference to the untrained eye.
• Choosing a less expensive metal. Silver is less expensive than white gold, white gold is less expensive than platinum, as is titanium. Each of these metals is still silvery-white (though with subtle differences), and couples can choose cheaper options without losing the overall coloration they desire.
• Choosing a smaller carat gem. There is very little visual difference between a one-third and a one-half carat stone, but there can be a significant price difference depending on the quality of the stone.
• Selecting a more common stone shape. Round gems are the most popular and least expensive, while trademarked cuts such as Asscher or Hearts on Fire stones are more costly.
• Choosing a thinner band. The thickness of the ring’s band directly affects the cost of the ring by using more metal. Opting for a thinner style not only helps emphasize the gems, but also lowers the overall cost.
• Using synthetic stones instead of real gems. Many crystals or other artificial gems are just as stunning as diamonds when properly cut, but they come with only a fraction of the price. This is an especially popular option for accent stones, while concentrating the cost of the real gem into the center stone