married men - engagement ring shopping?

[El Duderino]

To those engaged or married, how much of a pain in teh ass was it to get an engagement ring? Did you get one at the first place you shopped? How much does color and clarity actually matter?

[artman]

go to a diamond merchant. either a jew or an indian. save shitloads of money that way. the same cut of diamond that was going for 11k at a store my brother got for 8.5k thru a merchant

[DaCaptain]

My recommendation, go to the best jewelry store in town with your girl, get her to pick out exactly what she wants...some girls like round, some like oval, etc. Also, get them to measure her finger. Then have the sales rep write it all down, including the color and clarity, and of course her finger size. Then go to the smaller jewelers in some of the strip malls around town and tell them exactly what you want. They'll give you much better prices.

[atom]

Color and Clarity make a huge difference on how much "fire" the diamond has. A good quality diamond will sparkle in very low light. It took me 3 months to find the right diamond for my now wife and I must have gone to 20 different stores.

Take your time, research them and dont buy the 1st one you see. Since there really is no set standard for rating color you can find a diamond that may be an "H" at one store and a "G" at another. The problem with this is obviously the store that has it rated as the "G" is going to charge more because of the higher rating.

Also remember that when buying, most diamonds are marked up 50% to 100% and there is always room to negotiate.

[O MARINA]

Originally Posted by atom

It took me 3 months to find the right diamond for my now wife and I must have gone to 20 different stores.

it's time to buy her a watch for putting up with you
www.chopard.com

[atom]

Originally Posted by O MARINA

it's time to buy her a watch for putting up with you
www.chopard.com

you're always so mean to me

[candyflip]

I'm just letting my girlfriend pick out exactly what she wants. We've lived together for a while, we're having a baby, I have no clue about these things...so she gets exactly what she wants, I will pay the bill.

[El Duderino]

Originally Posted by candyflip

I'm just letting my girlfriend pick out exactly what she wants. We've lived together for a while, we're having a baby, I have no clue about these things...so she gets exactly what she wants, I will pay the bill.

I would do that except I want to ask her to marry me when I have the ring as a surprise.

[directfiesta]

Just keep in ind :

The ring will last longer then the marriage ...

[Loryn]

Just go to Tiffany & Co. Even if you do not buy from there they are the best for helping you understand what that diamond is all about, at least to me they are.

With color D E and F are colorless diamonds which tend to be your more costly diamond. G H I are almost colorless and the most common diamond bought. When you get into J through Z they are more yellow and can be very very expensive but for my taste the D E and F are amazing. They shine from across the room. I would rather have a one carrot D than a 2 carrot H.

The cut is not what everyone thinks, it's not about shape it is more about the symmetry of a diamond which makes all the difference in the world.

Clarity begins with IF which is flawless and rare very expensive. FI is almost flawless, then their is VVs1 and VVs2 which is a beautiful diamond and the most common bought by someone looking to spend a little bit but not break the bank is Vs1 and Vs2 then it goes into your Sl1 and Sl2 which has flaws but you would have to look very hard. Clarity is what makes all the light shine through amazing.

Carot is the weight of the diamond which like I said before I would rather have a small BEAUTIFUL diamond than a big cheaper diamond. But that is up to what you think your girl would like.

In today's world it is very common for the guy to ask a girl to marry him and then they pick out the ring together, but it's not as romantic. Surprise is everything with an engagement. I would get a ring that is simple and has a beautiful diamond, this way when you design the wedding ring she can either just go with a band if she is simple like me, or she can take your diamond and put it into her dream ring, which ever girl has.

Sorry for the long post but I hope I helped you a bit! Nothing like love, without it have more than half the music out there would be.

Good luck and don't break the bank, that is not the way to start out a life together! (But spend it if you got it haha)

[candyflip]

Originally Posted by El Duderino

I would do that except I want to ask her to marry me when I have the ring as a surprise.

