Shop for your engagement ring on a budget with these tips.

Are you thinking about proposing to your significant other? Looking for an engagement ring? If you’re shopping for an engagement ring, you’re probably looking for one that fits your budget, and you might be getting frustrated because you’re not sure if you can find a ring that you can afford. According to The Knot, there are several ways you can stick to your budget when engagement ring shopping. Check out a few of their money-saving tips here.

•    If you’d like to increase the size appearance of your loved one’s engagement ring, select a ring with a halo setting. A halo setting is a circle of smaller diamonds around the stone in the center. This will create the illusion that the diamond is larger than it is and give it a beautiful vintage look.

•    Instead of purchasing a ring with diamonds encircling the band, select a ring that has a band that’s embellished with engravings or twists in the metal. To add a little more sparkle (if desired), select a ring that has baguette stones on either side of the center stone.

•    Consider buying the engagement ring and the wedding band as a set. Sometimes jewelers will offer great savings if you choose to purchase your rings this way. You can occasionally get the groom’s wedding band, along with the bride’s two rings, for an even better discount.

Image courtesy of jessica.diamond via Flickr

Find the perfect wedding band for you with these tips!

Are you and your fiancé going wedding band shopping? If so, you’re probably wondering what things you should keep in mind when searching for the perfect wedding bands. After all, you’ll be wearing these rings for the rest of your lives, so you’ll want to make sure that they are exactly what you want and need. Check out these excellent tips, courtesy of The Knot, on what you should remember when you’re wedding ring shopping.

•    Begin shopping for your wedding bands at least two months in advance. If you’re planning on engraving your rings, you’ll want to start even earlier; you’ll probably want to allow at least one month for engraving. Have a basic idea of what you want before you head to the store, and give yourself plenty of time to make sure you choose the right rings.

•    Have a wedding band budget in mind for your rings. You should spend around 3% of your total wedding budget on your wedding bands. If you’re looking for a gold ring, the average price you’ll be looking at is $150; if you’re looking at platinum rings, the average price is considerably higher: around $600 or $700.

•    You shouldn’t base your wedding band choice solely on looks. Consider your lifestyle when selecting your wedding rings. They should suit your lifestyle. For instance, if you play music or sports a lot, you’ll probably want a ring that is slimmer and more comfortable, not a bulky ring that’s impractical and gets in the way of your daily activities.

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