# data[].attributes.body
1. What did you learn about your topic that surprised you the most?

What surprised me the most is how the size of the diamond doesn't always mean its a larger carat. I had no idea that you could increase the carat of your diamond without making it larger or vice versa. I was also shocked about the amount the actual metal costs and how much the price varies depending on which you choose.

2. Provide a real-life example of how this topic is relevant or interesting

for you.

Personally this topic is relevant to myself and my own relationship with my partner. We knew that it would be an investment getting engaged eventually but I don't think we truly understood what goes into the cost and what the price differences meant. Going forward I have a better understanding of how to save and get a great ring for a decent price.  After diving into this topic I believe I know exactly what I want!

3. If you could pass on your knowledge to a family member or friend, what

do you think is the most important thing to pass on?

I would say the most important thing to pass on would be to avoid brick and mortar jewelry stores as they will charge you far more than a local store and unless you are dead set on a diamond, I would opt for a moissanite ring.

# data[].attributes.body
This photo is a great illustration of the rising cost of wedding rings and how saddening it can be. From 100, 1000, and 5000, this showcases the price increases while the people appear to be crying and upset about this unreasonable standard.

# data[].attributes.body
This website showcases the upcoming and emerging trends for 2020 in the market and it is interesting to see what people are gravitating to.

It seems that people are moving towards non traditional looking rings with different coloured stones, vintage feels, and are moving away from traditional diamonds.
Sometimes this could mean a significant price decrease, and sometimes this can also mean the opposite.

For example; one of the rings showcased in this article is the grey/salt and pepper diamond. Through a quick google search it's apparent that salt and pepper diamonds are actually much harder to come by and drive the price way up.

Sometimes unique comes at a much heavier price tag and the question we have to ask ourselves is "will the emerging trends for uniqueness sky rocket the prices in the coming years?" Time will tell!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Fine Jewellery

Wondering what the hottest 2020 engagement ring trends are? We've got them all right here to get you in the know.

The most important piece of jewellery in your collection will without a doubt be your engagement ring (at least until you get your shiny new wedding band). Naturally, you'll be rocking it every day until your big day, and for many years to come. Because it's such a staple, you're going to want to be absolutely head over heels for its design. We've rounded up the hottest 2020 engagement ring trends so that you know exactly what to ask for from your future fiancé(e) (or hint at ;)). P.S. you don't have to embrace any of these, but they may give you a bit of inspiration that leads you to your dream engagement ring, so they're totally worth checking out.

Here are the 2020 engagement ring trends you need to know.

Cluster design

If you're looking for a unique 2020 engagement ring trend to embrace, look no further than an uneven cluster design. Instead of having one massive central stone or a simple lineup of stones, this style features one primary stone surrounded by a halo of smaller gems. While traditional cluster rings have an outer pattern that follows the shape of the central diamond perfectly, wedding jewellers are doing things a little differently for this upcoming year. Instead of a uniform pattern, the center diamond is flanked by different sizes and cuts of stones. This is great if you can't choose between a cushion, princess, or oval-cut - you can have 'em all!

Shades of grey

Remember how everyone was obsessed with having grey locks a year or two back? Well, it looks like that trend will be making its way to engagement rings this upcoming year. Instead of choosing crystal clear rocks, lots of couples are opting for darker, dustier salt and pepper diamonds. These are known for their imperfections and spots, as they make them look supercelestial and beautiful. If you want to shake things up (and maybe save a bit of money) replace a few of the diamonds with onyx and opal stones. Remember, things don't have to be super flashy and over-the-top to be eye-catching.

Colourful rocks

On the other hand, if your style is brighter and bolder, skip the neutral-toned rocks and opt for something bright and bold. Instead of a classic diamond, go for an emerald, sapphire, ruby, or topaz. If you want to keep things personal, you could incorporate your birthstone or your favourite colour into your design with a semi-precious gemstone. Pro tip: depending on where you get yours (and if they're manmade) these can be cheaper than diamonds, which is great if you're trying to be a little thrifty before your wedding rolls around.

