Engagement Rings - How to Shop for an Engagement Ring

December is on its way - and with that - engagement season is quickly approaching. (more couples get engaged in December than any other month). As I write this, guys out there are furiously searching the web, trying to gain as much possible about making that all-important engagement ring purchase. OK guys - this is for you. It’s best to face every big purchase equipped with a little savvy. Here’s what you need to know about engagement rings before you start shopping.

First – A Primer on Engagement Rings Cost

The two-months salary convention is a common starting point, but in reality, the ring’s cost should be what the couple can afford without going into major debt. Cost varies for a lot of reasons – especially when diamonds are involved. Carat size is just one factor. In fact, a one carat center stone can cost anywhere from $1000 to $20000. Choice of metal also affects the bottom line; there’s a significant cost difference between a setting of sterling silver and one of platinum – anywhere from a few hundred to over a thousand.

With that said, the average cost of an engagement ring in the U.S. is between $3,500 and $4,000. (according to About.com). Our engagement ring savings guide offers many useful tips to get costs down.

Now - you can put together the perfect diamond engagement ring with these three easy steps found in this complete engagement rings guide.

Wedding Rings - How to Choose Your Ring Style

Shopping for wedding rings involves slightly more than picking out a strand of beads. So just how do you select the right ring style to complement not only your engagement ring, but your personality as well. (remember - this is the ring you'll don for every day for the rest of your life..) The complete wedding rings guide at Elegala.com offers these tips to help you choose your ring style. (visit the complete guide for even more advice on shopping - and paying for - your wedding rings.)

1) What's Your Function
Since this is a ring you’ll wear every day, it must match your lifestyle. Super active? Work with your hands? Opt for a simple metal ring with rounded edges, appropriately named a “comfort fit,” instead of a wide detailed band or one with stones. If you have skin allergies to metal alloys (found in gold bands), you’ll need to invest in platinum, a pure, hypoallergenic metal.

Mix it Up
Concerned that he likes white gold and you prefer platinum? Relax, your bands don’t necessarily have to match. What matters is that both of you have a ring you’ll enjoy wearing.

Test of Time
Wedding rings are not the accessory for paying homage to the fad gods. Make sure to select a classic style that won’t look dated decades down the road.

Engagement Rings - Guide to Ring Settings

When it comes to shopping for engagement rings, it's best to come equipped with a little savvy. Ring settings, the mountings that attach the diamond to the ring's band, are an integral component in achieving the right look for your ring, as some are more appropriate for certain diamond shapes. Here is a complete rundown of the most common engagement ring settings.

Prong

Prong settings usually have six or four prongs (or claws) that cradle the diamond. Prongs allow the maximum light to enter the diamond from all angles, making it appear larger and more brilliant. The prong setting with a solitaire round brilliant stone is the classic engagement ring look.

Bar

A variation on the prong setting, rather than individual claws, prongs on each side of the setting are fused into elongated bars to hold the stone in place. This option highlights more metal without obscuring the stone as much as bezel or channel settings might.

Bezel

The diamond is set with a metal rim around the perimeter of the diamond to hold it in place. A bezel setting can be a full bezel, or a part bezel. In a part bezel setting, the metal only partially surrounds the diamond, leaving the top and bottom of the stone exposed.

Tension

The diamond is held in place by the pressure of the band's metal, resulting in the startling appearance of the diamond being held in midair. The result is a highly contemporary, fashionable look.

Channel

Diamonds of similar size and shape are lined in a row between the band's two horizontal sides. A variation of the channel setting is the Channel End setting - which features thin vertical bars in between each of the stones.

Pave

This design coats the entire surface of the ring with gems, each set into either a minute depression or secured with thin, unobtrusive prongs. Because of their vintage antique look, pave settings are becoming increasingly popular.

Cluster

This setting surrounds a larger center stone with several smaller stones. It is designed to create a larger ring from many smaller stones.

