Setting an engagement ring budget is one of the first steps to consider when purchasing your  ring. Determining exactly what that amount is should be entirely up to you. It should not be based on old sayings like “three months’ salary”. Set the engagement ring budget number that you think is reasonable and most comfortable for you. No matter we ensure you will receive a gorgeous finished piece!  Let’s break it down here

It is best to do some preliminary homework determining what style you or your significant other is interested in. This will help to get ballpark prices. Take notes if she tags you in particular rings from our social media to get an idea of her style. Even take a peek at her Pinterest board for design ideas. Keep in mind that almost any ring at Lauren B can be custom made for any size, quality or shape center diamond. No matter what style you are interested in we can make it work for you and your budget.  Also remember it is important to have realistic expectations when considering the center diamond options. Bigger diamonds with better quality mean having to spend a more.

Setting a Budget:

Once you have determined a price range that you feel comfortable with set that as your soft cap. If you see something that visually makes a difference is an incremental increase in price then maybe it is worth the stretch. Remember this is hopefully a once in a lifetime purchase! In some cases just a little bit extra might get you something substantially better. On the other hand, if you see a combination that comes in slightly under budget but provides a better value  then go for that and pocket the difference!

WORKING TOP DOWN

Ring Style:

First start with the setting design you know she likes and inquire about what the cost would be. From there you can subtract that number from your budget to see how much you can allot for the center diamond. The setting price will cost more in platinum than any other gold so keep that in mind as you can put that extra savings towards a slightly larger or better quality main stone.

Center-stone:

Now that you have a setting design picked out it should give you further clarity- no pun intended- on what size and quality center diamond you can attain. The shape of the center stone is a given based on the design . You should note round diamonds have the highest premium on them vs any other shape. At Lauren B, we present you with approximately three different options all priced slightly differently to choose from across a tight range of carat weights, colors and clarities. By seeing the different diamond options you can make an educated decision as to how to best allocate your budget… You can also get a sense of the visual variations between the colors and clarities.

Tip:

We recommend that if the setting comes out to be more expensive then the diamond in your budget to possibly consider a different setting option. For example, if you want to spend $8,000 and the setting costs $5000 perhaps it is best to opt for a more simple setting so that you can put more towards the center.

Some people ask us how they can maximize their engagement ring budget. With each diamond shape there are different ways to conquer this. For example you can spend a bit less on a smaller oval, pear shape, emerald, or marquise cut diamond.  You would actually achieve a larger look than a cushion, asscher, or round brilliant cut. There are so many ways to perfectly balance your budget and the combinations are personal to each person’s taste and preferences. Make an appointment with one of our diamond advisers to walk you through the steps and help you create the perfect ring and we can work with you right in your range