| You are certain she is the one. | | | | two of you could spend the money you save on |
| | | | the honeymoon instead. Or for your new life |
| Before you propose marriage, you need that | | | | together. |
| engagement ring. | | | | |
| | | | But would she mind? |
| Women like it when the guys are romantic. You | | | | |
| know, go down on one knee, take out that | | | | If you can't afford the diamond ring right |
| precious ring and propose to her. Don't | | | | now, costume jewelry might be a good |
| forget the flowers as well. Roses are the | | | | compromise. You could get a ring with a huge |
| most romantic flowers, then again, it would | | | | rock if you go for cubic zirconia like the |
| mean even more if you take the trouble to get | | | | rings you'll find in the resource box below. |
| her a bouquet of her favorite flowers. Some | | | | Get her to marry you first. When you can |
| women prefer lilies. Others might prefer | | | | finally afford it, you could swap the cz ring |
| daisies. A handful may have hay fever, so a | | | | for one set with a stunning diamond. |
| golden rose, crystal rose or a box of | | | | |
| chocolates would be a better bet. | | | | Eventually, you might want to get the real |
| | | | diamond. |
| Back to the ring. So how are you going about | | | | |
| getting that all essential ring? | | | | 3. How to buy a diamond ring. |
| | | | |
| First, be practical. | | | | Diamonds are graded based on the 4 Cs. Carat, |
| | | | color, clarity and cut. |
| 1. How much are you able to afford? | | | | |
| | | | Carat: A larger diamond would cost much more |
| For a real diamond ring, the rule of the | | | | than a smaller diamond, all other things |
| thumb is to get a ring worth two months | | | | being equal. |
| salary. Then again, some women would want a | | | | |
| diamond ring of at least 0.5 carats, to be | | | | Clarity: Likewise, a flawless diamond is |
| respectable. A 1 carat ring would be | | | | worth far more than one with barely visible |
| preferred while a 3 carat ring would make her | | | | inclusions. |
| the envy of her friends. | | | | |
| | | | Color: Imagine a spectrum of color. From |
| Are you willing and able to pay so much for a | | | | absolutely colorless white diamonds (D color) |
| ring? | | | | to the brilliantly colored pink, yellow or |
| | | | even blue diamonds (Z color). Mind you, the |
| Or would she rather you spend the money on a | | | | color has to be natural to count. The |
| honeymoond? | | | | diamonds at either end of the spectrum, the |
| | | | colorless ones and the most brilliantly |
| Or for your new life together? | | | | colored diamonds are the most valuable. |
| | | | |
| Would you get in debt over that ring? | | | | Cut: This is about the diamond cutter's |
| | | | skill. The more perfect the cut, meaning, the |
| Or would you rather save up for it and | | | | more light is reflected back by the diamond, |
| propose a year later? | | | | the more valuable it is. |
| | | | |
| What if she gives up waiting for you and | | | | Set your budget. |
| someone else sweeps her off her feet? | | | | |
| | | | Decide which is most important to her. A |
| 2. The next question to ask yourself. Do you | | | | larger diamond with flaws or a smaller |
| want to get her a genuine diamond engagement | | | | diamond that is flawless. Play around with |
| ring? Or would a look alike with a huge | | | | the 4 Cs to get the best value for your |
| gemstone do? | | | | money, in accordance with what you know about |
| | | | her. |
| One way to go about this is to get a gorgeous | | | | |
| ring with a diamond look alike, They cost a | | | | Then make your purchase. |
| fraction of the price of a diamond and the | | | | |