Ready to pop the question or renew your vows? If so, here are a few things to keep in mind before buying that engagement or anniversary ring. Your diamond ring is both a financial investment and something that will be worn for a lifetime.
Budget
How much to spend is a personal matter and can fluctuate from couple to couple. A good rule of thumb is to buy the best ring you can without going into major debt. Nationwide, the average cost of an engagement ring is $6,000. If that is above or below what you’re comfortable spending, don’t worry. Laskers has engagement rings to fit every budget. Plus, special financing is available.
The Diamond 4C’s
Just like people, no two diamonds are ever exactly alike. That’s why we have a standard method that diamonds are evaluated by, known as the diamond 4C’s. These diamond 4C’s are cut, color, clarity and carat weight. At Lasker Jewelers, we hand pick our diamonds by sorting through thousands of stones to find the finest choices for our customers. Even though we are a small business, we have the same buying power as large jewelry companies. Unlike a large jewelry company though, our well-trained team can give you personalized service. We’re happy to educate you on the diamond 4C’s and help you in discovering a diamond that speaks to you.
Lab Grown versus Natural Diamonds
Although they look the same to the untrained eye, there are important differences in lab grown versus natural diamonds. The two most important differences are origin and cost.
Natural diamonds are rare and getting rarer every day. This leads to a strong demand for natural diamonds. Billions of years old, natural diamonds have historically held or increased their value. That makes these diamonds a great choice for first time purchasers who might upgrade their stones in the future.
Lab grown diamonds have essentially the same physical properties as natural diamonds. To the human eye these stones look like natural diamonds, but they are easily detected as lab grown by a jeweler. Lab grown diamonds do not hold their value and their prices continue to drop over time. Many jewelers will not buy, upgrade or exchange a lab grown stone. This is an important detail to consider since many people upgrade their rings after a few years.
Both lab and natural diamonds are available at Lasker Jewelers and our team can assist you in choosing the right stone for you.
Style
A majority of customers getting engaged start ring shopping together. But if you’re more of a traditionalist and planning to surprise your beloved with a proposal, be ready to answer questions about her style. Is her style classic or more contemporary, sleek or vintage? Most of all, pick something you believe she will love. But you can have peace of mind knowing that Lasker has great exchange options if she decides it’s not the perfect fit.
Ring Size
Getting someone’s ring size can be a challenge, but there are a couple ways to do it. If you can, see if you can find a ring which fits her finger and then sneak to Lasker Jewelers. We can quickly size any ring you wish to give as a gift so that it’s the right size. Another method for uncovering her ring size is to press one of her rings into a bar of soft soap, making an impression. Then, Lasker Jewelers can use the impression to size a ring. Just be sure to clean off any soap residue afterwards.
If you don’t have any of those options, sizing can be done after the gift is given.
Why Choose Lasker Jewelers
Lasker Jewelers has been a family-owned fine jewelry business since 1928. Our sterling reputation is for being honest, educating our customers and offering excellent service. Buying jewelry at Lasker that commemorates your special occasion is a simple, no pressure experience. Because we have the same buying power as the largest jewelry companies, we can offer the best value for high quality fine jewelry. Unlike a large box store, we’ll treat you like family. To us, you’re more than a one-time purchase. We value your priceless moments and hope to continue celebrating them with you for years to come.