ENGAGEMENT RING BUYING CHECKLIST
Follow our Essential 11-step Checklist to purchase your Engagement Ring like a Pro.
Find Her Style
What’s your partner’s style? Is she flashy? Does she prefer simple things or have a vintage flair? Take a look at her current jewelry, check out her Pinterest or Instagram account or ask a friend or family member who won't spill the beans. Pay special attention to her style when you are shopping together. Having a sense of her style will help you take the first step in the right direction.
Determine Your Budget
Now that you know her style, you can now narrow down your selection to rings within your budget. Make a realistic budget and stick to it. A reputable retailer will always work with you to find a diamond within your budget. If they do try to upsell you, stick to your guns and look elsewhere.
Research the 4 C’s
Style? Check. Budget? Check. Now comes the hard fun part: Researching the fundamentals of diamonds so you know exactly what you are buying. The old saying “knowledge is power” has never been more true.Once you’re aware of the 4 most popular ways to assess diamond quality, you’ll be able to search for that perfect diamond on your own. Start with the 4 C’s here, or just speak with one of our diamond experts who will give you the help you need and answer all of your questions!
Find a Diamond that Fits Your Budget
Now that you know her style and and the 4 C’s, it’s time to look for diamonds. How much are you willing to spend? Use our diamond search tool to help you find diamonds that match your criteria and are also within your budget. By using our “compare” feature, you’ll be able to contrast multiple diamonds by their more specific defining features.
Find a Reputable Retailer
Once you’ve completed steps 1-4, you’re now ready to look for a place to buy your ring! A reputable jeweler, both online and brick & mortar, will encourage you to shop around, ask questions and compare diamonds among the competition. hile it’s known that you can save up to 50% on your engagement ring by purchasing online, it’s still a best practice to Google real customer reviews from the place you are considering to buy from. You can read thousands of 5-star reviews for MKEDIAMOND.com here.
Ask Questions
As we stated above, a legitimate retailer will help you find a stone that is under your budget. They will not upsell you or make you feel uncomfortable in any way. Make sure to ask questions about their return policy, who grades their diamonds, and their warranty policy. If they cannot answer these questions directly and concisely, you better look elsewhere.
Look for Certifications
Would you purchase a used car without reading the CARFAX report? All the more so should you look at the certification for the diamond you are interested in. Diamonds are certified by independent laboratories; read more about the different laboratories and their certifications here.
Plan Out Your Payments
Now that you’re just about ready to make your purchase, it’s time to decide how you’ll pay for it. Some companies (like MKEDIAMOND) offer financing options which make it easy to finance your special purchase without any catches. This means you won’t have to worry about things like deferred interest or hidden fees. Learn more about our financing options here.
Ask About Any Discounts
Everyone loves to save money. Believe it or not, most retailers are constantly running some sort of special offer or giveaway! It never hurts to ask. Check out some of our special deals.
Consider Diamond Insurance
Nowadays, almost anything can be covered with an insurance policy. Insurance for diamonds is no different. Diamond insurance will protect your investment in case your diamond gets lost, stolen, or damaged. If you plan on buying a diamond that you wouldn't feel comfortable paying for again, get jewelry insurance.
Make the Purchase!
You did your research, you found her style, you stuck to your budget and you scored a great deal with a reputable retailer. Congratulations, you are ready to make your engagement ring purchase with confidence! If you have any other questions, big or small, our diamond experts are more than happy to assist you. Here’s to a happy union!
