Buying an engagement ring is probably one of the most important and expensive decisions you will ever make. Let’s put aside the fact that it is dear to your heart. Without a doubt, it will be the most expensive investment in jewelry that most people will make. Of course, you want it to be special and to also signify your endless love for your partner.
There can be a lot of pressure when buying an engagement ring. When you first start searching, you may peruse catalogs, stores, and the Internet and be completely dissatisfied with what it offers. You may have bigger plans for your big investment. You may also want something unique to represent your love for each other … rather than a ring that is available to everyone. If that’s the case, it’s time for you to buy a personalized engagement ring. But where do you start? Now that you know you want a personalized engagement ring, how can you achieve it without spending too much money and still ensure you receive quality jewelry? Here are some helpful tips to help you have a beautiful personalized ring that is right for you and your partner.
DECIDE WHAT YOU WANT
There are many places to draw inspiration from. You can start searching the internet to see what types of rings exist and what is popular right now. You can check the inventories online and get an idea of where to start. You can go to your local jeweler to see what their opinion is. Remember, they are looking to sell you a ring, so they will be happy to provide you with a free consultation on anything you need. You will also want to talk to your friends and acquaintances. Look at their engagement rings and ask them what their experience was like. They may be able to give you helpful information on the ring design. Once you have decided how you would like the ring to look, it is time to move on to the next step.
TIME IS EVERYTHING
Remember, it will take longer to receive your personalized engagement ring in hand than if you had ordered an item in stock. It should include the amount of time it will take to decide on the design of the ring, the time it will take to find a custom jewelry designer to make the ring, and the actual time it will take to build the ring. Don’t wait until the last minute to start the process. Wait at least 6-9 weeks for the whole process. The last thing you want to do is skip the deadline and have a proposal set up without the ring in hand.
BUDGET
Understand that purchasing a personalized engagement ring can be more expensive than purchasing a stock ring. It can be up to three times more expensive. You will need to make sure you have the right budget to achieve this. Of course, it will be beneficial to discuss your budget with your designer. They can offer suggestions on how to best achieve the design while staying within their financial domains.
If for some reason your entire ring cannot be customized based on your budget and specific design, then there certainly are alternatives to a semi-personalized ring. For example, you can opt for a pre-made setting and order the stone for the ring separately, in addition to inscribing the ring.
FIND A QUALITY DESIGNER
Finding a designer is probably the hardest part of your ordeal. The first thing you can do is search for local jewelry designers in your area. From there, you may want to do a brief search online for reviews of your services. Another option is to seek references from your friends and acquaintances.
If you come across multiple designs that you like while searching for ideas, you may want to see if you can get in touch with the designer. Be sure to ask important questions. For example, how long have they been in business? What are your price ranges? What is your estimated price? Are your diamonds GIA certified? How long will it take them to complete the design?