The Engagement Ring: What Should You Actually Spend?

The Rules

There has always been great debate on how much a man should spend on an engagement ring. Most people have heard of the stuffy three-month salary rule, which thankfully has been put to rest. For most men, spending three months of their annual income would set them back considerably – or worse – accrue them debt. For some couples, adopting the two-month or one-month salary rule is more in line with their finances.

Some couples are even opting to share the cost of the ring. This may be seem too unconventional for some men and/or couples, but when you are building a life together it usually means you are sharing finances – so, if it makes more financial sense for the both of you to contribute to the cost, then why not? And by sharing the cost, this could result in the purchase of a nicer engagement ring.

Another approach is to spend the average cost of a ring. In 2014, the average price point that couples were spending on an engagement ring was $5,855. With that being said, only go this route if your financial standing can support this median price tag.

How to Break the Rules

Purchasing an engagement ring should never cause you financial strain, and that is why it’s important to make a purchase that is in line with your income. We are not suggesting you go the cheap route, as an engagement ring symbolizes much more than dollar signs – a purchase of this magnitude deserves thoughtful consideration, and should be viewed as a worthy financial investment. You want to present your special lady with an engagement ring she will love, and there are ways to do so without breaking the bank.

Custom jewelry is an option for those that want to create a special ring, at an affordable price. Custom allows you to save on the metal, and focus on the setting. Not to mention there are stunning engagement rings that cost well below the average figure we mentioned above. With some careful deliberation on your part, it is possible to find a beautiful engagement ring that works at any income level.

Scroll down to see a list of our beautiful Majesty Diamonds engagement rings in a wide range of prices!

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1 CT 6-Prong Solitaire Round Diamond Engagement Ring, $2,789.00

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1 3/8 CTW Multi Stone Round Diamond Engagement Ring, $3,709.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

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1/2 CT Classic Solitaire Princess Diamond Engagement Ring, $1,349.00

 

The Versatile Halo Ring

What is a Halo ring?

For those who are not familiar with the halo ring, the halo ring is a setting that encircles a center stone in a collection of round pavé diamonds. The benefit of these pavé stones is that they add more shimmer to the ring, accentuating the center stone. The ornate nature of the halo ring makes any center diamond look larger than it actually is – with even a half-carat diamond looking as much as a half a carat bigger. When you want people to notice your ring, go with a halo ring. This is why the halo ring appeals to both celebrities and average consumers alike. Who doesn’t want their center stone to look bigger?

DOUBLE-HALO-CUSHION-WHITE-W-1-1600PX-PThe Versatile Styles

Due to its big diamond appearance, and stylish nature, the halo ring is a close runner up to the classic solitaire as the most coveted style of engagement ring. With a halo ring, your options for customizing and personalizing are endless. The most popular style for the halo ring is a big diamond setting, with a single halo of pavé stones supported by a plain white gold band. If you are seeking  a more ornate look, you can choose to pavé the shank as well. You can also opt for a double halo ring or triple halo ring for that more bling look. Although white gold is the preferred choice for halo rings, the rings are also available in yellow gold and rose gold. And with colored diamonds increasing in popularity, a colored diamond paired with a rose gold shank can make for a very special and eye-catching engagement ring. This is what makes the halo ring so versatile – you can find a ring with any size or color of stone, any style of shank, and any color of gold.

HR6196-ROUND-WHITE-W-1-800PXCustom Options

With most jewelers offering custom jewelry services, you can opt to design your own halo ring – getting the exact design and look that you want. With such a versatile ring, you will be hard pressed not to find a halo ring that suits your needs and budget. At Majesty Diamonds, custom jewelry is one of our top sellers – we’ve served over 25,000 happy customers. We custom make rings, pendants, bracelets and earrings. We would be thrilled to custom design your halo engagement ring. For more information on our custom jewelry services, http://bit.ly/1Pgi0Nt.

 

Diamond Shopping: Finding the Perfect Diamond For You.