Solitaire stones

Some people love rocking a fistful of stones, but others like to keep their jewellery sweet and simple. If you're in the latter category, a band with a single, solitary stone will be right up your alley. This style focuses on one stone and has minimal accents, so it's placed on either an understated pavé band or plain band. But don't worry - simple doesn't mean basic or boring. With the right stone, this style can be just as eye-catching as any ring (if not more). P.S. If you think this engagement ring trend isn't new, you're right! Celebs have been embracing it for years. Need proof? Just do a simple Google image search of Lauren Conrad, Mila Kunis, Beyoncé, or Kim Kardashian's engagement ring.

Lab-Grown Diamond

Hop aboard the eco-friendly bandwagon by going with a lab-grown ring. These are expected to be super popular in 2020 and are already gaining a bit of traction, thanks to celebs like Bindi Irwin, Penelope Cruz, and Meghan Markle wearing sustainable, manmade stones. Why are they so great? Well, because you know exactly where your stones are coming from, you won't have to question their ethics or environmental impact. They're also just as pretty as authentic diamonds! In fact, lab-grown rocks have pretty much been perfected to look exactly like their mined counterparts, so you can expect top-notch cut, colour, and clarity (something you definitely won't get in less expensive diamonds).

Yellow Gold

The days of rose gold and platinum are still going strong, but yellow gold is having a serious revival moment right now, too. Yes, it has a bit of a vintage vibe, but it can be made to look totally modern with the right selection of rocks (if that's what you're after). Another major pro? It compliments every skin tone, and will instantly warm up any outfit. P.S. Yellow gold is easier to size than hard metals, like platinum, so you don't have your stress if your fiancé(e) made a guess about what size your ring finger is.

Stackable Styles

Who doesn't love the look of stacked rings? Answer: no one. When it comes to jewellery, the more the merrier, right,? This doesn't mean you need to have two or three engagement rings, it just means you should choose a style that'll perfectly fit with the wedding band you'll be receiving later down the line. For example, if you want to have a v-shaped wedding band, you may want to have a v-shaped, pavé engagement ring so that the two fit perfectly together.
Find engagement rings and wedding bands on WeddingWire "

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The 2020 Engagement Ring Trends You Need to Know

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Fine Jewellery Wondering what the hottest 2020 engagement ring trends are? We've got them all right here to get you in the know. The most important piece of jewellery in your collection will without a doubt be your engagement ring (at least until you get your shiny new wedding band).

# data[].attributes.body
This article takes a dive into the world of the metals behind the rings. We've come across a ton of information about the diamonds and stones, but the metal you choose for your wedding ring can also make a significant difference in the price tag.

I was suprised to see that yellow gold was one of the most affordable options, while
Palladium was one of the highest on the spectrum being that it is a rare metal.

If you're looking for something really affordable, your best options are Cobalt and Titanium.

Which ever you end up choosing, the price will vary by metal, durability, and Karat.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Scared of getting ripped off? Don't want to waste your money? Confused by all the choices? Contact us.
Blue Nile is one of our favorite vendors and they have generously offered our readers an exclusive one-time use coupon. (Click Here to save $100 off orders of $1000 or more)

We get commissions for purchases made from our affiliates through links in this article. Learn More.

While choosing the right wedding ring is usually easier than choosing the right engagement ring, there are still several important decisions that you'll need to make.

One of these is the type of metal you choose for you and your partner's wedding rings. Wedding bands are available in a wide range of different metals, each with their own key advantages and disadvantages.

These include yellow, white and rose gold in different karatages, as well as precious metals like palladium and platinum. Some wedding bands are also available in alternative metals, such as titanium and tungsten carbide.

Below, we've shared our expert tips and advice to help you choose the best metal for you and your partner's wedding bands. This advice can also be applied to your choice of metal for your fiancé-to-be's engagement ring, as well as other jewelry.

It also applies to both men and women, meaning you can use the same approach to buy rings for either gender.

How to Select the Best Metal For a Wedding Ring

Before we get into the specific metals used for wedding rings, it's important to be aware of you and your partner's needs and priorities from a ring.

For example, the different metals used for wedding rings can vary hugely in terms of durability, with some metals soft, delicate and easy to scratch, while others are hardy, durable and highly resistant to damage.

