DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER (AND A GIRLS BEST FRIEND)
Ah, it’s wedding season - and given our current financial climate, couples are sticking to their budgets closer than ever. If you are considering getting married, buying your engagement ring is the first of many expenses you will have to face. It’s an exciting time and a decision filled with emotion, but you don’t have to break the bank and overspend.
When choosing your engagement ring, remember it’s that one piece of jewellery you’ll wear for the rest of your life, so before you go engagement ring shopping, know your 5 Cs.
COLOUR
Jewellers use a scale for grading diamonds, which ranges from colourless (D) to light yellow (Z). The more yellow the stone, the more expensive it tends to be.
CUT
Oftentimes, cut is mistaken for the shape of the diamond. Cut refers to the way the diamonds are faceted to allow light to reflect, and are graded from ideal to poor. Very well cut diamonds are much more expensive than their poorly cut counterparts.
CLARITY
Diamonds often have scratches, small flaws, and air bubbles - the less inclusions, the cleaner and clearer the diamond. Flawless diamonds have no internal or external inclusions, which often equates to them being more expensive.
CARAT
This refers to the weight measurement of the stone. Greater carat size means more weight and more money.
COST
So how much should you spend on your engagement ring? Depending on your salary, it is suggested that a reasonable starting point be two month’s salary.
But “Taking yah time isn’t laziness” my grand mother always said, so save as much as you possibly can and finance as little as possible. If you must use a credit card, sign up for one with added benefits like airline miles. You can use the miles towards your honeymoon. But remember, it’s always best to save the majority of the cost and only put the smaller portion on your card if you have to.
The type of metal you choose can definitely affect the cost of your ring. Platinum is the most expensive trendy metal used for engagement rings. It is silver in colour like silver metal, which is less durable and much less expensive. Gold in its pure form is yellow in colour but it can also have other colours, such as white, rose green, and black to name a few.
White gold is an alloy or blend of the metals gold, nickel, or palladium. The highest quality of white gold is 18 carat and is an alloy of the metals palladium and gold.
Going trendy is often a huge waste of money. Choosing white gold or silver over platinum can save you tons. Stay away from brand names, as they are often popular and more expensive, while classically shaped rings are less expensive and maintain their value.
Family heirloom rings are a great way to emulate another great family marriage. It’s a wonderful way celebrate your classic style and awareness for the environment, or simply to embrace the most scared reason for being engaged (the bonding of two families). Heirlooms don’t always have to be grandma’s wedding ring; heirloom jewellery can also be redesigned to create one-of-a- kind engagement rings from brooches or bracelets. Remember, thinking creatively can save you a bundle.
Solitaire rings come in various shapes such as emerald, diamond, marquise, pear, heart, or the traditional round, which remains the most popular choice for brides to be. They have fewer facets than rings with multiple stones, and depending on the size and clarity, can also be more expensive and often have less sparkle. Remember, your wedding band has to fit next to your engagement ring, so choosing a multi-stone ring may allow you more wedding band matches.
So, consider the characteristics of your dream ring, the size of your fingers and your jewellery taste, and then be realistic about what you can afford. You’ll be able to try different sizes, cuts, and shapes of rings that will look great on you and that may even fit your budget.
Enjoy Shopping!!!
And
Dare to Dream