Home and Family Author: Mandy Smith

Like it or not, when you buy an engagement ring it's all a part of the fairy tale of getting married. Picture this; you stroll into the local jeweler, see a ring that is perfect (and well under budget). You buy it, present it to your fiancé who nearly faints, she is so in love with it. She says 'yes!' and you live happily ever after.

The reality is that going to buy an engagement ring can be fraught with stress, frustration, confusion and disappointment if you do not quite know what you are doing. Here are a few of the more common scenes from jewelers around the globe.

Scene 1
The groom-to-be nervously shuffles into the store with no idea what he is looking for. A very helpful young shop assistant directs him to the engagement rings. They all look so great and the shine coming off the center diamonds is blinding. He sees one that he likes and that fits his budget. The shop assistant grins, places the precious ring in its special box and out he goes.

When the big day comes and he pops the question he can't help but catch the slight look of disappointment on his fiancés face. He looks at the ring and notices that it doesn't sparkle quite as much as he remembered. To add insult to injury when they get it appraised the coupe find that it has less value than he paid for it and that it is actually quite flawed.

Talk about being out of pocket and let down.

Scene 2
The young couple walks into store knowing exactly what they want in an engagement ring. A shop assistant shows them all the rings that they have in stock, but none of them are quite right. To design an engagement ring to match would have been far too expensive so the couple leaves that store and drive across town to another store, and another and another until they either; find the perfect ring. It is over budget, but hey, they got it! Or they settle for something that is almost right.

Again, disappointed or out of pocket, or both.

Scene 3
You have no idea of what you want when you get into the store, but the shop assistant assures you that 'this ring is the most popular', 'Prince William gave one just like it to Kate Middleton'  or the classic 'she will absolutely love this ring – it's what everyone is getting this year'. You shrug and go with it.

Be warned – there is a really good chance that by taking this option you will not only pay far more than you should have, but that you fiancé will be really let down with your choice.

How to buy an engagement ring that is perfect.
You only get to do this once, so you need to choose a ring that defines how you feel about her and that not only suits her, but that she is comfortable wearing. You also want to get a ring that will hold its value and that doesn't place a financial strain on either of you.

There are several online jewelry stores that have a large selection of rings available or where you can even design your engagement ring online. Most also have diamond tutorials so that you can make an informed decision about that all important center diamond.

By looking online, knowing what you want and learning about diamond quality you can buy an engagement ring online with confidence, knowing that you will not only have a great ring, but that it will also come at the best price.

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