Of course, love is priceless and can't be measured in dollars or
pounds. However, we live in material world and have to display
adoration through material objects. For example, engagement rings serve
not only to emphasize one's matrimonial status, but also to express
feelings. Rich men value their feelings at luxurious diamond
platinum engagement rings from famous designers,
while the middle class prefer yellow gold
or silver models with more simple design.
According to the history
of engagement rings, in the Middle Age they were one of the privilege
of the aristocracy. Fortunately, nowadays engagement rings are more
affordable, and one can find a rather cheap model. However, the word
“cheap” as applied to jewels, and particularly
engagement
rings, shouldn't be misunderstood. The average price of such a ring is
$3,576, while the average median income in the USA equals to $24,325.
The jewelry advertising claims that an engagement ring must cost not
less than two months salary, but this approach seems to be a little
unjustified. If a man is going to get married, he has many other
important expenses, like wedding cost or honey moon on some tropical
islands, not to tell about another crucial ring – the wedding
ring. Nevertheless, some men attach so much importance to engagement
rings that they are ready to work day at night to save enough. In order
to pay for a ring, at least 17% of men work overtime, 50% prefer to put
by a little every month, and about 15% finish by taking out a loan.
Those men who can afford only inexpensive engagement rings should
consider some useful tips. First one should determine the budget,
otherwise he may be tempted by an expensive ring and spend too much.
The main factors which influence the price of engagement rings are
carats (the price increases with the weight of the stone), clarity
(expensive engagement rings have high clarity), cut (such models as princess cut
cost less, as they coincide with the shape of the gem, while oval and
heart-shaped ones require more spending) and ring setting (platinum
is more expensive than titanium, white
or yellow gold and silver). Online stores, like Blue Nile, offer
various engagement rings for reasonable prices. Some people use
discounts, for example, servicemen pay less for engagement rings. One
can also visit the New York Diamond District, where unique engagement
rings are sold for bargain prices.
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