An engagement ring is one of the most personal pieces of jewellery one will ever own. Aside from the sentimåent, an engagement ring is likely one of the most expensive pieces of investment jewellery you'll ever own. While a lot goes into selecting the right engagement ring for you, we want to be clear: You don't have to spend more than your means to acquire a diamond that looks elevated and, well, expensive.
However, there are a few characteristics that will make a ring appear cheap regardless of price, carat size, or cut. When selecting a wedding band, keep in mind that being loyal to your style is always a good idea.
Choosing Mismatched Diamonds
If the diamond engagement ring you've chosen features a larger centre stone surrounded by lesser diamonds or vice versa, all diamonds in the ring must be of the same quality. Each diamond in the ring, including the larger centre stone, should be of equal grade. Instead of surrounding a single average stone with a plethora of mediocre ones, it is preferable to stick with a single somewhat better one.
Read our article about the 4Cs of Carat, Colour, Cut, and Clarity if you want to learn how to select a high-quality diamond for your engagement ring or another piece of jewellery.
Low Colour Grade
A low-coloured diamond in your engagement ring will make any yellowish hues more noticeable, making the ring look less attractive. For example, all the diamonds in a cluster, halo, or three-stone engagement ring should be of the same colour grade. The presence of a yellowish tinge on an otherwise white diamond is highly unwanted.
Pay special attention to the grading scale when selecting a diamond, as those in the K-M range are more likely to have a yellow tint and thus not be the brilliant gem you were hoping for. Yellowing reduces a diamond's value since most buyers want it to be colourless or near-colourless. An engagement ring with a white diamond, even if it means sizing down, would look more luxurious than one with a yellowish stone of the same carat weight.
Choosing Carat Over Colour
Unless you're rolling in dough, don't buy the biggest diamond you can afford for an engagement ring; instead, prioritise quality over quantity. No matter how large the diamond is, the ring will look cheap if it is of poor colour. The yellowish hue of a flawed colour diamond will jump out to anyone's eye.
Try a coloured stone if you're looking for a large stone but don't have the budget for a huge diamond. There are many beautiful options out there that can pass as high-end diamonds.
Large Or Unbalanced Prongs
When the prongs of a diamond engagement ring lift the stone too far out of the ring band, the result is a "high setting," in which the diamond sits too high above the band. This is occasionally the case because diamonds in mass-produced jewellery are cut using a template set that makes them appear larger than they are. Since the diamond is up high, the ring will grab on to everything, and you may end up losing the precious jewel.
In the words of the jewellers at Ashley Zhang, "prongs that are overly large or heavy can distract from a stunning centre diamond," detracting from the overall impression.
According to Octavia, a diamond of a quarter carat or more should be set by a professional because significant or imbalanced prongs can make the stone look like a "arts and crafts project." Thus, NOT what you'd want in a ring meant to endure a lifetime.
Experts recommend using sharp claw prongs to make the diamond more refined and expensive.
The prongs that hold the stone in place are an important part of an engagement ring, though they may not get as much attention as the diamond or the band. Poor craftsmanship can cause them to be overly big or uneven on either side of the diamond, which can detract from the stone's appeal. Worse, they make the ring look like a kid's arts and crafts project and make the stone less secure, increasing the risk that it will fall out.
Choosing A Bad Setting
For an engagement ring, you can choose from a wide variety of diamond settings, such as the more common claw or prong setting, more modern invisible settings, or even tension settings. Selecting a location that is too bulky, too huge, or too imbalanced will detract from the beauty of your diamond or gemstone and make your engagement ring appear less impressive. It could loosen your stone, sending your hard-earned cash down the drain.
Puzzle Settings, which combine a higher number of smaller diamonds to create a substantial piece of jewellery, are an attractive and cost-effective option for getting more bling for your buck when it comes to diamonds.
Diamonds Set Too High.
You may want your diamond to be prominently displayed on your finger so that all eyes will be drawn to it, but doing so at the expense of the ring's aesthetics is a bad idea. Knowing how much room under the diamond's sharp part, called the cutlet, will help you choose a setting that will highlight its true beauty.
