Your Wedding Advice - StrictlyWeddings.com Blog

Blinging Rules

According to InStyle Weddings, here are 10 top tips for buying the engagement ring:

1. Skip the Solitaire

There’s more than one way to wear a carat of diamonds on your finger.

A ring with a classic solitaire at this weight (right) will generally cost thousands. But a band covered with tiny pavé diamonds that add up to just under 1 carat (left) sparkles plenty and can cost up to 90 percent less than a ring with a big center stone.

2. Compare Settings

The way a diamond is framed can have a major impact on how big it looks. For example, a bezel—a thin band of metal that wraps around a gem—gives the illusion of a larger stone. These two rings both hold .25-carat diamonds, but the solitaire on the left seems more substantial than the prong-set one on the right.

3. Know Your Metals

Platinum and gold are the top choices for engagement rings. The former will cost you—a simple platinum band can cost nearly $600 more than a comparable one in gold—but many brides feel the price is worth it. Platinum is a far more durable metal. It will show fewer nicks and scratches, and platinum prongs will hold a stone more securely. As for color, some people believe that yellow gold casts an unflattering light on the diamond, while others prefer the hue’s warmth and traditional look.

4. Invest in Insurance

The cost of protecting yourself against loss or theft depends on several factors—including the value of your ring, of course, as well as where you live (major city dwellers will pay more). According to Donna Syverson, a spokeswoman for the national insurance firm Jewelers Mutual, your annual premium will be about 1 to 2.7 percent of the jewelry’s appraised value, even for rings that cost six figures.

5. Have Your Ring NumberedYour diamond’s certificate number (or jeweler’s designation) can be laser-inscribed on the side of the stone, allowing it to be positively identified in case of theft or after cleaning or repair. Such inscriptions, which are visible under magnification (shown at right for the ring below) don’t affect the gem’s value. They cost from $40 to $200 and offer more than mere peace of mind: Some insurance carriers will give policy discounts on inscribed diamonds.

6. Save Big with a Smaller Stone

Most couples look for diamonds in whole carat weights, but what you may not realize is that jewelers charge a premium for such stones. If you opt instead for a gem just under a carat (or under 2 or 3 carats, for that matter), the savings can add up to 30 percent. And the difference in size is so insignificant, you won’t be able to tell. Of the rings shown here, the top one features a 1.03-carat solitaire and costs $14,000; the solitaire at the bottom weighs .93 carats and will run you $11,000.

7. Dream Up a Custom Piece

Believe it or not, many reputable jewelers offer one-of-a-kind rings without charging exorbitant fees. Some companies require a minimum purchase or bill clients a small amount for preliminary work, such as drawings.