Wedding ring metals can also vary hugely in appearance, with some offering a warm look that matches certain skin tones and others offering a cooler look that suits a different range of skin tones.

Beyond this, there's the importance of matching the engagement ring and wedding band. If your fiancé-to-be already has an engagement ring, you'll want to make sure that her wedding band is made from the same metal.

Finally, there's the pricing aspect. Some metals are more expensive than others, meaning you may want to prioritize metals that offer better value for money if you have a limited budget for your wedding bands.

Knowing what you need, as well as which metal is best suited for you and your partner's skin tones, can help you choose the most suitable metal for your wedding rings.

If you're not sure what you're looking for, don't worry. We've covered all of these factors in lots of detail below, including our expert tips on which metals are best suited for specific lifestyles, skin tones, and more.

The Best Metals for Wedding Rings

There's no "best" metal for every wedding ring. Instead, each of the metals commonly used for wedding bands and engagement rings offers its own range of advantages and disadvantages, from color and other aesthetic qualities to durability and value for money.

Below, we've looked at the nine metals most commonly used for wedding rings. Many of these metals (the first five, in particular) are also used to make engagement rings, meaning you can also use this advice to choose the right metal for your fiancé-to-be's engagement ring.

Yellow Gold

Gold has traditionally been the most popular metal for engagement rings and wedding bands, with a history of use dating back to Ancient Greece and Rome.

Several different types of gold are used in wedding bands and engagement rings, with yellow gold the most traditional. Other popular types of gold used for engagement rings and wedding bands include white gold and rose gold, which we've looked at below.

Even today, several millennia after it first came into use, yellow gold is one of the most popular women's and men's wedding band metals.

Contrary to popular belief, wedding bands, engagement rings, and other jewelry aren't made out of pure gold. Instead, all of the gold used for wedding bands and engagement rings is combined with other metals to create an alloy.

Yellow gold is made using a combination of pure gold, copper, and zinc. Depending on the pure gold content of the alloy, the gold used for the wedding band will be 14K gold (58.3% pure gold) or 18K gold (75% pure gold).

Let's start by looking at the advantages and disadvantages of yellow gold wedding bands as a whole. After that, we'll cover the differences between 14K and 18K gold.

As we mentioned above, yellow gold is historically the most popular metal for wedding rings. It's a safe, traditional choice as a women's or men's wedding band metal, with a timeless color that will never go out of style.

If you're looking for a versatile wedding ring metal that anyone can wear, a yellow gold wedding ring is one of the best choices. Yellow gold is also the easiest type of gold to maintain, making it a good choice if you want your wedding band or engagement ring to be low maintenance.

Yellow gold wedding bands can be worn by anyone, but look particularly good next to olive and darker skin tones.

The biggest disadvantages of yellow gold as a wedding ring metal are its durability and its need for occasional maintenance.

While yellow gold is generally a low maintenance metal, it needs to be polished and cleaned to maintain its shine. Like all types of gold, it's also quite an easy metal to scratch, especially if it's brushed against a hard surface.

In terms of price, yellow gold is quite an affordable metal, with prices for 14K yellow gold some of the most affordable of any women's or men's wedding band material.
For example, this 14K yellow gold low dome wedding ring from James Allen is only $430, while this 18K yellow gold wedding ring in the same style is only $690.

14K vs. 18K Gold: What's the Difference?

Like other types of gold, yellow gold is often sold in either 14K or 18K karatages. These refer to the purity level of the gold, with 14K yellow gold made up of 58.3% pure gold and 18K gold made up of 75% pure gold.

The two biggest, most significant differences between 14K and 18K yellow gold are each metal's color and durability.
Because 18K gold has a higher gold content, it has a richer, warmer color than 14K gold. It's also less durable, meaning it's easier to scratch and dent. We've explained these differences in more detail in our 14K vs. 18K gold comparison guide.

White Gold

White gold, which is made from a combination of pure gold and metals such as nickel, silver, and palladium, has a gorgeous shine and an elegant white color.

Historically, yellow gold has been a more popular metal for women's and men's wedding bands than white gold. However, white gold has become much more popular over the last decade and is currently the most popular type of gold for engagement rings and wedding bands.

Like yellow gold, white gold comes in a variety of purity levels (karatages), with 14K and 18K the most common.