Rather than custom-designing each ring, jewellers often employ mass-produced settings sized to accommodate a range of diamond carat weights, resulting in this problem. It's a red flag that the jeweller didn't put in their best effort.
It could potentially come undone or get trapped on anything if worn loosely. While some prefer a higher setting, a gap of any size can be off-putting to wearers and make their jewellery appear cheap. You may choose to have the stone in your ring lowered by having the ring reset.
Poor Quality Resizing
Perhaps this may come as a surprise, and your ideal ring is a hair too big or too little. The jeweller who originally crafted your ring should be contacted or visited if you require a resize. It could cost more and take longer, but you've already put in the time and effort! You shouldn't be able to tell where the seam is.
As many jewellers offer this service, don't skimp on the resizing charge while getting your engagement ring resized by a professional. If the ring is too wide, it will slip off your finger; if it is too little, it will be uncomfortable. Your choice of resizing service is, nevertheless, critical.
If you go to a low-end jeweller, you may find that the piece you bought has flaws only visible upon closer inspection, such as a solder line or a mismatched seam. Even if your ring seems excellent from above, this could give it an unattractive, low-quality appearance.
What To Do If You Can’t Afford An Engagement Ring
Here are some options to consider if you want to propose but can't afford an engagement ring.
Locate a family heirloom ring. Do you have a ring your mother or grandmother would like to give you? Is there an heirloom piece of jewellery gathering dust in a drawer? Make it into a meaningful ring for your fiancé. Altering the size of an existing ring or ordering a new setting for a precious stone are options. You can save tons of money (or perhaps get the ring for free) without sacrificing sentimental value.
If necessary, revise your spending plan and your expectations. No matter how big or small your ring is, it doesn't indicate how big or small your heart is. It would be best if you thought about cutting your spending to a more manageable level. To make a proposal workable for the two of you, your partner may also need to modify their expectations.
Hold off till you have the funds: Despite your enthusiasm, this might not be the best time to pop the question. It's a good idea to put money aside for a ring and other expenses associated with a wedding and marriage. If you want to buy an engagement ring as quickly as possible once you have the money, you should start shopping now.
FAQs About Wedding Ring
Tips On Buying A Cheap Engagement Ring
The purchasing of an engagement ring is a momentous occasion. However, this doesn't necessitate spending a fortune. Engagement rings don't have to break the bank, and there are plenty of creative methods to cut costs without compromising style.
Spend as little or as much as you choose, but make sure you get the most out of your ring purchase.
Get Your Diamond From A Reliable Source
If you require a diamond, knowing the 4Cs will help you get the ideal ring at a reasonable price.
Extremely costly diamonds:
- Clarity grades of VVS2 or better
- Have a high grade of colourlessness D-E-F
- available in the usual assortment of carat sizes, including 1, 1.5, 2, and 3
If you play around with these permutations and work your way down the grades from the top, you might just stumble upon a truly exceptional diamond for a very reasonable price. Read on to see how these two stones differ. There is a clear distinction between the two diamonds in terms of cut quality and carat weight, although the one on the left is the larger of the two. One is 90 carats and VVS2 K colour, while the other is.1 carats and Flawless F. No one would be able to tell the difference between these three diamonds if they only looked at them. There's a chance you could get them mixed up. But the price difference is over $4500!
A little diamond, weighing between. Thirty and.50 carats is an option for those who value understatement. If you have a little diamond and want to make it look bigger, read our article.
Choose a Diamond Imitation and Save Money
Diamonds are popular as engagement ring stones because they are both prestigious and long-lasting. Though diamonds are the toughest natural material known to man, they do not remain indestructible indefinitely. The rarity and desirability of diamonds contribute to their high value.
It's possible to find a gemstone with the look and durability of a diamond at a far more reasonable price. Diamonds are the standard, but moissanite is superior in many ways: it is considerably cheaper, much harder, much more bright, and much more attractive. Additionally, it has a sparkle similar to a diamond and can be mistaken for one at a glance.
If you were to buy a comparable diamond, you'd spend far over $10,000. The white sapphire is an excellent alternative to the white diamond in appearance. Sapphires are a fantastic alternative to diamonds for everyday use.
