By: Jessica Carter (RAINBOW Special Guest!), DiamondPriceGuide.com
Picture credited by: Zoara.com

An engagement is probably one of the items a man will ever buy for a woman other than a wedding ring.  For this reason it is important that couples budget their money so they can afford both rings.  However, it is now common for many people to not be able to afford a full priced engagement ring and this make the process rather difficult.  Here is a short guide to designing your engagement ring if you are on a strict budget.  It is a good idea to take these same steps if you are in the market for a wedding ring as well.

The first thing you should do is learn about the 4C’s of a diamond – clarity, carat weight, color and cut.  These are important because they are what determine a diamond’s value.  Knowing about the diamond 4C’swil allow you to be able to avoid those stones which hare out of price range and also enable you to choose the best diamonds possible.  In addition, read about engagement ring settings.

Once you’ve done this, visit a store so you can see diamonds in person and determine which stone is right for your budget.  This is important because it enable you to pick the best stone in terms of the 4C’s.  Consider the settings and which will look best with your diamond or diamonds of choice.   If you are looking for a wedding ring, it is a good idea to consider rings that will match stud earrings as well.

The next step is to look online and compare with a brick-and-mortar store as online stores usually have better prices.  Once you’ve done this, ensure your retailer of choice is legitimate via some quick research with the Better Business Bureau and have the diamond appraised and insured.