Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Looking For an Engagement Ring? Here's How To Save BIG Money!

By Tom W. Mason

You're all set to pop the question - you know exactly how you're going to do it. You know exactly what to say and you're eager to get that ring on her finger! However, that's just what you're missing - the ring! You don't have a huge budget though, so you need to find a cheap engagement ring ? but is this even a possibility?

First off, I never like to use the word "cheap" when describing a diamond ring. So instead of saying "cheap engagement ring", I'm going to say "affordable engagement ring". Just sounds nicer doesn't it?:)

When you're on a tight budget, price has to be a consideration. You need to assess your finances and decide how much you can afford to spend on this very important purchase. Remember that this is going to be a large purchase, so be realistic.

You'll either have to tap into your savings to pay for this purchase or save up for an engagement ring. Don't make the mistake of spending too little - this is one of the most important purchases you'll ever make.

So set a budget that you can afford. Many people try to spend about two months salary, but that isn't always possible. You might have a lot of other bills that you are responsible for - it simply isn't possible for everyone to fork out that much.

That's fine - don't worry about it. You can find gorgeous rings at affordable prices. It's all about getting the most for your money.

Typically, you should be prepared to spend at least $1,000 on an engagement ring. This is something she'll wear forever and is a symbol of your commitment to her. You might have to make some sacrifices to buy this ring. As far as diamond engagement rings go, $1,000 is a low price tag. However, you can make even one thousand dollars go a longer way than you may think if you know what to look for.

You can get a lot of good information by going to my website and checking out my Diamond Buying Guide. There's plenty of tips here on getting the best possible ring for the lowest possible price. My guide will help you to make the most of your purchase price.

The first thing you should do is to look for a simple setting. Go with 14 carat yellow or white gold here. If you're on a budget, you don't need to spend the extra money on platinum or 18 carat gold. The bulk of your budget should go towards the diamond, not the setting.

As far as the diamond goes, you want to get the largest diamond possible. While diamonds are graded on many different criteria, you can get an idea of which factors to look for in my Diamond Buying Guide. This information can help you avoid spending too much money for too little diamond.

You can find the perfect ring for that perfect girl without going broke. Remember, an affordable engagement ring is what you're looking for - never tell her it's a "cheap" engagement ring! ;) Happy hunting! - 15343

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