Proposing with a natural diamond engagement ring can be one of the most exciting and memorable moments of your life. It's not what you have to spend, it's what you want to spend.
Knowing How Much To Spend On A Diamond Engagement Ring Can Be Hard. That's Why We're Here To Help Give You The Information You Need To Make An Informed Decision.
Congratulations! ❤️ Falling in love and getting engaged is a wonderful thing. One of your first questions may be, "How much should I spend on her engagement ring?", and for good reason. Her engagement ring is one of the most important purchases you will ever make and you want to get it right. It's often easy to make a mistake or become confused, especially with all the conflicting advice you may get online or at other jewelry stores. At Lee Read Diamonds, we get that and are here to help you make the decision that's right for you.
Tip 1. Price Can Matter Depending On What Your Budget Is But It Doesn't Matter How Much You Make
Money can't buy you love, right? Let's take a look at 2 men, Ted and Bill; they both have found the love of their life and are looking to propose. Ted works hard and makes a decent living while Bill is a billionaire. How much should each person spend on a diamond engagement ring? Even though it is a big financial stretch, Ted decides he is going to spend as much as he can possibly afford ($7,000) while Bill thinks $70,000 is plenty for him to spend on a diamond ring for his new love. Which one means more?
Ask any woman and she will tell you Ted wins, hands down. He gave his all. It doesn't matter that Bill spent 10 times more. He could have spent 1000 times more because 7 million still doesn't seem that much of a personal sacrifice when you're a billionaire. That's one of the magical things about love. It doesn't matter how much money you have or how much you make. What you pay for her diamond engagement ring is a symbol of your personal sacrifice and love toward her, and that's what matters to her. If you can easily afford it, it won't mean as much. If you're willing to give up other things you want, it will mean the world to her.
Most women are expecting their diamonds to be real, romantic, and remarkable. It's a symbol that represents how you feel about her. Online advisors focus almost exclusively on selling you a diamond ring for the lowest price because that's what the internet does best. They know most guys love the challenge of getting the best deal, and they also add a little fear because they recognize that you don't know much about diamonds. You've probably seen posts like "don't get ripped off!", and "lowest prices guaranteed!" We agree that no one wants to, or should pay too much for her diamond engagement ring, however, if saving money is your main goal, you'll miss what makes her ring so special to her.
For over 58 years, Lee Read has been helping hundreds of people just like you express your deepest feelings. It's important that you're happy with the price, but a great price doesn't mean much if she's disappointed with her ring. Every Lee Read engagement ring comes with passion, prestige, and peace of mind. When you give her a Lee Read diamond engagement ring, we make sure it looks as beautiful in 20 years as the day you slip it on her finger, at no cost to her. Her ring is special because it symbols romance and we are here to take care of it for a lifetime.
There are a lot of factors that come into play and they all affect the price of the engagement rings you are looking at. The majority of the price of any ring, regardless of style, is made up of the cost of the center diamond. This is why many men purchase and give simple solitaire diamond engagement rings when they propose (more on why this is a great way to go below).
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Tip 2. Engagement Ring Prices Vary Depending On The Diamond You Select
Is she expecting a real, romantic, natural diamond or an inexpensive lab-grown diamond?
Natural diamonds formed over a billion years ago. They are real, rare, and romantic. Lab-grown (man-made) diamonds may look the same but they have little to no emotional or resale value, however when it comes to only wanting to spend less, lab-grown diamonds are the obvious choice. They cost up to 80% less than a similar quality natural diamond.
What's the difference between the two?
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Both are made of crystalized carbon and have the same chemical, physical and optical properties.
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Natural diamonds are created by nature and are a rare element. Man-made diamonds, advertised as "lab-grown diamonds", are being produced so fast that they are becoming relatively common. They are simply clones or copies of "the real thing" with little or no emotional value and currently sell for up to 80% less than a natural diamond of the same size and quality because of their mass production.
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Natural diamonds are formed under tremendous heat and pressure far beneath the surface of the Earth over billions of years. Synthetic diamonds are produced using large amounts of electricity in factories and it takes 2 to 4 weeks to grow a new batch.
The reason lab-grown diamonds have so little value is they are not rare and have no emotional value as a symbol of love. Natural diamonds come in all different sizes, colors, and clarities. The bigger, whiter, and more transparent the diamond is, the rarer it is and the more it costs. Only about 20% of mined diamonds are suitable for use in jewelry. A very high percentage of the rest are average to below average quality and are much less valuable. These are the diamonds you'll find online and at chain jewelers.
Only about 2% of all gem-quality diamonds are beautiful enough to meet the Lee Read diamond standards. That's because, when we look at the physical diamond with our human eye, most aren't very pretty due to their cut, color, clarity, or color and we reject them. You've probably heard a lot about how it's easy to use the 4C's to get the best deal on a beautiful diamond. This is like proposing to someone you have never met just from the information on their dating profile. Just like people, every diamond is different and you have to see it to understand if it's the right one for you.
It's true. Diamonds cost more at a jewelry store than on the internet. Why wouldn't they? Most online stores sell the ring and want no part in taking care of your purchase. One and done, they make money selling stones and rings, not by making purchasers happy and maintaining the ring for the long run.
