Ask friends and family
Go to friends and family and ask about your sweetheart’s taste in jewelry. Is it a platinum diamond ring or something simpler? Is your mate low or high maintenance? If you come up with enough leads, you can get a feel for what type of diamond ring they would like.
Go snooping
In order for the ring to have a great fit, you have to go into their jewelry box or drawer to see what size they wear. Take the ring with you to determine its finger size. The jewelry dealer will help you in this regard. Search for a ring that your mate hardly wears. They may not notice that it is missing.
Find a trusted marketplace
Finding a great jewelry store is very hard, so you should ask around. How about that newly engaged couple that you befriended last year? That platinum diamond ring that the soon-to-be bride was wearing sure looked beautiful. They may provide some great information about where to look, or they may recommend the store where their ring was purchased.
Know the 4 Cs
Simply put, the 4 Cs determine the overall quality of the diamond itself. The first “C” is for carat. A carat is the way in which diamonds are measured. A carat determines the weight of the ring. The second “C” is for cut. The basic meaning of cut is the overall quality and shape of the diamond. You want the diamond to reflect light. The next “C” is for clarity, which means any flaws or distinguishing marks that are available inside of the diamond. The last “C” is for color. You want to find a colorless white diamond because they are high quality merchandise.
Know your budget
Your sweetheart’s taste screams for a platinum diamond ring, but you can only afford cubic zirconia. Even though you are unable to buy the platinum diamond ring, buy the next best thing. It may be a diamond, but it may not be platinum!
Plan Ahead
If weddings are planned, shouldn’t engagements be too? Plan your proposal. You should not rush out and buy the first ring that you get your hands on.
Search in unconventional areas
Online, auctions, online auctions, and unclaimed warehouses sell all types of jewelry. If you are indeed on short notice, the best place to look is an unclaimed warehouse. The best thing about some warehouses is that you don’t have to pay the deposit; you only have to pay for the remaining balance of the piece!
Compare prices—and diamonds
How do you know if a dealer is trying to cheat you? You need to explore various arenas before you settle on one store. When you begin your price search, check out the merchandise as well. Bring a friend to get their opinion. If the diamonds look too murky or dark, they probably aren’t quality diamonds. In this instance, an online marketplace may not be your best move.
Make sure that your investment is certified
When you purchase your ring, make sure that a certificate is available in order to verify its authenticity. Most sources provide these certificates, even online ones.
Tell your mate!
This may be a surprise, but if you are really unsure about her taste, propose without the ring! That way, there will be no questions about her taste in jewelry.
By Michelle Presbury