You may think that princess diamond rings are rings that are made only to be worn by a princess. But the term Princess is referring to the cut and shape of the diamond in the setting, not to the wearer of the ring. Although, if you’re considering buying a princess diamond ring, then it’s probably because you want to treat your lady like a princess!

Before you rush right out to look at princess diamond rings, however, there are a few things you should know about shopping for princess cut diamonds, and diamonds in general. Here are 3 tips to help you with your search.

Decide On Your Budget – Of course, most jewelers will tell you that the rule of thumb is that you should spend the equivalent of 2 to 3 months salary on an engagement ring. The more you spend, the higher their commission. You need to decide what YOU want to spend and only you will know what your budget can handle.

Get Educated – Do some research on the Internet before you go shopping and learn about the 4 Cs of diamonds: Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat. Each of these characteristics will have an effect on the price of your diamond and if you know what you’re looking for before hand, you can buy a better diamond, and get more for your money, no matter what shape you’re looking for.

Shop Around – Princess diamond rings may be a bit more expensive then a regular round cut diamond. A princess cut diamond requires more skill to cut and creates a more fragile diamond. Be prepared to spend extra for this specialized cut. By shopping around online, though, you may be quite surprised at the lower prices you’ll find. Online retailers don’t have the major overhead expenses of those fancy jewelry stores and you should be able to find princess diamond rings at very affordable prices.