Engagment ring

[dullard]

Originally posted by: Descartes
I agree to a point, but $2k isn't likely to get you much of a diamond. It's not necessarily about trying to impress others, but imo it should at least have some substance to it.

In the mall, $2k won't get you much. $2k at a diamond wholeseller will get you about the same as $3k-$4k at the mall. So, if you were thinking mall stores, I can see why you would say that.

 

[Cattlegod]

Originally posted by: SlowSpyder
$350 - 1/2 karat total wieght (.40k main stone). If you have to get her a ring that costs thousands to get her to say yes, then you probably shouldn't marry her.

well said.

 

[ElFenix]

estate sales are your best friend.

 

[Lola]

Originally posted by: Flyback

Originally posted by: LolaWiz

Originally posted by: Flyback
Rent Blood Diamond and watch it together. Then propose and go pick out an engagement ring with her.

She'll hum and haw then walk away with nothing in hand and you can buy $5000 of toys :laugh:

even if you are just joking... that comment makes me so angry. How selfish.

Why would it make you angry if it was a joke? I would like to hear what, in particular, is offensive about it.

"I love you honey, but i am going to rent a movie to convince you that diamonds are bad so I can take the money i was going to spend on a ring for you and buy a new rig, TV and sound system for me"/ SCORE!!!!

 

[dawheat]

Get the best cut you can (AGS000 if you can) - a better cut will make lower color dimaonds appear whiter face up (G/H/I) and has by far the most impact on light performance. Get an SI1/SI2 that's verified eye-clean by a reputable jeweler. Stick with a GIA or AGS certified diamond only. Bonus points for idealscope and brilliantscope reports on the diamond.

For 5K, you can get a very well cut diamond + nice setting. For example,

http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/3001/

is about as well cut as you can get (far superior to anything you'll find in the malls).

1.2 carat, F, VS2, AGS000/H&A is what I bought

 

[Kelvrick]

I make more then you do, have more saved and will be spending about 1k for the engagement ring and less then 1k on both wedding bands.

Diamonds are horrible investments to me. She likes shiny and doens't care what it is so white sapphire + palladium ftw.

Extra money saved compared to all the other couples goes straight into a downpayment for a house, our european vacation/honeymoon, laser eye surgery and so much more.

 

[rh71]

$5k will get you a 1ct ring with a platinum band if you haggle and pay cash. Don't go to a chain that you find at a mall, etc. Go to an independent jeweler. If you pay $5k, make sure it is > 1.0ct. That 1 is pretty important. .99ct is worth significantly less. You'll prob have to sacrifice a little on the other 'Cs' (for quality) but it's still a good deal and obviously not noticeable to the naked eye.

I know one person who got a Tiffany and one more who's about to. They're nuts. I'd rather save my money for the BMW X5 than spend that kind of money on a non-practical ring. It's a hard battle though - the women don't get to enjoy a lot of expensive toys like we do so they of course would want a very nice ring.

About the $5k thing when making $35k a year... spend it if you already have it. It's not like you'll be going "all out" for many things in your life. The $5k will come back to you in less time than you will miss it and you will feel good about not completely skimping on something that your girl will treasure.

 

[Daverino]

$15,000 and the engagement got broken off after 2 years

But I got the ring back. Still have it too. . .

 

[loup garou]

Originally posted by: dawheat
Get the best cut you can (AGS000 if you can) - a better cut will make lower color dimaonds appear whiter face up (G/H/I) and has by far the most impact on light performance. Get an SI1/SI2 that's verified eye-clean by a reputable jeweler. Stick with a GIA or AGS certified diamond only. Bonus points for idealscope and brilliantscope reports on the diamond.

For 5K, you can get a very well cut diamond + nice setting. For example,

http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/3001/

is about as well cut as you can get (far superior to anything you'll find in the malls).

1.2 carat, F, VS2, AGS000/H&A is what I bought

:thumbsup:
Good advice.

 

[IronWing]

First of all, we need a picture of your fiance to make any kind of useful recommendation.

Second of all, if she must have a rock (ask her about this), a modestly sized and colored cubic zirconia (pink is not its natural color) is inexpensive and indistiquishable from diamond to the naked eye.

Third of all, the above sentence is grammatically correct.

Fourth, diamonds are highly overrated.

 

[rh71]

Originally posted by: Haui
She likes white gold.

We got white gold wedding bands. Hers is losing the white since she wears it everyday. Go for platinum on your engagement ring - it really isn't all that much more.

 

[TangoJuliet]

I got my wife a Tiffany's 1.44ct platinum band last year. It has a total of 11 diamonds on it. I forget the color/clarity, etc but it was nice. My wife looks at it all the time and it still sparkles. I know its something that she'll cherish forever and I wont have to worry about getting her an "upgrade". I paid $11,000 for it. <yikes!>

 

[Haui]

OP Here...

