The Top 5 Mistakes to Avoid when Buying a Diamond Engagement Ring
Buying a diamond engagement ring is a big decision that can be both exciting and stressful. You want to find the perfect ring that will make your partner go weak in the knees, but you don’t want to break the bank or make another mistake that you’ll regret later. You’ve got this, right?
Especially for men who are about to pop the question, feeling confident that you got a fair deal is just as important as finding the right ring. That can be tough if you’ve never purchased fine jewelry before, let alone a diamond. For over four decades, Padis Jewelry has been helping San Francisco Bay Area proposers and couples find the right engagement ring for their taste and budget. Here are the top five mistakes that we always counsel buyers to avoid when selecting this once-in-a-lifetime purchase.
1. Going Over Your Budget
This cardinal rule applies to any kind of major, long-term purchase, but it’s all too easy to let slide. When you start exploring diamond engagement ring options, there’s a steep learning curve, and you won’t become an expert overnight. You need a trusted advisor who will help you balance the four Cs – color, clarity, cut and carat weight — to stay within your budget.
New buyers tend to overemphasize carat weight, thinking it’s the most important factor. A bigger diamond isn’t better if it rates lower in terms of cut, clarity or color. The four C’s combined determine a diamond’s grade. They also provide budgetary wiggle room. For example, a brilliant cut with many facets (such as round, pear or princess) will hide clarity flaws better than an emerald cut. And a highly skilled stone setter will always make the most of your diamond.
Don’t confuse staying within your budget and getting the best deal. Going with a lab-grown vs. natural diamond may help stretch your budget, but the former won’t increase in value. At Padis Jewelry, we’ll help you balance the four C’s to ensure you select the best diamond you can afford from our extensive inventory of owned diamonds.
2. Focusing Only on the Four C’s
When buying a diamond (whether natural or lab grown) color, clarity, cut and carat weight are what it’s all about. There’s a lot more to consider than the center stone, though. Many other variables go into creating the overall ring and determining its value, such as band design and metal, complementary gemstones and their characteristics, setting style and designer. That’s also where personality comes in — maybe your intended would prefer something less traditional, without a center stone at all.
To avoid getting overwhelmed, remember Rule #1: determine what you can comfortably afford and don’t stray. This will help your Padis Jewelry sales consultant narrow down your options as you work together to arrive at a ring your partner will love and cherish for a lifetime.
3. Going It Alone
According to the Knot, in 2020 72% of proposees reported being involved in the selection of their engagement ring. That’s good news — after all, the person who’ll be wearing the ring every day should have a hand in selecting it. At Padis Jewelry we still see more men shopping alone with an idea of what their partner wants than we see couples coming in together. We get it -- the idea of the proposer picking out the ring before bending a knee is more romantic. But remember, you’re shopping for her -- not yourself.
Most future brides aren’t shy about dropping hints regarding what they want in an engagement ring. Chances are the person you’re buying for has favorited her inspos on TikTok and Instagram and shared them with followers. Bring along someone close to her when you visit one of our showrooms. They don’t need to be a diamond or fine jewelry expert – that’s our job. Their role is to know exactly what your soon-to-be-fiancée will want, which is less about the four C’s than about style and personality.
4. Buying a Diamond without Seeing It First
The internet and social media are the places to go to find engagement ring inspiration, educate yourself and let your imagination run wild. Today you can buy just about anything online. But when it comes to buying a diamond, it’s just too risky. You can’t rely on the photos, descriptions or even videos, as they can be misleading. You can’t see how it sparkles and reflects natural light. Most importantly, you can’t hold, feel, inspect and compare different diamonds with an experienced jeweler at your side to explain what to look for.
At Padis Jewelry, Steve hand picks every diamond in our inventory. He’s been doing it for more than 40 years, and he’s never bought a diamond online. Neither should you.
If you’re convinced you’ll get a better deal online, know this: Padis Jewelry offers better than internet prices coupled with white-glove service. On average, we’re able to beat market prices on both natural and lab-grown diamonds by 50%.
5. Confusing What’s In with Personal Style
Especially in this era of social media, it’s easy to get fixated on what’s fashionable now. That may be fine for your wedding day – it’s a party. But an engagement ring must outlast a fleeting trend. What they’re wearing on the runway this spring won’t be in vogue next fall, but the ring will endure for seasons to come.
That’s not to say the design has to be classic or traditional. See Rules #2 and #3. How will the ring reflect your partner’s everyday style? What jewelry do they wear most often? Is it white gold or yellow gold, statement or minimal? Tacori and other top engagement ring designers offer beautiful settings for every taste.
Even if your partner style gravitates toward the latest influencers, a Padis Jewelry sales consultant can help you tease out common characteristics that translate to a timeless piece she won’t tire of.
Ready to Explore?
Buying a diamond engagement ring is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. You want to buy a special ring that fits your budget and delights your partner over time. By following these tips, you can remove stress and avoid regret.