When it comes time to get married, you have a lot of things on your mind. In addition to all of the planning that goes into a wedding, you have big decisions to make on wedding jewelry. The engagement ring, for instance, is the first thing you have to think about. Saving for that purchase is a big deal, so you want to make sure you pick out the right one. You’ll also have to think about a wedding band, but that’s secondary to the engagement ring.

Finding the perfect diamond ring is all about the perfect fit. That’s not meant in a literal sense, but more in how the item fits your needs. Diamond rings are expensive, but they can vary in price depending upon size, cut, clarity, and a host of different factors. Before you can pick out your engagement ring, you have to know what your budget is. Diamond rings can run, typically, anywhere from $5,000 to $30,000. You can buy a bigger, more expensive ring, but that’s only for the high rollers. A good rule of thumb is to save three whole months’ worth of pay. Depending upon your salary, this could work.

Because diamonds are so strong – they are commonly used as cutting tools for perforating tough materials, including other diamonds – they can damage your other jewelry, so always store your diamond rings separately from other precious items. Diamond rings can even causes scratches to other diamond jewelry, so keep these pieces in their own jewelry compartment or bag.

And while the diamond itself might not be as easily damaged as other, less durable stones, a diamond ring is often most vulnerable at its setting site. Though the highest quality materials are used to hold your diamond in place, it can become dislodged during rough or manual work, so always remove your diamond rings before performing such tasks. No doubt your diamond ring is very precious to you, so it would be a dreadful shame to lose your stone.