The biggest advantages of white gold are its gorgeous white color, which complements fair and rosy skin tones, as well as its stylish, modern appearance. White gold is also alloyed with a mix of stronger metals than yellow gold, giving it slightly better durability.

White gold is also very affordable, especially at the 14K purity level. For example, this beautiful 2mm 14K white gold wedding ring is only $150, while this 4mm wedding ring suitable for men or women is only $490.

The color of white gold looks particularly beautiful alongside white, colorless diamonds, making it a good choice for diamond engagement rings. However, you should be aware that white gold engagement ring settings can emphasize the yellow tint of a diamond with a low color grade.

The biggest disadvantage of white gold is that it needs to be dipped every few years to maintain its rhodium coating, which provides its color and luster. However, this is typically an inexpensive, simple service that can be performed by any experienced jeweler.

White gold also often contains nickel, which means it may cause metal allergies in some people (this is most common with 14K white gold).

Rose Gold

Rose gold, which is made from pure gold combined with copper and silver, has a gorgeous pink, red and rose color that's totally unique. Many people consider rose gold to be the most romantic wedding ring metal thanks to its warm, romantic pink hue.

Like yellow and white gold, rose gold is available in several purity levels (karatages). The most common are 14K and 18K.

The biggest advantages of rose gold are its beautiful pink-red color, its relatively high durability, and its affordability.

Because rose gold is made using copper, it's typically stronger than yellow or white gold. This makes it a good option if you're looking for a women's or men's wedding ring metal that offers reasonable wear and scratch resistance, especially in 14K.

With this said, rose gold is still a type of gold, meaning it won't be as strong as metals that are harder and less malleable.

Because rose gold has a relatively high copper content, it's also quite affordable. For example, this 2.5mm 14k rose gold women's wedding ring from James Allen is only $250, while this 14k rose gold 3mm wedding ring from Blue Nile is even cheaper at only $225.

Rose gold naturally complements all skin tones, from fair and rosy skin to olive and darker skin tones.

There are two main disadvantages to rose gold as a wedding ring material. First, due to its high copper content, it's slightly more likely than other types of gold to cause skin issues. Second, as it's a newly popular metal, only a few engagement rings and wedding bands come in rose gold.

Platinum

With its stunning color and natural white sheen, platinum is a gorgeous metal that subtly signals luxury and exclusivity.

As a metal for engagement rings and wedding bands, platinum offers numerous advantages. It's naturally beautiful, offering a stunning white color similar to white gold and palladium (a precious metal we've listed below).

It's durable, with good resistance to wear and corrosion. It's also hypoallergenic, meaning it's far less likely to trigger skin reactions in people with metal allergies than wedding band metals such as yellow, white or rose gold.

Finally, platinum ages nicely, developing a beautiful patina over time. It's also easy to have your platinum ring polished to restore its shine as it ages. Like white gold, platinum complements fair or rosy skin tones.

The biggest disadvantage of platinum as a women's or men's wedding ring metal is its cost. A platinum wedding ring will typically cost almost twice as much as an equivalent ring in a metal such as 14K white gold.

For example, this 5mm men's wedding ring from James Allen is $900 in platinum. In 14K white gold, the same ring is only $540. Likewise, this 3mm women's wedding band from Blue Nile is $400 in platinum but only costs $225 in 14K white gold.

Platinum is worth considering if you're looking for a durable, luxurious, white-colored metal and don't mind a relatively high price tag. However, if you're just after the white color and don't want to overspend, 14K white gold is a great affordable alternative to platinum.

Palladium

Palladium is a white, silvery-colored precious metal. As we explained in our detailed comparison of palladium and platinum, rings and other pieces of jewelry made out of palladium have a color and general appearance that's very similar to those made from platinum.

Wedding bands and engagement rings made from palladium are durable. Unlike gold, which is easily scratched, palladium doesn't lose metal when it's scratched. Instead, the metal becomes displaced. This means that a palladium ring can develop a patina over time.

One key difference between palladium and platinum is the weight of each metal. Palladium is a much lighter metal than platinum, making it worth considering if you want a lightweight wedding ring.

