You’ve met your soul mate. You’ve brainstormed the best way to propose. You’re positive she’ll say “Yes.” Now all you need is the ring.
Lucky for you, there are plenty of options nowadays and many of the best options are from online retailers. Because online jewelers don’t have the overhead costs that brick-and-mortar stores do (high rents, utilities, etc.), they can afford to sell at better prices – meaning you get more bling for your buck.
Want to know more about why you should buy the engagement ring online?
Here’s how to buy an awesome engagement ring online:
Set a Budget
Engagement rings typically start from around $500 and can go as high as…well, add several more zeroes to the $500…
So the first step in buying an engagement ring is to set a budget. Shopping without one can be overwhelming (there are soooo many rings to choose from) and there’s a very good chance you’ll end up overspending.
Set a ballpark range that you’re comfortable with and make sure you know the highest price you can afford to pay. Set your own standards first and then go looking. It’s so much easier that way.
Do Your Research
Engagement rings are a big purchase, and like any big purchase – they do warrant some research. I mean, you wouldn’t just buy a car because it looks good, right?
An engagement ring is forever (hopefully) so it pays to take some time to get to know about what you’re looking for. It’ll help streamline your search, help you get the best bling at the best price, and she’ll be pretty impressed that you know the difference between a carat vs. karat vs. carrot.
Start at the Store
Yes, you’re planning on buying the ring online, but it helps to see things in person first. You’ll also have the advantage of a jewelry specialist or two to answer any questions you might have in real time.
You’ll also get a chance to test your precious stone knowledge in action by examining how a ring’s cut influences the sparkle factor (see the 4 C’s) and testing if you can spot the difference in the subtle shades of a diamond’s coloring (see the guide to diamonds so you actually have this know how).
Not to mention – you’ll feel great when you finally get online and see that you can buy the same rings that you saw at the store for around 50% cheaper.
Scope Out the Online Stores
There are several online jewelers that offer a range of engagement rings at affordable prices. We only recommend well-known, reputable jewelers – with searchable customer reviews – that provide at least a 30-day money-back, full refund guarantee as well as diamond certifications.
See tips for buying a diamond safely online.
Of these, there are quite a few options depending on what you’re looking for.
James Allen is our favorite online diamond retailer as all their purchases come with free shipping, a 60-day no-questions-asked money-back guarantee, plus return shipping to boot.
They are also the only online store that provides the same experience as seeing the diamonds in person – all of James Allen’s loose diamonds and ring settings can be viewed with their high-resolution 360-degree Diamond Display Technology so you can see the exact diamond you’re going to buy in the comfort of your own, at reduced prices.
Tip: It’s recommended that you choose the loose diamond stone before it is placed in a setting, since this allows you to inspect the quality of the entire diamond.