Engagement rings... UPDATED ( I BOUGHT IT!)

[Shyatic]

So... I'm getting married

Well... I am going to eventually... I am in the process of looking for engagement rings, and I've found the setting that I want, and that my girlfriend is happy with.

Here's a link: http://www.jamesallen.com/products/item_58-506.asp

I'm going to buy the ring direct from them, because I can't seem to find anywhere cheaper that has such a nice ring.

I am going to get a 1 carat+ diamond, trying to stay in a $4000 budget (or thereabouts), and I know about the 4Cs. I am just wondering if it's worth getting a 1.1 carat and getting a lower quality cut, or the higher cut and the 1 carat even? I have heard the cut is the most important for the "sparkly-ness" of the diamond.

Much obliged for any help... I wish I could buy a 2ct diamond, but I'm not rich... this is a big investment for me anyway, and I want to make sure I make the right decision in what I do. I have to buy everything in the next two weeks, so please let me know what you think!

EDIT: So I bought the above ring, with this diamond:
http://www.jamesallen.com/certs/ADS-804CER.JPG

I have a 30 day money back, no questions asked policy with this and from all the homework I've done on various diamond forums it seems that I'm getting a reasonable deal, and the inclusions on the diamond are off to the side, so it's not noticeable. I had the diamond sent for separate appraisal (paid extra for them to send it there) and the gemologist talked with me on the phone and explained that the diamond I'm buying is a good find, since the inclusions are off to the side and can be hidden entirely by a good setting. He would have upgraded the GIA cert on the inclusions, but the rest he said seemed fine to him, and it would appraise for several thousand more than I spent.

I opted to get white gold, since it is a harder metal, and my girlfriend won't dent the ring and have to get it repaired. I have her ring size, and the ring should be here next week. There was additional waiting since I had send it out for independent appraisal.

Now to pop the question... fortunately I have still one secret in her not knowing about my message board life. I am going to propose in two weeks, where we first kissed. It's a really simple thing, and I wanted to keep it that way.

Thanks for all your advice. I'll try to post pictures when I receive the ring and setting.

 

[ballmode]

I'd like to know if you how on earth you find out the ring size of your girlfriend without revealing the fact you are going to get her a ring.

 

[Kelvrick]

Originally posted by: ballmode
I'd like to know if you how on earth you find out the ring size of your girlfriend without revealing the fact you are going to get her a ring.

You can get measuring tools and do it while she's sleeping.

It would also be wise to do it at varying times during the day.

Something like playing with your food and using an union ring or curly fry and then pocketing that curly fry. Things like that.

 

[mooglemania85]

Originally posted by: Kelvrick

Originally posted by: ballmode
I'd like to know if you how on earth you find out the ring size of your girlfriend without revealing the fact you are going to get her a ring.

You can get measuring tools and do it while she's sleeping.

It would also be wise to do it at varying times during the day.

Something like playing with your food and using an union ring or curly fry and then pocketing that curly fry. Things like that.

kinky

 

[CrackRabbit]

Originally posted by: Kelvrick

Originally posted by: ballmode
I'd like to know if you how on earth you find out the ring size of your girlfriend without revealing the fact you are going to get her a ring.

You can get measuring tools and do it while she's sleeping.

It would also be wise to do it at varying times during the day.

Something like playing with your food and using an union ring or curly fry and then pocketing that curly fry. Things like that.

What is an union ring?

 

[Shyatic]

We actually bought each other rings when we were at the mall one day I know her size, and I know what she likes.. I've brought it up over the last year so it's pretty easy

 

[Kelvrick]

Originally posted by: CrackRabbit

Originally posted by: Kelvrick

Originally posted by: ballmode
I'd like to know if you how on earth you find out the ring size of your girlfriend without revealing the fact you are going to get her a ring.

You can get measuring tools and do it while she's sleeping.

It would also be wise to do it at varying times during the day.

Something like playing with your food and using an union ring or curly fry and then pocketing that curly fry. Things like that.

What is an union ring?

Onion.

Not exactly the most scientific, but with enough specimens, I would think it could be done. I on the other hand am not so smooth and went the easier route. I bought some cheap metal size rings and would measure her finger through a couple of months.

At night when she goes to sleep before me, in the morning before she wakes up, an afternoon nap. Get a nice average and size it so the ring won't be too big or small.

 

[Rogodin2]

Make sure your diamond isn't stained with blood and that your girlfriend understands that if she leaves you she dies.



Rogo

 

[thepd7]

Pay for a well-cut diamond, $4000 for a 1 carat sounds about right for good quality but you might be able to find it used for a little less. Can be risky but can also be beneficial, I found a 1.5 ct princess cut for $5800 on ebay. Used escrow.com and everything worked out perfectly. It had a GIA cert though, people don't pay for the GIA to certify crappy quality stones.