Baguette

Setting Baguettes are rectangular shaped diamonds that can be added to the sides of a larger stone, adding dimension to a solitaire setting.

Three Stone Setting

This setting features a trio of stones (symbolizing yesterday, today and tomorrow). The stones can either be of equal size or the center stone slightly larger.

Visit this complete guide to engagement rings for even more tips and advice on selecting and purchasing the right ring.

Wedding Rings Made of Wood - A Unique Alternative

Wood may seem like the least romantic material for your wedding bands - that is until you actually take a look at the dazzling array of handcrafted wooden wedding rings from Simply Wood Rings that feature inlaid work and even stones. At a fraction of the cost of traditional wedding rings, wood rings are made from salvaged wood and recycled metals, which should set eco-conscious minds at ease. And if this still reeks a little too granola for your tastes, your tree-hugging groom may jump at the chance to have a tree hug him back.

Learn more about these unique wood wedding rings and the Unveiled Wedding Blog.

Looking for more wedding ring advice? This complete wedding rings guide will walk you through the entire process of choosing, shopping for, and purchasing your rings

Diamond Engagement Rings - How to Choose Your Diamond

Since 1/3 of all engagements take place over the winter holidays, I figured I'd continue on the proposal theme. If you're one of the million men (or women) planning on popping the question this December, than you've probably already started your search for "the ring." If you've been procrastinating - then you'll need to brush up on your knowledge STAT. The integral component here is clearly the diamond, so to get you started, this guide to diamond engagement rings has everything you need to know about selecting the right diamond.

How to Buy an Engagement Ring: A Complete Guide to Selecting a Diamond and Setting

No bride-to-be feels like she’s really getting married until that all important ring adorns her left finger. You know the one, swooned over at the office water cooler, eliciting looks of envy from all who witness its sparkle. The engagement ring may well be the only pre-wed accessory sweeter than an actual, adoring fiancé.

It’s best to face every big purchase equipped with a little savvy. There's a lot to know, so you'll need to do some research before walking into the jewelry store.

To get you started, visit this complete and easy-to-follow guide to engagement rings. With tips on how to choose the right metal, setting, and diamond, it will walk you through the process of selecting and buying a diamond engagement ring.

While you're there, you can get advice on wedding rings and other bridal jewelry in this complete wedding rings, jewelry and accessories guide.

Wedding Rings - How to Pick Your Metal

Should you go traditional gold or platinum? Titium or silver? This wedding rings guide's excerpt on ring metals will help you decide:


Platinum

Great Because…
It’s valuable – King Louis declared platinum the only metal fit for a king, need we say more?
It’s durable – platinum is resistant to tarnish and great for holding prong settings
It’s hypoallergenic – platinum is 90-95% pure and won’t irritate the skin

The Downside… It’s expensive – it’s rare, making it more price sensitive
It’s malleable – platinum nicks and scratches easily; however, since no metal is lost - it can be buffed to look good as new.

Gold
Great Because…
It’s traditional – gold has withstood the test of time to be the most common wedding ring metal
It’s less expensive – gold is more abundant than platinum, making it more affordable

The Downside…
It’s not as pure – gold is always mixed with metal alloys (copper, silver, nickel) to make it stronger. The lower the karat, the higher the percentage of other metals.
It’s soft – making it susceptible to denting. The higher the karat, the more pure – and therefore softer - it is. If you’re highly active and not planning to purchase platinum, you may want to consider a lower karat gold.
It’s not as pure – gold is always mixed with metal alloys (copper, silver, nickel) to make it stronger. The lower the karat, the higher the percentage of other metals.
It can irritate skin – metal alloys can cause allergic reactions

Titanium
Great Because…
It’s hypoallergenic
It’s strong – three times stronger than steel
It’s inexpensive

The Downside…
It can’t be resized

Silver
Great Because…
It’s the least expensive precious metal

The Downside…
It’s extremely soft – even when combined with other metals, it shows wear over time
It can irritate skin – usually combined with nickel to make it stronger, silver can cause skin irritations

Buying an Engagement Ring - Top Ways to Save

When it comes buying an engagement ring, the two-months salary convention is a common starting point. But in reality, the ring's cost should be what the couple can afford without going into major debt.

