Engagement Ring - Where to get!

[PAB]

Originally posted by: cheapdude

Originally posted by: coaster831

Originally posted by: cheapdude
SI2-clarity mean visible inclusions from naked eye, I would try to avoid that.

SI2 should NOT be visible with the naked eye.

Thats what people with SI2 grade diamond wants you to believe.
Let's just say that during my hunt for my wife's engagement ring, I have seen many SI2 stones that had visible clouds of inclusions and feather on the stone.

Anyway, don't take my word for it. Go see it in person and compare them yourself.

I've looked at some SI1/2's and not seen any carbon before, so ymmv. I've got a pair of SI2's right now that you cant find an inclusion without a loupe.

GIA/IGI/whatever means that the stone's been graded - I think the last time it cost about $400 to have done. IMO, I think thats overpriced and I do not advocate spending $400 on a sheet of paper just so you can feel good about spending money. Theres a lot of good stones out there that you dont need a cert with.

Ovals do conistently less money than rounds. Marquise aren't that much better. They're just not very desireable stones.

My .02.

 

[SlowSpyder]

I got my wifes engagement ring on Ebay. I spent about $350. She would have been ok with a gold band. There are better things to spend thousands of dollars on in my opinion.

 

[Aharami]

Originally posted by: gilligans
You only have $3500 to spend and she still will marry you?

diamond industry loves idiots like you. good job

:thumbsdown:

 

[DBL]

Originally posted by: PAB
I've looked at some SI1/2's and not seen any carbon before, so ymmv. I've got a pair of SI2's right now that you cant find an inclusion without a loupe.

GIA/IGI/whatever means that the stone's been graded - I think the last time it cost about $400 to have done. IMO, I think thats overpriced and I do not advocate spending $400 on a sheet of paper just so you can feel good about spending money. Theres a lot of good stones out there that you dont need a cert with.

Ovals do conistently less money than rounds. Marquise aren't that much better. They're just not very desireable stones.

My .02.

The problem is that not having a valid cert is probably one of the easiest ways for the lay person to get screwed. Admittedly, at 2K for the stone, it's almost a borderline situation but probably still a good idea.

 

[Haui]

Originally posted by: Aharami

Originally posted by: gilligans
You only have $3500 to spend and she still will marry you?

diamond industry loves idiots like you. good job

:thumbsdown:

Are you calling me an idiot?

 

[Scarpozzi]

Sharky's Pawn Shop. $34.50

 

[shortspanishguy]

Originally posted by: Haui

Originally posted by: Aharami

Originally posted by: gilligans
You only have $3500 to spend and she still will marry you?

diamond industry loves idiots like you. good job

:thumbsdown:

Are you calling me an idiot?

Arggghh.... he is calling gilligans an idiot.

 

[Haui]

Originally posted by: shortspanishguy

Originally posted by: Haui

Originally posted by: Aharami

Originally posted by: gilligans
You only have $3500 to spend and she still will marry you?

diamond industry loves idiots like you. good job

:thumbsdown:

Are you calling me an idiot?

Arggghh.... he is calling gilligans an idiot.

I hope so...

 

[shortspanishguy]

Originally posted by: Haui

Originally posted by: shortspanishguy

Originally posted by: Haui

Originally posted by: Aharami

Originally posted by: gilligans
You only have $3500 to spend and she still will marry you?

diamond industry loves idiots like you. good job

:thumbsdown:

Are you calling me an idiot?

Arggghh.... he is calling gilligans an idiot.

I hope so...

Dude you seem to be getting stressed out with this thread. Take some time and look here.

Text

 

[Kelemvor]

I would find a family run jewelry store where you can go in and talk with the people about exactly what you want and then possibly have something designed for you. I'd stay away from "Chain" or "mall" stores just because they probably don't care about you at all.

We got ours from a family store (WI) called Lyle Husar Designs http://www.lylehusardesigns.com/

We got it almost 7 years ago and I can still walk in there any day and they know me by name, we can chat about things while they clean my ring, etc. I'd never go anywhere else for a major purchase. Plus the fact that my wife still gets comments on the ring to this day. Especially right after she's had it cleaned.

 

[Haui]

Anyone else have any suggestions?

 

[Lazy8s]

Originally posted by: Haui
Anyone else have any suggestions?

Yeah, quit listening to all of the jewelry salesmen here. 3x your monthly pre-tax salary blah blah BS BS. Where the hell do people come up with crap like this!? There is no "formula" or "rule of thumb" period. Only jewelry stores that decided to say crap like this to get guys like you to spend more. My aunt became very wealthy selling jewelry and she ALWAYS impressed to me that if I have to spend anything on a wedding ring the girl wasn't worth marrying period. You should be able to bend a paperclip into a circle and if she wouldn't marry you with that find a different girl.


