How much to spend on an engagement ring

I get asked this question quite a bit, and believe it our not I tell my friends do not go crazy with the amount you spend on an engagement ring. I know you feel alot of pressure to propose with a kick-tail diamond ring. Just know, you can get a diamond that will get her, her family and her friends drooling no matter what kind of money you have. Keep in mind that it's the love and commitment a diamond stands for – not the size or cost of the stone – that's most important to the woman you're marrying.

Start by setting a budget that you're comfortable with and then go about selecting the highest quality diamond you can find within your budget. (Starting a marriage in debt is never a good idea.)

If you're buying a diamond engagement ring , the commonly accepted guideline for purchasing diamonds is two months' salary . That figure may or many not work for you, but it is a good place to start.

Before you put that dent in your wallet first learn everything you can about diamonds before making the actual purchase. In the process, you'll discover how to make sure you're not getting hosed and that your getting the fair market value and an acceptable quality rock.

The quality of the stone is determined by the 4C s and carat weight is only one of those attributes, so don't assume bigger is always better. Not all of the 4Cs are created equal . A smaller stone can be more expensive than a larger stone, if the cut color and clarity are better, for example. You want to make sure your diamond has fire and sparkle . Some call this fire and sparkle 'brilliance'.

Some other thins you will have to think about when selecting a diamond: the 4 Cs , certification, shape , beauty and brilliance, and branded vs. unbranded.

Need to know the questions you should ask? What should you look for? Here's a downloadable buyer's guide <http://www.theleodiamond.com/BuyingGuide.pdf> you can print and take with you while shopping.

To get a quality diamond at a fair price make sure you:

· Select a trusted retailer —with knowledgeable sales associates -- find a seller who will stand behind the diamond they sell, providing you with a money-back guarantee, the ability to exchange or upgrade your diamond and on-going good service.

· Make certain that the diamond you are buying is authentic and comes with certification of the 4Cs from an independent gemological laboratory.

· Look at a variety of different diamonds and compare them not just with the 4Cs, but how they actually look – what kind of fire and sparkle they have. Your eyes are important, don't discount them in the process.

· Buy the diamond first . The most beautiful setting can't make up for a diamond that doesn't look good.

Paying for the diamond you choose.

If you've saved the money for a diamond ahead of time, kudos to you! If not, there are other good options. You can pay with a credit card , which, of course, means you'll pay interest rates that ultimately make the cost of the diamond higher. A better option and one that most jewelers – especially chain jewelers – offer is a layaway plan . The customary layaway requires you to put 20 percent down and pay the balance in three installments over three months with no interest.

What diamond is she dreaming of?