Ok, I am ready to take the plunge and spent a day last week trying to figure out what to look for in an engagement ring. So of course I came to the conclusion that I know nothing. I went to a few places in Manhattan and not that everything is unaffordable but I really don't know what to look for. I never wear jewelry and couldn't care less about it, but tradition is tradition I guess. How do I know if I am getting a good deal? Do I really need for the diamond to be certified? Seems like a big difference for a piece of paper. How the hell do I figure out her ring size without tipping her off to my plans? Some dealers seem legit but some seem worst than the proverbial used car salesman. What's the right amount to spend? Is it really take 2 months pay as in that commercial? Any help would be appreciated wise ones. If there is a woman reading this, please help a man out and tell us what you really want.

 

Go to Costco. It seems odd but they have good quality diamonds that are certified. Not that you want to tell your betrothed, but like everything else there, you get more for your money.

 

I was fortunate: my wife doesn't like diamonds. Our wedding rings are gold with jade; the jade stones are the leaves of an olive branch and there's a white gold dove. We had them designed at a little jeweler we met through the wife of my best man; I was the best man at his wedding 6 months earlier.

Which gets me to the point: do you know anyone (local to you) who has gotten married recently? Such a person (more than one, preferably) might be a source of good advice.

It's always better to let someone you trust do all the leg work for you, rathar than doing it yourself.

Good luck, and congratulations!

 

When I started looking, the thing that came to mind was investment. Treat this ring as an investment.

Now on with how I chose what I chose:

To me, color, clarity, and cut (in that order) were the most important....then finally the carat size.

I am not into jewelry as is the same with my fiance. So right off the bat, I knew that I needed to get something classy (read: simple), yet something with a non-bland design. since I already had a design in my mind and was willing to get a custom designed piece made, I didn't even look in the mall jewelers..however, they were great places to see what to avoid and what new trends were coming up.

I located many diamonds distributers on the internet and ebay, and then proceeded to call as many as I could. Diamond brokers tend to have a very networked connection with everyone.....and such, I got a name and place of business right here in Chicago area (in fact, it was within 5 miles of my house). I had a variety of diamonds to choose from and went with the best color and cut I could afford.

The way I picked size (carats) was by relating what I wanted in the diamond (the color and cut), seeing what I could afford, and then the sizes that I could get it in at the price I was willing to pay AND how the size would look on her finger.

There were other things I had to plan for as well; how do I want the diamond to be set, what kind of band do I want the head to be set on, do I want a custom mounted head or a generic head, how will I want the wedding band to integrate with the engagement ring, etc.

As far as getting it certified....do not leave the store with an uncertified diamond...and definitely make sure you have insurance for that certified ring before leaving the store.

Getting ring size was quite simple for me, I swiped one of the rings she wears normally off her night stand one night (and gave her the excuse that she left it at my house), and let the jeweler size it. Also, if you are going to incorporate her friends into planning for the proposal, then you could get one of them to help you get your gf's ring size.

 

Don't get a tattoo wedding ring. I did after being married for 3 years, four years latter we split up. Now I'm trying to go through the trouble (and expense) to have it removed.

 

go to bluenile.com They sell diamonds, but their website has a very informative and educational step by step process on learning about diamonds and how to buy them, etc.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by redleader
[B]go to bluenile.com

 

First, stone clarity and color are the main, most important points. She can have it put into another setting later, but chances are she'll want to keep the same stone, so put your cash into that.

Think up a design and have it custom made. Though our marriage didnt last, the idea behind the ring still makes me smile, since he went to the trouble to think up a design and have someone make it.

Insurance is a must, especially if the stone mounting uses prongs. Later, have the ring inspected often, like every 6 months, to make sure the prongs aren't loose.

 

I went with the antique ring option. I found that ultimately I was paying for the appraised value of the diamond and getting the ring part at little to no cost. Often, the rings were selling for below appraised value.

Benefits to me were as follows.

1. The antique ring implies a great deal of personalized shopping. Not just a visit to the local jeweler.
2. You will likely never see another like it.
3. An antique engagement ring completely impresses the hell out of all her friends and family. This makes her happy.
4. With the antique, there is greater emphasis on the style and design of the ring and a bit less on the diamond. That is not to say you can't upgrade the diamond later, but that isn't the initial focus.
5. Depending on the era of the ring, I found the diamonds were cut and set to appear larger than they really are. For example, my wife's ring looks like a 1 caret, but is much closer to 3/4.

Like luder mentioned be sure the diamond is certified and appraised before you buy. The appraiser will give you a value of the diamond and an estimate to recreate the ring from a photo if lost or stolen.

I bought from a dealer who specializes in antique jewelry. In my estimation, it would have cost me 4x as much to buy a similar quality ring from a retail jeweler. I ended up spending the difference on a wedding band, but that is another story.

 

So how much should he spend? I'm just curious. BTW, I find it next to impossible to believe that Manhattan's Diamond District is a good place to get a good deal on a ring.

Here ya go! http://www.harry-winston.com/