What Are My Options For Cheap Engagement Rings?

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Even though the engagement ring itself is tiny, its expense is a significant part of your overall wedding budget. Search for a choice that is within your budget so the ring is not a major problem. There are choices, but they must be reviewed carefully by each of the partners that are involved.

A diamond substitute is the best choice over a true diamond. Although marriage has been around for a long time, the tradition of diamond engagement rings has not.  At the beginning of the last century, the De Beers diamond company, faced with an oversupply of quality diamonds in the market, created the "diamond engagement ring" as part of an advertising campaign to increase demands for diamonds, and therefore, their profits. 

The over prize of the modern diamond is due to the mystique created and spread by De Beers and other diamond merchants. You have other stones and diamond substitutes with the same beauty, clarity and durability.

If you and your partner want real diamonds, you must start the search quite early. The first option is frequently overlooked:  resetting a stone that a family member from either side already owns. Often purchasing an engagement ring from a current owner, or accepting one that has been a family heirloom, will result in the price being lower than a new stone, or in the case of one handed down through the family, the important "something old" that the bride traditionally wears for her wedding.  When a ring is an outright gift and the setting is appealing, that kind of diamond will not break your budget.

If that does not work, you should try speaking to a jeweler with a long-standing reputation for quality work, and see if he or she can locate a reasonably priced stone of high quality for you. Keep in mind that your notion of a low price may not be the same as a jeweler's… but a jeweler who has a reputation is much less likely to cheat you than a fly by night, or a chain supplier who has good intention without a great jewelery education.

A reputable jeweler may find you a fine stone at an estate sale, may own a good stone with a minor flaw but great fire that he or she loves, flaws and all, or may be able to contact other professionals in the community of gem dealers to find you an affordable stone.

A reputable jeweler will be able to inform and educate you about diamonds more than any other source you can find. Diamonds are an expensive item to purchase.  The prices are often inflated according to market demand.  To bypass this price increase, you should find a jeweler willing to suggest a substitute. Their suggestion is often based on their knowledge of both quality and affordability. Some love cubic zirconium, some Moissanite, some white topaz. 

If you approach some experts, they will recommend some strong, fine unexpected alternatives. Hear them out, and think about their suggestions. Jewelers are never pleased to sell diamonds to people who do not appreciated their beauty regardless of the price the buyer paid. Charging enough to make a profit on items spent makes many feel like a cheat. It would be their pleasure to assist you in finding an option that will ensure them that they make money and keep their good name while keeping you satisfied.

Another possibility, though not really the best alternative, is to purchase one second hand from a pawn broker or a seller on Ebay. Quality control and a lack of quality assurances can be a serious problem.

Even a dealer in good faith, can "cheat"  you simply because you are not knowledgeable in jewelery and the buyer has little ability to assess the value before purchase. There are many things to gamble on in life. Your engagement ring should not form a part of them.

For more please see affordable diamond solitaire engagement rings and cheap princess cut diamond engagement rings.