Yeah, that makes sense too. Fortunately for me, we're a bit past that part already.

[Loryn]

Originally Posted by directfiesta

Just keep in ind :

The ring will last longer then the marriage ...

Yes and if it breaks off before the marriage you get the ring back and can sell it, if you get married she can sell it, or if everything works out you can pass it to your kids and have a beautiful family heirloom!

[Luscious Media]

After educating myself on the 4 C's and finding out which cut wifey prefered, I went to the diamond district in NYC. I ended up buying a nearly flawless diamond just over one carot for a really good price and some smaller stones (bagettes) for the outer part of the setting. I bought the diamonds only. I took the diamonds to my local jeweler and had him set them for me in a setting he made specially for me/wifey. It came out perfect, wifey loves it and when we had the ring appraised by another jeweler a year later it was worth 3x what I paid.

[NOTR]

1 site you need to know www.bluenile.com

I bought the wifeys ring for close to 30k at birks in Montreal. IF, amorique cut.

Would have saved a good 10k buying off blue nile. Everyone I know recently bought from there and couldn't be happier.

[El Duderino]

Originally Posted by NOTR

1 site you need to know www.bluenile.com

I bought the wifeys ring for close to 30k at birks in Montreal. IF, amorique cut.

Would have saved a good 10k buying off blue nile. Everyone I know recently bought from there and couldn't be happier.

Dumb question, but how wise is it buying it off the internet (seeing how you can't see it)?

[TG Rebecca]

good luck with everything! my fiance surprised me with a ring, and i'm VERY happy with what he picked - but he was able to talk to my sister and have her go with him to a few places to give him an idea of what i really like. is there a family member of hers that you can talk to?

also, try some of the independent jewelers as opposed to the jewelry shops (i.e. jareds, rogers, kay, etc). you usually get much better prices there!

[Gianna_CECash]

Originally Posted by El Duderino

To those engaged or married, how much of a pain in teh ass was it to get an engagement ring? Did you get one at the first place you shopped? How much does color and clarity actually matter?

Color and clarity matters big time!!

[El Duderino]

Originally Posted by TG Rebecca

good luck with everything! my fiance surprised me with a ring, and i'm VERY happy with what he picked - but he was able to talk to my sister and have her go with him to a few places to give him an idea of what i really like. is there a family member of hers that you can talk to?

also, try some of the independent jewelers as opposed to the jewelry shops (i.e. jareds, rogers, kay, etc). you usually get much better prices there!

I'm pretty sure I know what style she's going for so that's not an issue. Having her say yes might be.

[Cory W]

Give her a down-payment on a house instead.

[L-Pink]

How much to spend?

Take your monthly net income multiplied by how many inches of your cock she can swallow. You're welcome.

[terrig]

BlueNile is the BOMB my hubby bought mine there and yes it is a BIG one and it is the best.... and the Clarity and Color are great... ask to see it when we are in Vegas in January... They also have a great section on what the 4 C's are, read it until you understand it....
Good Luck
Terri G.

[O MARINA]

Originally Posted by Gianna_CECash

Color and clarity matters big time!!

are you saying size doesn't?


UJAS lol

[Odie]

just came back from St.Maarten...take her on a holiday and buy the diamond there...DIRT CHEAP!

[NOTR]

Originally Posted by El Duderino

Dumb question, but how wise is it buying it off the internet (seeing how you can't see it)?

Bluenile is a publically traded company, their stock has been skyrocketing since they launched. They have it down right with the support and the product. A diamond is the same no matter where you buy it as long as it has the proper paper work and it's the specs you wanted. Go with good color and clarity over size if your on a budget.

[tony286]

I just celebrated my 8 th year married, I recommend go cheap on the engagement ring and wedding ring. Then as you hit anniversary landmarks, upgrade jewelry 5 yrs 7.5 yrs ,10yrs. Too many marriages now days blow up with in the first two years. If jewelry will be a motivation for her to say yes dont marry her.

