Pink diamond engagement rings obtained tremendous publicity when Ben Affleck fete his engagement to Jennifer Lopez by conferring her with one, reputedly worth over a million dollars. Colored diamonds comes naturally only rarely, and for this reason they are more expensive, and more sought after, than those of the more distinctive and typical clear color that is frequently considered to be the delineating characteristic of the diamond. And while fancy colored diamond rings, and particularly pink diamond rings, are doubtlessly harder to track down than a more traditional diamond ring, they are available from specialist jewellers, and at slightly less prohibitive prices than J-Lo’s ring.

Naturally occurring pink diamonds are relatively rare, making fancy pink diamond rings quite unusual. Many jewellers never have a pink diamond cross their path, and so the problem in purchasing a pink diamond ring can be tracking one down. Some jewellers specialize in colored diamonds, and those that do will likely be able to offer you a better price. Pink diamonds are available in different shades, which can affect the price you pay for a fancy pink diamond ring enormously. Certain hues are more popular than others, so a natural preference for a more unpopular shade will likely save you a lot of money!

Because of the popularity of fancy colored diamond rings, jewellers have developed treatments that can artificially introduce color to the diamond, allowing them to add the pink hue that has become so desirable. Although diamonds that are artificially colored are less valuable than naturally occurring pink diamonds, they are also less expensive to purchase.

Though this type of gem remains more expensive than an uncoloured stone, the difference in price is not so large that only celebrities can afford it! So if you adore and like the unusual look of pink diamond rings, you don’t have to lust in vain any longer – simply tighten that waistband and save those pennies, and soon you will have the extra cash in your ring budget to make that diamond blush!

Some men assume that selecting a wedding ring for themselves is pretty much a case of grabbing the first wedding band off the shelf that fits your finger. However, since that wedding ring is going to be on your finger for many years it is important that you select a wedding ring that meets some criteria. Read on for some tips on how to select a wedding ring that is going to last the test of time.

Metal. OK, there are more metals to select from than the standard gold wedding ring. Men should consider any other jewelry that they wear, including their watch. Do you have a gold dress watch, or is it stainless steel? Do you want your wedding ring to match? Do you want to match your fiancee’s wedding ring? Do you have skin allergies? Do you like traditional, contemporary, or unique wedding rings? Lastly, what is your budget?

Popular selections for men’s wedding ring metals include gold, both yellow and white, platinum, titanium, tungsten, and palladium. From a hard wearing point of view, palladium, platinum, tungsten, ceramic, and titanium wedding rings are all very strong. These metals are also great for anyone with skin issues as they are all hypo-allergenic. From a budget point of view, platinum will cost you the most, followed by the golds, and then palladium.

Men who favor the contemporary look may prefer the tinted titaniums which are available in blacks, grays, and a variety of other eye catching colors. Incorporating more than one colored metal into a wedding ring is also extremely popular, and not only adds visual appeal, but can solve problems of matching watches, other jewelry and of course the bride’s wedding ring.

Lifestyle and Work. This is a very important consideration for most men. Do you have a job that involves using your hands in manual labor? Do you come into contact with corrosive chemicals? Do you play contact sports? Many men would just remove their wedding ring for vigorous activities, but if this is a daily issue for you, then you may prefer to select a wedding ring that is up to the challenge. Another important point to note is if you are in risk of catching your wedding ring on anything and having to have it cut off? One drawback to a totally indestructible wedding ring is that they can’t be cut off quickly in the case of an accident. This can be an issue with both aircraft grade titanium and tungsten wedding rings.

Design. There are many wedding ring designs to select from apart from the traditional band. Male wedding rings can be carved, woven, plaited, include stones, or be multi-colored, just for starters. However, many of these wedding rings may not be suitable for daily heavy manual labor.

There are many different styles of wedding rings available for men, ranging from the simple and traditional gold band, through to modern metals, highly patterned, and set with stones. Consider your lifestyle, budget, and personal preference, when deciding which wedding ring or even engagement rings are going to be best for both of you.

Do you love the idea of owning an engagement ring that nobody else will wear? Do you like to stand out from the crowd? Do you want to combine elements from many other engagement rings that you have seen? Do you want to own an engagement ring that will be impossible to date and does not fit into any particular engagement ring trend? Then a unique engagement ring is probably going to be the engagement ring for you.

