Engagement ring(updated with pic of loose diamond)

[SSSnail]

You know the rules.

And so do I...

 

[slightlyhuman]

Congrats man!

goodoldgold. They'll email you videos of your finalist rocks next to one another. Plus they guarantee 75% back if things don't work out (lifetime guarantee). I had a really good experience with them.

thanks brotha!



ALL: thanks for all the posts/help. i called the broker yesterday. really nice older guy. he told me to sent pictures of what she wants as he's out and about daily looking/checking out diamonds. i'm interested to see what he brings to the table after a few days. i've sent him several pictures and talked about what she's looking for. have a good feeling about it so far.

i'll update the thread once i hear back from him.

 

[rcpratt]

My plan (if/when) is to buy the rock on bluenile or similar and then just have a local jeweler handle the setting and band. Seems like the best bang for the buck solution to me.

Good luck!

 

[cheezmunky]

My plan (if/when) is to buy the rock on bluenile or similar and then just have a local jeweler handle the setting and band. Seems like the best bang for the buck solution to me.

Good luck!

That's what I did. James Allen for the stone because it's similar in price to bluenile and you can see the diamond before you buy. Setting from a local jeweler, so I can take it back for free re-sizings and cleanings when needed.

 

[alkemyst]

free resize and cleaning <> to the price most pay.

Many do cleaning for free.

Apparently most don't really know jewelry.

 

[slightlyhuman]

free resize and cleaning <> to the price most pay.

Many do cleaning for free.

Apparently most don't really know jewelry.

Enlighten me alky. I know you're no dummy outside the trolling. I'll take any advice/tips I can before I ask someone that wants my money.

 

[lykaon78]

I went to a high-end jeweler and was happy I did. My wife wanted a solitary stone so I did some research in my budget range to be sure I didn't overpay.

The cut of the stone is the only aspect of a diamond controlled by humans. Buy the nicest cut you can afford.

I'm not endorsing this service but they have good information:
http://www.lumeradiamonds.com/diamond-education/diamond-cut

 

[highland145]

Enlighten me alky. I know you're no dummy outside the trolling. I'll take any advice/tips I can before I ask someone that wants my money.

Who said we didn't want your $$?

 

[Tweak155]

Paid $700 for my (her) engagement ring and the wife loved it. I remember being told the suggested price of the engagement ring should be 3x your monthly income. No way I was spending that on a tiny thing that goes around your finger that you could lose one day. I think I spent like half a paycheck for back then.

 

[isekii]

Congrats man!

goodoldgold. They'll email you videos of your finalist rocks next to one another. Plus they guarantee 75% back if things don't work out (lifetime guarantee). I had a really good experience with them.

I've visited them several times too although I didn't go with them in the long run. They're a solid outfit and the guy is super nice. He'll explain everything to you and even throw the stones on a camera and blow it up on screen and explain all the intricacies.
They also have their own cuts ( August Vintage ).

 

[jaedaliu]

Enlighten me alky. I know you're no dummy outside the trolling. I'll take any advice/tips I can before I ask someone that wants my money.

Any competent salesperson will educate on diamonds. the 5 Cs, with the extra one being cost.

I had a local guy make my wife's ring. I ended up going with him because he was the best at educating. I think the licensed gemologist doing the education helped. However, the setting that was custom made ended up being a pretty penny. AND I didn't order a wedding band with it, and he retired by the time we got one made, and I couldn't find someone to exactly match the ring at a reasonable price, so we got someone to come close for a good price.

So: Unless you find yourself a great deal, if you want a fancy setting, you should strongly consider buying name brand off the shelf.

Oh, and set a budget before-hand. You can get a beautiful engagement ring for as low as $500. It'll have a smaller diamond, but if she's the type of girl that will demand a larger rock, make sure that's what you want in your life. Going open ended on budget means you don't know where to cut them off as they keep up-selling you on larger, more colorless, sparklier rocks.

 

[isekii]

That's what I did. James Allen for the stone because it's similar in price to bluenile and you can see the diamond before you buy. Setting from a local jeweler, so I can take it back for free re-sizings and cleanings when needed.

Yep I went with James Allen. I looked at bluenile and their prices were actually higher than other places and you can't even see the stone.
With James Allen you can see a close up of the diamond and see it rotate to see how some of the facets reflect the light.
If you look look at the different cuts, you'll notice that the better cut stones reflect the light that much better.
They'll also go even further and do an ASET image of the stones for you. If you're getting a traditional round then you'd request and ideal-scope image.

 

[alkemyst]

Yep I went with James Allen. I looked at bluenile and their prices were actually higher than other places and you can't even see the stone.
With James Allen you can see a close up of the diamond and see it rotate to see how some of the facets reflect the light.
If you look look at the different cuts, you'll notice that the better cut stones reflect the light that much better.
They'll also go even further and do an ASET image of the stones for you. If you're getting a traditional round then you'd request and ideal-scope image.