[baddog]

Originally Posted by Loryn

Yes and if it breaks off before the marriage you get the ring back and can sell it, if you get married she can sell it, or if everything works out you can pass it to your kids and have a beautiful family heirloom!

Not sure what state you think that will happen in, but in CA it is a gift and you have no right of recovery.

[baddog]

And go to the closest jewelry district that you live by.

[JohnnyJames]

No one here knows what they speak of. Douchenozzles, all of 'em.

http://www.hsn.com/cnt/search/search...ice=&o=esearch

From $39.95

Thank me later.

[baddog]

Originally Posted by JohnnyJames

No one here knows what they speak of. Douchenozzles, all of 'em.

http://www.hsn.com/cnt/search/search...ice=&o=esearch

From $39.95

Thank me later.

[Semi-Retired-Dave]

Do what I did, walk into a Robins Brothers store, let them teach you everything you need to know about an engagement ring. Then when you learn a thing or two, you pretty much get the right idea of what you want. Then go else where and shop for it. Worked for me.

The Value is suppose to be about 3 months of your salary, but I cheated a bit.

[MikeSmoke]

Originally Posted by El Duderino

Dumb question, but how wise is it buying it off the internet (seeing how you can't see it)?

If you deal with a reputable company, they'll answer all your questions about the stone, they won't rip you off (you'll save big $$$ over buying at a brick and mortar store), and they'll have a return policy so you can get an independent appraisal once you receive the stone. You'll pay anywhere from 10%-40$ more at a jewelry store.

I strongly recommend the way I did it - got a general idea of the type of ring she wanted....then read the boards and hung out at Pricescope (the #1 boards for diamond buyers with tons of knowledgeable and helpful people and lots of resource pages) --- and then bought the ring at Whiteflash, one of the most reputable online dealers there is. After I picked out the stones on their site, they had one of their inspectors give me a specific description (to make sure the stones were eye-clear) - and since they didn't have the exact setting I wanted, they hand-made it for only a few bucks more than the stock ones they carried. I ended up with a ring that's a stunner (people remark on it anywhere my wife goes) and it appraised at about 40% more than I paid.

(Blue Nile is OK and I've bought other stuff there, but IMO for diamonds there are better places to buy - you'll see all about it if you check out Pricescope.)

Hope that helps :-)

[MikeSmoke]

This is the ring they made for me at Whiteflash - I chose the stones and they designed the setting to my specs.

[MikeSmoke]

BTW, if by some chance you are going to end up buying from Whiteflash, I'd appreciate it if you let me know - I get a $100 referral fee if you mention my name (but that's not the reason I recommended them - in fact, I wouldn't recommend them for things like earrings, pendants, etc - you can get as good a deal on that stuff elsewhere).

[Kevin2]

Do you know why a diamond is a girls best friend? Unlike a guy It stays hard forever

Once you have the 4 C's of the diamond you want go and check out prices for loose stones at bluenile.com

For one of the best designers try nationwidediamonds.com give the guy a call his number is on the site.

[themonk]

Originally Posted by artman

go to a diamond merchant. either a jew or an indian. save shitloads of money that way. the same cut of diamond that was going for 11k at a store my brother got for 8.5k thru a merchant

what girl worth 10k ;)

[Ross]

Originally Posted by Loryn

Just go to Tiffany & Co.

My girlfriend already picked her ring from Tiffany & Co. Just incase I decide to propose...

Thing is if I buy it in the UK its two times more expensive.

[gornyhuy]

Tiffany is at least 2x overpriced... its all branding and bullshit - don't believe the hype. GO to a reputable diamond merchant, figure out what cut and size you want based on the girl and your bank account, have them show you like a dozen stones that fit that description, and then you can make the call on the other characteristics.

