If you have decided to get down on one knee, then you and your significant other are most likely very close. You know your lover's flaws and quirks, and you deeply appreciate each other regardless of them. However, we all know how annoying it can be to disappoint your significant other. Typically, disappointment should not waver a strong bond like marriage, but it's best avoided. In this article, you will learn some of the most significant mistakes ring buyers make when buying rings for weddings, engagements, anniversaries, promises, or even for personal use.
Learn all about the following most popular ring buying mistakes so you can make your next diamond ring purchase the absolute best.
Mistake #1: Mixing metals
Avoid mixing metals. If you and your fiancé both have the same alloy for your engagement rings, you should also have that same metal for both of your wedding rings. This keeps your jewelry consistent with one another and helps avoid clashing. For example, gold is much softer than a hard metal like platinum. If you wear both at the same time, you risk warping the gold ring when they touch each other all the time.
Plus, if both of you have the same alloy, there are tons of perks. For example, everyone takes dozens of pictures on their wedding day and during their engagement. Those honeymoon pictures of your rings will look a lot more “aesthetic” if both partners' rings complement each other.
Mistake #2: Expecting quick turnarounds
Plan! A lot of couples will bolt to their nearest jeweler and say, “We need these custom diamonds pronto. We've got a wedding next week!” Avoid becoming this person, as custom diamond rings can take more time to prepare, make, and ship than expected. Additionally, other factors eat up your time, such as sizing your ring, budgeting, and even selecting the rings you want. The entire selection and decision-making process for diamond rings is lengthy enough; please don't wait till the week before the wedding to buy your rings.
Mistake #3: The “make-do” mentality
Avoid settling for a ring that you are not absolutely happy with or proud to wear. These diamond rings are a vital part of your marriage, symbolizing your eternal bond with the love of your life. Don't cheap out and get a ring that will “make-do”. As a matter of fact, go above and beyond for your rings. This is the one purchase in your life that you should allow yourself to get exactly what you want. Plus, if you are not happy with your purchase, most diamond companies will work with you to get it right. This is another benefit of giving yourself enough time to buy and purchase the ring before the big day. (see mistake #2)
Mistake #4: Assuming your ring size
Purchasing a ring after you simply guessed your ring size is obviously ill-advised, but there is more to it than that. Even if you have measured your ring finger at home, your finger size is not the only factor determining what ring measurement you should get. Think of it this way, just because you are size 6 doesn't mean that a size 6 ring with a thick band will look good on a small hand. Thicker rings can feel heavier and can become more of a burden than a ring of the same size but with a thinner band. By going into our stores, you can meet with a sizing expert who can not only tell you which size to get but also which diamond band thickness looks exquisite on your hand. The main reason that someone won't wear their wedding ring is that the size is incorrect. If you get the size and thickness in millimeters correct the first time, you will have a comfortable ring that will last you a lifetime.
Mistake #5: Settling for a poorly cut Diamond
When searching for a diamond, it's essential to get a stone that has at least an "Ideal cut". Plus, if you want the diamond to look its absolute best, you can’t go for anything less than excellent. Uneducated first-time diamond buyers will gravitate towards cheaper cuts because they think all diamonds sparkle the same. This is not true and can lead to an unhappy spouse. This is because diamonds with a high-quality cut appear larger. For example, if you are presented with two diamonds with the same carat weight but different cuts, the diamond with an excellent cut will appear larger than a diamond of the same carat with a good cut. Read more about “Cut” here in our 4C’s of a Diamond article.
Mistake #6: Falling into the magic number trap
In the diamond industry, certain carat weights are considered highly desirable because they fall on clean, memorable numbers. These so-called "magic numbers" include weights such as 1.00, 1.50, 1.75, and 2.00 carats. While these diamonds may seem more appealing on paper, their popularity often comes with a premium price tag.
Because so many buyers specifically search for these benchmark weights, diamonds that meet or slightly exceed them tend to be marked up significantly compared to stones that are just under the threshold. As a result, first-time diamond shoppers can end up paying hundreds, or even thousands, more for a difference that is virtually impossible to see with the naked eye.
If you're shopping on a budget, don't focus solely on achieving a perfectly round carat number. A 1.70-carat diamond, for example, can look nearly identical in size to a 1.75-carat diamond while costing considerably less. The money you save can often be better invested in factors that have a much greater impact on a diamond's beauty, such as its cut quality, color grade, or clarity.
Remember, no one is going to notice the number listed on your diamond's certificate. What they will notice is how brilliantly your diamond sparkles.
Mistake #7: Worrying about what others will think of the diamond
This is a common mistake the younger generation tends to make. When picking out a diamond for an engagement, for example, a lot of buyers worry about picking a diamond that might come across as cheap or, on the flip side, ostentatious. They wonder things such as, “Will they think I'm cheap if I get a small ring?” or “Do I look like I'm overcompensating with a giant rock?” These thoughts are common mistakes because it doesn't matter what other looky-loos think; all that matters is that your significant other is happy and you love the diamond ring. In other words, a diamond ring is not an investment; it's an expense, one you make for a piece of jewelry that you or your significant other will wear every day.
Mistake #8: Assuming they even want a diamond ring
Diamonds are wonderful and probably the most gorgeous stone to look at. However, does that mean your significant other wants one? Sure, you can't go wrong with getting them a 3.0-carat diamond, but what if they desire a different stone? Other stones like emeralds and sapphires are slightly less durable, but they have amazing hues. Or what about a gorgeous ruby, they are almost as hard as diamonds and can sell for lower prices depending on its color. The moral is, before getting your engagement ring or anniversary ring, maybe ask your partner what their favorite stone is; you might make them happier for less cash.
Mistake #9: Not understanding the basics of a diamond (The 4’Cs)
Know your stuff! When buying a diamond, especially in person, it's very important to be knowledgeable about the 4C’s of a diamond. Some jewelers will bet on you not knowing the difference between a good cut grade and an excellent cut grade, and thus might not even mention your diamond’s cut at all. However, if you know your stuff, you can inquire more about your diamond to avoid getting swindled. The same idea can be applied to knowing the basics of diamond certifications. For example, with just some knowledge of the diamond certification process, you will know that buying a diamond from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) is trustworthy.
Mistake #10: Confusing Carat weight With Total carat weight (TW)
A lot of diamond buyers immediately assume that the higher the carat weight, the better the diamond. As you might have already guessed, that isn't necessarily true. Other factors, such as the cut and color, have a major impact on the glamour of the diamond. However, when shopping for a diamond, it is still important to understand carat weight and total carat weight, and how it affects the price. Carat weight is the weight of the centerpiece diamond, which will usually be around 1-2.5 carats, while the total carat weight is the total weight of all the diamonds set on your ring. This tends to be a problem for new diamond buyers because a lot of jewelers will only show you the total carat weight of the diamond unless you inquire further about your ring. To avoid this problem, buy your diamond separately from a trusted jeweler like Dunkins Diamonds and then get it set into the setting of your choice. This way, you know the carat weight of your centerpiece diamond, and you also have the added fun of customization.
