Jewelers and Engagement Rings

Many brides have their engagement ring before they announce their wedding, especially if their fiancee has chosen the traditional route of asking for their hand in marriage accompanied by a ring.  Other couples plan to get married and get engaged long before they choose a ring.  In case that's you, here's some advice about choosing a jeweler and choosing an engagement ring.

Choosing a Jeweler

Many jeweler advertisements focus on how important it is that you have a "ABC Jewelers Diamond."  Do you really care where your diamond comes from?  If it's pretty, if it's affordable, and if you really like it, does it matter which jeweler sold it to you?  Can you ever picture yourself saying, "Yes, it's beautiful - it's a "So and So" diamond?

Of course not.  The best jeweler is one that has the ring you want and can afford, and that is reputable.  That's it.  Everything else is, quite frankly, not important.  Instead of checking out jeweler advertisements, ask your friends or relatives for referrals.  Also make sure  the jeweler is a member of the American Gem Society.  AGM members have to follow strict standards and guidelines, so the odds are an AGM member jeweler is reliable and trustworthy.

More than anything, shop around.  Your engagement ring is for a lifetime - make sure it's one you like, and don't worry about whether the jeweler is a "name" jeweler or not.

Engagement RIng Shopping Tips

How much should you spend?  That's up to you, but don't get caught up in the "investment potential" of your ring.  Some jewelers will talk about how you're getting a great discount, and the ring you're buying is likely to increase in value... but do you care?  Do you plan to sell your engagement ring in a few years to make a profit?  Obviously not.

Here are some quick engagement ring shopping tips:

• Visit a lot of jewelery stores.  Shop around.  Get a feel for prices and for diamond quality.  Many stores will put subtle - or not so subtle - pressure on you to buy that day.  Don't give in - they want you to buy on the spot because people who say, "I'll be back," rarely do come back.
• Feel free to negotiate.  Even if you're in a "retail" jewelry store in a shopping mall, you can and should negotiate.  Just because you can't negotiate the price of a blouse at the clothing store next door doesn't mean you can't negotiate the price of your engagement ring.  You can typically get at least 5% to 10% off with just a little effort, and sometimes more.
• Make it a part of your sales contract that you can have the ring appraised by a third party verify its value.  Don't rely solely on the appraisal value provided by the store itself; have a third-party appraisal done, too.
• Make sure the jewelry store will size the engagement ring for free.  Sizing done within the first six months, even if you need the ring sized several times, should be free of charge.
• Ask for a money-back guarantee if you return the ring within a specified period of time.  Not that your engagement will be canceled, but if it is... plus you may find a ring you like better or that's a better deal.

Once you purchase an engagement ring, add it to your homeowner's insurance policy.  While it will cost a little extra, it's worth it if something happens to your ring.