[BerdoR]

Originally Posted by DaCaptain

My recommendation, go to the best jewelry store in town with your girl, get her to pick out exactly what she wants...some girls like round, some like oval, etc. Also, get them to measure her finger. Then have the sales rep write it all down, including the color and clarity, and of course her finger size. Then go to the smaller jewelers in some of the strip malls around town and tell them exactly what you want. They'll give you much better prices.

sounds like good advice

[tony286]

Originally Posted by Loryn

Just go to Tiffany & Co. Even if you do not buy from there they are the best for helping you understand what that diamond is all about, at least to me they are.

It must be a women thing where they think its ok to waste a sale persons time. lol
Here go learn online: http://christmas.adiamondisforever.com/#/buyersguide/

[viencarl]

For me practically speaking all ladies like to have a ring, alright. Not only for its value, but also the value of you're relationship. Consider these categories:

Timing 10%
Personality 20%
Value 20%
Approach 40%

[TheLegacy]

I am surprised that your asking - seriously - this is your gift of love to her and should not really be our part to comment. Know her well enough to figure out whether she wants white or gold ring and what size stone etc. Some girls really don't like huge rings.

Do you know her ring size? Does she has small fingers or large? What kind of ring does she want? You really need to know this stuff

[dennisthemenace]

I bought the first place I went to.

I only knew the shape (she told me years earlier) and I knew I wanted better than her family and friends had.. Other than that, I knew nothing, so I was there a couple hours to get a complete education..

Ended up getting her a 1.08 Carat, VVS1 "E" pear shape on a platinum & diamond band. She was very, very pleased and hasn't really stopped smiling since.

Have an idea what you want in quality before you go in, even if it's a generalization.. also, a certified diamond is wise in my opinion.

A great ring and diamond will make an impression she'll never forget. Always nice when you give her plenty of memories of how sweet and wonderful you are.. This way, if you break up, all her friends will already like you

[MikeSmoke]

Originally Posted by TheLegacy

I am surprised that your asking - seriously - this is your gift of love to her and should not really be our part to comment.

Commenting on the type of ring she wants...of course not.

Commenting on how to save thousands of dollars and get the best QUALITY - which means you can also get a much better stone for the amount you're going to spend.......why wouldn't you want as much advice on that as possible?

Spending time at Pricescope and learning about stones - and ordering online from a reputable company - meant I got almost twice as much stone as I would have gotten for my money, and that my wife was twice as happy with the ring as she would have been if I'd bought it at my local jewelry store.

[Semi-Retired-Dave]

Originally Posted by MikeSmoke

This is the ring they made for me at Whiteflash - I chose the stones and they designed the setting to my specs.

That thing is really nice. Good pic.

[L-Pink]

Originally Posted by JohnnyJames

No one here knows what they speak of. Douchenozzles, all of 'em.

http://www.hsn.com/cnt/search/search...ice=&o=esearch

From $39.95

Thank me later.

Who can tell the difference?

[MikeSmoke]

Originally Posted by CyberAge-Dave

That thing is really nice. Good pic.

Thanks :-)
And it would have cost many thousands more at a jewelry store

[Andy Servers4Less]

Surprise is the way to go. Color and clarity are really important. If the color and clarity arent good it will look yellowish.

[Hell House Vic]

Originally Posted by El Duderino

To those engaged or married, how much of a pain in teh ass was it to get an engagement ring? Did you get one at the first place you shopped? How much does color and clarity actually matter?

get something that means something to you and her specifically - don't be generic. For example, my wife and I are into Krishna-Hinduism so I got a Saphire (krishna, the male) on a gold band (Radha, the female) with diamond inlays (the "gopi" girlfriends... hahahaha)

Then we bought some generic wedding bands and never ever wore them. 10 years later We went to "Something Silver" and got something that really represented us for like 200 bucks and now we wear them all the time.

[CC]

Let me reiterate what MikeSmoke said....go to WhiteFlash.com. Period. The end.

[Miz_Wright]

First? I'd make sure she actually wants a diamond - I know it's practically sacrilege to admit it, but not all women do.