Until recently, palladium used to be a more affordable metal than platinum. However, the recent increase in palladium prices means you'll pay about the same amount or slightly more for a ring made out of palladium as you would for the same ring in platinum.

For example, this 5mm men's wedding ring from James Allen costs $960 in palladium and $900 in platinum. In 14K white gold, the same ring is only $540.

The main disadvantages of palladium are its price, as we mentioned above, and availability. As a rare and valuable metal, palladium isn't commonly used as a women's or men's wedding band material, meaning the selection of available rings is quite small.

Titanium

Durable, affordable, and comfortable, titanium is an interesting alternative to conventional metals for men's wedding rings like gold and platinum.

Titanium is light gray in color, with a surface that can either be polished to a shine or brushed for a matte appearance. Because of its masculine looks, titanium is usually only used as a metal for men's wedding bands, with women's titanium rings quite rare.

The biggest advantage of titanium is its durability. Titanium is a strong metal that won't bend or break under normal use. It's also easy to maintain - as a durable metal, a titanium ring can be cared for with soap and water and usually doesn't need to be maintained by a jeweler.

Note that due to this metal's hardness and resistance to heat, titanium wedding rings can't be resized.
Overall, titanium is a good choice if you're looking for an alternative to traditional wedding band metals with a modern, masculine appearance. It's also a very affordable metal, with this titanium ring from James Allen just $90 and this gorgeous two-tone black titanium and tantalum ring from Blue Nile only $395.

Tungsten Carbide

Tungsten carbide is a metal alloy that's created from tungsten bonded with an alloy metal, such as titanium, carbon or nickel. It's a very durable metal that resists scratches and wear very well, making it a good option if you or your partner have an active lifestyle.

In fact, tungsten carbide is one of the strongest metals available for wedding rings. A ring made from high-quality tungsten carbide will be around four times as hard as one made from titanium and about 10 times as hard as one made from 18K gold.

Because of its incredible hardness, wedding rings that are made from tungsten carbide can't be bent or resized. However, despite this strength, tungsten is a brittle metal when it's subjected to pressure, meaning it's possible for a tungsten ring to shatter when hit or dropped from a height.

Like titanium, tungsten carbide is typically used as a men's wedding band metal. Although most tungsten carbide is silver-grey in color, this metal comes in a variety of colors, from black, like in this 8mm Matte Hammered Edge tungsten carbide wedding band, white, like this classic comfort fit wedding band, to rose, like in this tungsten carbide bright step band.

If you are after something truly special, this Sand Blast finish wedding band or this asymmetrical black & blue engraved wedding band can be the one.

Overall, tungsten carbide is a good choice of wedding ring metal if you or your partner have an active lifestyle and need a ring that won't scratch, bend or wear easily.

Tantalum

Tantalum is another non-conventional men's wedding ring metal that's become popular over the past decade. With a color that's slightly darker than platinum, tantalum has a pleasant shine that looks similar to that of many precious metals.

Wedding rings made from tantalum are very durable, able to resist scratches, warping and other common forms of wear and tear easily. Tantalum is also a much less brittle metal than tungsten carbide, meaning there's no risk of a ring made from tantalum shattering if dropped.

Like many other metals, tantalum is hypoallergenic, meaning it isn't likely to trigger allergic skin reactions. It's also quite a malleable metal, meaning that it can be resized, although it can be a challenge finding jewelers experienced with tantalum in many areas.

The only real downside of tantalum is its price. Although tantalum costs less than palladium or platinum, rings made of tantalum are typically more expensive than those made of titanium or tungsten carbide. For example, this men's low dome comfort fit tantalum ring costs $395.

Overall, tantalum is a great choice of metal for men's wedding bands. It's strong, has a stylish, masculine appearance and offers great value for money despite being slightly more costly than titanium or tungsten carbide.

Cobalt

Cobalt, or cobalt chrome, is a popular non-conventional men's wedding band metal that's often chosen as a more affordable alternative to white gold, platinum and palladium.

As with other metals used for wedding bands and other jewelry, the cobalt used for jewelry isn't a completely pure metal. Instead, it's alloyed with metals such as iron, tungsten and chromium for improved durability and malleability.

