Making Your Money Go Further For an Engagement Ring

Ok, so I don't think I am dropping a bomb on anyone when I say the economy is a little rough right now. So naturally, it is a little unnerving when faced with the idea of purchasing an engagement ring. In the past, the "rule" has always been 2 months salary. I have never been one to follow the rules, and now is as good a time as any to depart from them if you find yourself in uncertain economic territory.

Do not worry, your options are still many... Fortunately in this day and age, there are many solutions that both you and your intended fiance will be relieved to know about.

1) It's ok to purchase a synthetic diamond - hey, you don't have to worry about whether it is a blood diamond or not and you can always replace it with a natural diamond down the road. And with the advance of technology, there are lots of top quality options - there is moissanite, which is silicon carbide, diamond hybrid which uses diamond to produce it, manmade diamonds - same or similar chemical make up of a natural diamond except that it was made in a lab. All of these options are significantly less than the cost of a diamond. For comparison a 1ct diamond G in color, SI1 in clarity usually sells for around $8000.00 (usually less if buying online). A 1ct moissanite runs about $500.00. A diamond hybrid or man made diamond 1 ct in size is about $250.00 or less.

2) An increasingly popular and symbolic option is to go with a colored gemstone. Rubies, sapphires, and spinels are just a few of the possibilities. They tend to be very durable and suited for everyday wear. Many of the colored gemstones have symbolic meaning that you may find appropriate as a symbol of your eternal love. Or maybe you just want a splash of color. Be sure that if you are considering a colored gemstone you ask your jeweler if the stone you want would stand up to daily wear. Some colored gemstones just aren't cut out for a ring that is worn most all of the time.

3) Another trend that I am seeing more of is purchasing an ornate diamond band with lots of smaller diamonds in lieu of a large diamond. Many smaller diamonds cost less than a large diamond even if the total diamond weight is the same. The Beverley K Collection offers many unique and stunning designs. And, in fact, you can stack multiple bands for a truly amazing look (and you have gift ideas for birthdays, anniversaries, etc...).

4) If you are still planning on getting a real diamond, a good money saver is to avoid the "magic sizes". Instead of a 1 carat stone, ask for a .90 carat. To the naked eye, the size difference is quite subtle, but you will be pleasantly surprised by the money you can save. The same is true for a 1/2 size - go a few points lower and your savings will be significant.

5) Buying a smaller diamond with the intention of a future upgrade... many jewelry retailers offer a trade up program so when you are ready to purchase a larger stone, you can trade in your smaller one for a credit towards a larger diamond.

Hopefully, we have provided ideas and solutions for you. Please feel free to contact Elizabeta Jewelry (elizabeta@charter.net) if you have any questions , would like to shop our online store, or would like to discuss other options. Elizabeta Jewelry offers all of the options listed above.

Peace and Greenness! :)

Diamond Alternatives

While diamonds are beautiful and symbolic, they do carry a heavy price tag. Many couples struggle with justifying such a large expenditure on such a small object. And if the price tag isn't enough to scare you, the origin of the diamond can be shrouded in dubious mystery. If you have seen Blood Diamond or heard of conflict diamonds, you know what I mean. The African diamond trade has long been used to finance civil war, hence the term "blood diamond." At Elizabeta Jewelry, we offer alternatives that will ease your apprehension and save you some serious money. Our diamonds come from suppliers that are in compliance with the The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) which imposes extensive requirements on its members to enable them to certify shipments of rough diamonds as ‘conflict-free’. And for every diamond we sell, we donate a portion of the sale to http://www.conflictneutral.com/, a registry for charitable donations to counter the negative effects of diamonds.

But if you still aren't convinced that diamonds are for you, we have some very attractive and practical options. Elizabeta Jewelry offers a vast selection of colored gemstones in every shape and size. Many couples are using colored gemstones today as they are rich in symbolism and color. And of course, most of them are a fraction of the cost of a diamond. There are certain considerations, such as hardness and toughness to consider if you are putting the stone in an every day ring. If you have any question as to what gemstone would be best for you, please post a comment to this blog.

Another increasingly popular option is moissanite. It is silicon carbide that was originally discovered at a meteor crash site. Now it has been manufactured in sizes large enough for jewelry. It's fire and luster surpass that of the diamond. However, moissanite isn't completely colorless; it is usually equivalent to an H or I colored diamond (which are some of the most common diamond colors in jewelry). It isn't quite as hard as a diamond; it rates 9.25 to diamond's 10 on the Moh's Hardness Scale. The cost is quite attractive and is usually about 1/5 to 1/10 the cost of a diamond.

Diamond hybrids, also known as amorphous diamonds are man-made and "composed of a multitude of tiny diamond crystals all aligned together*". They tend to be equivalent to an F or G colored diamond (colorless to near colorless - very good). They are also flawless in clarity. Hardness is rated a 9 on the Mohs Scale. This option too is far less expensive than a diamond.

So if you aren't comfortable with the price and reputation of the diamond, there are lots of great options to chose from that will offer all the beauty of a diamond.