> 2023

Year: 2023

How Much You Should Spend on an Engagement Ring and Why

Jewelers often receive lots of questions from their customers about buying engagement rings. One of the most popular items involves the typical monetary amount they should spend on them.

This does not mean the expected cost of an engagement ring, but rather estimates your budget for this substantial investment. Jewelers are willing to work within the confines of your bank account, because they recognize that not all customers are the same.

For several years, jewelry experts have circulated the myth that you should devote three months’ salary towards buying an engagement ring. In this article, we glance at the truth behind this adage, discuss the expense you should actually plan to pay, and look at the things that determine this number.

Examining the Three Months’ Salary Rule

During the Great Depression, the diamond industry could no longer generate a profit in the face of the nation’s economic downturn. As a result, De Beers created a marketing campaign that would hopefully draw their customers back and inspire them to purchase diamond rings.

Since diamonds had not yet evolved into the standard gemstone for engagement rings, the company ventured the idea that diamonds were the most quintessential symbol of a man’s love. The campaign also encouraged gentlemen to save their paychecks for one month, so they could afford the ring. This figure eventually increased by another month, and in the 1980s, shoppers were setting aside three months’ worth of their salary.

Nothing is inherently wrong with using this rule as a guideline, but it shouldn’t weigh into your ultimate decision. Remember that it originated in an era when couples got married at a younger age, still lived with their parents, and carried fewer bills. If you choose this route anyway, we recommend sticking to the original one-month variation – or you could start at this number and work your way towards the suggested amount.

The Average Cost of an Engagement Ring

Jewelry experts have found that, on average, shoppers pay between $3,750 and $6,350 for an engagement ring. However, these prices account for a mediocre diamond with an approximate weight of a single carat that’s set in the most common metal. Higher-quality diamonds and settings will raise the cost.

You shouldn’t propose with a cheap engagement ring, especially if your girlfriend thinks that you were just trying to save money!

Because she is incredibly special, she deserves a more impressive piece of jewelry. But you don’t exactly want to break the bank, either. Instead, you should work to find a price that you can both accept.

Not sure how to do that? Here are a few things you should consider.

Your Financial Situation

You will run into several investments throughout your married life, such as a new house, a new car, and of course, starting a family. And it’s not ideal to find yourselves burdened with debt after you spent too much money on the engagement ring.

We suggest that you establish a budget along with your future wife, so that you’ll know the ideal price for her ring when you begin shopping. Then, bring up this number at the first meeting with your jeweler, and they can create a framework to choose your perfect engagement ring.

The Significance of the Engagement Ring

It’s no secret that your engagement ring will carry a symbolic meaning for you and your future spouse. After all, it represents your lasting love and commitment to one another. When you consider this fact, it might influence the amount of money you devote to this investment. As the old saying goes, you can’t put a price tag on happiness.

Your Fiancée’s Preferences

For your fiancée, her engagement ring will serve as the ultimate status symbol. She’ll obviously want to make everyone jealous when she flaunts her sparkler around family and friends. Among other things, you need to find out the shape of the diamond which she desires, the color of jewelry that fits her best, and the setting that matches her style. Have a casual conversation with her about these aspects, then bring these notes to the jeweler and let them search for the perfect engagement ring.

Come Visit Your Local Jeweler

We know that it can be emotionally and financially scary to buy an engagement ring. At Anne Dale Jewelers, we can put those fears to rest with our vast selection of diamonds and other gemstones. Meet with a GIA-certified gemologist and master craftsman who will help you decide on the best engagement ring for your budget and fiancée’s unique tastes. Browse our newly expanded gallery, or create a customized design just for you!

Stop by our new location at 829 Asbury Drive, or contact us at (985) 626-4266.

Local Jewelers: Getting the Most Value out of Purchasing a Diamond Engagement Ring

You have made the decision to ask for your girlfriend’s hand in marriage. Purchasing an Engagement Ring should be a joyful labor of love.

When you start gathering suggestions for the right jeweler, someone will probably bring up a national chain. After all, they have cornered the market with large-scale advertising campaigns and thus achieved global fame.

Before you get tempted to buy your engagement ring at these stores, please think about the shopping experience you will have, the ultimate quality of the jewelry displayed, and most importantly, the overall value you will receive.

In this article, one of the Northshore’s leading private jewelers will share the three most important factors that determine an engagement ring’s value and the reasons why local stores are more likely to consider them.