Choose A Cluster Setting
Bigger diamonds cost more than smaller ones. If you want to save money, go with a smaller diamond. This will allow us to decide whether to go with a single large diamond or a cluster setting featuring many smaller diamonds.
This is a foolproof method for getting a large and beautiful diamond engagement ring for a much lower price.
Go with a Man-Made Engagement Ring
Only four gemstones make the cut for engagement rings that we would ever suggest to our readers. That's because all four of those varieties score a nine or higher on the Mohs scale, making them extremely tough and long-lasting. This ensures that they are robust enough to be used frequently.
With the exception of opal, the other three can be quite expensive compared to moissanite. Man-made alternatives to natural diamonds, gemstones, and rubies meet this demand.
All gems made in a lab are authentic. Instead, they are a man-made substitute for the real thing. These gems look identical to their mined counterparts; the only difference is that they were created artificially in a lab.
Synthetic gemstones have gained popularity as viable substitutes for their natural counterparts for a number of reasons.
They don't affect the environment, are morally admirable, and have no negative impact on future generations. They are natural gemstones that were not extracted in a way that could be harmful to human rights or lead to violence. They are a phenomenal example of technological and engineering achievement. Finally, synthetic gemstones can be obtained for far less than their mined counterparts yet being identical in appearance and other important characteristics.
Opt For Prior-Loved Engagement Rings
You can save a lot of money by shopping for a pre-owned engagement ring online if that's something you're okay with. You may find many beautiful, previously loved engagement rings on sale at a fraction of the retail price on the internet.
You can find a beautiful ring for less than a thousand dollars. Since most of the vendors are anonymous, you'll need to perform your research to guarantee that the ring you're buying is real (in terms of the metals and gemstones used).
Invest with the intent of improving
Investing thousands of dollars into a new relationship by purchasing an engagement ring may not be the best financial decision. Many couples avoid going into debt by purchasing a cubic zirconia ring with the idea of upgrading to a diamond band in the future.
This is a beautiful plan since it will remind you how far you've come as a couple in your pursuit of happiness. It also makes good financial sense and displays the capacity to prioritise, be patient and cooperate towards a common objective.
Cheap cubic zirconia rings that appear like natural diamonds can be found on Amazon. These usually have sufficient longevity to see you through until you're ready to upgrade.
Never Sacrifice Quality
You will wear your engagement ring every day for the entirety of your life. It needs to be able to withstand the ups and downs of life with you. That's why it's important to invest in high-quality supplies.
Consider longevity when shopping for anything of value.
- Which precious metal, such as gold or platinum, is used to craft the ring set?
- Is the ring well made?
- Is there enough strength in the centrepiece stone?
You can better assess the ring's quality if you ask questions like these.
Get a certificate from the store proving the diamond or gemstone's genuineness (if applicable). Always be sure you're purchasing from a trustworthy merchant.
Get in touch with us if you want advice on locating an engagement ring that won't break the bank. We'll look for a beautiful ring that fits your budget at no cost to you.
Conclusion
An engagement ring is one of the most personal pieces of jewellery one will ever own. You don't have to spend more than your means to acquire a diamond that looks elevated and, well, expensive. However, there are a few characteristics that will make a ring appear cheap regardless of price, carat size, or cut. The prongs that hold the diamond in place are an important part of an engagement ring. Poor craftsmanship can cause them to be overly big or uneven on either side of the diamond.
Selecting a location that is too bulky, too huge, or too imbalanced will detract from the beauty of your diamond or gemstone. Puzzle Settings are an attractive and cost-effective option for getting more bling for your buck when it comes to diamonds. Knowing how much room under the diamond's sharp part, called the cutlet, will help you choose a setting that will highlight its true beauty. Don't skimp on the resizing charge while getting your engagement ring resized by a professional. Even if your ring seems excellent from above, this could give it an unattractive, low-quality appearance.
The purchasing of an engagement ring is a momentous occasion. Engagement rings don't have to break the bank, and there are plenty of creative methods to cut costs without compromising style. If you require a diamond, knowing the 4Cs will help you get the ideal ring at a reasonable price. Diamonds are popular as engagement ring stones because they are prestigious and long-lasting. There is a clear distinction between the two diamonds in terms of cut quality and carat weight.
