If you are getting down on one knee, then you and your significant other are most likely very close. You know their flaws and quirks and you still love each other regardless of them. However, we all know how annoying it can be to disappoint your significant other. Typically, disappointment should not waver a strong bond like marriage, but it's best to avoid it. In this article, you will learn some of the most significant mistakes ring buyers make when buying rings for weddings, engagements, anniversaries, promises, or even for personal cosmetics.
Mistake #1: Mixing metals
Avoid mixing metals. If you and your finance both have the same alloy for your engagement rings, you should also have that same metal for both of your wedding rings. This keeps your jewelry consistent with one another and helps avoid clashing. For example, “gold is much softer than a hard metal like platinum, if you wear both at the same time you risk warping the gold ring when they touch each other all the time.
Plus, if both of you have the same alloy it benefits you in scenarios you haven't thought of yet, but will certainly come to pass. For example, everyone takes dozens of pictures on their wedding day and right after getting engaged. Those honeymoon pictures of your rings will look a lot more “aesthetic” if both partners' rings complement each other. You got to get that Instagram clout amirite?
Mistake #2: Expecting quick turnarounds
Plan in advance! A lot of couples will bolt to their nearest jeweler and say “we need these custom diamonds pronto. We got a wedding next week!”. Avoid becoming this person as diamond rings take a lot of time to prepare, make, and ship. Additionally, there are other factors that eat up your time. Such as sizing your ring, budgeting, and even selecting the rings you want. Most ring companies can’t guarantee a custom ring within the week of purchase so make sure to plan ahead. The entire selection and decision-making process for diamond rings is lengthy enough, please don't wait till the week before the wedding to buy your rings.
Mistake #3: The “make-do” mentality”
Avoid settling for a ring that you are not absolutely happy with or proud to wear. These diamond rings are a vital part of your marriage as they symbolize your eternal bond with the love of your life. Don't settle for less and get a ring that will “make-do”. As a matter of fact, go above and beyond for your rings, this is the one purchase in your life that you should allow yourself to get exactly what you want. Plus, if you are not happy with your purchase most diamond companies like Dunkin’s Diamonds will work with you to get it right. This is another benefit of giving yourself enough time to buy and purchase the ring before the big day. (See mistake #2)
Mistake #4: Assuming your ring size
Purchasing a ring after you simply guessed your ring size is obviously ill-advised, but there is more to it than that. Even if you have measured your ring finger at home your finger size is not the only factor determining what ring measurement you should get. Think of it this way, just because you are size 6 doesn't mean that a size 6 ring with a thick band will look good on a small hand. Thicker rings can feel heavier and can become more of a burden than a ring of the same size but with a thinner band. By visiting one of out locations you can meet with a sizing expert who can not only tell you which size to get but also which diamond band thickness looks exquisite on your hand. The main reason that someone won't wear their wedding ring is that the size is incorrect. If you get the size and thickness in millimeters correct the first time you will have a comfortable ring that will last you a lifetime.
Mistake #5: Settling for a poorly cut diamond
When searching for a diamond it's essential to get a stone that has at least an ideal cut. Plus, if you want the diamond to look its absolute best you can’t go for anything less than excellent. Uneducated first-time diamond buyers will gravitate towards cheaper cuts because they think all diamonds sparkle the same. This is not true and can lead to an unhappy spouse. This is because diamonds with a high-quality cut appear larger. For example, if you are presented with two diamonds with the same carat weight but different cuts the diamond with an excellent cut will appear larger than a diamond of the same carat with a good cut. Read more about “Cut” here in our 4C’s of a Diamond article.
Mistake #6: Falling into the magic number trap
In the diamond industry, there are specific carat weight numbers that a lot of people see as ideal or perfect. These are the “magic numbers” and they include weights such as 1.00, 1.5, 1.75, and 2. These numbers are popular and “ideal” because they feel like round numbers. Though, because they are so sought after they have a higher markup price than other carat weights. Consequently, newer diamond buyers might get tricked into spending a lot more cash just to see a nice round carat number next to their stone on their GIA certification. The lesson is, if you are on a budget don't worry about how divisible the number looks. As long as you are close to your desired stone weight you won't notice the difference. Get that 1.7-carat diamond instead of that 1.75-carat diamond if you have to, you will save yourself hundreds. Trust me when I say you would rather spend that extra money on getting a higher quality cut and color grade on your diamond.
Mistake #7: Worrying about what others will think of the diamond
This is a common mistake the younger generation tends to make. When picking out a diamond for an engagement, for example, a lot of buyers worry about picking a diamond that might come across as cheap or on the flip side, ostentatious. They wonder things such as, “will they think me cheap if I get a small ring” or “do I look like I'm overcompensating with a giant rock?”. These thoughts are common a mistake because it doesn't matter what other looky-loos think, all that matters is that your significant other is happy, and he/she loves the diamond ring. In other words, a diamond ring is not an investment, it's a symbol of an everlasting bond and a piece of jewelry that you or your significant other will wear every day.
Mistake #8: Assuming they even want a diamond ring
Diamonds are wonderful and probably the most gorgeous stone to look at. However, does that mean your significant other wants one? Sure, you can't go wrong with getting them a 2.0-carat diamond, but what if they desire a different stone. Other stones like emeralds and sapphires are slightly less durable but they have amazing hues. Or what about a gorgeous ruby, they are almost as hard as diamonds and can sell for less expensive prices depending on their color. The moral is, before getting your engagement ring or anniversary ring maybe ask your partner what their favorite stone is, you might make them happier and save some money.
Mistake #9: Not understanding the basics of a diamond (The 4’Cs)
Know your stuff! When buying a diamond, especially in person, it's very important to be knowledgeable about the 4C’s of a diamond. Some stores will bet on you not knowing the difference between a good cut grade and an excellent cut grade and thus might not even mention your diamond’s cut at all. However, if you know your stuff you can inquire more about your diamond to getting avoid lost in jewelry jargon. The same idea can be applied to knowing the basics of diamond certifications. For example, with some knowledge of the diamond certification process you will know that buying a diamond from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) is trustworthy. At Dunkin’s Diamonds we love educating new diamond buyers on our diamonds and allowing for them to fully understand what they are getting into. Our reputable jewelers know there shouldn’t be any foggy areas when it comes to buying a diamond, we know it’s a big purchase and are here to inform you about every detail. Next time you come to one of our stores remember that our jewelers have you covered.
Mistake #10: Confusing Carat weight With Total carat weight (TW)
A lot of diamond buyers immediately assume that the higher the carat weight the better the diamond. As you might have already guessed that isn't necessarily true. Other factors such as the cut and color have major impacts on the glamour of the diamond. However, when shopping for a diamond it is still important to understand carat weight (CT) and total carat weight (CTW) Carat weight is the weight of the centerpiece diamond which will usually be around 1-2.5 carats, while the total carat weight is the total weight of all the diamonds set on your ring. To avoid the confusion, buy your diamond and ring setting from a trusted jeweler like Dunkin’s Diamonds. You can pick your loose diamond separate from your setting and then have them fitted together. This way you know the carat weight of your centerpiece diamond and you also have the added fun of picking your own one out.