Price

When purchasing an engagement ring jewelry experts will attest to the fact that national chains mark up the prices on their inventory, but the quality won’t match the cost they demand.

You will find the most competitive prices at a local jeweler, because we take the time to develop a relationship with you. This means that we’ll learn about your budget and work around it until we find the most appropriate engagement ring for you. Plus, you’ll know that every piece of jewelry has been personally made for our customers.

Your engagement ring will possess its own unique story, just like the journey of your love.

Quality

Most of the merchandise sold by national jewelry chains – if not the entire stock – has been purchased in large quantities. You cannot guarantee that these exporters check the four C’s on each diamond, and you run the risk of ending up with a mediocre piece of jewelry.

Local jewelry stores are typically owned by GIA-certified professionals who understand what makes a good diamond. They believe that quality ranks above all other elements when choosing the right stones for their pieces. At our store, a gemologist will provide a curated selection of diamonds and take you through the grades on each one, so you can be sure that you’ll get a beautifully designed engagement ring.

Design

Because national jewelry chains buy their inventory from diamond manufacturers, the engagement ring designs are not truly original. Instead, they are mass-produced without giving any thought to the customers’ unique preferences. When thousands of people are wearing that same engagement ring, you don’t feel very special. You want something that has been created for you, rather than the hottest engagement ring on the market. If this sounds true, a local jeweler can design a customized ring for the proposal.

We are proud of the personal touch that goes into every piece we put in our showcases, because we value your experience.

Come Visit Us

At Anne Dale Jewelers, we want to help you find the engagement ring of your dreams.

We have been serving the Mandeville community for the past 40 years, and we treat our customers like our family. Our newly expanded engagement ring gallery features a wide variety of diamonds, and if you don’t see something you like, we can create the perfect ring for you.

Meet with a GIA-certified gemologist and master craftsman at our store. We will happily answer any questions, whether you haven’t started your search or you know exactly what you want.

Visit us at 829 Asbury Drive, or set up an appointment by calling (985) 626-4266 today.

At Anne Dale Jewelers, we want to help you find the engagement ring of your dreams. Choose something from our newly expanded gallery, or let us build a custom piece of jewelry for you. We have been serving the Northshore for 40 years, and we are very passionate about diamonds.

Set up an appointment with a GIA-certified gemologist today. Either visit our store at 829 Asbury Drive or give us a call at (985) 626-4266. Your experience matters to us!

The 4 Cs of Diamonds and Why You Need to Know Them Before Buying an Engagement Ring

It can be hard to find the right piece of jewelry, because there are so many factors which you must consider like – Diamond Quality. Above all, you are constantly thinking about the way to get the best quality for your personal price range. At Anne Dale Jewelers, we have primarily focused on our customers’ needs for the past 40 years. In this article, a GIA-certified gemologist and a master goldsmith share their guidelines for buying diamonds – known around the jewelry field as the Four C’s. We take you through each component and explain why it’s important to know them when shopping for an engagement ring.

Cut

Jewelry experts widely regard the cut of a diamond as the top attribute for determining the stone’s quality. This aspect should not be confused with the diamond’s shape, since it indicates how the designer has measured the dimensions and engineered the facets to accentuate its brightest, most dazzling shimmer. Gemologists use three elements to appraise a diamond’s cut:

Brilliance. This term refers to the luster that is created when the surface and the inside of the diamond catch the light.
Fire. This term refers to the way in which the stone distributes light across all facets, as if it were a prism.
Scintillation. This term refers to the twinkling effect that can be seen when the diamond moves, known as the sparkle.

It is easy to spot an inadequately cut diamond. The stone will look dim and lackluster, mostly because it cannot reflect the light well. With an excessively deep cut, light will enter through the middle of the stone and escape through the sides. Shallow cuts will cause the light to enter through the top of the stone and escape through the bottom.

When a diamond has been cut properly, light will enter through the middle of the stone and shine through the top. This ensures that the stone will have greater scintillation, thus sparkling more intensely. Judging a diamond with the naked eye might be easy, but it’s trickier to rate the stone’s cut without a truly defined scale for brilliance, fire, and scintillation.

Diamond Grading System

However, in 2005, the GIA adopted an elementary grading system for figuring out a diamond’s cut. Diamonds which have been rated Excellent are known to catch the most amount of light that enters the stone. Very Good diamonds are still respected as a high-quality product, although they do not have the same appearance as Excellent diamonds. Good-rated diamonds are less refined than higher classifications, but they score similarly in terms of fire and brilliance. Fair diamonds have little value, although they still allow some light to reflect. Poor-rated diamonds are those stones which have such an inferior cut that virtually no sparkle can be seen.

