So you've finally met the person you want to spend the rest of your life with. They deserve the world and you intend to give it to them, starting with a great engagement ring.
Picking the right engagement ring sets off your engagement on the right foot. It's a special, time-honored way to not only say 'I love you', but to show it.
Of course, if you've spent even a little bit of time browsing for engagement rings, you likely know how costly they can be. It's believed that the average engagement ring costs around $5,000.
If your stomach dropped upon reading that fact, don't worry! You can still find a great engagement ring at a fraction of the price.
Here's your guide to finding great jewelry on a budget.
Don't Buy Into Common Myths
Due to popular culture and jewelry advertisements, there are a ton of misconceptions about how much a beautiful engagement ring should actually cost.
For example, there's an old saying that suggests you're supposed to spend at least three months' worth of salary on an engagement ring.
In truth, there's no clear indicator where this myth came from, but there's really no reason behind it. Don't spend more than you can afford. You can still get great jewelry on a budget without going broke.
There's also an odd myth that states the number of carats in the ring should correlate to your partner's age. Let's say you're with someone who is 35 years old.
According to this myth, the ring should feature at least 3.5 carats.
Why? Again, there's no rhyme or reason.
The best way to find jewelry on a budget is to use common sense. Don't give into the many strange traditions associated with buying engagement rings.
Shop Around
Buying an engagement ring is similar to buying a car. You don't necessarily want to stick with the first option you see.
If you're not shopping around, you're simply limiting yourself and may end up paying more for an inferior product. The more information you have, the more of an informed decision you can make.
You may also want to ask your friends and family for recommendations to save yourself a bit of time. Personal recommendations are often quite trustworthy.
Set A Budget...And Stick To It
Finally, you'll need to set a budget for yourself. It isn't hard to spend more than you were initially expecting on jewelry, after all.
Look at your income and monthly expenditures. Then -- and only then -- see how much you can reasonably afford to spend on a ring.
With that in mind, it's crucial that you stick to your budget. Informing your local jeweler of your budget is a smart way to see all available options.
Jewelry On A Budget: Get More For Less
Spending less doesn't mean settling for a worse product. Shopping for jewelry on a budget is entirely possible if you're smart about your purchasing decisions.
If you're looking for some help picking out a great ring at an even better price, stop by Johnston Jewelers today. Or get in touch with us online and let us help you pick the perfect ring for the perfect partner.