Here's what Lee Read Diamonds and The Ring Doctors recommend when buying a diamond ring that online jewelers forget to mention:
If you have total trust in what you read on the internet, are you willing to spend thousands of dollars for something you haven't seen? If your only objective is to save money and don't care about personally selecting a beautiful diamond, buy it online. Sure, you can send it back but that's a hassle in itself and you miss out on the experience. In-store, you get to see dozens of different diamonds side by side when you are making your selection. Would you purchase a vehicle by only looking at the car fax report? Some do, but most won't. If you're like most people you want to see the condition of the paint, the interior, the engine, and also feel how it drives. A video and a report just aren't good enough.
Texting is a great way to start your search for a diamond engagement ring and you can text us any time we are open. Here at Lee Read you get to meet the faces behind the texts before you buy, and we are there for you both after you propose and forever.
Always check the condition of your ring.
We've all been disappointed when something comes broken in the mail. It's even more disappointing when it's her engagement ring. Checking to make sure there isn't a wrong size, loose stones, or any catching on her clothes when she wears it; all of these things happen all the time when ordering diamond jewelry online. "Send it back and we'll take care of it" or "take it to a jeweler and pay to have it fixed" is not what you want to hear. If you settle for less, there could be issues with it later on and you'll want it to be perfect the first time.
Diamond engagement rings are worn 24/7/365. They need adjustments, stones tightened, and regular cleanings to keep them in a safe condition and looking great. Online jewelers and diamond experts don't care that you're Fiancé will have to find a local jeweler to keep her ring looking nice and that the jeweler will charge her for every little thing. They simply care about making a profit.
Tip 3. Simple Engagement Rings Are The Best Choice When You Don't Know What To Buy
This is where working with a local jeweler you trust, like Lee Read Diamonds, is a huge advantage. The largest part of the purchase price of any diamond ring is the center diamond. This is the focal piece and is the most emotional element of any engagement ring. The very fact that you took the time and effort to shop for her ring makes it even more romantic. She knows how hard that is for you, and the fact you stretched out of your "buy online" comfort zone, took the time to learn about diamonds, and select the right one for her is very impressive.
You've selected a diamond that fits your budget; now the two of you can shop for the perfect style of engagement ring she has been dreaming of. This is a win-win for both of you. You proposed with a stunning, natural Lee Read diamond that you can afford, then she picks the perfect engagement ring setting she will love to wear and reminds her of your love every day. At Lee Read, we're able to set the diamond you choose in a solitaire mounting while you wait in-store so that you can give her the diamond solitaire ring that night if you'd like. Come in the next day together and we'll give you 100% credit for the solitaire towards any other ring style she may prefer whether it be a halo, hidden halo, cross-over, or more! Best of all, The Ring Doctors can usually set your diamond and size her new ring the same day, then the two of you can be showing it off to your friends that night.
Shopping together, as a couple for both her diamond and her engagement ring is a great way to ensure you both are happy. Many partners do this and most men find selecting what she likes an enjoyable and enlightening experience. Whether before or after the proposal, couples often enjoy making this decision together.
Tip 4. Only You Know How Much You're Willing To Spend
Never spend more than you can possibly afford for anything, including diamonds.
The first and only rule is; no engagement ring is worth spending more than you can possibly pay. The last thing you need is to give her a 2-carat diamond and then argue over how to make ends meet. Lee Read is a locally owned and operated jewelry store with a 59 year history of serving Boise, Meridian, Caldwell, Nampa, Kuna, and Eagle. We specialize in affordable, romantic, and remarkable diamond engagement rings. Prices start at under $1,000 with $3,000 to $15,000 being the most popular. We're a little more expensive because we don't sell average natural diamonds. Only about 2% of all gem-quality diamonds are good enough to reach the standards of Lee Read Diamonds. The mall stores and the online retailers sell what we reject and that's OK by us.
Did You Know? A large percentage of the population can afford to purchase exceptional quality natural diamonds if they are willing to delay other purchases by a few months.
You can give her a diamond that's just as old, beautiful, and meaningful, even though you're not ultra-rich.
Some men dream of what it would be like to own a world-class sports car. Just seeing a Lamborghini or Ferrari will draw oohs and awes from a group of guys. But with a starting price of $215,000, most of us have no hope of ever owning and driving such an iconic automobile. Fire and Ice Natural Diamonds are the Lamborghini's and Ferrari's of the engagement ring world. This is because they start with the most transparent genuine diamond crystals and are cut to maximize beauty, not to save weight, like other diamonds. They look bigger, brighter, and whiter than even ideal-cut diamonds. As of Spring 2022, Fire&Ice loose diamonds start at less than $1,995 with a 1-carat Fire and Ice natural diamond starting at $6,995. When you give her a Fire & Ice diamond engagement ring, you will see her friends looking at and commenting on it, just like you and your friends talk about seeing a new Ferrari. The point is, while not inexpensive, you don't have to be wealthy to give and wear one of the finest and most beautiful diamonds in the world.
How do prices of rare natural diamonds compare to other things guys buy?