Cobalt looks very similar to other white metals, particularly white gold. Because it's harder and more durable than gold, it's also more resistant to scratching. Rings made from cobalt are also less maintenance-heavy than gold and don't need to be dipped to maintain their appearance.

Like other durable metals, cobalt can be quite difficult to resize, meaning you'll want to be sure of your ring size before ordering a cobalt wedding band.
These characteristics make cobalt an attractive alternative to white gold for people interested in a durable, affordable wedding band. For example, this 6mm cobalt chrome men's weddin g band only costs $160, whereas this similar ring in 14K white gold costs $675.

Conclusion

Because everyone has unique needs and tastes, there's no "best" metal for everyone's wedding ring. To get the best ring for you and your partner, choose a metal with qualities that match your needs and lifestyle, all while avoiding disadvantages that could get in your way.

If you need help, feel free to contact us. Our experts can help you choose the perfect metal for your wedding bands, engagement ring or any other jewelry.

James Allen

Blue Nile

DISCLAIMER: We don't use your email for marketing. Period.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Best Metals for Wedding Rings and Engagement Rings

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Scared of getting ripped off? Don't want to waste your money? Confused by all the choices? Contact us. Blue Nile is one of our favorite vendors and they have generously offered our readers an exclusive one-time use coupon.

# data[].attributes.body
This article dives into a little bit of the statistics regarding wedding ring purchases. They surveys 14,000 recently engaged and married individuals and found that the amount of money being spent on a ring has actually risen in the last few years.

The average amount spent on a wedding ring was $6,490 which has now jumped to a whopping $8,090. Even though there is a crisis of millennials not purchasing diamonds, it's clear to see that the business of wedding rings won't be disappearing anytime soon as statistics show that people are willing to drop a lot of money in order to make their partner happy.

And with competing alternatives like gems and moissanite, people who weren't normally in the market are now able to purchase with much smaller budgets, which will just saturate the market even more and keep those prices climbing.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
With the holidays coming up, many of us are starting to think of gifts to buy our loved ones. But for those of us in long-term relationships, we may have only one thing on our minds: getting engaged.

That's right, folks, proposal season is on the horizon and come Christmas Day, some of us might be looking for a little box under the tree.

And according to wedding website The Knot, people are shelling out more hard-earned dollars for the perfect engagement ring.

AnthiaCumming via Getty Images

The site recently released their 2017 Jewelry & Engagement Study, in which they surveyed more than 14,000 engaged or recently married brides and grooms in the U.S. about ring shopping, proposal planning, and other stuff that goes into getting engaged.

They found that the average spent on an engagement ring went up 25 per cent from 2011 - $8,090 from $6,490 - meaning that despite the softening of the diamond market, and the "concern" that millennials aren't buying diamonds, people are willing to shell out a lot of money to make their partner happy. Nine in 10 brides reported being satisfied with the amount their fiancé spent on the ring, while only 6 per cent said they wished their partner had spent more, and 4 per cent said they wished their partner spent less.

But that doesn't mean grooms can afford this bling. According to the report, nearly one in three (29 per cent) grooms reported spending more than they planned on the engagement ring.

The study also reported that people said they spent about 4.4 months to plan a proposal, while it took around 3.5 months to look for a ring. Couples also said they looked at an average of 26 rings before picking the one they wanted, and that they were more interested in shopping for a ring online.

While the study found that the majority of grooms (86 per cent) still purchased rings at brick-and mortar jewelry stores, 14 per cent said they bought an engagement ring online, up from 10 per cent in 2011. Those who bought online reported better deals on rings (63 per cent), enjoyed the convenience (40 per cent) and wanted to build a custom ring (29 per cent) as main reasons for choosing to shop over the web than at a store.

While the study doesn't give explanations for why people are choosing to spend more money on engagement rings, we only have to look at celebrities to figure out part of the reason.

But that doesn't mean you should spend your life savings on a ring. (Please don't do this.) Although some would say you should spend three months' salary on an engagement ring, this being modern times, you should let your comfort level and finances dictate how much you want to spend.

