Your Engagement Ring Cheat Sheet

Before you start shopping for an engagement ring, the best thing you can do to save money is start researching. Learn what affects diamond prices. Learn how a diamond is graded. Learn the basic terminology of diamonds and engagement rings before you ever set foot in a jewelry store. You can even start to price out rings online that roughly match your budget and your intended's taste. That way when (if) you decide to shop brick and mortar, you have a baseline in mind. It will also allow any sales people helping you to easily point out the differences in diamond characteristics - and therefore price - between the rings you'd like to compare.

This is especially important for those planning a holiday proposal. Bypass all of the oncoming holiday madness and "deals". Newsflash: diamond prices have nothing to do with the holiday season, so any sales or markdowns are coming from the high end of the retail price at big box stores. By shopping online or with independent jewelers you bypass that price point to start with and can often negotiate even more. Or better yet, develop a relationship with an expert who will source the right diamond for you, rather than trying to sell you a lackluster one. So while the mall stores' big "sales" may be eye catching, if you've done your homework you'll be able to read between the lines.

Bottom line is, the more you know, the easier it will be for you to get a great deal on a great diamond. Our blog is a great resource for diamond education, and we're always adding to it. So we thought this fun diamond engagement ring cheat sheet would be a great addition to our personal library. Enjoy!