Shopping Tips for Buying Affordable Wedding Rings

Tips to Shop for Affordable Wedding Rings

Everyone wants to purchase the perfect ring, and there are definitely a few tips to can help you keep the search budget friendly. There’s no need to match Elizabeth Taylor’s $8.8 million engagement ring, your perfect wedding ring can easily be high in value while remaining lesser cost.

You can surely impress with the breadth of affordable wedding rings available online. Make your wedding as brilliant and fiery as the tokens of your love for one another.

Much like all fine jewelry purchases, elements such as carat, cut, clarity, and color play a significant role in finding affordable options. Commonly known as the 4Cs, these key aspects can have a big impact on your budget. From the 4Cs to diamond alternatives, take a look at essential some tips to shopping for wedding rings.

The 4Cs & Their Impact on Budget

Understanding the 4Cs will certainly make purchasing on-budget wedding rings much more simple. Not having a clear view of these elements will inevitably lead to overspending or even missing out on higher quality options.

Tip 1: Diamond Carat

Carat is the weight of a diamond and the standard unit of measurement among jewelers. It is also a relatively familiar term for most ring buyers. One carat is equal to 200 milligrams, and some jewelers often divide carats into a point system. According to Jewelers of America, “There are 100 points in a carat. A half-carat diamond may be referred to as a 50-point stone.”

Bigger is not always better in the case of searching for affordable rings. Carat weight is important because diamond prices are at their highest at the full and half carat weights. Instead of purchasing a one-carat diamond, opt for a weight just under a carat. When aiming smaller on the carat scale, choose a setting can help increase a diamond's visual size and brilliance. For instance, a halo settings are great at enhancing the size of a diamond.

Tip 2: Diamond Cut

The cut of a diamond is possibly the most important element to picking a diamond, even if you are searching for affordable rings. It’s the characteristic that dictates a diamond’s brilliance and fire. An exceptionally well-cut stone offers a sparkle and shine that leaves bride’s breathless. At its essence, diamond cut is based on four major factors:

Brightness. The white light (external and internal) reflected from the diamond.
Scintillation. The sparkle a diamond offers, and the light and darkness caused by reflection.
Fire. The manner in which white light scatters into all primary colors of the rainbow.
Luster. The amount of light that reflects off the surface of the diamond.

Tip 3: Diamond Clarity

Clarity of a diamond has to do with the number of imperfections that can be seen. These are inclusions (internal characteristics), and blemishes (external characteristics). Clarity is graded within the six following categories:

Flawless (FL). No inclusions or blemishes under 10x magnification. Internally Flawless (IF). No inclusions under 10x magnification.
Very, Very Slightly Included (VVS1 and VVS2). Slight inclusions under 10x magnification.
Very Slightly Included (VS1 and VS2). Minor inclusions can be seen. Slightly Included (SI1 and SI2). Noticeable inclusions under 10x magnification.
Included (I1, I2, and I3). These diamonds have obvious inclusions that impact transparency and brilliance.

Going lower in clarity can help you stay within your budget. The more inclusions found in a diamond, the lower the price, however, often times inclusions can only be seen by a professional diamond grader.

Tip 4: Diamond Color

Color is another factor in diamond quality that can be adjusted to help stay on budget. To the untrained eye, most diamond color grades can’t be differentiated. A diamond’s color is graded from D (colorless) to Z (yellow or brownish). Diamonds with color grades D to G are considered very rare, and grades G to J are definitely most appealing to your budget.

A fantastic way to save a bit of money when comparing a diamond’s color grade is to go with grades H and I. They offer a great value for those searching for affordable wedding rings, and you will never see the difference between an G and a I grade.

Two More Diamond Tips to Consider

Cost Conscious. Cost is the driving force behind your buying experience, so always keep your budget within reach. You certainly don’t want to get too attached to an unattainable ring, so be conscious of jewelers trying to show you wedding rings outside of your price range.

Certification. Certification for your diamonds is very important. The Gemological Institute of America certifies gemstones with ethical practices in place and ensures your affordable diamond ring is not a scam. A certified diamond may cost a bit more, but it ensures you are getting exactly what you pay for.

Diamond Alternatives for Affordable Wedding Rings

Diamonds are not always a “girl’s best friend”. Alternative gems such as moissanite, rubies, and sapphires are also very fashionable and beautiful.

Moissanite. This diamond alternative is one of the best ways to go about your search for affordable wedding rings. In fact, the savings can be in upwards of thousands of dollars. Moissanite often showcases more fire than a diamond, and they are more durable.

Colored stones. Another fantastic alternative to diamonds are colored gems. This is a fashionable option when searching for affordable wedding rings. In fact, rubies and sapphires are in vogue for engagement and wedding rings. Colored stones will cost you far less than diamonds, and birthstones are always an option as well.

Yellow Gold is Back

Platinum and white gold wedding rings are still very popular, however, yellow gold has made a comeback. Yellow gold boasts maximum value when buying affordable wedding rings. When searching for the perfect wedding ring, you may find 18K to be the standard weight. It's in fact, purer but a 14K weight is nearly the same value.

A 14K yellow gold wedding ring is certainly more affordable and will last just as long. If you spend a bit toward yearly maintenance and polishing, a 14K weight is a great choice and budget friendly.

Know How & Where to Buy Affordable Wedding Rings

Before doing any shopping, it is absolutely vital to begin your search for affordable wedding rings online. You will be able to browse in comfort, and without pressure.

Doing a bit of online research will also allow you to get your wedding ring jargon down prior to shopping. If you want to get the best price on affordable wedding rings these days, you should do your ring buying online.

“You can find better prices for big-ticket items like engagement rings from online-only retailers because they don’t have the overhead cost brands with brick and mortar locations have,” according to Women Getting Married.

When shopping for affordable wedding rings, research is best practice. Know the 4Cs if you are searching for diamond wedding rings. And don’t shy away from diamond alternatives stones that are just as impressive. Let this beautiful moment in life be one of celebration and excitement by finding the perfect budget friendly wedding ring.

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