The higher the diamond’s cut rating, naturally the higher the price will be. When you think about the merchandise you will get, though, this fact seems insignificant. Thus, if your budget permits, we recommend purchasing an Excellent-graded diamond for your engagement ring. If not, you can hardly go wrong with a Very Good or Good diamond.

Color

When learning about the four C’s, most people do not realize that diamonds actually have some color. In fact, it is an incredibly rare occasion to find a colorless diamond! Gemologists measure the color of a diamond to calculate the stone’s uniqueness and, as a result, the expected price that jewelry shoppers will likely pay. They use a scale employed by the Gemologist Institute of America, which includes five potential color grades from D to Z.

Stones marked between D and F are absolutely colorless with an icy, pure look. These are the rarest and most superior diamonds, so they will naturally demand the highest cost. Those diamonds with a rating between G and J are nearly colorless, since they do not show any visible color. Most customers buy from this range, as they receive a good piece of jewelry for the price. Diamonds graded between K and M have a faint color to them, so they aren’t very expensive. However, some jewelry buyers still make the best of the situation by pairing these stones with a yellow gold setting. Stones with a score between N and R possess a very light yellow tone, which affects its ability to reflect the light properly. Because of their quality, these diamonds do not often make the showcase at a jewelry store. Diamonds rated between S and Z are the most commonly mined, so you won’t see a high sticker price. However, their light yellow tint makes them the least desirable stones on the market.

Pairing Diamond Color

Now that you will be shopping with the color range in mind, we recommend purchasing an engagement ring where the stone has been graded between G and H. You will save yourself some money, while ensuring that you get an impressive ring. To make it appear colorless, you might think about pairing the engagement ring with a yellow gold setting.

Clarity

Ask any jewelry expert, and they will attest that natural diamonds are never truly perfect. Each one organically forms underground with increased exposure to heat and pressure, so you can expect some flaws and blemishes. Although these irregularities won’t make the stone look any less beautiful, they will decrease its value – and consequently, the price at the jewelry store. Gemologists use the following characteristics to grade the clarity of a diamond:

Size. This term refers to the width of the stone’s internal defects.
Number. This term refers to the amount of internal defects found on the stone.
Location. This term refers to the place where each internal defect occurred on the stone.
Consequences. This term refers to the potential implications which the internal defects will have upon the stone’s durability over time.
Visibility. This term refers to the likelihood that a customer will notice the internal defect with the naked eye.

Gemologist Institute of America – GIA

The Gemologist Institute of America developed a grading scale for jewelry experts to judge the clarity of a diamond. These professionals examine the diamond through a loupe set to an industry standard of 10x magnification.

F1 diamonds are categorized as flawless, since gemologists have not observed any blemishes or internal defects. The uniqueness of these stones will make them highly valuable, which escalates the cost for jewelry shoppers. Diamonds with an IF grade have been deemed internally flawless, that is, without any blemishes inside the stone. VVS-classified diamonds, or Very Very Slightly Included stones, only possess internal defects that cannot be easily seen under 10x magnification. VS1 and VS2 diamonds, or Very Slightly Included stones, have minor internal defects that are somewhat noticeable with a jewelry loupe. Diamonds with a grade of SI, or Slightly Included stones, have very visible internal defects. This is especially true when they are viewed through the side. Those diamonds with an I grade, or Included Stones, have obvious internal defects.

In the Loupe

When shopping for an engagement ring, ask your jeweler to provide a loupe for you. This will make it easier to inspect the diamond on your own, so that you choose the correct stone. If you still can’t see any imperfections when you look at the stone through a magnifier, just view it with your eye. Diamonds that do not present any internal flaws, usually those with an SI grade, are your best bet. Chances are, when you can’t pick out the blemishes, other people won’t be able to do it either.

Carats

Unlike the other three C’s, you can get a numerical measure of a diamond’s weight in carats. This calculation does not reflect the size of the stone but rather the heaviness. Gemologists weigh each diamond on a scale that estimates the hundredths and even thousandths of a carat. The hundredths are known as points, and they add monetary value to the diamond.

Sizes range from 0.25 carats to 4 carats, and there are even higher numbers to fit the budget of a Hollywood movie star. Because those larger diamonds are more common than smaller ones, we suggest that you stay within weight classes to save money. In other words, if you’ve settled on a 1-carat diamond, you would want to buy a 0.95-carat ring instead.