Even the finest diamonds are still less expensive than many items we purchase. A new snow machine sells for $9,000 to $15,000. A new jet ski is between $5,600 and $18,000 and a nice 4-wheel off-road vehicle will cost around 10 to $12,000. These are purchases many men want to make and for good reason. They are fun to drive and provide a great personalized experience. The same is true for her when it comes to her engagement ring. The difference is, there will be a time to purchase these other things in the future, but there is only one time to give her an exceptionally romantic engagement ring, and that's when you get engaged. She understands and appreciates the fact that you are willing to delay purchasing other items you want. It also makes it easier for you when the time is right to purchase these items because you have already put her first.
Financing her engagement ring is something worth considering.
Financing is a good alternative when you are purchasing something where you may not have enough cash and if the item has long-term worth or value. A stunning oval Fire and Ice natural diamond ring is a perfect example of the smart use of financing. The payments you make are purchasing an item that she will wear and enjoy for 10, 20, 40, or more years. It will likely be handed down to the next generation and your daughter or granddaughter may be wearing it one day. There is a huge difference between putting a vacation on your credit card, which is over in a few weeks, and a remarkable princess-cut diamond engagement ring that she will wear and enjoy for many years.
Tip 5. Natural Diamond Engagement Rings Are An Investment
There are several significant reasons why many men have difficulty understanding what engagement rings cost and why they're worth so much to the woman they love.
How can something so small cost so much?
This is a very natural reaction when a man is purchasing a diamond and here's why. Men tend to think of the things we buy in terms of quantity and volume, and quality. Typically, bigger and faster are characteristics men look for. It is hard to wrap one's mind around how something so small can be so valuable until you take the time to consider how rare and exceptional they really are. What most men fail to realize is that natural diamonds do set a record in one area. Gem-quality diamonds are recognized as the most compact stone of value. Any time in the movies that you see a small briefcase that is worth millions of dollars, it always contains rare, natural diamonds. Why do you think you never see or hear about a case full of lab-grown diamonds?
But aren't lab-grown diamonds the same as natural diamonds?
No, they are not the same. Humankind has always had the desire to emulate or copy Nature. The quest to create man-made gemstones has been going on for hundreds of years. Many people thought creating lab-grown diamonds was the ultimate mastery of Nature, however, that's not true anymore. Now you can clone pets and the latest scientific breakthrough is cultured meat. This is not a vegetable substitute, it is meat grown from living chicken, beef, and pork cells in a factory. The reality is, with all the amazing technological advancements we are seeing today, making synthetic diamonds with the same chemical, physical and optical properties of billion-year-old natural diamonds is not really a big deal anymore.
How greed can cloud our judgment. "If we can make diamonds, we will be rich!"
Many of us are familiar with the fairy tale of Rumpelstiltskin spinning straw into gold. Humankind has always been fascinated by and driven to become wealthy by making copies of expensive things. Creating lab-grown diamonds is, in many ways, the same as turning straw into gold, only scientists use methane gas and electricity to create lab-grown diamonds. People saw a great opportunity to make money by creating diamonds. You can hear it now, "natural diamonds are expensive! We can make tons of these man-made diamonds and they will sell for nearly the same price. We'll be rich!" So what went wrong? Why have natural diamonds maintained their value while lab-grown diamonds sell for up to 80% less? Natural diamonds are rare and lab-created diamonds are not. Natural, genuine diamonds are a valuable miracle of Nature, man-made diamonds are a commodity and consumers are willing to pay far more for the real thing.
The true worth of any diamond engagement ring is what it means to the person you are asking to marry you.
Diamonds are an investment towards the most important person in your life, not in stocks and bonds you plan to sell later to make money. The price of natural diamonds has increased significantly over time as they are desirable and rare. Even inventing lab-grown diamonds, which are chemical, physical, and optical copies of authentic natural diamonds, has not brought the price of natural diamonds down. People like you, know natural diamonds and lab-grown diamonds are not the same or they would sell for the same price. They may be exact copies chemically but there is no way to make lab-grown diamonds old or rare. In fact, these two attributes are what matter most. It's what makes natural diamonds, the real thing, and lab-grown diamonds a copy.
Lee Read is known for real, rare, and remarkable natural diamond engagement rings.
Lee Read Diamonds specializes in engagement rings. We stock over 450 rings so you can have an incredible selection. The Lee Read Diamond Dream Store is located just off the Meridian exit of I-84.
We are always happy to answer your questions regarding both lab-grown and natural diamonds. Our best advice is that if you're looking for a casual, inexpensive gift, that will only be worn for a short time, look into lab-grown diamonds at lightboxjewelry.com. They have the best quality lab-grown diamonds for the lowest prices we have found. They're also very transparent about what you are getting and why their diamonds cost what they do.
At Lee Read, we specialize in remarkable natural diamonds that are full of emotion and romance. We understand they're not for everyone, but we also know giving the woman you love a Lee Read natural diamond makes it even more special. Her diamond engagement ring has a friendly home for a lifetime and we will take care of it at no charge to her for as long as she wears it. Come in or text us now at (208) 376-8800, with any questions you may have.