When you finally decide that you’ve found “the one” and you’re ready to splash out on an Engagement Ring, you want to make sure that you choose the perfect stone. Unfortunately, a lot of us assume that we can’t afford to buy a Diamond – when that isn’t always the case. There are actually plenty of ways that you can get your hands on an affordable conflict-free diamond without having to work all the hours of the day, or compromise on appearance.

Try Shopping Online

These days, shopping online is one of the best way to cut the cost of any purchase, whether you’re buying a new television, or you’re paying for an engagement ring. When you shop online, you can find plenty of discounts, as well as opportunities to compare the cost of your ring against other vendors. Make sure that you carefully examine the online marketplace before you make your purchase.

Go for “Almost Colorless”

Most people assume that they need a completely colorless diamond if they want to get the right effect for their ring. However, if you have a tight budget, you might benefit from choosing a “near colorless” diamond instead. You can get a fantastic high-value diamond simply by choosing a slightly less colorless diamond – and there’s a good chance that you won’t be able to tell the difference at all. The cut of the diamond is often far more important than its color.

Try an Ethical Lab-Grown Diamond

Choosing a lab-grown diamond with all the physical properties of a standard diamond stone could be the best way to reduce your costs on your engagement ring. First of all, it’s worth remembering that lab-grown diamonds are eco-friendly, and authentic. They’re made using the same process and carbon structures as a real diamond. The only difference is that the process of creating the diamond is sped up thanks to a highly-controlled lab environment. Starting with a carbon seed, the lab-grown diamond goes through the same accelerated growth process as a natural diamond. The final product is something impossible to distinguish with from a traditional diamond. With lab grown diamonds, you get an ethical stone, the same size as a natural diamond, at the same quality for up to 30% less.

Choose a Fancy Shape to Get the Best Results

If you want to get the most out of your diamond, but you’re worried about things like clarity and color, then you might need to choose a fancier cut. Any diamond shape besides “round” is considered a fancy diamond, and you can consider options like the pear diamond, and the princess or radiant cut. The high demand associated with round diamonds can cause them to cost more than their counterparts.

Don’t Focus Too Much on Carats

Finally, carat weight is something that many people find themselves getting obsessed with. A one carat diamond will cost more than a .99 carat diamond even if it’s smaller or looks the same size. Instead of worrying about the size of the diamond carat, think about the way that it looks, and how the diamond appeals to you.

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