Sure, a Valentine's Day proposal is romantic, but it's even better if you're happy with his ring choice, right?
One of eBay's top jewelry sellers has joined forces with the online marketplace to make designing your own engagement ring easier than ever before. They're even giving away a brand new diamond ring. (See details below.) eBays new Diamond Ring Designer allows shoppers to build a bauble based on cut—cushion, round, princess, etc.—clarity, color—white, blue, pink—and of course, price. You also get to choose your setting as well as the metal from which your band is made. There are 50,000 stones available, which really makes it pretty easy to find exactly what you want.
Charlie Hollander, owner of the Gem Stone King, is the seller partnering with eBay to run the program. He says that every stone available on the Diamond Ring Designer is approved by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), which means its quality is vouched for. What's more, Hollander deals directly with about 15,000 suppliers, which cuts the cost of the middlemen involved in sites that sell branded diamond rings. He says that, along with great value, the appeal of the site is choice. "There are literally thousands and thousands of options to consider," says Hollander. And it always helps that the Diamond Ring Designer is run by a company that consumers already trust. "You feel confident of the quality when you're shopping on here, which is important."
Want to try to build your own ring but need a little inspiration? Hollander was kind enough to lead us on the inside track to the latest trends in engagement rings.
Colored Diamonds
Colored diamonds are still going strong years after Jennifer Lopez's canary yellow diamond hit the tabloid pages. "They're still very much in fashion," says Hollander.
1.4 Carat Round Certified Pink and White Diamond Ring (buy it now price, $2,250); 1 Carat Certified Pink Diamond Solitaire (buy it now price, $2,850); 1.32 Carat Canary Yellow and White Diamond Ring (buy it now price, $2,850)
Diamonds and Silver
As shoppers continue to keep their wallets tight, the combination of silver and diamond is becoming a more accepted alternative to platinum or gold, according to Hollander. "People want to get the most value for their money these days."
Natural Diamond Silver Ring (buy it now price, $29.99); .16 Carat White Diamond and Silver Ring (buy it now price, $98); .1 Carat Black Diamond Ring (buy it now price, $65)
Cushion and Round Cut Diamonds
When it comes to diamond shape, vintage-inspired cushion cut and round diamonds still rule.
3.9 Carat Natural Black Onyx and Diamond 14K While Gold Ring (buy it now price, $785); 2.14 Carat Round Certified Diamond Engagement Ring (buy it now price, $4,395); 6.5 Carat Round Platinum Diamond Eterinty Wedding Band (buy it now price, $7,950)
Want to score your dream ring this Valentine's Day? eBay and Brides magazine invite The Inside Source readers to enter "Build Your Bling,” a nationwide contest whose winner will win a new diamond ring worth up to $25,000.
Through February 19, visit eBay's Diamond Ring Designer and submit your dream ring design. The public will vote on their favorite design and the creator of the winning ring will see her vision realized.
