Engagement ring shopping isn’t what it used to be. Just ask millennials. Two-to-three month’s salary to spend on an engagement ring? Probably not. Millennials are waiting longer than previous generations to make big life decisions like buying a home and getting married.
For those taking the marital plunge earlier, the price-tag on the ring means less than the final product. While young millennials won’t always opt for the expensive rings, they want something special, a unique piece that speaks to them and their relationship. For couples who wait later to get engaged, however, the budget is much more liberal. These are couples who have waited patiently to buy the ring of their dreams, and the sky’s the limit.
Of course, when you’ve waited so long, perfection is preferred. That’s why this e-savvy generation is skipping the traditional in-store experience; these millennials want unique, customized creations, and they prefer to find them online.
One-of-a-Kind Engagement Rings
The traditional in-stock ring isn’t the option that excites most millennials. Unique, customized pieces make a statement and do not blend into the crowd. Millennial couples want a ring that tells their own story and reflects who they are as individuals.
Swirl Style Amethyst Engagement Ring with Cushion Diamond
Even if the budget is limited, many couples prefer to design their own rings instead of purchasing an in-stock design. Creating a customized ring personalizes the experience and ensures a one-of-a-kind ring that illustrates the uniqueness of the couple.
Loose Diamond Alternatives
Millennials also are more open to purchasing engagement rings without the typical dominant diamond.
In Kristopher Fraser’s article on The Daily Beast titled “Why Have Millennials Fallen Out of Love with Diamonds,” Russell Shor, a senior industry analyst for the Gemological Institute of America, weighed in on the millennial turn against diamonds.
“People in the millennial generation need to save more,” Shor told The Daily Beast. “If you’re a young person trying to buy a house in this market where housing prices have risen and wages still haven’t caught up, obviously you aren’t thinking about buying really expensive diamonds.”
Princess Three Stone White Gold Moissanite Engagement Ring
Instead of diamonds, millennials are choosing Moissanite, which is a clear and brilliant gemstone (and, no, not a cubic zirconia) that has risen to become a popular and economic choice for millennial engagement rings. Moissanite offers a similar durability and look to that of a diamond for a fraction of the cost. Most individuals cannot tell the difference between a diamond and Moissanite, but the money saved allows the couple to splurge elsewhere on their wedding experience or save for a home.
Vintage Hand-Engraved Ruby and Diamond Engagement Ring
Couples also choose colored gemstones as the dominate stone in a ring to create a customized look. Of course, with Duchess Kate being the most popular millennial of the moment, the “Kate Effect” also has likely inspired this choice in ring styles.
Conflict-Free Diamonds
Millennial couples who still select the traditional diamond for an engagement ring often demand conflict-free stones.
Since 2003, many jewelers have sourced conflict-free diamonds. The adoption of the Kimberley Process ensured that diamonds are mined in a socially-conscious and ethical manner. Today, about 81 countries participate in the Kimberley Process, and “KP members account for approximately 99.8% of the global production of rough diamonds.”
According to the Kimberley Process’ web site, buyers may discover the status of their diamond purchase through their jeweler and “reputable businesses should only buy from suppliers that can guarantee that their diamonds are conflict-free.”
Virtual Buyers and Buying Engagement Rings Online
As a generation accustomed to technology, millennials feel comfortable shopping online, even for major purchases like engagement rings. The advent of CAD programs and 3D printing also allows buyers to visualize their personalized creation and make changes as necessary.
Custom Flower Halo Engagement Ring
Millennials will browse Pinterest and other sites to find style inspirations before creating their own masterpieces. Shopping online also gives millennial couples the opportunity to play with prices, tweaking a ring before their eyes to fit a budget.
And, of course, online shopping also allows for instant easy one-stop financing, which helps take the financial sting out of the purchase.
But most of all, millennials love the ease and convenience that internet shopping allows. Pick out a ring while sipping a cup of coffee in your pajamas. You don’t even have to leave the comfort of home. Or go mobile and buy an engagement ring from your phone while commuting to work. Though preferably not if you’re driving.
Buying trends change through generations. For millennials about to propose marriage, buying an engagement ring is a serious purchase. Millennials want unique, convenient and socially conscious rings that are truly one-of-a-kind. And, ideally, the dream ring better offer budget-friendly Brilliance!