Best way to buy an engagement ring?

[HelenePA]

My brother has started looking at engagement rings but of course wants to get the most for his money (who doesn't right?) so with all the options out there what is the best? Big time store (ie Kay's), small time store, ebay, craigslist, other stores on the net like the jewelry exchange

 

[pigletgirl]

My DF got mine at Jareds. Other than that I really have no clue how he went about it. Sorry! I'm really no help.

 

[AshleyW]

DF and I got my ring from Blue Nile - www.bluenile.com - they were really great to work with. You can custom design your ring, right down to the exact diamond you want based on the cut, quality, color, clarity, etc. that you want. Their prices are really reasonable and they all come with appraisals and certificates that say they're authentic and whatnot. You get free overnight shipping, and since so many people are hesitant about buying a ring online - you can return within 30 days to get a refund or exchange it. Anyway, long story short, we had a really great experience with them plus we didn't have to deal with any pushy salespeople, and their prices are generally lower than a most brick & mortar stores.

 

[Rora]

Rora's DH here: I bought her engagement ring at Jared's. I felt more comfortable shopping in an actual store and seeing the rings in person.

Good luck to him!

 

[onelilspark]

We went looking a few months ago. Started at a local place, they started showing us rings that were entirely too expensive and didn't listen to what I wanted. ...I told them that the $15,000 ring was a little too large, so she showed me a *slightly* smaller diamond that was $30,000! My boyfriend was relieved when I let out with, "well I can't see the difference."

So as we were leaving, we made the decision to drive over to Jareds. He's really particular about knowing every detail about a purchase, and this time when he mentioned that he didn't know much, they took us into a back room where they had a whole presentation about buying diamonds. Then the guy helping us took us out to look and actually listened to what I was looking for. Found a few absolutely gorgeous rings...all well under $5,000. After our experience at Jared, I'd definitely recommend going there.

 

[disneybound2010]

DH(then DF) got my ring from Kings Jewelry. I had always bought my jewelry from them and he continued that tradition with other pieces. When it came time to look at rings, I went to many many different stores, but nothing jumped out at me. I happened to be passing by Kings and in the window was MY RING! I went nuts over it! I showed it to DH and he was actually a little disappointed because the price was LOWER than what he expected to spend. HE was looking forward to something pretty expensive and grandiose. I honestly don't know the size or all the intricate details of my ring(I like jewelry, but don't care about the details. It's big. It's shiny!) but I do know that the price was amazing for what we got.

 

[JaneBanks]

I noticed that the chain stores were more expensive then where I got my ring. We went to what is a called a "flea market" but its basically a mall with booths instead of actual stores. The diamonds are 100% legit. We actually just ordered our wedding rings from the same man.

Congrats on the up coming engagement! How exciting for your family!

 

[JoiseyMom]

Well when DS was looking he went to Jareds and other local places. I told him to go NYC and that we knew someone at a Jewlry Exhange in NJ. He saw something he liked at Jareds...and I was like you don't but from a chain store!! (Sorry..coming from NYC there are just too many other options). He went to the see the person our family knows, and he bought a gorgeous diamond, that was more karats and better quality and cheaper then the other ring he saw. He got a wonderful deal, and my FDIL loves loves her ring .

 

[Octoberbride03]

A local Jewelry store is usually your best bet. Dh got my ring through 1 and its beautiful. A diamond is priced based on cut, color, and clarity(don't ask why I remember this I have no clue). So a small diamond with a lot of clarity can be priced more than a bigger diamond with less. Its about how much sparkle you get with it.

My diamond is small. 1/4 carat small, but I showed it to my mom's jeweler when he asked to see it while I was getting wedding party gifts, and he loved it. Said it was a really very nice diamond. And my Dh got what he could afford, even better.

 

[minniebride]

DF and I got my ring from Blue Nile - www.bluenile.com - they were really great to work with. You can custom design your ring, right down to the exact diamond you want based on the cut, quality, color, clarity, etc. that you want. Their prices are really reasonable and they all come with appraisals and certificates that say they're authentic and whatnot. You get free overnight shipping, and since so many people are hesitant about buying a ring online - you can return within 30 days to get a refund or exchange it. Anyway, long story short, we had a really great experience with them plus we didn't have to deal with any pushy salespeople, and their prices are generally lower than a most brick & mortar stores.

Another praise for Blue Nile!!! My DF got my engagement ring there and it's just gorgeous! Their prices are wonderful, very high quality items (all GIA diamonds), & sales people are very knowledgeable and great to work with. They even do free overnight shipping!

We also noticed that chain store were much more expensive for lower quality diamonds.

 

[bonoriffic]

I also vote for Blue Nile. It does require a bit more research so you truly understand what you are getting. Once you grasp the basics of the 4 C's, and understand their impact on price, you will be ready to shop. The website makes it very easy to zero in to what works for you. With no sales tax and no physical store front to maintain the prices are significantly cheaper than a brick and mortar store.

Even if you do buy from an actual store, buy a loose diamond. It definitely has to have an independent certification from one of the major sources like GIA. Otherwise it is just like buying a used car, you never take the salesman word.

There are even websites where you plug the specific cut angles in and the website will determine the "fire" or sparkle factor of your diamond.

I was a bit worried about buying such an expensive item over the internet that you can't physically see, but once I opened the box I was quite relieved.