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Diamond shopping is fun, but with so many different styles, shapes and quality options out there, it can also be stressful. Find the perfect diamond for your look with the following easy tips:

Shape

Although shape has little bearing on the value of a diamond, it can affect how well a ring works in harmony with your style, hand shape and accent jewelry. If you have oval palms and narrow fingers, for example, you should avoid heart-shaped stones and large, round diamonds. To find out what diamond works best with your hand shape, head to your local jewelry store and try on one of each of the following diamond shapes:

  • Round
  • Emerald
  • Princess
  • Oval
  • Pear
  • Radiant
  • Asscher
  • Marquise
  • Heart
  • Cushion

If you already have a selection of favorite rings, try to select a diamond shape that will work in harmony with your best-loved pieces (if you plan on wearing more than one ring at once). A princess-shaped diamond, for example, will not look its best when placed next to a marquise-shaped emerald.

Clarity

One of the determining factors in a diamond’s attractiveness is its clarity. The fewer flaws visible in any given diamond, the more appealing the gem is considered. Diamond clarity is graded on a scale of “I3” (imperfect) to “F” (flawless).  “I” stones contain a myriad of imperfections that are visible to the naked eye, whereas “F” stones are completely perfect, with no flaws visible even under 10x magnification.

Color

Diamonds that appear yellow in coloring are seen as particularly undesirable by diamond aficionados. Diamond clarity is graded between “D” and “Z,” but diamonds that fall below an “M” on the grading scale are not usually sold by reputable jewelers. When placed in  yellow gold settings, diamonds in the “G” to “J” range will appear mostly colorless. However, if you plan on purchasing a white gold or platinum setting, shop for a stone that falls as high on the color scale as possible.

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Carat Weight

Carat is the measure of a diamond’s size. Often considered less significant than clarity, color and cut, carat is largely a matter of personal preference. While  large, low-quality diamonds certainly stand out in the crowd, they are actually less valuable than their smaller, high-quality counterparts. If you are shopping for an engagement ring, be sure to get an idea of how your partner feels about size versus quality before beginning your search.

Cut

Cut is all about shine. The perfect diamond is brilliant, fiery and eye-catching. Cut is graded on a scale of “poor” to “excellent.” While poor-cut diamonds are generally dull in appearance, excellent-cut diamonds reflect all of the light of their surroundings. Cut is of very little importance in small accent stones, but becomes a huge factor in carat weights of ¼ or higher.

Congratulations, you’re just about ready to start shopping for your new diamond. Before settling on a stone, be sure to browse a variety of different sizes, shapes and qualities. If you decide to save money by purchasing your new diamond from a pre-owned jewelry store, try to bring an experienced diamond-shopper with you, as pre-owned jewelry generally comes ungraded.

 

International Update: James Bond’s Watch, Christie’s Jewelry Auctions, and Retail Jewelry News from Canada, Russia, and the USA

News from the Auction World:

Thunderball- we all remember the movie; James Bond on a fast paced mission through the Bahamas, battling SPECTRE and his goons underwater, two atomic bombs would be detonated unless £100 million in diamonds were presented (disclaimer: Majesty Diamonds was not around back then, had we been – we would not have sold diamonds to the likes of SPECTRE!). Continue Reading →

To Her from Her: Trends in Same Sex Engagement Rings and Wedding Bands

With an increasing number of US states legalizing same-sex nuptials, and the historic same-sex rulings last week, the sacred institution of marriage, and the traditional wedding bridal industry is undergoing a makeover. Traditional wedding customs are being challenged and several elements of traditional wedding rituals are changing; churches are being replaced by exotic beach destinations, priests are being replaced by ‘legal notaries’, the white dresses are getting sexier, new styles of same sex engagement rings and wedding bands are leaning away from the classic solitaire.  In Canada, eight years after gay marriage was legalized across the country, the same-sex wedding business has ballooned to over half-a-billion dollars annually! Continue Reading →