That said a google search can tell you alot about diamonds but what you spend is up to you. Most women would rather a $500 wedding ring and a 2 week cruise to the Bahamas.

 

[Haui]

Still trying to decide...

 

[49erinnc]

Originally posted by: LolaWiz
Why not buy a "gently used" ring?

Good advice

If you aren't comfortable with a gently used ring, I highly suggest buying from a reputable, local, independent jeweler. NO, not one of those stores in your local mall either. While I'm all for buying stuff online (I bought a diamond anniversary band online that I was thrilled with), some things are better seen in person. Also, if you visit a jeweler, he can educate you on some things you may not be familiar with. Even if you don't buy it there, you'll know more about what to look for or what you prefer.

Another thing to keep in mind is that the majority of women prefer clarity/color/cut over carat. A big diamond that's milky or full of inclusion will not make nearly the impression that a smaller diamond that is crystal clear will. You want it to sparkle so be careful about buying for size only. You can get a 1.0 TCW diamond at Walmart for a great price. But it's cheap because despite being big, it will look like crap on her finger.

Just go visit some shops. I paid just slightly over what you're looking to spend when I bought a ring. It was a single, round cut diamond at 1.03 (I think) TCW on WG band but it was very clear and no inclusions visible to the naked eye. The jeweler put the loose stone on this special surface to compare it against lesser grade stones. And it was night/day at how much nicer this one was. You can't do stuff like that when you buy online. An engagement ring is an investment so take the time to do your homework and really learn about the diamond buying process.

Good luck!

 

[Haui]

Well, I live in the Dallas area. You don't suggest I go to places likes:

Jareds
Zales
Helzberg
etc

If any of you guys are from the Dallas area, where do you suggest I go?

 

[49erinnc]

Originally posted by: Haui
Well, I live in the Dallas area. You don't suggest I go to places likes:

Jareds
Zales
Helzberg
etc

If any of you guys are from the Dallas area, where do you suggest I go?

I'm not suggesting you can't get a quality diamond at those places. But they're into high volume sales and tend to skimp on quality. Most of the diamonds you find at chain stores aren't going to have the clarity, cut and color that you can find at an independent jeweler. I'm not saying those chain stores cannot supply you with one that nice, but you're gonna pay a lot more for it there. I was recently shopping for diamond earrings for my girlfriend and the quality of stones at those places were just flat out terrible. I couldn't believe what they were asking for diamond studs that were of very poor color/clarity.

 

[Haui]

Like I said, if anyone here knows the Dallas area well and can tell me some great places to go, I would greatly appreciate it.

 

[Turin39789]

Sha-baam!

 

[Haui]

Originally posted by: Turin39789
Sha-baam!

How much?

 

[Turin39789]

Originally posted by: Haui

Originally posted by: Turin39789
Sha-baam!

How much?

<1000

Natural non-heat treated sapphires. Blue center, white sapphire sides. white gold.

 

[Haui]

Anyone else going through the same thing?

 

[lastig21]

I went through exactly the same thing about 1.5 years ago. My price range was nearly identical. I posted earlier about where I bought my ring from.

I got a 3/4ct, D, SI1, Ideal cut round solitaire in a white gold band. I'm very happy with the ring, but would suggest dropping the color a couple grades and increase the size. Get the best cut that you can find. The cut is what really makes the diamond pop.

I found the clarity to be very subjective. If you can't see it with your naked eye (and you never plan on selling the ring), I would suggest looking at diamonds without the loupe (at least initially). You won't have a loupe when she is wearing it, and a sparkly ideal si1 will always look much better then a good vs2.

 

[Turin39789]

doh! wrong thread

 

[bennylong]

What kind of stupid rule is 3x salary??? That's a $15k to 20k ring for most people with a decent job. What kind of woman are you marrying if she wants a $20k ring when that money can be used for a future house down payment??

 

[Haui]

Originally posted by: lastig21
I went through exactly the same thing about 1.5 years ago. My price range was nearly identical. I posted earlier about where I bought my ring from.

I got a 3/4ct, D, SI1, Ideal cut round solitaire in a white gold band. I'm very happy with the ring, but would suggest dropping the color a couple grades and increase the size. Get the best cut that you can find. The cut is what really makes the diamond pop.

I found the clarity to be very subjective. If you can't see it with your naked eye (and you never plan on selling the ring), I would suggest looking at diamonds without the loupe (at least initially). You won't have a loupe when she is wearing it, and a sparkly ideal si1 will always look much better then a good vs2.

This is what I want to do...its just finding the time and places to look.