The recession has given pause to rethink the rules and guidelines in place. One of these rules, is the idea that a suitor needs to spend two months of his salary on the most beautiful engagement ring she could ever hope to wear. The good news is that you can fudge a little on the two-month salary rule, particularly if you pay attention to what she wants, and not how much it costs. There are so many options available for people on a tight budget and the best way to find out how you can best spend your resources is to make a budget and hop online.
What Is A Reasonable Amount?
Maybe two or three month’s salary is not available right now for a ring. In that case, what amount is available? You have to start somewhere. No one is going to demand that you spend two month’s salary on a ring, so it’s really up to you to decide to set a budget that you can use to buy the ring she wants. Ultimately, you have to understand that some sacrifices will most likely be made when you don’t put aside two month’s salary to buy the ring. However, if they are not important to her final happiness with the ring, then they needn’t stop you from making your purchase at a budget you can afford.
Get an Idea of Her Perfect Ring
You may have to be stealthy or include her in the buying decision. If you want it to be a surprise, you can ask her friends and relatives about her tastes. If you’d rather she be involved, you can look up a virtual diamond engagement ring designer online and take a look at a few styles. You don’t have to finalize the entire look, just have her tell you which she likes best. Then, take it from there.
Concentrate on Balancing 4 Cs
Maybe she wants a cushion cut diamond in a larger size. In that case, you might be able to balance the additional monies required for carat weight by picking a stone of lesser clarity or of a different color quality. Don’t over look some of the fancy colored stones in yellow or champagne as they can be 15 to 25% less than a white diamond.
The choice of metal used for the ring setting will also play a large part in how much you end up paying. Platinum is far more expensive than gold, and gold is far more expensive than white gold. The design and style of the setting can also increase or decrease the amount you have to pay, so make sure you know whether she wants a simple setting or something more elaborate. The idea is to get the most features she want at the price that you can handle.
If she’s not too particular about the shape, but wants a white diamond, you will still be able to change the budget by looking at the different cuts and clarity available. The virtual ring builder makes it very easy to choose different stones with different settings to help you balance your budget.
Whether the fashion or jewelry industry believes it or not, there are really no existing rules or trends where engagement rings are concerned! While there are some popular styles that come and go, really it is strictly up to a soon-to-be groom to choose the ring that best signifies his love.
While for sentimental reasons, the most beautiful engagement rings in the world need only to share the right intent, when it comes to aesthetic beauty there is just something deeper that we seek. Whether looking at a celebrity ring, such as the breathtaking six carat pink diamond briefly exchanged between Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez, or a less publicized ring, there are a number of things that can place a ring among the world’s most beautiful. 
Diamonds weren’t always associated with engagements or weddings. In fact, America had little interest in diamonds until the mid-20th century, when a successful marketing campaign convinced millions that “I love you” and “forever” could be perfectly represented in a glittering diamond stone. Years later, diamonds are still largely identified with weddings and marriage proposals. Are you thinking of popping a big question to that special someone? Are diamonds required? What kind of diamond should you buy? 
Diamonds have a reputation as being the perfect way to say I love you, referred to as being “a girl’s best friend” and a symbol of eternity. This is a belief held by romantics all over the world, and the diamond is by far the most commonly used stone in engagement rings. If diamonds are the most precious stone, however, then pink diamonds are in a class of their own. When you add a rare pink diamond, engagement rings truly become amazing symbols of an undying affection.
When it comes to jewelry trends, sometimes the next big thing is hard to see coming. While it can happen overnight, such as when identical sunglasses to those worn by Tom Cruise soared in sales after Top Gun, a trend can also develop so slowly that nobody really takes notice. That has, until now, been the case with men’s engagement rings.It has been a slowly growing trend for women to propose to their boyfriends. While it is an idea that has taken some warming up to by the male community and by traditionalists, female proposals are actually becoming rather common. In some countries engagement rings for males are tradition, but in many nations it is only a recent idea. 
While diamonds may be forever, they are also are versatile and a skilled jeweler can cut it into many forms. The trends change over the years, especially where the most important diamonds, those exchanged during or before a wedding, are concerned. Where women once opted largely for round-cut diamonds, square-cuts are currently more in demand. Where men once traditionally wore plain, gold bands, many now wear diamond rings themselves. Even the metals in which the diamonds are set is changing!