I used James Allen for my last ring excellent customer service.

I went with a hearts and arrows level of cut and glad I did.

I priced them on www.pricescope.com and they were the most competitive for the particular stone I was looking for.

 

[isekii]

I used James Allen for my last ring excellent customer service.

I went with a hearts and arrows level of cut and glad I did.

I priced them on www.pricescope.com and they were the most competitive for the particular stone I was looking for.

Yea same here. I pricescoped as well and they by far had the best pricing along with the pricescope discount + discount using bank wire.

Customer service was excellent too. Not to mention free returns in 60 days along with free ship 100% refund.
They also offer 100% value upgrade as long as you double up. so spend 5g's get a 10g stone later down the line and only pay 5g.

Not too shabby.

 

[Scarpozzi]

I went to a locally-owned jewelry store, spoke with the owner....when I was asked to pay X, I countered with $300-400 less than what he was asking for the rock/setting. I picked out the stone and setting individually....then went back and ordered the matching band later.

I recommend buying a G color or better and pay attention to clarity. VVS1 or VVS2... You can actually get a smaller stone, G @ VVS2 and it will appear larger if the cut is right....that will save you money and appear to be more bling.

If you go mainstream, most stores will quote you I-J color @ S1 or S2.... On earrings, that's fine....on larger stones/rings, it will be more noticable.

 

[dank69]

This your grocery list OP?

 

[isekii]

I went to a locally-owned jewelry store, spoke with the owner....when I was asked to pay X, I countered with $300-400 less than what he was asking for the rock/setting. I picked out the stone and setting individually....then went back and ordered the matching band later.

I recommend buying a G color or better and pay attention to clarity. VVS1 or VVS2... You can actually get a smaller stone, G @ VVS2 and it will appear larger if the cut is right....that will save you money and appear to be more bling.

If you go mainstream, most stores will quote you I-J color @ S1 or S2.... On earrings, that's fine....on larger stones/rings, it will be more noticable.

I thought that too, until when I visited Good old Gold. I believe it was the owner's daughter (red head). She was rocking a I color stone in a Tacori setting. I asked her why she was rocking an I color and she told me it was the best value/size.

 

[biostud]

Get this box:

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

I would say that's an exaggeration, but in this case maybe it did?



Girls usually don't leave a guy who's 28 and can drop that kind of cash. That said, I would never consider doing what he did and I told him he was stupid a year ago when he did. Maybe I was the stupid one?

Nope, he will be the stupid one when you're retired and he is retarded with an empty bank account.

 

[cheezmunky]

free resize and cleaning <> to the price most pay.

Many do cleaning for free.

Apparently most don't really know jewelry.

That's true for standard settings, and should be taken into consideration. The setting I wanted was by Mark Schneider and was only sold at one retailer in town anyways. I doubt I would've gotten a better deal anywhere else, or at least one worth the drive.

 

[RearAdmiral]

not really, chances are unless you are part of our collection that thinks making a ring out of a paperclip and some stones found at a flea market qualifies as an engagement ring...

I know a lot about diamonds and some other precious rocks.

Right. It is easy to fall into the pit that is pricescope was my point. Information overload there with a lot of varying "competency."

 

[maxi007]

Go to bluenile.com and build your own.

exactly ..

 

[JulesMaximus]

:thumbsup: Congrats man!

One thing I would make sure is that the setting has 6 points holding the stone. This is more secure and decreases the chance of losing the stone. Also, make sure the points of the setting are all contacting the stone. Get the best stone you can afford. Personally, I wouldn't buy a diamond online as I would want to see it in person before buying.

 

[Imported]

Can't go wrong with Good Old Gold or James Allen as previously suggested or Brian Gavin who I recommend. I went with a Brian Gavin H&A 1.25ct and a simple Tiffany style setting. Her ring gets compliments anywhere she goes. Excellent customer service and there's a pricescope discount. Cut is key.

 

[alkemyst]

I went to a locally-owned jewelry store, spoke with the owner....when I was asked to pay X, I countered with $300-400 less than what he was asking for the rock/setting. I picked out the stone and setting individually....then went back and ordered the matching band later.

I recommend buying a G color or better and pay attention to clarity. VVS1 or VVS2... You can actually get a smaller stone, G @ VVS2 and it will appear larger if the cut is right....that will save you money and appear to be more bling.

If you go mainstream, most stores will quote you I-J color @ S1 or S2.... On earrings, that's fine....on larger stones/rings, it will be more noticable.

VVS1/2 is overkill and you pay quite a bit for it.

Cut is really where it's all at. They have ideal measurements online. I do recommend G or better (if you are setting it in yellow gold you can go H, possibly I at the lowest, but you don't save much)