If proposing to the person you love isn’t scary enough, there’s the first point of buying an engagement ring. You need something special to propose with, right?
The fact you’ve decided to propose most likely means you’ve already started thinking about the kind of engagement ring you want to buy. You might have thought style, stones, practicality, ring size, and you’ve almost certainly thought about budget. Thinking about the price of a ring first might make you feel like a cheapskate, but the reality is that price plays a huge role in the kind of ring you’ll end up purchasing. Cost is such a deciding factor that there’s really little point in thinking about other factors until you’ve worked out your budget.
In other words, don’t feel bad if your decisions are based on price – it’s okay to want to purchase within your means.
Determining your budget
Back in the 1930s, when times were tough and money was tight, De Beers diamond cartel was looking for a way to pull itself back from financial trouble. De Beers created a marketing campaign that convinced the world that not only were diamonds the ultimate symbol of love and commitment, but that a man should spend no less than one month’s salary on his bride-to-be.
By the 1980s, this recommended figure had grown to two-months salary, and today, the general rule of thumb is three months salary. With this in mind, a man receiving the average Australian wage of $81,947 should spend $20,486 on an engagement ring.
Have we lost you? Have you picked yourself back up off your chair?
$20,486 is a fair old chunk of change and not every person feels comfortable spending that amount. Only you can decide whether or not that’s reasonable and if you decide it’s not, that’s okay.
We cannot tell you how much you should spend on a ring, but what we can tell you is that $20,486 will get you a beautiful ring your partner won’t be able to say no to. It will let you be flexible with design and help you find exactly what you’re looking for. It will put that wow factor into your purchase and the envy in the eyes of all of her friends. But again, it’s entirely up to you how much you want to spend.
Knowing your limit
An engagement ring is the start of a wonderful life together. It’s important it represents this by being ‘wonderful’, but going into massive debt for ‘the perfect ring’ will only taint that wonderful start. Getting engaged is about moving forward in your relationship and if you spend too much on your ‘start’, the end road will be a rocky one. Never spend more than you can afford – be it on the jewellery, the dress, the wedding, or the honeymoon.
When buying an engagement ring, set a limit you are comfortable with and stick to it. This limit will guide your decisions, and providing you’re prepared to do some research, you’ll be able to find something beautiful no matter your financial situation. In most cases, a well thought out ring that speaks to their individual personality will be much more meaningful than a ring that simply maxes out your credit card.
Partner expectations
Knowing your partner’s expectations before you start shopping will be a big help when choosing an engagement ring. Some women will expect a big sparkler, but others will prefer something simple. Everyone knows someone that’s been bought a Tiffany’s ring only to exchange it for something at their local auction.
If you’re openly talking about marriage with your partner, finding out their expectations will be easy. If you’re aiming for a surprise proposal, however, you’ll need to get a bit more creative.
Talk to her friends, her family or a colleague that knows her well. Consider her tastes and how much she spends on ‘goods’ compared with ‘experiences’. Play a game of ‘would you rather?’ and ask questions like, “Would you rather spend $20,000 on jewellery or on a holiday?”
Whatever it takes, get a sense of what she expects from you. It’s important you start your marriage on the same page.
Value for money
Whether you are willing to spend $20,000+ on an engagement ring or you’d prefer to spend $6,000, getting value for money should be your main goal. The end result should always make you feel comfortable with your purchase, and an expertly crafted ring and the happiness of your partner will do that.
Part of finding an engagement ring that’s value for money is finding the right place in which to purchase one. You might have lots of questions initially, and you want a diamond broker that will happily answer those questions.
At Australian Diamond Brokers, we welcome you to come in for an obligation free consultation, so that you may discover why so many choose to purchase with us. We make you feel like family when you come to see us, and we will talk you through every step of your purchase no matter how long it takes. An engagement ring last’s forever, so it’s crucial that we help you get it right!
Choosing Australian Diamond Brokers gives you peace of mind that no matter what budget or design preferences you have, you’ll receive value for money. Our extensive knowledge in diamond grading helps you buy the best diamond for your dollars, and priding ourselves on using the Kimberley Process, all diamonds are conflict-free.
There’s never any judgement either, meaning you’re free to come and talk to us about your budget no matter how much it will be.
So come have a chat and browse our range of engagement rings. We’re the best and most knowledgeable place to start and the safest bet for a successful proposal.
by Australian Diamond Brokers : October 15th 2017 Come visit our store or browse our website to find out more.