3 Easy Ways to Save on That Engagement Ring

You've found the woman of your dreams, and you know you want to be with her forever. But first, you need to find an engagement ring that will take her breath away. Unfortunately, with the high cost of fine jewelry, that sparkler might also take your breath away — but for different reasons. Here are three easy ways to save on that engagement ring so that you can propose with confidence — without breaking the bank.

Those large jewelry stores have millions to spend on advertising campaigns and celebrity endorsements, but those appealing additions come at a cost. Believe it or not, research has shown that jewelry pieces sold at chain stores are marked up as much as twice their wholesale cost, driving your wedding budget into the ground.

On the other hand, working with a small, independent jeweler gives you the chance to enjoy less-expensive rings that are sometimes made with better stones and higher-quality materials. Since independently-owned and -operated jewelry shops have more of their reputation on the line than large-scale jewelry stores do, they tend to care more about what kinds of pieces they are putting in their cases.

Also, small jewelers are typically more considerate of your budget and willing to offer customized options to help you to meet your financial goals. For example, a privately-owned jewelry shop might be happy to switch out that main stone for another variety to save you money, while big-box retailers might only sell pieces as-is.

Since diamonds are sold by the carat, the larger the stone, the more expensive the ring. Oftentimes, the main center stone of the ring is far pricier than any other component of the engagement ring, which is why creating the illusion of a larger center stone can save you so much money.

Both pavé and halo settings help to make the center stone look much larger than it actually is, making that sparkler look large and glamorous for a fraction of the cost. Pavé diamonds are small diamonds with a flat surface that are grouped together to look like a single stone. Halo settings are designed with a circle of smaller diamonds surrounding a center stone, giving the ring a nostalgic, old-world look while increasing the visible size of the center stone.

If you are interested in either pavé or halo settings, remember that the clarity, color, and carat size of the smaller stones matter too. Talk with your jeweler about the quality of the stones they offer, and ask to see rings created with these settings.

When people start the journey of shopping for an engagement ring, one of the most common questions they have is which metal is appropriate for the ring. While gold, silver, and platinum are the most common varieties for wedding rings, silver is by far the least expensive metal option, while platinum is usually more expensive than gold.
Since platinum is a denser metal, jewelers need more of it to create a ring band than they would if they used gold.

Additionally, platinum is much rarer than gold, which also dramatically increases its price.
When you start the shopping process, keep your mind open regarding metal types. Other alternatives, such as palladium, look like white gold or platinum but cost much less.

Are you ready to find the perfect ring for that special someone in your life? Marla's Gem Creations specializes in creating one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces and engagement rings that will check all of the boxes off of your list. In addition to carrying a wide assortment of men's and women's wedding jewelry, this jeweler also carries loose stones and other wholesale jewelry components — giving you the chance to design your very own piece.