You've dated, you've shared amazing moments together, and now you've decided that this woman is wonderful enough to tolerate living with for an eternity. Just as you deliberated long and hard on the decision to propose marriage (or so we hope!), you should give equal care and consideration when shopping for and picking out an engagement ring. Below are some helpful hints to save you money and headaches.
Don't bother shopping until you know your girlfriend's tastes
No matter how beautiful you think a princess-cut diamond is, if your girl has her heart set on one day receiving a round-cut diamond, she's going to be disappointed. In order to get it right, do some covert investigation and find out just what she likes. Make sure she wears white gold or platinum jewelry, and not yellow gold. Check to see if her tastes are more outlandish and bold, or subtle and understated. This will give you a good idea of what to start looking for.
Check online auctions sites
Let's face it: if another man's engagement falls through, this presents you with a great opportunity to make his loss your gain. eBay or Bidz are great places to look for diamond engagement rings, with a few caveats in mind. First, be sure to research the seller's customer feedback rating to ensure that you are dealing with a reputable online seller. Secondly, be well-acquainted with the return policy before making a purchase.
Another great online auction site that was born from the heartbreak of an engagement called off is I do, now I don t. This site brings together men who are about to take the plunge and buy a ring and those who did so and had the engagement fall through into an online auction format. As with any online auction, be sure to verify the authenticity of the diamond and request a certificate of appraisal from a certified gemologist.
Try craigslist or a local pawn shop
Occasionally, you will get lucky and find just what you are looking for on craigslist or in a local pawn shop. But be sure to verify for yourself the quality of your purchase, just as you would with an online auction.
Use coupon and discount codes in conjunction with large online retailers
Sites like StealDeals, Dealigg, and Fatwallet are constantly updating their sites with coupon codes and sales for stores like Zales, Macy's, JCPenny, and other big-box retailers. If you are looking to purchase a ring from one of these major retailers, be sure to search these coupon sites for any pertinent ongoing deals. The result could mean hundreds in savings.
Save money by going with white gold instead of platinum
If you aren't willing to compromise carat size in order to cut cost, consider opting for white gold instead of platinum. They look virtually identical, but white gold is nearly half the price.
Shop during holiday sales
Both big-box and online retailers like Blue Nile always have a ton of holiday sales and incentives around Christmas-time. If you find a ring you like but it's not on sale, chances are it will go on sale later in the year around Christmas.