A unique engagement ring is by definition, a one-off, although many couples would probably concede that it is literally something a little different out of the box, that they are unlikely to see on anyone else’s finger. Unique engagement rings are perfect for those couples who do not want an engagement ring that is seen to be the same as another.

There are a couple of ways to snag yourself a unique engagement ring.

One way to obtain a relatively unique engagement ring or even unique wedding rings would be to consider an antique engagement ring. These rings have been made more than 50 years ago, so the chances of running into the ring’s twin are relatively remote.

However, this solution is only going to work for those couples who are happy with pre-loved engagement rings that are older or classic looking. Those couples who are looking for a more contemporary feel are going to be better off having an engagement ring custom made.

Custom made unique engagement rings. This is the only real way to ensure that you will never see your engagement ring on another finger. Custom jewelers are the ideal choice for a one off engagement ring as they will be able to guide you every step of the way.

Perhaps you have seen several engagement ring styles that you love that you want to combine. Perhaps you have the engagement ring pictured in your head, ready to be drawn up. Perhaps you have a whole lot of ideas, or are looking for inspiration.

Whether you have a fixed idea or none at all, a custom jeweler should be able to assist. Those with no ideas should give some thought to their engagement ring budget before consulting the jeweler. Other considerations could be lifestyle, what sort of metals you wear or like, and any other jewelery or fashion styles that you love. Have a look through some bridal magazines, or search the Internet, until something jumps out at you.

If you are wanting elaborate work, or extremely fine settings, then you may want to consider utilizing a custom jeweler who has access to the latest computerized jewelry design and manufacturing equipment. These allow for a much more accurate level of jewelry design from the initial sketch diagrams to the finished final piece.

Unique engagement rings are ideal for the couple who want their engagement ring to stand out from the crowd, or possibly have a sentimental and special meaning for them. Antique engagement  rings can be one alternative for those seeking an unusual engagement ring. Alternatively, for a truly one-off engagement ring a custom jeweler will be able to create a unique engagement ring.

When couples announce their engagement, often there are other financial outlays to be considered, including wedding arrangements, a honeymoon, and for many, saving for a home as well. Little wonder that many newly engaged couples are hoping to spend a little less on an engagement ring and later on for the wedding rings. How can you save a few dollars with an inexpensive engagement ring that still ticks all the right boxes?

Stones. As a rule, diamonds are going to cost you more. However, once you start researching you will realize that there is plenty of leeway in diamond pricings. Selecting a smaller diamond, or one with slightly more color will dramatically drop the price. Does your diamond need to be perfect under a jeweler’s loupe or just to the naked eye?

Another alternative is to select precious or semi-precious gems instead of diamonds. Those can be ideal for those who have a favorite color, or are seeking an engagement ring that is a little more unique. Almost any gem can be used as a stone for an engagement ring, although pearls and opals are a little more frail and do require special care.

Settings. Complicated and ornate settings will significantly increase the price of the engagement ring.

Metals. OK, first up, platinum is the very most expensive metal that you can use for an engagement ring. However, all is not lost if you admire that look. White gold plated with rhodium will give a very similar appearance but at a lesser cost. Better still, the white metal palladium is hypo allergenic, looks very similar to platinum, and is less expensive than white gold.

Where to Buy an Inexpensive Engagement Ring. Trying on a few engagement rings in the flesh can be a great place to get an idea of what looks good on your hand. Once you have a basic idea of stones, sizes and settings, you will be able to start looking at jewelry websites.

The Internet is a fantastic place to start researching what your engagement ring budget will buy. Most sites have their engagement rings displayed in specific budgets, allowing you to head to the appropriate price page straight up.

Even better are the sites that allow you to build your own engagement ring. This can be an excellent exercise in determining which factors you may be happy to compromise on or not, such as size, color, cut, or clarity of the diamond or gems.

Do you really need to purchase your engagement ring from a prestigious jeweler? Once the engagement ring is on your finger nobody will be able to see that stamp which may have impacted heavily on the final cost. Jewelers working from the Internet have much lower overheads than those working out of a storefront with extra business costs. As a general rule, the jewelers with the lower overheads will convert their lower business outgoings into a lower priced item.

With a little juggling you may well be able to have the engagement ring of your dreams. Do your research, be prepared to compromise and shop around, and you will be rewarded. Often just a few minor alterations that may basically be imperceptible to the naked eye can impact significantly on the final price tag.