Bigger diamonds cost more than smaller ones, so if you want to save money, go with a smaller diamond. The white sapphire is an excellent alternative to the white diamond in appearance.
Content Summary:
- An engagement ring is one of the most personal pieces of jewellery one will ever own.
- Aside from the sentimåent, an engagement ring is likely one of the most expensive pieces of investment jewellery you'll ever own.
- While a lot goes into selecting the right engagement ring for you, we want to be clear: You don't have to spend more than your means to acquire a diamond that looks elevated and, well, expensive.
- However, there are a few characteristics that will make a ring appear cheap regardless of price, carat size, or cut.
- When selecting a wedding band, keep in mind that being loyal to your style is always a good idea.
- If the diamond engagement ring you've chosen features a larger centre stone surrounded by lesser diamonds or vice versa, all diamonds in the ring must be of the same quality.
- Each diamond in the ring, including the larger centre stone, should be of equal grade.
- Instead of surrounding a single average stone with a plethora of mediocre ones, it is preferable to stick with a single somewhat better one.
- Read our article about the 4Cs of Carat, Colour, Cut, and Clarity if you want to learn how to select a high-quality diamond for your engagement ring or another piece of jewellery.
- A low-coloured diamond in your engagement ring will make any yellowish hues more noticeable, making the ring look less attractive.
- For example, all the diamonds in a cluster, halo, or three-stone engagement ring should be of the same colour grade.
- The presence of a yellowish tinge on an otherwise white diamond is highly unwanted.
- Pay special attention to the grading scale when selecting a diamond, as those in the K-M range are more likely to have a yellow tint and thus not be the brilliant gem you were hoping for.
- Yellowing reduces a diamond's value since most buyers want it to be colourless or near-colourless.
- An engagement ring with a white diamond, even if it means sizing down, would look more luxurious than one with a yellowish stone of the same carat weight.
- Unless you're rolling in dough, don't buy the biggest diamond you can afford for an engagement ring; instead, prioritise quality over quantity.
- The yellowish hue of a flawed colour diamond will jump out to anyone's eye.
- Try a coloured stone if you're looking for a large stone but don't have the budget for a huge diamond.
- There are many beautiful options out there that can pass as high-end diamonds.
- When the prongs of a diamond engagement ring lift the stone too far out of the ring band, the result is a "high setting," in which the diamond sits too high above the band.
- This is occasionally the case because diamonds in mass-produced jewellery are cut using a template set that makes them appear larger than they are.
- Since the diamond is up high, the ring will grab on to everything, and you may end up losing the precious jewel.
- In the words of the jewellers at Ashley Zhang, "prongs that are overly large or heavy can distract from a stunning centre diamond," detracting from the overall impression.
- According to Octavia, a diamond of a quarter carat or more should be set by a professional because significant or imbalanced prongs can make the stone look like a "arts and crafts project."
- Thus, NOT what you'd want in a ring meant to endure a lifetime.
- Experts recommend using sharp claw prongs to make the diamond more refined and expensive.
- The prongs that hold the stone in place are an important part of an engagement ring, though they may not get as much attention as the diamond or the band.
- Poor craftsmanship can cause them to be overly big or uneven on either side of the diamond, which can detract from the stone's appeal.
- Worse, they make the ring look like a kid's arts and crafts project and make the stone less secure, increasing the risk that it will fall out.
- For an engagement ring, you can choose from a wide variety of diamond settings, such as the more common claw or prong setting, more modern invisible settings, or even tension settings.
- Selecting a location that is too bulky, too huge, or too imbalanced will detract from the beauty of your diamond or gemstone and make your engagement ring appear less impressive.
- It could loosen your stone, sending your hard-earned cash down the drain.
- Puzzle Settings, which combine a higher number of smaller diamonds to create a substantial piece of jewellery, are an attractive and cost-effective option for getting more bling for your buck when it comes to diamonds.
- Diamonds Set Too High.
- You may want your diamond to be prominently displayed on your finger so that all eyes will be drawn to it, but doing so at the expense of the ring's aesthetics is a bad idea.
