Engagement Rings: How To Save Money When You Buy One!
Engagement Rings: You Do Have Money-$aving Options!
80% of American women receive diamond engagement rings--and diamonds are expensive. So what do you do if you want to get engaged, but don't want to spend an exorbitant amount of money on a diamond ring*. (It's estimated that the average cost is about $3500-$4000.)
There are options to diamonds and besides, many women would prefer other gemstones to diamonds and here's where you may find an affordable option.
* A ring is merely a formality. If a man asks you to be his wife and you accept, you are engaged, ring or no ring.
Colored Gemstones: A Wonderful Alternative...
Colored gemstones are stones like rubies and emeralds and sapphires--and there are many others. These are beautiful alternatives to diamonds and they can be flanked with a few small diamonds, if you desire, to really make them sparkle.
Some women may even like birthstone engagement rings, which may include:
- January: Garnet or Rose Quartz
- February: Amethyst or Onyx
- March: Aquamarine or Bloodstone
- April: Diamond or Rock Crystal (Quartz)
- May: Emerald or Chrysoprase
- June: Alexandrite, Moonstone or Pearl
- July: Ruby or Carnelion
- August: Peridot or Sardonyx
- September: Sapphire or Lapis
- October: Opal or Tourmaline
- November: Topaz or Citrine
- December : Tanzanite, Zircon or Turquoise
These stones can be beautifully set in a design of your choice, or how about featuring the bride's and groom's birthstones together?
Pawn Shops: Don't Forget Them!
I buy jewelry at pawn shops and so should you! Speaking of colored gemstones? A few years ago, I found a gorgeous emerald in a pawn shop, about three carats, pea green and clear. It was set in 18K gold and surrounded by small diamonds. I paid $600 for it.
I couldn't resist this ring and even though I don't care for emeralds, I bought it. A friend of mine, a jewelry wholesaler, took a look and said he'd sell it for me and sent it to a prestigious jewelry store in Washington D.C. When I didn't hear back, I asked him to retrieve the ring.
It still retained the price tag from the jewelry store: $5,000. I told my friend i'd keep the ring and I have it to this day.
Moral of the Engagement-Ring Story: That emerald ring would have made one, fabulous engagement ring for the small cost of resetting--and a valuable one to boot!