Picking the perfect ring Ashlee Coffey
acoffey@nonpareilonline.com
P
icking out an engagement ring is a huge step for couples who are ready to move on to the next stage of their relationship. Ask any jeweler and they’ll tell you there are several steps to picking out that perfect ring for your bride-to-be. According to Marti Lynch of Lynch Jewelers, 126 E. Broadway, the first step for anyone looking to buy an engagement ring is to figure out a budget. “The first question I ask is, ‘Do you have a budget amount? If so, how much are you wanting to stay around?’” she said. She isn’t sure about the myth that an engagement ring should be three-and-a-half months worth of a person’s salary. “It’s what you can afford and still feel comfortable with – without stressing out your relationship,” Lynch said. “Diamonds are a good investment, though. Usually at the end of a person’s life, it’s usually the jewelry that gets passed down to children and grandchildren. Cars wear out and homes get sold.” Today, engagement rings can start between $2,000 and $2,500 and go up from there, said Megan Prichard-Brabec, who works at her family-owned Steven’s Jewelry, 1722 Madison Aven. Her advice for first-time ring shoppers is “don’t get yourself extended.” “Stay within your budget because you can always upgrade,” Prichard-Brabec said. If a person finds the perfect ring that’s a bit outside of their budget – or can’t purchase the ring right away – a lot of stores have payment plan and layaway options. Once a budget is set — the buyer should have an idea of what type of style the bride-to-be is interested in. “Is she wanting something with lots of ‘bling’ or something that’s very simple?” Lynch said. Today’s popular styles of engagement rings include the traditional solitaire and the newer trend: the halo. This design includes a center
Happily Ever After
diamond surrounded by a “halo” of smaller diamonds. “The halo design seems to be real popular with the younger crowd,” Prichard-Brabec said. “I think it gives the ladies something kind of fun and it doesn’t look like your everyday engagement ring.” Couples should also consider the type of metal the engagement ring is set in. Most popular types of metal for engagement and wedding bands include 10 karat or 14 karat white gold or gold. Platinum is also popular, although it is the most expensive. For a man’s wedding band, alternative metals, such as titanium, tungsten carbide or combination metals like titanium with sterling silver, are also very popular and are relatively low in cost for couples on a budget.
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February 2013