When you're getting ready to pop the big question to your special someone, one of your first orders of business is to select a ring. This process can occasionally feel daunting, especially if you're on a budget. It's important, however, to know that it's impossible to find a perfect ring regardless of your price point. Gone are the days that you should hold yourself to the rule of the ring costing two months' salary. Instead, determine a rough number that you're comfortable paying and then start the process of shopping for the right ring. It's beneficial to keep these three budget-conscious rules in mind throughout the shopping process.

Look For "Undersized" Diamonds

An engagement ring's diamond typically makes up the bulk of the price of the ring as a whole, but it's possible to find a sparkling diamond even if you're on a budget. As you shop, make a point of noticing the various weights, or carats, of the diamonds you see. They're commonly sold in fractions such as 0.5 carat, 0.75 carat, 1.0 carat and so on. Each time the diamond reaches one of these quarter-carat thresholds, you'll notice that the price jumps. You can often save money by looking for carats that are sized slightly smaller than these thresholds -- for example, a 0.9 carat diamond will cost significantly less than a 1.0 carat diamond, but the difference to the naked eye will be minimal.

Halo-Style Settings Can Make The Diamond Look Bigger

If you don't have a lot of money for a large diamond, it's possible to choose a ring design strategically. Many budget-conscious shoppers opt for a halo-style design. In this layout, the main diamond is in the center of the setting and surrounded by smaller diamond chips. These tiny chips don't significantly boost the ring's price because they're so small -- their position, however, can help the main diamond look bigger than it actually is.

Skip Platinum

You might feel enticed to shop for an engagement ring with a platinum band, but doing so will cost you. Unless your soon-to-be-spouse has made clear a desire for platinum, opting for white gold can provide a similar appearance at a fraction of the overall cost. Saving money on the cost of the band means that you can often buy a larger diamond or opt for a setting that's more pleasing to the eye, thus helping you pick the perfect ring without breaking your budget.

If you're looking for an engagement ring, visit P.K. Bennett Jewelers.