Choosing the perfect engagement ring of your dreams can be easy if you know what you want. With so many options, though, it might seem daunting to find the right ring that fits your budget. A little research can go a long way and save you from breaking the bank!
So how do you choose the ring of her dreams? If you’re concerned about price, keeping to a budget doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice quality or style. In fact, there are many affordable diamond engagement rings with the highest quality and plenty of different types of stones to choose from. Whether you’re looking at Diamonds, Moissanite or Cubic Zirconia stones, knowing the different characteristics is a great step to choosing the right ring! Each stone has their own pros and cons.
Choosing the Right Stone
As Marilyn Monroe famously said, “Diamonds are a girl’s best friend.” Does that mean that your engagement ring must have a diamond? What makes Diamonds different from other stones like Cubic Zirconia, and Moissanite? To help you choose an affordable diamond engagement ring, let’s look at the characteristics of each of the stones to help you decide which one is perfect for you:
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Diamonds - The classic diamond is made of pure carbon crystals and are naturally forming, unlike Moissanite and Cubic Zirconia, which are produced in labs. Diamonds represent the utmost quality and are assessed on GIA accepted standards, which include Cut, Color, Clarity and Carat. However, they do come at a higher cost than their sister stones.
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Moissanite - This is a gemstone that closely resembles the diamond. Moissanites are completely eco-friendly and conflict-free since these stones are developed in a controlled lab and there’s no mining involved. Moissanite has many of the same properties as a diamond including Brilliance Refraction, Fire Dispersion, Hardness, and Toughness, but comes at a much more affordable price. Lastly, Moissanite is doubly refractive, and allows more light to disperse from the stone, making it a brighter stone than Diamond and Cubic Zirconia.
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Cubic Zirconia - Like Moissanite, Cubic Zirconia is developed in a lab and is eco-friendly. Because of the way they are produced, Cubic Zirconia are pure white stones and flawless, compared to the more transparent Moissanite stones which come with some imperfections in the structure. Additionally, Cubic Zirconia stones are significantly lower in cost. The biggest downside to Cubic Zirconia stones is that they are soft and can scratch more easily compared to the Diamond and Moissanite.
When it comes to figuring out which stone will get you the most affordable diamond engagement ring, the first thought may be to go straight for Cubic Zirconia. Although these stones are less costly than the Diamond or Moissanite, it is important that you also consider other factors like the longevity of the stone and the overall quality of the stone.
It’s also great to keep in mind that down the road, you can trade in a Moissanite or Cubic Zirconia with a natural diamond center. If you’re trying to keep to a set budget, you can still choose a Moissanite or even Diamond and still select from an affordable assortment of engagement rings.
Other Ways to Save on Your Engagement Ring
Choosing between Diamonds vs Moissanite vs Cubic Zirconia is a big step towards choosing an affordable diamond engagement ring. If you’re set on going the more expensive Diamond route, Aurosi Jewels has many options to help you to stick to your budget. One way to keep within your budget, even if you would like to go with more costly Diamond ring, is by choosing a simpler ring style, a smaller carat stone, or adding a mix of Moissanite stone to parts of the ring.
Choose a Cut that Accentuates the Diamond - Certain diamond cuts, such as the Oval cut, can make the diamond appear bigger than their carat size actually is. Other cuts, like Round Brilliant cut, can maximize the diamond’s shine and brilliance. You will need to decide which diamond cut is right for you.
Consider a Halo Setting - The halo ring is a type of setting with a collection of micro diamonds that encircle a large diamond at the center. This can make a smaller diamond seem much bigger than it actually is. Aurosi Jewels has Vintage and Floral Petal Halo rings that come in many colors and styles.
Pick a 14k or 10k Metal Purity - Choosing a silver or gold band with a lower level of metal purity can help you reduce the final cost of the ring without compromising on quality or beauty. A 10 or 14 karat gold or silver band will look just as great on your finger as a metal with a higher karat at a fraction of the cost.
It can be easy to get lost in all of these options. At Aurosi Jewels, we’re here to help you find that perfect and affordable diamond engagement ring. We are a family-owned and run store, and we have the ability to design custom rings that are specially built for you! If you have a stone from a family heirloom that you would like to use, our craftsmen can implant that stone in the ring of your choosing!
Try On Rings at Home
If you’re stuck between a few rings, being able to try on rings in the privacy of your own home can be fun and help you decide which ring is the perfect one. Aurosi Jewels’ free Home Try-On program lets you conveniently compare five engagement ring samples at a time to choose the one that’s right for you! The Home Try-On program allows you to look at a wide range of sample rings at home. You’ll then have five days to decide which one you can’t live without. Browse our engagement ring samples and start the journey towards finding an affordable diamond engagement ring that’s perfect for you!