"Engagement ring culture has come to imply that the bigger the love... the bigger the diamond, which puts a lot of pressure on the purchaser to get one that sings," notes The Feminist Bride. "But that pressure can put a lot of financial restraint on a person or a couple, especially when the standard to put two-month salary towards it is nothing more than the De Beers marketing campaign guideline (i.e. how much of your money they want from you)."

The important thing to keep in mind, notes Money Under 30, is to spend what you feel you can afford.

"Don't let others tell you what to spend. How much you should spend on an engagement ring is entirely up to you and your fiancé(e)," they write.

More from HuffPost Canada:

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
how much should you spend on engagement ring

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
This Is How Much People Are Spending On Engagement Rings In 2017

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
With the holidays coming up, many of us are starting to think of gifts to buy our loved ones. But for those of us in long-term relationships, we may have only one thing on our minds: getting engaged.

# data[].attributes.body
Moissanite is on the rise and it seems to be appearing more and more. Many people are opting for this less expensive alternative so that they aren't breaking the bank but still receiving a beautiful and good quality stone.

This video breaks down some pros on why you should opt for moissanite over the classic diamond and explains that there is quite a significant savings when choosing this stone. When compared to a diamond it is a 9.5 on the hardness scale vs the diamond which sits at a 10.

Moissanite is actually prettier to look at with its sparkle factor, and for couples that don't want to spend their entire life savings on a ring, this is a fantastic option.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
5 Reasons Moissanite is Best Diamond Alternative

# data[].attributes.body
This video is a great way to showcase the size differences in rings by carat, how each size looks compared to the next, and how much the price can vary and jump depending on the carat and even the retailer you choose.

The bigger the rock, the more you spend and it doesn't always mean that bigger diamonds have more carats. I was surprised to find out you can increase your carat without making the diamond larger, which is actually quite interesting.

In the end you really have to do your research and scope out your options because you may end up paying 3x the price from one retailer to the next.

# data[].attributes.headline
Engagement rings are a scam, heres why!- Video #3

# data[].attributes.subject
Engagement rings are a scam, heres why!- Video #3

# data[].attributes.body
I chose this video because it really breaks down some compelling arguments about the origin behind engagement rings and the diamond itself in a comedic way. The fact that engagement rings were created by a company looking for profit blows my mind, and the fact that it has essentially become a standard for marriage and engagement in todays society just proves how far a well executed marketing plan can go.

To hear that diamond are essentially worthless and a scam, yet has become such a sought after item is really interesting, and the notion that you're supposed to spend an average of 2 months salary on one just shows how much of an investment it really is.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Why Engagement Rings Are a Scam - Adam Ruins Everything

# data[].attributes.body
This photo is both information packed and delivers great visuals to digest the information. It breaks down a little bit about the history of diamond rings as well as some really fun statistics. I personally had no idea that diamond didn't have a resale value, which now seems like a total scam to me.

# data[].attributes.body
In this padlet, we're going to take a look into the cost factors of wedding rings and what makes the prices differentiate, as well as a little bit of history and trends.

Together we will dive into the wild world of weddings rings.

# data[].attributes.body
This video was a really fun way of showing just how drastic wedding ring prices can get and how the average person cant can't tell the price of a ring just by looking at it.

Some of the rings these recent brides evaluated ranged from $70 all the way to $13,000 and they often guessed way off. This to me shows that what looks "expensive" is subjective, and you really don't have to drop thousands of dollars to have a beautiful and "expensive" looking ring.

Essentially, the only person that is going to know if your ring is $70 or $13,000 is you.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Brides Guess The Cost Of Engagement Rings

# data[].attributes.headline
What to spend and How to save on wedding rings- Website #4

# data[].attributes.subject
What to spend and How to save on wedding rings- Website #4

# data[].attributes.body
I chose this article because it breaks down a few of the factors that can make a price jump when purchasing a wedding ring. Explaining the difference in clarity and shape can widely change the price, and it seems the recommendation is to opt out of purchasing a traditional diamond and instead go for an alternative stone or moissanite to save your money.

You can also really cut your costs depending on the weight of the diamond you choose. You wont be able to tell a different between  1 carat and 0.95 carats visually, but financially, the price difference is significant.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Get ready for a wave of engagement rings to flood your Facebook feed: December continues to be the most popular time for men to take the plunge and pop the question.