Why It All Matters

These four aspects make up the international practice for ascertaining the quality of all the world’s diamonds. For this reason, it is important that you know about them before buying an engagement ring. Otherwise, you might get stuck with an inferior product in the end. What’s worse, if you’re not mindful, you could find the perfect diamond for your fiancée – only to discover that it costs a small fortune because the stone generated high marks on the value scale.

Navigating and prioritizing the four C’s will help you make the appropriate choice for your budget. However, while they offer some helpful guidelines, the four C’s should hardly influence your ultimate decision. Our advice: if the stone does not captivate you, it probably isn’t the right one.

Mandeville Diamond Experts

At Anne Dale Jewelers, we would be happy to answer any questions about the four C’s as you shop for the engagement ring of your dreams. Our newly renovated engagement ring gallery features diamonds in a variety of cuts, color types, clarity grades, and carat weights. Visit our store at 829 Asbury Drive, or contact us at (985) 626-4266 today.

What is a Halo Engagement Ring and Could It Be the Next Marquis Diamond?

With a distinguished and classic appearance, halo engagement rings might make your significant other feel like a famous celebrity.

Hollywood stars and members of the Royal Family gravitate towards this particular ring style because it looks breathtaking on the finger of their beautiful lady, while symbolizing old-world charm.

But many jewelry experts wonder whether this trend will precede along the same path as the marquis diamond, which became outdated after celebrities no longer fueled the fire.

About Halo Engagement Rings

Jewelry designers create the halo effect on an engagement ring through placing smaller diamonds or other gemstones around the center stone. This allows the center stone to sparkle brighter and catch more light.

Gemologists have found that not all diamond shapes work with the halo design, so they typically use the round cut, oval cut, princess cut, cushion cut, and radiant cut diamonds for this ring style.

Many future brides choose halo engagement rings for their versatile nature, since there isn’t just one way to interpret the look. A woman who values tradition may prefer to have a diamond as the center stone, whereas a more style-minded woman may put a colored gemstone in the middle.

Having smaller diamonds also increases the carat weight of the halo engagement ring, but it provides more bang for your buck than buying one with a larger single diamond.

Another popular aspect of halo engagement rings – and one not often pondered – is the fact that the pavé gemstones form a shield around the center stone, therefore protecting it from accidental damage.

More Than a Fashion Trend

Marquise diamond engagement rings were in their prime between the 1970s and the 1990s, when the popularity of disco music turned everyone’s fancies toward vivid and eccentric looks. Eventually, their ubiquitous presence in bridal jewelry made them into secondhand pieces which were passed from mother to daughter – and they faded from the stores. Jewelry designers have ventured the theory that halo engagement rings will do the same.

Given the long history of these settings, however, we would argue that they will maintain the same favor as the solitaire engagement ring. Here are some reasons why that might be.

Consider that a woman can never have too many diamonds for her taste, and buying a halo engagement ring guarantees plenty of them. Whether the diamond takes center stage or appears in the pavéd crown of the halo, her engagement ring will brighten the room for every side.

Plus, jewelers discovered that they could not do much with a marquis diamond and it wasn’t contemporary enough to last. The same isn’t true for halo engagement rings, because they can vary the precious metal used for the setting, the stones in the ring itself, and the cut of the diamond to add a modern twist.

Come Visit Us for Your Halo Engagement Ring Needs

Located at 829 Asbury Drive in Mandeville, Anne Dale Jewelers’ newly expanded engagement ring gallery features a wide collection of halo-style settings. We offer all shapes and metals, including some platinum options.

If you still don’t see an engagement ring that you like, visit our showroom to design a customized piece of jewelry. A GIA-certified gemologist and a master goldsmith are always on hand, making sure that you receive a product that you will cherish forever. You can also call to set up an appointment at (985) 626-4266.

Engagement Ring Bands: White Gold or Yellow Gold?

No two metals are more classic than white gold and yellow gold for an engagement ring band. Each one provides a distinct beauty for the center stone, and jewelers adapt their trends to match these setting choices. When you are deciding on the perfect metal for your unique engagement ring, it’s important to know whether white gold or yellow gold works best.

We will compare the two metals in depth, so that you can be more informed while you seek out – or customarily design – your engagement ring.

