This content is sponsored by Silver Spring Jewelry.
When it comes to buying an engagement ring, you want to give your loved one the moon but are likely constrained by a budget.
Luckily, affordability doesn’t mean you can’t create something beautiful and meaningful. With styles to match every taste and the ability to use something you already own, you are limited only by your imagination.
With the help of an expert jeweler, consider options that will satisfy both your budget and your idea of what the perfect engagement ring should look like.
The four C’s
Diamond value is based on several factors that determine its rarity. These are called the four C’s, according to Silver Spring Jewelers:
- Cut refers to how well a diamond reflects light, also known as its brilliance.
- Color is actually about absence of color, as the less hue a diamond has, the higher its value.
- Clarity means that the fewer inclusions and blemishes on the surface or interior of a diamond — usually invisible to the naked eye — the more valuable it is.
- Carat weight matters because the larger a diamond is, the rarer it is and, therefore, the higher demand for it is.
By adjusting one or more of these factors, you can lower the price of your ring without much noticeable difference. For example, a .95 carat ring could save you hundreds of dollars compared to a 1 carat ring.
Halo setting
If you want a big setting but don’t have the budget for a big diamond, a halo setting is a great choice. This combines a round center stone with a surrounding circle of smaller stones.
“Using a halo setting, you can increase your ring’s carat size without increasing the price tag as much as you would to get a single diamond of the same total carat weight,” according to brides.com.
Round cut diamonds also show more weight in their appearance because their cut tends to be shallow and wide.
Band materials
Bands can be made from a variety of metals. Common materials include yellow gold, rose gold, white gold, platinum, or a combination.
All of these have different hardness ratings and appearance, which means you can choose a metal that works well with your loved one’s lifestyle while also allowing you to create a gorgeous ring.
Unique gems
While diamonds are the most common gemstone for engagement rings, they aren’t the only way to go. Rings can be made with opals, emeralds, rubies, pearls, sapphires, or any precious gem you like.
Using a gem that isn’t a diamond can not only be budget friendly, it has the added benefit of making the engagement ring unique. This will increase the sentimental value for you and your significant other.
Family Heirloom jewelry
Sometimes jewelry is passed down through generations, and you may inherit rings or pendants from loved ones. These heirlooms may have old-fashioned settings, but an experienced jeweler can refinish worn settings, turn a pendant into a ring, or remove stones and create a new piece with a modern setting.
Silver Spring Jewelers can help you create an engagement ring that you’ll love and customize it even further with its state-of-the art engraving that will let you add a name, date, or any message you want. Visit SilverSpringJewelers.com or stop by a location near you to get started.
When you’re ready to choose the perfect engagement ring and need expert help, visit Ramón A. Garcia, designer and diamond specialist who as a second generation jeweler has twenty years of experience at Silver Spring Jewelry.