Do you plan on visiting Mexico anytime soon? The money you can save on taxes alone (not even counting discounted prices) can sometime pay for the trip or be an added bonus if you are going to be in the area.

Anyhow, best of luck with the engagement!

 

[antyler]

Originally posted by: ballmode
I'd like to know if you how on earth you find out the ring size of your girlfriend without revealing the fact you are going to get her a ring.

girls like to hint at it alot of times. But i think with my wife it pretty much just came up in conversation. Its not a bad idea to ask early on either, way before you are even thinking about marriage.

 

[Kaspian]

Originally posted by: Scribe
So... I'm getting married

!

Good Luck!:thumbsup:

 

[krunchykrome]

Go with Bluenile.com or Amazon.com. That's where Im probably going to buy my ring. There's no way I'm buying from a traditional retail store. I think all or almost all of their diamonds (amazon and bluenile) are GIA certified.

 

[moshquerade]

are you set on that ring? it looks... too busy.

 

[dwell]

The three rings of marriage:

1) The Engagement Ring
2) The Wedding Ring
3) The Suffering

 

[Descartes]

I wouldn't buy online. I would find a local jeweler and ask to see their inventory. There are jewelers that operate out of office buildings rather than mall storefronts, and it's those that you should seek, imo. Many of them source their own diamonds and some might actually cut, polish, etc. them as well. There are a few like that in Atlanta. This will give you a better idea of size. I would do this with the setting if you can get it.

The difference between a 1.0ct and a 1.1ct is negligible, at best. Definitely go for the better cut if that's the only difference. Keep in mind that a 1.1ct might not necessarily even look larger than a 1.0ct; hell, even if the dimensions are the same, you still probably won't be able to tell. Diamonds have difference table ratio, length of the lower girdle, etc. that could make even a 1.25ct look the same size as a 1.0ct. The 4Cs aren't enough in this regard. This is why I'm suggesting you see the diamond in person first.

Anyway, that's what I learned in my relatively recent purchase. We decided on a 1.25ct round and we paid a premium for the cut. It makes a huge difference.

 

[iamwiz82]

You will get infinitely better pricing from a private seller. I strongly favor cut before all other Cs. An SI1 will sparkle amazingly well if it's an Ideal cut. Dont get sucked into the D-E colors, either. It is next to impossible to spot the difference between them and a F or G.

 

[krunchykrome]

Originally posted by: Descartes
I wouldn't buy online. I would find a local jeweler and ask to see their inventory. There are jewelers that operate out of office buildings rather than mall storefronts, and it's those that you should seek, imo. Many of them source their own diamonds and some might actually cut, polish, etc. them as well. There are a few like that in Atlanta. This will give you a better idea of size. I would do this with the setting if you can get it.

The difference between a 1.0ct and a 1.1ct is negligible, at best. Definitely go for the better cut if that's the only difference. Keep in mind that a 1.1ct might not necessarily even look larger than a 1.0ct; hell, even if the dimensions are the same, you still probably won't be able to tell. Diamonds have difference table ratio, length of the lower girdle, etc. that could make even a 1.25ct look the same size as a 1.0ct. The 4Cs aren't enough in this regard. This is why I'm suggesting you see the diamond in person first. <<

Anyway, that's what I learned in my relatively recent purchase. We decided on a 1.25ct round and we paid a premium for the cut. It makes a huge difference.

I'm curious why you would not recommend buying online?

 

[mugs]

Cut > Carat. I think size is the least important factor. Figure out how much you can spend (you've already done that), then decide how good a cut you want (don't skimp), what color (F is the bottom end of colorless, so that's what I went with), what clarity (not really necessary to get VVS1, but I wouldn't get SI2 either), and then see what size ends up in your price range.

 

[krunchykrome]

Originally posted by: mugs
Cut > Carat. I think size is the least important factor. Figure out how much you can spend (you've already done that), then decide how good a cut you want (don't skimp), what color (F is the bottom end of colorless, so that's what I went with), what clarity (not really necessary to get VVS1, but I wouldn't get SI2 either), and then see what size ends up in your price range.

My coworker just got engaged. She came in incredibly happy showing of her new ring. It looks to be about 1 ct. But the thing did not sparkle at all, in fact, from a foot or so away, the diamond looked grey.

There's another woman I know who got married last year. Her engagement ring is awful. With an unaided and untrained eye, there is a huge inclusion that can be seen. It was apparent that she was conscience about it though, because when she got engaged and she was showing everyone, she would always point out the inclusion saying "I love it, because there is no other ring out there with an inclsuion like this." :laugh:

 

[Descartes]

Originally posted by: krunchykrome

Originally posted by: Descartes
I wouldn't buy online. I would find a local jeweler and ask to see their inventory. There are jewelers that operate out of office buildings rather than mall storefronts, and it's those that you should seek, imo. Many of them source their own diamonds and some might actually cut, polish, etc. them as well. There are a few like that in Atlanta. This will give you a better idea of size. I would do this with the setting if you can get it.

