You want her to gasp, cry and leap into your arms while shouting “yes” after she opens up that little box. But how do you get to that step if you know nothing about diamonds?
 

First of all, decide what you can spend. The old adage said that grooms doled out about two month’s salary on a diamond. That’s just bunk now, according to John Rasmussen, a gemologist from Easley, S.C. “People really don’t go by that rule anymore because we are dealing with the cost of diamonds and gold going up and down everyday with the volatility of the markets.”

As a groom-to-be, you want to be proud of what you purchase, and you want your lady to know it is a symbol of your undying love. But you also don’t want to go so in debt that you can no longer buy premium beer or watch satellite television. Most jewelers have a lay-away plan that helps you pay over time – many times that loan is interest-free. 

 And with the popularity of the internet stores and auction sites such as EBay, the price of diamonds is all over the charts. Rasmussen suggests that you only buy diamonds from a reputable dealer. Check out their credentials, talk to your buddies about where they bought their diamonds and find a store that has been around awhile. A local Better Business bureau or chamber of commerce can also help you out.

 “If something sounds too good to be true like a one-carat diamond being advertised for $19.99, it’s too good to be true,” he added.

 Do some comparison shopping. For instance, a one-carat loose diamond – the kind without a band, yet – with a few imperfections can run about $1,500 to $2,000. Some flawless one-carat diamonds can soar in price to $40,000 or more.  The most popular sizes of diamonds to be placed in engagement rings usually are half-carat, one-carat and two-carat.

You’ll definitely feel more relaxed if you have some knowledge of the world of diamonds before stepping into a store. Basically, you need to know the common terms called the 4Cs.

Cut – The most popular shape remains round, because it is the most dazzling. But the array of choices is like a geometry quiz – oval, pear, marquise, heart, emerald, princess and radiant. Pick what you like or what your bride would like.

 Clarity– This refers to how much light passes through the gem, depending on the flaws inside and out. Jewelers grade clarity by the letters V, S and I, standing for very, small and inclusion. Inclusions happen to be things like another mineral, a crack or an empty space.