- Knowing how much room under the diamond's sharp part, called the cutlet, will help you choose a setting that will highlight its true beauty.
- Rather than custom-designing each ring, jewellers often employ mass-produced settings sized to accommodate a range of diamond carat weights, resulting in this problem.
- It's a red flag that the jeweller didn't put in their best effort.
- It could potentially come undone or get trapped on anything if worn loosely.
- While some prefer a higher setting, a gap of any size can be off-putting to wearers and make their jewellery appear cheap.
- You may choose to have the stone in your ring lowered by having the ring reset.
- Perhaps this may come as a surprise, and your ideal ring is a hair too big or too little.
- The jeweller who originally crafted your ring should be contacted or visited if you require a resize.
- It could cost more and take longer, but you've already put in the time and effort!
- You shouldn't be able to tell where the seam is.
- As many jewellers offer this service, don't skimp on the resizing charge while getting your engagement ring resized by a professional.
- If the ring is too wide, it will slip off your finger; if it is too little, it will be uncomfortable.
- Your choice of resizing service is, nevertheless, critical.
- If you go to a low-end jeweller, you may find that the piece you bought has flaws only visible upon closer inspection, such as a solder line or a mismatched seam.
- Even if your ring seems excellent from above, this could give it an unattractive, low-quality appearance.
- Here are some options to consider if you want to propose but can't afford an engagement ring.
- Make it into a meaningful ring for your fiancé.
- Altering the size of an existing ring or ordering a new setting for a precious stone are options.
- You can save tons of money (or perhaps get the ring for free) without sacrificing sentimental value.
- If necessary, revise your spending plan and your expectations.
- No matter how big or small your ring is, it doesn't indicate how big or small your heart is.
- It would be best if you thought about cutting your spending to a more manageable level.
- To make a proposal workable for the two of you, your partner may also need to modify their expectations.
- Hold off till you have the funds: Despite your enthusiasm, this might not be the best time to pop the question.
- It's a good idea to put money aside for a ring and other expenses associated with a wedding and marriage.
- If you want to buy an engagement ring as quickly as possible once you have the money, you should start shopping now.
- The purchasing of an engagement ring is a momentous occasion.
- However, this doesn't necessitate spending a fortune.
- Engagement rings don't have to break the bank, and there are plenty of creative methods to cut costs without compromising style.
- Spend as little or as much as you choose, but make sure you get the most out of your ring purchase.
- If you require a diamond, knowing the 4Cs will help you get the ideal ring at a reasonable price.
- Extremely costly diamonds: Clarity grades of VVS2 or better Have a high grade of colourlessness D-E-F available in the usual assortment of carat sizes, including 1, 1.5, 2, and 3 If you play around with these permutations and work your way down the grades from the top, you might just stumble upon a truly exceptional diamond for a very reasonable price.
- Read on to see how these two stones differ.
- There is a clear distinction between the two diamonds in terms of cut quality and carat weight, although the one on the left is the larger of the two.
- One is 90 carats and VVS2 K colour, while the other is.1 carats and Flawless F. No one would be able to tell the difference between these three diamonds if they only looked at them.
- There's a chance you could get them mixed up.
- But the price difference is over $4500!
- A little diamond, weighing between.
- Thirty and.50 carats is an option for those who value understatement.
- If you have a little diamond and want to make it look bigger, read our article.
- Diamonds are popular as engagement ring stones because they are both prestigious and long-lasting.
- Though diamonds are the toughest natural material known to man, they do not remain indestructible indefinitely.
- The rarity and desirability of diamonds contribute to their high value.
- It's possible to find a gemstone with the look and durability of a diamond at a far more reasonable price.
- Diamonds are the standard, but moissanite is superior in many ways: it is considerably cheaper, much harder, much more bright, and much more attractive.
- Additionally, it has a sparkle similar to a diamond and can be mistaken for one at a glance.
- If you were to buy a comparable diamond, you'd spend far over $10,000.
- The white sapphire is an excellent alternative to the white diamond in appearance.
- Sapphires are a fantastic alternative to diamonds for everyday use.
- Bigger diamonds cost more than smaller ones.
- If you want to save money, go with a smaller diamond.