Your wedding rings lasts longer than the one day; you get enjoyment every day wearing them as they represents the commitment you made to each other. Here are some tips I have from my 20 years of helping couples select the perfect ring to represent their marriage.
Educate Yourself
Start with the American Gem Society (ags.org), a fantastic nonprofit, non bias educational source you can trust. Keep in mind, diamonds are one of the most intensely graded items on the planet, there is a lot to know, and the more prepared you are, the more confident you will be to select the perfect diamond.
Get the inside scoop
Listen up guys….one of the most important things you can do is get the inside scoop on the ring style she has been dreaming of. One thing I hear on a regular basis working in a jewelry store are women telling me they would never have chosen the ring they received and how much they would have preferred a different style. Be creative and observant, asks her friends for help, even take her shopping with you! just figure out the ring of her dreams and do what you and your budget allows to get it. If you really want everything to be a surprise and you are not sure of the style preferred, choose the diamond and propose with a solitaire; then allow her to come with you to choose the setting she would love to wear.
Your opinion doesn’t matter
It’s not about you; your opinion does not matter when choosing the ring for your soon to be bride or groom. Each of us has our own individual taste, and each of us have to look at the ring on our finger every day for the rest of our life. The best answer, when asked what you think, is always say “I like what you like.”
Another Sale… Really?
The jewelry industry is notorious for sales, just like the car industry. Don’t get sucked into the hype. Take your time; this is a very important purchase! Shop around, forget about the retail price it originally was, instead look at the bottom dollar price presented and compare your options to find out where you will get the most for your dollar.
Avoid extended warranties and service plans
Consumer reports says it best; “An expensive gamble, the majority of buyers never use the coverage.” Many jewelry stores offer extended warranties and service plans for your engagement ring purchases, they are expensive, and usually have an abundance of fine print, restrictions, exclusions and expiration dates. They are a profit powerhouse for the jewelry stores that sell them. It is better to skip the extended warranty or service plan; purchase a quality ring, take care of it, have it cleaned and inspected regularly. Understand that service work or repairs will be needed over the years; a ring will not last forever, just don’t prepay for work you may never need.
Steel, is that all your worth?
A new trend in the jewelry industry is alternative metals, especially in men’s wedding bands. While these rings are very cool, inexpensive, and seem like a great place to save money in the wedding budget, you may end up disappointed in a few years. Customers who have selected and worn these steel wedding bands over the years and are now coming back to select something new because of the drawbacks of steel bands. Most cannot be refinished, cannot be sized, some cannot be exposed to certain chemicals like chlorine, and some have alloys in them that some people are allergic to. Stick with a precious metal for your wedding bands, they may be a bit more expensive, but they can be sized, refinished, you will always have the original ring blessed at your ceremony, it is something of value you can pass on, because you and your marriage are worth it.