Buying an Engagement Ring on a Budget
One of your first steps to finding an engagement ring on a tight budget is to start by asking your parents or other family members if there is a family ring you can use. Many mothers leave their engagement rings, wedding bands, and other jewelry to family members. Sometimes these rings just sit in a safe deposit box unused. You never know what family piece is out there. Family pieces can also hold special meaning for the bride or groom. Wearing a diamond their grandmother wore her entire married life has significant meaning and provides a sense of tradition. There are many options for making a family piece your own. You can have the stone(s) set into a new band. If you have a family diamond that is not so large, you could have it set between two sapphires or other les expensive stones. This will add importance to the central stone.
Another source for inexpensive engagement rings is antique stores. Antique stores often carry a variety of jewelry. Although you might think of mostly costume jewelry when you think antique store that is not always the case. Many stores carry estate jewelry and valuable pieces that have been sold to them. Antique diamonds can be less expensive than newer diamonds. They are also very collectable. Antique diamonds are usually one of kind because they were hand cut. No two will be alike. They were often cut to show off their best qualities, which means you can buy a lesser quality diamond that gives the appearance of a more expensive diamond with better clarity. These older diamonds can be found under the names Old Mine cut and European cut diamonds. Many date over 100 years old and originally came from Africa. There is a charm and ageless grace to these diamonds that cannot be found in the newer diamonds that have been perfectly cut by a machine.
Pawnshops are also a great source for inexpensive diamonds and engagement rings. Second hand jewelry can often be considerably les expensive than the stuff straight from the posh jewelry store around the corner. First of all the owner of the pawnshop bought it for less, so you can buy it for less. Many of these pieces no longer held any emotional value to the original over and they were willing to part with it for less than it was worth. A lot of the value of diamonds is base on emotion. So, if you can live without the fancy velvet box and the glitzy showroom, pawnshops are a great way to get a value on a diamond engagement ring.
Choosing a semi precious stone instead of a diamond is a great way to buy an engagement ring on a budget. This is also a great way to have a unique ring that no one else will have. There is nothing wrong with diamonds, but sometimes you wonder where the variety has gone with engagement rings. Sapphires and emeralds make impressive settings and are sure to stand out from the rest of the engagement rings out there. You may want to check with family members, friends of the bride to be, or even your better half to make sure this is an appropriate option. Some girls may just have their heart set on a diamond!
Finally, check the paper under the classifieds. Almost everything imaginable is for sale in the paper. Craigslist and Ebay are also other great sources for inexpensive diamond engagement rings. Of course you should always have these diamonds checked out by a gemologist. You need to be certain of what you are buying and what it is worth.