 

[bumbershoot]

I think he should start by talking to his intended fiancee (or fiance, I don't know).

 

[Stephanie218]

Another praise for Blue Nile!!! My DF got my engagement ring there and it's just gorgeous! Their prices are wonderful, very high quality items (all GIA diamonds), & sales people are very knowledgeable and great to work with. They even do free overnight shipping!

We also noticed that chain store were much more expensive for lower quality diamonds.

Ditto! Another vote for Blue Nile. They were so easy to work with, and I got to pick exactly what I wanted - no pressure from salespeople. They have a lot of information on the website to educate yourself on diamonds as well.

 

[bonoriffic]

One suggestion is to go to a high end store such as Tiffany and Co. Bring the girlfriend. There are several advantages to this. First, you can physically see the ring and learn her preferred setting style. Also you will learn what size is right for her. The best part is there will be no pressure. Tiffanys knows you aren't going to pull out your credit card and buy the ring in front of the girl. It is a hassle free way to see what works, and then buy the same ring (and probably higher quality) for much less online.

We bought our wedding bands from Tiffanys so I don't feel like I wasted their time. (FYI their plain wedding bands are pretty cheap all things considered)

 

[JaneBanks]

One suggestion is to go to a high end store such as Tiffany and Co. Bring the girlfriend. There are several advantages to this. First, you can physically see the ring and learn her preferred setting style. Also you will learn what size is right for her. The best part is there will be no pressure. Tiffanys knows you aren't going to pull out your credit card and buy the ring in front of the girl. It is a hassle free way to see what works, and then buy the same ring (and probably higher quality) for much less online.

We bought our wedding bands from Tiffanys so I don't feel like I wasted their time. (FYI their plain wedding bands are pretty cheap all things considered)

That's what we did. I fell in love with a Tiffany's ring (it was 11,000!!) and we bought one very similar for much, much less. I have an antique Tiffany's setting with a 1 carat. I love my ring and so does my FH's wallet!

 

[Wishing on a star]

BlueNile!!!

I would never walk in a Jareds, Kays, Zales....
Their diamonds look yellow compared to mine from BlueNile. (while mine is not 'perfect', it does have the highest Color rating) And, they were all more expensive for the same size/type.... The markup at these chains is horrendous. If you go in there looking for a truly high quality diamond, get prepared to mortgage your house and your firstborn....

 

[tinatark]

Don't let him get suckered by the advertising - Every Kiss begins with Kay, "he got it at Jared's", etc...do the homework, check online - in addition to bluenile.com, goodoldgold.com is also a great source. If he's not afraid to shop around, he can get an awesome ring for a great price at a Pawn shop - and, don't forget the wholesale stores - Sam's Club, BJ's, Costco. I bought my (2+ carat) diamond at a diamond show at Sam's Club, bought a setting from my local jeweler, who said he wouldn't have been able to get my stone wholesale for what we paid.

 

[Handbag Lady]

I wish I could remember it...there was a book on buying diamonds when I got married 10 years ago. Basically, it explains the four C's, the girdle and everything else.

It also has a chart that explains what you should pay for example, for a diamond that is .7 carats, VSI, yellow, emerald cut.

It was a great guideline and helps you from getting ripped off.

The book was free, too.

ETA: Okay and now the book isn't free. Hey, it's been 10 years! http://www.diamondcuttersintl.com/

 

[HelenePA]

I"m sure he'd LOVE to take her to tiffany's but its not in his budget... 1ct diamond rings starting at 9,200$ uhhhh yeah wayyyyyy out of his budget... I really dont want him going to a "brand" store because they seem so expensive compared to other places I've been looking for him. He wants simple. Not small, not huge. not 10k. lol They both have pretty good jobs, but they need a new car (this one cant wait much longer, I'm always on standby) and their house needs some work. blah blah blah.. I'm sure he'd love to drop that kind of money on a ring for her but its just not possible. I'm sure she'll understand. She's not the kind of girl who would want him to spend that kind of money on a ring anyway. 1 to 1.5k would be the ideal range right now.

 

[horseshowmom]

Another suggestion: My daughter's husband bought her ring at Overstock.com (after she picked it out). If you sign up for their emails, they regularly send out coupons (my daughter had gotten one for 10% off).

After she saw a ring on there that she fell in love with, she called and asked me what I thought about getting a ring from there. I told her that it was pretty risk free. If she didn't like it when it got here, she could return it. Also, they could have it appraised when it got here to be sure they were getting what they thought they were. I think the appraisal cost $25, and the ring appraised for half again as much as he paid for it.

Concerning the ring, it's very unique and is absolutely beautiful. I haven't seen another one like it, and she regularly gets compliments on it from complete strangers.

Sam's Club is also a good place to look. A friend of mine's son wanted to get his girlfriend an engagement ring several years ago, but he couldn't afford to get her the ring she wanted (he and the girl were about to be graduated from law school, so he was still a broke student ).

His mother asked him where he had looked, and he named some jewelry stores. She told him to go to Sam's, and he was shocked (said, "I can't buy her ring at Sam's Club" ). She told him he was too smart to be foolish enough to throw extra money away just to buy something in a jewelry store. Sure enough, he found just exactly what she wanted at Sam's at a MUCH more affordable price.