Whether shopping for the holidays, an anniversary, or before popping the question, you probably know that diamonds are still a girl's best friend. But hunting down the perfect bling can be overwhelming for a lot of men. With so many options and so many price ranges, you may not know where to start. You don't need to know what makes a diamond sparkle as long as it makes your partner gleam with happiness. Here are tips to help you choose the perfect diamond for your other half.
Know Your Budget
This may sound like a no-brainer, but you'd be surprised at how many men set foot inside a jewelry store with the goal of finding out how much that pair of diamond earrings she's been ogling over actually costs. Or you may see an ad that showcases the ring you want to put on her finger. But by the time you get to the store, you find out it costs $10,000, when all you have to spend is $3,000.
Coming up with a budget ahead of time can keep your focus narrow. Don't even get bogged down in the four Cs just yet—cut, color, clarity, and carat. You can familiarize yourself with what they mean, but limiting yourself to something no less than a very good cut, D-color, VVS1-clarity diamond can put you out of your price range.
Talk With Her Friends
Hopefully, you have a good relationship with your girlfriend or wife's friends, but if not, this is a great way to get in their good graces. Get their opinion on the ideal gift, asking them what they think she would like.
Has she talked about wanting a diamond ring? What was she eyeing the last time they went shopping together? What's her favorite cut: emerald or princess? Some women are good about dropping hints with their husbands and boyfriends, but a lot of them don't, worried that it will seem forward or simply assuming it won't make a difference (no offense, guys!).
You may feel weird using her friends to pry around, but you'd be amazed at how much you can learn, too.
Visit the Jeweler
Now that you've learned your girlfriend has been secretly spying that diamond bracelet in her favorite magazine, it's time to head to the jewelry store. You've also got a budget to work with, so the first step is letting the jeweler know what that number is. At that point, they can show you the bracelets that are available within that price range, and they can give you a quick lesson on the four Cs, if you need it.
Ask the sales rep for the pros and cons of each item. For instance, some diamond bracelets may be more likely than others to snag on clothes.
The jeweler might also ask some questions, like what line of work your girlfriend or wife is in. This is to narrow down your choices further, like choosing a diamond ring with a low setting. Bezels with claws or prongs and settings that come high off the finger are more likely to snag clothes and bump into surrounding objects. If your partner works with young children or in the health care field where she routinely uses latex gloves, they might recommend you go with a snag-free ring.
If you're stumped about ring size, try bringing along one of her rings when you shop. And when in doubt, go bigger than what you think she wears. It's easier and cheaper to size down than up.
Another question that might get asked is how slender her fingers are because certain cuts, like the emerald diamond, tend to have a slimming effect, making it an ideal choice for large or wide fingers.
Contact a company like Rocky Mountain Gold & Silver Exchange for additional advice.
Share11 December 2017
One thing I have always been good with is money. Even in high school, I always had a savings from my allowance and from working for the neighbors. I created this blog to help other young people understand the importance of financial responsibility even at a young age. If we start our adult lives knowing about financial responsibility, we can make it further in our lives before we suffer from the devastation of financial mistakes that can take years and years to pay back. Hopefully, what you learn here will help you avoid those financial mistakes and maybe help you recover from the ones you've already made.