Twenty per cent of Canadian men in a relationship are expected to propose this month, according to the 2015 Wedding Bells survey. But that doesn't mean they necessarily want to spend a fortune on the ring.

How much should you spend?

"In many cases the guy isn't prepared to spend anything if he can avoid it," jokes Duncan Parker, the vice president of Canada's Gemology Institute.

That could be why the Wedding Bells survey found a majority of brides have a say in how much their engagement ring will cost.

Earlier this year, rate comparison website RateSupermarket.ca pegged the average price of an engagement ring to be $4,000.

Experts say you shouldn't base how much you spend, though, on anything other than your own budget - especially since the average Canadian wedding can cost a couple upwards of $30,000.
READ MORE: Putting a ring on it? Do your research, urge financial experts
So forget about that old "rule" of spending two or even three months' salary on a diamond. It was, after all, the product of De Beers, the diamond company which also tried to instill in us that "A Diamond is Forever."

How to save money when buying an engagement ring

The easiest way to save on an engagement ring? Don't buy a diamond.
WATCH: Coloured gemstones like sapphires are becoming big in engagement ring fashion. Trish Kozicka takes a closer look at the trend.
There are plenty of diamond alternatives on the market that can be wonderful options - from sapphires, to emeralds, rubies, pearls and moissanite.

The latter looks pretty much identical to a diamond but, like the other alternatives, is sold at a fraction of the price.

Those who are set on a traditional diamond can still cut costs without compromising quality. Alastair Smith wrote a book about it and started ringspo.com, a resource for shoppers who are as overwhelmed as he was during his own search for a diamond ring.

He did a ton of research over six months before realizing he should share the information he found with others.

Here are his four of his biggest pieces of advice:
1. Don't put too much emphasis on "clarity"
Clarity, one of the "4Cs," is a measure of the imperfections (aka inclusions) in a stone.

Parker agrees it's the easiest thing to make compromises on.

"And it cuts a big part of the price out."

Unless you go below a certain grade - usually VS2, which stands for "very slight inclusions" or sometimes even SI1, which stands for "slight inclusions"), those imperfections can only be seen under a microscope.
2. It doesn't have to be a full carat to look like one
Carat is the weight of a diamond, which is most commonly associated with its size. One carat is equal to one-fifth of a gram.

"Everyone wants a one carat stone, it's a nice round number. But if you go just below one carat, say 0.95 carats - you'd never be able to see the difference in size," Smith says.

However, those near-carats can be harder to come by. The job of a diamond-cutter, Parker points out, is to cut a perfect carat. If they keep cutting less than a carat, that profit loss will eventually likely lead to job loss, he says.
3. Go for a different shape
"If you change shape from a regular round diamond there's definite savings to be had there as well. So if you go for an oval diamond, or a cushion diamond, or even a princess cut - there can be savings of up to 30 per cent on a stone that's the same carat weight and quality," Smith says.
4. Buy online
You can likely find more of the 0.95 carats online, though. That's where Smith suggests you make your diamond purchase.

Diamond expert Michael Fried of diamonds.pro, another online resource, also recommends that route.

In some cases, Smith claims the savings can be in the thousands.

He and Parker list Blue Nile as a reputable online retailer. It's certainly the largest of its kind, so the prices do tend to be lower.

However, one of its big drawbacks is that it doesn't have high-resolution photos of the diamonds it sells. That's why Fried prefers the James Allan site, which is also one of Smith's recommended retailers.

Wherever you choose to buy your diamond, Fried stresses that it needs to come with legitimate certification. GIA (Gemological Institute of America) and AGS (American Gem Society) are the two most widely accepted sources for that in North America.

He says to be weary of any EGL (European Gemological Laboratory) certifications, which have been plagued with legal troubles.

"EGL was sort of called out recently because they were using the same terminology for grades that didn't match what GI [the Gemological Institute] would've called them," Parker explains.

"And they said, 'well, we're using our own standards.'"

Here are some more fun facts about diamond rings:
Infographic designed by Janet Cordahi, Global News

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
What to spend and how to save on a diamond ring - National | Globalnews.ca

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Here are four ways to get the best bang for your buck when buying an engagement ring, without compromising quality.