What do you guys think about Jareds?

My boss was explaining to me what diamond protection plan they have and an upgrade process they have:

1. If a diamond is lost, broken or whatever, they will replace it.

2. If I want to upgrade the diamond at a later date, Jareds will give me exactly what I paid for it when I bought it.

 

[ponyo]

Forget Jareds. If you want to buy from a retail chain, buy the diamond from Costco.

 

[SoulAssassin]

Originally posted by: LolaWiz

Like, a few weeks before, you could joke around and ask her things like "her name, will you do me the honor of... passing me the butter"... do that a few times when she will start to get annoyed.

Oh that is so evil...I love it! I'm absolutely doing that with my girl.

 

[RallyMaster]

Originally posted by: Hammerhead

Originally posted by: RallyMaster

Originally posted by: AgaBoogaBoo
I think a single 17" Sony CRT monitor would do just fine, no need for these $2k+ CRT's you speak of.

But....LCDs are easier on the eyes....they are crystal after all....?

Actually, Women prefer PLASMA over diamonds

But...crystal is cheaper

 

[shopbruin]

i just got engaged last night.

i know your gf's size, does she have smaller or wider fingers? i have small hands, so a smaller diamond was better for me. mine is .75 carats, but it's a D color. it sparkles... i'm blinded by the sparkles... but you can definitely get what i have for under 5k.

 

[Haui]

Can I see a pick of the ring?

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Originally posted by: Mwilding
I made WAY more than you are making now and did not spend much more than that. Don't bankrupt yourself to get a ring.

What does the woman want?

I spent 2 weeks pay (pre-tax). The rule (probably dictated by debeers) is ones month pay.

Anyways, at the time, I was probably making about $60K/yr and spent $2600 on the diamond and setting. Maybe $2300 on the actual rock.

I did about half a caret as that is what my wife wanted. Nothing big. I didn't get the round cut but the rectangular type shape, jsut like her mom has.

Due to my budget, I got a very high quality rock for the $2300. Very clear and pretty.

 

[silverpig]

I did okay for $1500. She loves it and says so all the time.

However, I'd love to make her one later on in life. I work in condensed matter physics so I'll hopefully have access to CVD equipment and ebeam evaporators and will be able to grow a perfect diamond and use some kind of really exotic metal.

 

[JACKHAMMER]

Moissanite Shinier than diamond, better color, almost as hard and most can't tell the difference, even with a jewelers loop (sp?)

 

[mooglemania85]

Originally posted by: purbeast0

Originally posted by: LolaWiz

Originally posted by: purbeast0
My budget is going to be $3K MAX when I start looking for my girls ring which is going to be pretty soon.

On this topic if there are any girls responding to this thread ... do you think it would be corny/bad idea to propose on my girls birthday? I had planned on doing it either on our vacation to cancun next month (July 18th - 25th) OR doing it right before. her birthday is on July 12th.

For the chicks out there, do you think that would be a good or bad idea and why?

Ok, just my thoughts:

I would be expecting something on my birthday and i would not like that. I would suggest doing it on vacation. Just because it will make the whole holiday more memorable. You could do soooo much to really surprise her.
Like, a few weeks before, you could joke around and ask her things like "her name, will you do me the honor of... passing me the butter"... do that a few times when she will start to get annoyed.
Then, when you plan that nice picnic dinner on the beach in cancun, really ask her, "will you do me the honor of marrying me". She will be surpised and excited.

Even if you don't want to do the asking thing ahead of time, i suggest doing it on vacation.

Cool thanks for the reply. I definitely see where you are coming from too

:laugh: I like a guy who thinks ahead....but unfortunately it would probably not go over well. Like having your b-day fall on x-mas.

 

[Pacfanweb]

Got engaged in 2000. The ring is a Princess cut, I think 1.12 carats. Had good color and clarity. I knew the guy that owned the jewelry store, so he ordered a few in the size I wanted and we went though them to find the best looking one.
Paid 500 bucks over his cost, which was about 3600, so 4100+tax is what I paid.

 

[MasterAndCommander]

I just got engaged 2 weeks ago today
I didn't spend a fortune or do that 2 months salary crap.
Shop around, do your homework, find out what your girl likes - it will be worth it.

 

[jpeyton]

When you're buying almost anything else, you figure out what you want and find the best deal on it.

Somehow you've all been brainwashed to think that when buying an engagement ring, you set you budget first (based on your yearly salary of all things, not on style, setting, cut, etc.), and then you must spend your entire budget or your fiance [and DeBeers] will think you're a cheapskate.

Amazing.