How to Afford an Engagement Ring Without Debt
The world is crazy right now, there’s just no getting around it - but, thankfully, quarantine doesn’t have to be the worst thing in the world if you’ve got a lover and best friend to share it with. Weddings are being cancelled, honeymoons are getting postponed until further notice, but marriage proposals are still happening and it’s a beautiful thing. Granted, spending money on an engagement ring during a pandemic is a little 😬 - what with the economy taking an especially hard hit at present - but that doesn’t mean that the proposal has to be any less special or sparkly. We caught up with MiaDonna, the world’s most [ethical] and affordable bridal jewelry line, to get some insights into how to shop for an engagement ring without debt weighing on your shoulders. So, if any of you reading this are ready to bride up or put the ring on it, but feeling anxious as all hell about it - don’t worry, we’ve got you.
There’s been a lot of #quarantineengagement content crowding our Insta feeds over the last few weeks. We’re so down to see it, too, because it means that the coronavirus isn’t stopping people from living and loving. Of course, to get to that point, when you’re taking those gushy, “not today, COVID” pics together and flashing your new bling, there’s a whole other process that has to happen first. The ring needs to be bought, and now, more than ever, it’s important to make sure that it’s something you love, but also fits into your budget at the same time.
Debt is never an easy thing to deal with, but with so much else to worry about these days, it’s best to avoid it at all costs.
Here’s how!
Look for a lab-grown center stone.
Lab-grown diamonds are identical in every way to Earth-mined diamonds, but they cost up to 40% less and come free of any environmental and humanitarian abuses. Lab-grown colored gemstones, rubies, sapphires, and emeralds, for example, can be 50-90% less expensive than mined gems. These beauties look phenomenal, they’re priced phenomenally, it’s a win win.
Choose a simple silhouette.…
And by that, we mean setting. The stone is going to be the star of your ring, it’s what’s going to draw those 👀, so focus your funds there.
“Rings that have more simple details are going to be cheaper than those set with a lot of side diamonds, thick bands, or a lot of detail. That doesn't mean you have to sacrifice - within many style categories there are higher-priced ring designs and lower-priced ring designs. You can browse and price compare for yourself or ask a personal shopper for suggestions.”
Scout out somewhere with a home try-on program.
This is actually really clutch now that we’re all socially distancing (who knows when we’ll all be able to shop in store again). For couples who want to collaborate on the engagement ring process, we can’t think of a better activity to have fun with during quarantine. Ring trying, a full glass of rosé, and a recently-added rom com on Netflix? PERFECT FRIDAY NIGHT (well, every night kind of feels like Friday night now, TBH).
But now back to the savings. An at-home try-on feature can help you “see how the ring you like looks on you. This is an important step in the process, because sometimes a ring can look larger (or smaller) in a picture. Just because you love the style in a photo, doesn’t mean you’ll like the style on your own finger. Why waste money on a ring you or your partner isn’t pumped to put on?!?!!
And, furthermore, you’ll want easy communication with the company you choose to make sure you thoroughly understand their policy on things like returns, resizing and repairs. All three of which can add up to more costs.
Upgrade later.
Nope, we’re not saying that you have to go with a cheap stand-in, a Ring Pop, or an empty box paired with a promise. It’s just that, during this time of uncertainty and financial vulnerability, it’s a solid idea to buy from a company that has a 👌 upgrade program. How it works? Well, essentially, you can go smaller than you would have preferred to go with your diamond, at first, but then trade it in at a later date for something larger in size (when it makes better sense for your budget). You’ll get the value of the stone back when you trade it toward something bigger!
5 Stars is not enough.
“I have had absolutely nothing but excellent experiences with MiaDonna & Co. I won't even consider purchasing diamond jewelry anywhere else. The products they offer are of the best quality and my wife has loved every piece I've purchased from them! Thank you MiaDonna!”
Biggest point in all of this:
If you’re ready to commit to forever with your favorite person on Earth, don’t let the ring expense stress you out. You can still propose with a stunning piece of jewelry that doesn’t send you careening into debt in the midst of this COVID crisis. Shop now or try four rings FREE today!
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We partnered with MiaDonna to bring you all the details on how to avoid debt when you're buying the ring and getting ready to bend the knee. As always, thank you for supporting our sponsors!