Ruby Diamonds

So you are ready to propose - you have a great proposal idea in your head, you know exactly what you are going to say and you can't wait to put a ring on her finger. There's just one problem - you don't have the ring! Money's tight though, so you want to find a cheap engagement ring - is it possible?

Personally I don't like to use the word cheap when talking about an engagement ring. Instead, I like to say affordable engagement ring. Sounds a lot better doesn't it?

Budget is the first consideration when you're working with a tight budget. Figure out how much you can afford to spend on an engagement ring. Be realistic here; it is going to be a significant expense.

An engagement ring is going to set you back a few bucks. You will probably have to save up for a bit or tap into existing savings. It's a big purchase - and an extremely important one.

Generally, people budget about two month's salary for an engagement ring. This may not be possible in your case - don't worry if you're in that boat. Like all of us, you have a lot of bills to pay. Not everyone can afford to pay two month's salary for an engagement ring.

If you can't afford two month's salary for an engagement ring, don't worry. It is possible to find a beautiful diamond engagement ring which does fit into your budget. The important thing is to make the most of your budget.

My suggestion is to have at least $1000 to spend though. Remember that this is a ring she will wear forever. It is a sign of your committment and love for her - buying it should involve some form of sacrifice. Obviously $1000 is well below the average amount spent, but it can actually take a long ways if you know what to look for.

You can go to my website to read my Diamond Buying Guide. This guide will give you a lot of great information on buying the best engagement ring while staying within your budget. My guide helps you to get the most diamond for your money.

First off, go for a very simple setting. And stick with 14K white or yellow gold. There is no need to spend the extra on 18K or platinum. You want the majority of your budget to go towards the diamond.

For the diamond, the key is getting the biggest size rock for your pricerange. Diamonds are graded in a number of different categories - the diamond guide I put together shows you exactly what combination to go for when you're on a budget. Without this information you will either waste a bunch of cash or get a low quality diamond.

You can find the perfect ring for that perfect girl without going broke. Remember, an affordable engagement ring is what you're looking for - never tell her it's a "cheap" engagement ring! Happy hunting!

Related posts:

1. Things to consider while choosing your gold wedding ring.