The difference between a 1.0ct and a 1.1ct is negligible, at best. Definitely go for the better cut if that's the only difference. Keep in mind that a 1.1ct might not necessarily even look larger than a 1.0ct; hell, even if the dimensions are the same, you still probably won't be able to tell. Diamonds have difference table ratio, length of the lower girdle, etc. that could make even a 1.25ct look the same size as a 1.0ct. The 4Cs aren't enough in this regard. This is why I'm suggesting you see the diamond in person first. <<<<

Anyway, that's what I learned in my relatively recent purchase. We decided on a 1.25ct round and we paid a premium for the cut. It makes a huge difference.

I'm curious why you would not recommend buying online?

Because the 4Cs aren't sufficient in determining what a diamond will look like, imo. The other dimensions that sites like BlueNile offer help, but that's only after you've seen them in person to know the difference it makes. It's hard to communicate the difference between a D and G color, an ideal cut and a fair one without actually seeing it, imo.

So, I'm not necessarily against buying online; rather, just buying online without really knowing what you're going to get.

 

[GenHoth]

Originally posted by: krunchykrome

I'm curious why you would not recommend buying online?

Finding a good jeweler is worth your time. Something like this it is much nicer to actually see the item you are purchasing first hand. After all, you're buying it solely for aesthetic purposes, might as well look before you leap!

 

[krunchykrome]

Originally posted by: Descartes

Originally posted by: krunchykrome

Originally posted by: Descartes
I wouldn't buy online. I would find a local jeweler and ask to see their inventory. There are jewelers that operate out of office buildings rather than mall storefronts, and it's those that you should seek, imo. Many of them source their own diamonds and some might actually cut, polish, etc. them as well. There are a few like that in Atlanta. This will give you a better idea of size. I would do this with the setting if you can get it.

The difference between a 1.0ct and a 1.1ct is negligible, at best. Definitely go for the better cut if that's the only difference. Keep in mind that a 1.1ct might not necessarily even look larger than a 1.0ct; hell, even if the dimensions are the same, you still probably won't be able to tell. Diamonds have difference table ratio, length of the lower girdle, etc. that could make even a 1.25ct look the same size as a 1.0ct. The 4Cs aren't enough in this regard. This is why I'm suggesting you see the diamond in person first. <<<<<<

Anyway, that's what I learned in my relatively recent purchase. We decided on a 1.25ct round and we paid a premium for the cut. It makes a huge difference.

I'm curious why you would not recommend buying online?

Because the 4Cs aren't sufficient in determining what a diamond will look like, imo. The other dimensions that sites like BlueNile offer help, but that's only after you've seen them in person to know the difference it makes. It's hard to communicate the difference between a D and G color, an ideal cut and a fair one without actually seeing it, imo.

So, I'm not necessarily against buying online; rather, just buying online without really knowing what you're going to get.

I've been to plenty of stores and viewed rings in person. I've seen in person, the differences between the 4 c's. As long as the ring I purchase online is GIA certified with the c's listed, I am confident in what I am purchasing.

I agree though, you should definetly know what you are buying before you purchase online.

 

[meltdown75]

Originally posted by: Chris
The three rings of marriage:

1) The Engagement Ring
2) The Wedding Ring
3) The Suffering

:thumbsup: :beer:

 

[Descartes]

Originally posted by: krunchykrome

Originally posted by: mugs
Cut > Carat. I think size is the least important factor. Figure out how much you can spend (you've already done that), then decide how good a cut you want (don't skimp), what color (F is the bottom end of colorless, so that's what I went with), what clarity (not really necessary to get VVS1, but I wouldn't get SI2 either), and then see what size ends up in your price range.

My coworker just got engaged. She came in incredibly happy showing of her new ring. It looks to be about 1 ct. But the thing did not sparkle at all, in fact, from a foot or so away, the diamond looked grey.

There's another woman I know who got married last year. Her engagement ring is awful. With an unaided and untrained eye, there is a huge inclusion that can be seen. It was apparent that she was conscience about it though, because when she got engaged and she was showing everyone, she would always point out the inclusion saying "I love it, because there is no other ring out there with an inclsuion like this." :laugh:

I never really used to notice rings, but now that I've been through the purchase process I notice what you're talking about. You'll see a huge diamond, but it looks like someone carved it out of plastic. No vibrance at all.

 

[dmw16]

some good info here. i sent you a PM with a some info since i just got thru buying a ring.