Cost varies for a lot of reasons – especially when diamonds are involved. Carat size is just one factor. In fact, a one carat center stone can cost anywhere from $1000 to $20000. Choice of metal also affects the bottom line; there’s a significant cost difference between a setting of sterling silver and one of platinum – anywhere from a few hundred to over a thousand.

If you're on a tight budget, these general numbers can be frightening. Thankfully, these useful tips can help you get costs down - so you can score a stylish ring on a budget:

1) Lose the Embellishments
Plain and simple always costs less. Any embellishments increase the price.

2) Forego Platinum
If you’re on a budget and want a silver hue, skip platinum and opt for white gold – it costs about 45% less.

3) Just Short of a Carat
For diamonds, always buy just short of the next carat level. So if you’ve got your eye on a two carat stone, swap it out with a 1.8 carat. You’ll save almost 20%, and the size difference is negligible.

4) Get a Set
Buy a matching or coordinating set (engagement and wedding ring) – and you can save as much as 50%. You’ll save even more if you buy a three piece set (engagement ring plus his and hers wedding rings)

You can find even more ways to save on an engagement ring by reading the original article on Elegala.com - Elegant Galas Made Simple.

Save on Bridal Jewelry and Accessories

Perfecting your wedding day ensemble doesn’t necessarily end once you’ve found your dream wedding gown. Adding the right accessories is the final step. Here are a few pearls of wisdom to help enhance your style without breaking the bank…

Your Baubles - Double Duty Diamonds
Celebrity newlyweds are setting yet another trend—opting for one brilliant wedding ring in lieu of a solitaire engagement ring with a plain matching wedding band. This two-in-one trend can save thousands on the traditional left-hand bling, and while the diamond-encrusted band given to Pink by Carey Hart may be out of your price range, there are plenty of options to suit every taste and budget. **hint – visit the Elegala.com Wedding Rings and Bridal Jewelry Search to find styles in every price range.

Your Wedding Veil - Something Old AND Borrowed
Add a sentimental touch to your wedding attire by donning your mother’s or grandmother’s veil. This easy way to save will also fulfill your “something old” and “something borrowed” requirements.

Your Bridal Shoes - Walk This Way
A willingness to shop around is a surefire way to score some deals – and the same holds true for your wedding day shoes. In fact, there is no written rule that you even have to wear bridal shoes on your big day (hint – anything labeled “wedding” or “bridal” tends to cost more). Instead, consult your favorite brands or stores for a good deal on a pair of neutral sandals or pumps.

Your Headpiece - Go Natural
If an elaborate head piece is out of your budget, consider decorating your ‘do with seasonal flowers. This is an inexpensive alternative and a simple yet elegant way to tie in an outdoor theme.

For more ideas and advice to help you accessorize your wedding day look, visit the complete Wedding Jewelry and Wedding Accessories Guide at Elegala.com - Weddings Elegant Galas Made Simple

Wedding Ring, Engagement Ring and Bridal Jewelry Search

So you've got that sparkling engagement ring on your finger - now you just need a gorgeous wedding band to match. No doubt about it, adding some additional bling to your left hand is one of the more enjoyable tasks on your wedding day to-do list.

Here is a simple (and slightly addictive) tool to help you do just that: Visit this interactive Wedding Ring search. There you can browse tons of styles by price, metal, stone and stone shape. While you're there, you can also search hundreds of pieces to find an Engagement Ring (in case he hasn't popped the question yet), Wedding Band or other Bridal Jewelry and accessories.

Best of all - each product image comes with a complete description AND a link to the retailer where you can purchase your new baubles. Happy shopping!