Engagement rings are a promise of marriage, and most people take their time shopping for one. But you never know when you might walk into the jewelry store and find the perfect one. In these cases, can you take the engagement ring home with you that same day?
It’s possible to buy an engagement ring the same day you shop. Doing so depends on the ring’s rarity and how many alterations it needs. Jewelers call this scenario a “Cinderella ring.” If you find an engagement ring you love of the right size, you could be walking out with it that very day.
Many considerations go into shopping for an engagement ring. The rest of this article will elaborate on some of these, including situations when you can buy a ring on the same day. It will also cover average ring prices and the dos and don’ts of shopping for a ring.
When Is It Possible To Buy an Engagement the Same Day You Shop?
Under certain circumstances, taking home an engagement ring in only one visit to the jewelry store is possible. Whether or not this happens will mostly depend on how much customization the ring needs.
Cinderella Rings
Jewelers have come up with an apt name for the scenario where a person finds the perfect ring on the same day they shop. Based on the classic fairytale, a Cinderella ring is an exciting, albeit not very common, experience.
But if you find a ring that is the correct size, has the gem you want, and doesn’t need customizing, congrats; you have located your glass slipper.
Customizing Rings Typically Delays The Ring-Buying Process
There is an entire customization process behind the ring-picking process. Depending on how much you need to alter the ring, this process can take a few days to a few months.
Engagement Ring Size Alterations
Due to the possibility of theft and high overhead prices, jewelry stores only carry a certain amount of every type of ring. Therefore, they will likely not have the correct size for the ring of your choice. If this is the case, they will take measurements and resize the ring, which usually takes a few days.
Ring Sizes
Ring sizes for women in the US range from 3 to 9. The most common sizes are 6 and 7.
For men, the size range is from 7 to 12; the most common is 9. It is a good idea to know your partner’s finger size. A good rule of thumb is to aim for a size larger than the size you want.
Gemless Rings
These days, engagement rings do not need to have a diamond. While it is traditional for engagement rings to have a gem, gem-less bands and other stones are also popular options.
Gem-less rings have become popular in recent years, breaking the perception that every engagement ring needs to have a precious rock in the middle.
A fun option is picking your significant other’s birthstone to put on the ring.
It is good to know beforehand if you want a gem or not, as this will determine the price of the ring and if you will need to wait for it.
What Determines the Cost of a Ring?
If you decide to go with a diamond or precious stone, a few factors go into the price of the engagement ring.
Picking a Gem
Most of the rings you see on display in jewelry stores feature a placeholder gem, which means that the stone on the ring is only there as an example.
When picking a ring, you can customize the gem it has, if it has anything at all. The type of gem you select will influence the total cost of the ring.
Carat Size
The size of a diamond is measured in carats. The average carat size for engagement rings in the United States is 1.5 carats.
The carat size of the rock on your engagement ring will significantly influence its price. The other determining factors are cut, color, and clarity. It is a common misconception that the carat size is the biggest determinant in price when it is actually the cut and shape of the diamond.
Cut and Shape
As mentioned, the price will depend heavily on the cut and shape of the stone. Some of the different shapes you can choose from include:
- Round
- Trilliant
- Cushion
- Baguette
- Asscher
- Pear
- Radiant
- Rose
These are only a few different shapes engagement ring diamonds come in. The list is actually very extensive. A good rule of thumb is: the rarer or more intricate the shape is, the more expensive it will be.
Does a Ring’s Price Influence How Soon You Can Buy It?
Engagement ring prices can vary a lot. The range can be from as low as $800 to over $20,000. It really depends on the kind of ring you’re getting.
The price of the ring will often determine whether or not you can buy the ring the same day you shop, as some more expensive rings might only be in stock in some sizes.
Paying for an Engagement Ring
Most jewelry stores will allow you to pay for the ring with credit. Paying with a credit card with an intro APR offer is a good idea. This will let you pay bit by bit and without interest. Some good credit card options for this are:
- Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express
- Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
- Citi Simplicity Card
Buying a ring on credit may also factor into whether you can take a ring home with you on the day you shop for it. If you use a credit card, there shouldn’t be an issue. However, stores may first run a credit check on you before allowing you to purchase the ring using store financing.
You also have the option to pay upfront. But it’s good to know there are ways to finance a ring if you don’t have the funds.
Final Thoughts
If you want to buy a ring quickly or have just found your Cinderella, the good news is that you can often take one home the same day you shop.
Remember that it will depend a lot on if the jewelry you’re buying has the size you want in stock and the number of alterations you want on your rings.
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