Engagement Ring Bands a Case for White Gold

White Gold Looks More Attractive

Jewelers recommend a white gold setting to their customers because it is an impressive metal that never goes out of style. Not only will the milky color enhance the appearance of your engagement ring, but it will also accentuate every shade in your closet.

White Gold Is Less Expensive than Platinum

You might desire a lighter tone for your engagement ring, but the price of platinum gives you sticker shock. That’s why so many people choose white gold settings instead. White gold is more prevalent than platinum when it comes to the mining process, so it doesn’t cost as much. Choosing a white gold setting will save you some money, while ensuring a great purchase.

It’s Easy to Find a Selection of White Gold Rings

Jewelers have picked up on the secret that white gold is more affordable than platinum, so they offer a wider range of options for these settings. With this fact in mind, you will never have trouble looking for a white gold ring – but you might not be able to choose your favorite, either!

White Gold Works Better with Colored Gemstones

Most people mistake white gold settings for silver, because the rhodium plating creates a pearly sheen on the ring. Perhaps this is the reason why white gold pairs better with colored gemstones, especially the cool-toned ones like emeralds and blue sapphires. Jewelers also find that white gold makes diamonds look purer.

The Drawbacks of White Gold

White Gold Is More Fragile

Jewelers advise that white gold does not endure as long as other metals, because it’s naturally softer. These settings gradually shed their coating over time, causing visible scratches to appear on the band. With everyday wear, the ring will therefore develop a yellow shade instead of the white tint which first caught your eye.

White Gold Rings Require More Maintenance

Sustaining the manufactured color of white gold takes some work to accomplish, and the upkeep will eventually cost you a small fortune. Make two yearly appointments with your local jeweler to put a new rhodium plating on the ring, one for the first six months and another for the next six months. You will also need to polish the ring regularly, since it will easily lose its luster.

White Gold Might Cause Allergic Reactions

Rather than being made from pure gold, white gold is actually a combination of many lighter-colored alloys. This mixture often includes silver, palladium, nickel, and zinc, which might irritate sensitive skin for wearers who have allergies to any of those metals. No engagement ring will look beautiful on an itchy and red finger!

The Case for Yellow Gold

Yellow Gold Creates a More Iconic Look

Jewelers will promote yellow gold engagement ring bands for their stately appearance and their reputation as the quintessential precious metal. After all, 18-karat gold is the purest form available. Plus, yellow gold settings can be used to give engagement rings a vintage touch.

Yellow Gold Complements All Skin Tones

Prospective brides who have darker skin tones, especially olive and brown, might be more attracted to yellow gold engagement rings. The golden hues emphasize the warm color of the skin, while simultaneously making the ring stand out on her finger. Those with cooler tones benefit from yellow gold settings, as well, since they have found that it casts a small glow and actually brightens their skin.

Yellow Gold Is Easier to Manage

If you purchase an engagement ring that’s set in yellow gold, it will save multiple visits to the jewelry store for maintenance appointments. Yellow gold is a natural metal, so it holds onto its color without the hassle of replating every six months. In addition, you will find that it can effortlessly be upgraded and modified – should you find the occasion to make any changes over the years.

The Drawbacks of Yellow Gold

Yellow Gold Overwhelms the Diamond

Jewelers have found that, when paired with a yellow gold setting, diamonds develop an amber tint in certain types of light. This might reflect the way that the diamond has been shaped, because it most often happens with shallow-cut stones. Light escapes through the bottom of these diamonds, causing it to pick up other colors. If you want the perfect sparkle and clarity for your ring, choose a different setting than yellow gold.

Yellow Gold Demands Frequent Repair

Although yellow gold does not need to be replated like white gold, greater care is vital to this metal’s stamina. By nature, gold is a softer metal than others used for engagement ring settings like platinum. This makes it more prone to being scratched and dented, so you must polish the engagement ring regularly.

Yellow Gold Is Not Cheap

We already mentioned that yellow gold is one of the purest precious metals, because it contains no mixed alloys. This ensures that, in every jewelry product with a yellow gold setting, there is a timeless and beautiful work of art. However, it also means that the ring will cost more than those engagement rings set in other metals. If you consider money to be an object, you might opt for white gold instead.

Whether you prefer an engagement ring set in white gold or yellow gold, Anne Dale Jewelers will surely have the ideal piece of jewelry for you. Now located at 829 Asbury Drive in Mandeville, we have recently expanded our engagement ring gallery to feature a larger selection of bands and styles. Meet with a GIA-certified gemologist and master goldsmith to find – or design – the ring of your dreams.