HOW TO SHOP FOR AN ENGAGEMENT RING

To someone who knows little about jewelry, and diamonds in particular, shopping for an engagement ring can be a very daunting task. Being that this purchase marks such a momentous occasion in the lives of both you and your fiancée, it is important to be informed and confident throughout the entire process. With so many different variables at play, it is vital that you, the consumer, do enough due diligence beforehand to ensure you end up with a beautiful engagement ring, micro pave engagement ring that will be treasured forever. As is the case with any large purchase, it is best to consult with a trained professional who has many years of experience in the diamond and jewelry business. A trusted jeweler, such as Lauren B Jewelry & Diamonds of New York, will have a skilled staff with many years of hands on experience in the trade that they can impart to you. Aside from finding your jeweler, the process of buying an engagement ring, micro pave engagement ring is something that takes some research and thought. However, keep in mind that is an exciting time in your life, so remember to have fun and make it as enjoyable as possible! Below we are going to share with you a general step by step guide of how we at Lauren B Jewelry & Diamonds recommend that you go about making this engagement ring purchase:

EDUCATE:Your first move is to get a general understanding of diamonds, by learning the value factors and general pricing information for these precious gemstones. Familiarize yourself with the ‘Four C’s’ which are the main characteristics that directly affect the overall value and beauty of a diamond. In addition, inform yourself about the different shapes that diamonds come in and what makes each one so unique. Lastly, you should be aware of the different types of engagement ring setting designs, and the metals, usually gold or platinum, that they are created from. By learning about these individual elements that as a whole make up an engagement ring, you will begin to have a clearer concept about the product you are buying. Knowledge is crucial, and in this case it will give you the self-confidence to embark on your journey for that perfect engagement ring, micro pave engagement ring.

CHOOSING ENGAGEMENT RING STYLE:The next step is to figure out what engagement ring design and style your significant other will love. Although a majority of the expenditure goes towards your center-diamond, the setting that accompanies it can be equally important. Not only should it compliment your sparkling center-diamond, but a setting should give the wearer of the engagement ring a distinguished look that is customized to their taste. This decision on style has to do with one’s fashion sense, and should be tailored to each individual based on their personality and lifestyles. At Lauren B Jewelry’s New York store you are sure to find any style you are looking for as they offer their customers many different settings, from simple solitaire to the more dazzling diamond settings. If it is a specific style you desire, we also specialize in custom engagement rings.

In the event you would like to keep your proposal a surprise, act like a detective by picking up any clues you can as to what style ring suits her best. Pay attention to what type of jewelry she wears- is she simple and reserved (more classic) or daring and bold with her style (more sparkle)? You can also ask her closest friends and family members. There is a good chance she has confided in them as to what style ring she likes or they may simply have a good understanding of her basic fashion sense. It is even possible that she has hinted to you in passing that she loves one of her friend’s rings, or pointed out something to you in a jewelry store window.

You should also consider the engagement ring style from a practical point of view. Some factors to consider are what designs will work best with the figure of her hand, e.g. does she have long fingers, small fingers, etc. - certain diamond shapes and settings may look better on different types of hands. Also, take into account the nature of her job. For example if she is a nurse and is constantly taking on a putting off gloves, you should possibly go for a lower setting to protect the diamond. All of these factors combined will play a part in determining the diamond shape and type of setting you will buy. With all the ideas mentioned above at your disposal, you should be able to make an informed decision that she will be delighted with.

If you do not plan on keeping it a surprise, get her input into what shape diamond and engagement ring setting she loves. Have her go with you, or one of her friends, to visit several jewelry stores to try on some styles until she finds the one that strikes her. At Lauren B Jewelry of New York, our salespeople are on hand to help you through this process and let you try on different engagement rings and discuss any custom designs you may have in mind. If you cannot make it to our New York jewelry store, the online inventory of finished engagement rings is a great place to start your search.

BUDGET:After narrowing down your choices as far as diamond shape and ring design you are seeking, it is important to set a budget. At Lauren B, we suggest that you give yourself room to maneuver by setting a range with a minimum and maximum that you would like to spend. After determining how much you are willing to, and can afford, to spend, you should have a clear picture as to the quality and size of the diamond you can purchase. It is important to be realistic about what you can afford given your budget. Using your basic understanding of diamonds, you can determine which characteristics of the ‘four C’s are most important to you. When buying a diamond you can trade off between different qualities that you deem more important than others; such as going for better color and lower clarity, or a tradeoff of getting a larger diamond and sacrificing one of the quality characteristics. There are many factors that go into the pricing of a diamond, and it is up to you the shopper to determine which ones are most important to you and spend your money accordingly. At LaurenBjewelry.com you can request a diamond quote to assist you with your search.

VISIT A TRUSTED JEWELER:Once you have educated yourself and done your research, it is now time to move onto the last phase of the shopping process. With all this information you have gathered you should have a very focused idea in your mind about what you are looking for as far as style, shape, and price is concerned.

At Lauren B Jewelry, we always recommend that you view a diamond in person before purchasing, as opposed to buying it over the Internet ‘sight unseen’. With such a large purchase, it is important that you work face to face with a salesperson who can help guide you through the process and answer any questions you may have along the way. Lauren B Jewelry caters to a wide variety of clientele from all parts of the world and it is well worth the trip to our New York store from wherever you are. When you visit a jeweler you should feel completely comfortable with them and their products. At Lauren B Jewelry of New York our goal is to make our customers feel totally at ease when it comes to buying. We want our customers to be 100% confident and happy, as we view our relationships in the long term and not as a one time deal.

MAKING A DECISION:Once you know exactly what you are looking for and where you would like to purchase it, it is time to narrow it down to a select few alternatives. Always ask your jeweler to give you several diamond options to look at in a close range of colors, clarities, and sizes. At Lauren B Jewelry, we always give our customers choices so that they can fairly judge each unique diamond to help them make a decision. Also, be certain that the diamonds you are looking at are certified and graded by a recognized third party gemological lab. Lauren B Jewelry only sells engagement rings with GIA and EGL certified diamonds. This ensures that we are selling you a fact so and you know exactly what you are paying for. Give yourself ample time to review your options before making a decision, however, do not procrastinate too long as diamonds are bought and sold frequently and may become unavailable.

After finally choosing your engagement ring and payment is made, be sure to ask for an appraisal that will state exactly what it is that you purchased and what the replacement value is. This is very important for insurance purposes in the unforeseen case that something should get lost or stolen. Last of all, do not forget to smile as all the hard work is out of the way and now it is time to celebrate and enjoy this occasion!

PRESENTATION:Now that the shopping is out of the way, you can move on to the exciting presentation of the engagement ring to your soon to be fiancée. At Lauren B Jewelry, we have formed a special relationship with THB Exclusive, a wedding proposal planning company. They can help customize a wedding proposal tailored specifically to your personalities and lifestyles and make it a moment that you will always remember. If you have any questions or would like more information about this service, you can go to their website at http://www.thbexclusive.com/ or visit our New York jewelry store.

You can be assured that if you follow the steps above and use a reputable jeweler such as Lauren B Jewelry, your significant other will be absolutely overjoyed and pleasantly surprised with the ring you will offer her.