Sunday, November 30, 2008

Here's How To Find a Cheap Engagement Ring - Save Thousands!

By Tom W. Mason

You're all set to pop the question - you know exactly how you're going to do it. You know exactly what to say and you're eager to get that ring on her finger! However, that's just what you're missing - the ring! You don't have a huge budget though, so you need to find a cheap engagement ring ? but is this even a possibility?

First off, I never like to use the word "cheap" when describing a diamond ring. So instead of saying "cheap engagement ring", I'm going to say "affordable engagement ring". Just sounds nicer doesn't it?:)

Budget is the first consideration when you're working with a tight budget. Figure out how much you can afford to spend on an engagement ring. Be realistic here; it is going to be a significant expense.

An engagement ring is going to set you back a few bucks. You will probably have to save up for a bit or tap into existing savings. It's a big purchase - and an extremely important one.

Traditionally, about two month's salary should be spent on an engagement ring. However, this may not be possible for you; you may have a lot of other expenses to handle.

If you can't afford two month's salary for an engagement ring, don't worry. It is possible to find a beautiful diamond engagement ring which does fit into your budget. The important thing is to make the most of your budget.

Typically, you should be prepared to spend at least $1,000 on an engagement ring. This is something she'll wear forever and is a symbol of your commitment to her. You might have to make some sacrifices to buy this ring. As far as diamond engagement rings go, $1,000 is a low price tag. However, you can make even one thousand dollars go a longer way than you may think if you know what to look for.

You can go to my website to read my Diamond Buying Guide. This guide will give you a lot of great information on buying the best engagement ring while staying within your budget. My guide helps you to get the most diamond for your money.

Keep the setting simple - 14 carat white or yellow gold. When you're on a budget, avoid spending too much on the setting - you can skip 18 carat gold or platinum. Your budget should go primarily towards the diamond itself.

You'll want to get the largest diamond you can. Diamonds are graded in several ways; my guide will give you ideas about which of these criteria are most important when looking for a diamond engagement ring on a tight budget.

I hope you find that dream ring of hers and that it doesn't break the bank! Remember, you aren't looking for a cheap engagement ring - you are looking for an affordable engagement ring;) Happy hunting! - 16035

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