There is a lot to consider before buying a diamond - particularly when it’s a case of your girlfriend’s diamond engagement ring sets. The tradition of presenting a woman with a diamond engagement ring when proposing marriage began centuries ago when Archduke Maximilian of Austria gave a diamond ring to Mary of Burgundy - and in most cases, the girl you intend to propose to is likely to expect that proposal to be accompanied by a ring!

First, determine how much ring you can afford. Many people use the ‘two months’ salary’ rule. This states that the ring should cost the equivalent of two months of whatever your current salary is. Because you have other bills to pay, saving up this sum of money can take you quite a long time. You should want to consider financing. Just visit your chosen jeweler and inform them you are planning to buy an engagement ring, and that financing will be necessary. Do not delay - get the credit check out of the way, find out how much the payments will be, and how much of a down payment is needed.

Next, have your sister, mother or your girlfriend’s best friend take your girlfriend out shopping, and make sure that they look at the engagement rings to get an idea of what she might like. Make sure that the jewelers you purchase the ring from will permit you to return the ring, if that is necessary, or allow your fiancee to change it for another ring if she isn’t completely satisfied with her ring!

Well, it’s an unfortunate fact that buying an engagement ring can be really expensive, and that can be a real problem to a young man looking to get started on life’s journey. Fortunately, there is a much cheaper alternative to natural diamonds - cubic zirconia. In the present economic and financial climate, a cubic zirconia engagement ring could be a god send.

Perhaps your fiancee will appreciate a piece of this designer inspired jewelry which does not come with a massive price tag.