Ways to Save - How to Buy Wedding and Engagement Rings for Less
These tips will help you score a stylish ring on a budget.
How to Buy Engagement Rings for Less and Save on Wedding Rings
1) Lose the Embellishments
Plain and simple always costs less. Any embellishments increase the price.
2) Forego Platinum
If you’re on a budget and want a silver hue, skip platinum and opt for white gold – it costs about 45 percent less.
3) Just Short of a Carat
For diamonds, always buy just short of the next carat level. So if you’ve got your eye on a two-carat stone, swap it out with a 1.8 carat. You’ll save almost 20 percent, and the size difference is negligible.
4) Get a Set
Buy a matching or coordinating set (engagement and wedding ring), and you can save as much as 50 percent. You’ll save even more if you buy a three-piece set (engagement ring plus his and hers wedding rings).
5) Go Local
Good at haggling? Skip the national chains and test your bargaining skills at a local jeweler. You’re more likely to successfully negotiate prices at a privately owned jewelry store.
6) Upgrade Later
If you’ve got your heart set on a ring that’s out of your budget, consider purchasing a “starter ring,” and upgrade on a future anniversary.