| By :
Mark Etinger
Shopping for an engagement ring should be a happy time. Some do it together, others like it to be a well kept secret. No matter your mode of shopping there are things you should always keep in mind, like your budget, ring detailing (including but not limited to the stone and the setting), and the jeweler. If you keep your wits about you and your heart in the right place you'll find the right ring and you'll do it without emptying your wallet for the next several months. Have extra money put aside for your engagement ring. While you can definitely find affordable engagement rings that are still beautiful and certified, it never hurts to be prepared with extra funding just in case you need it. Prices vary from store to store, online and in-house. While looking at similar rings may give a good estimate, you should have enough to exceed that cost. Having a nice ring is important but having a nice wedding is important too. Before you go out and seriously consider the purchase, make sure it's in-line with your sweetheart's expectations. You want the moment you pop the question to be as joyful as possible. Pay attention to what she likes when you're out browsing retailers. She might drop hints about her tastes in engagement rings. That could be the difference between the settings, diamond cut, and more. Does she like solitaire engagement rings or pave engagement rings? Keep your eyes peeled and your ears open. As for the stone, you should look for a diamond with what can be remembered as "the four C's." They are color, cut, clarity, and carat. As a general rule, colorless diamonds are most valuable, specialty diamonds being an exception. The way the diamond is cut will affect its luminosity, not its shape. The clarity is the level of purity from scratches, bubbles, flaws and other minerals. Finally, the term carat refers to the weight of the diamond. The larger the diamond, the more expensive it will be. Also keep in mind what shape diamond your sweetheart likes. The most popular is a round solitaire but pear and marquis are nice too. You can buy the ring preset or you can find the diamond separately and have a jeweler put it in for you. Which brings us to discussing the jeweler. Getting a diamond engagement ring from the right source can make a difference. A place with a wide selection of quality rings with a track record of customer satisfaction won't steer you wrong.
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