Guy seeking advice on engagement ring

[ChrizJen]

I would even suggest checking out someplace as simple as Kay Jewelers.
This is just an example of what they have. It's 14k white gold, 1/2 ct diamond. It may not be a style you're looking at, but it's pretty, it's simple, and it's under $1,000:

http://www.kay.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product1|10101|10001|-1|161247200|15051|15051.15057

 

[AshleyW]

I would even suggest checking out someplace as simple as Kay Jewelers.
This is just an example of what they have. It's 14k white gold, 1/2 ct diamond. It may not be a style you're looking at, but it's pretty, it's simple, and it's under $1,000:

http://www.kay.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product1|10101|10001|-1|161247200|15051|15051.15057

I would just be careful with diamond quality when you go to a place like Kay. That ring has a clarity rating of I3, which is the worst rating. It has visible blemishes. Plus, I'll agree with the PP and make sure you get a ring with platinum prongs - it wouldn't be good to spend a lot of money on a ring and then have a loose, or even missing diamond later down the road.

 

[2binak]

My DH and I were right out of college when we got engaged so money was tight. He bought me a ring I had "eyed" several times as we walked through a local mall. Total cost was $1400. For our 5th anniversary, DH upgraded my ring mounting. We used the center diamond from my original ring though. We then saved my original mounting and plan to one day use it to make a mother's ring for me.

I would just be careful with diamond quality when you go to a place like Kay. That ring has a clarity rating of I3, which is the worst rating. It has visible blemishes. Plus, I'll agree with the PP and make sure you get a ring with platinum prongs - it wouldn't be good to spend a lot of money on a ring and then have a loose, or even missing diamond later down the road.

My original engagement ring was from Kay's as is my upgraded ring. The diamond shown in the pp post may not be the best quality, but you can choose from different stones when you are in the store and choose one with better quality.

 

[fairestoneofall]

First, I think this thread is so incredibly sweet.

If she doesn't like yellow gold, I wouldn't even consider it. My now-DH bought me a yellow gold engagement ring (and wedding band). I tried desperately to love it, but the yellow always bugged me (sad to say, but true). However, I loved that it was from him. So, in that sense, it isn't the ring that is as important.

Mine was a 1/2 carat princess cut. He was fresh out of college and I was a senior in college. And he got a GREAT deal from a local jeweler. He would've easily paid hundreds more if he'd bought it through a chain store. And, it was great quality for the price!

Now, we have been married for 12 years. For our 10th anniversary, he bought me a ring that is more what we both would've loved if we could've afforded it at the time. It is a gorgeous sapphire and diamond Christopher Designs ring. I get compliments on it all the time.

I am planning to reset my original diamond into a pendant.

That all to say, local jewelers can sometimes give you great deals on better diamonds than you'd get at a chain store. And often, they sell you the diamond, then set it into a simple band (what DH did). I had the option of getting a different band with my diamond, but I didn't. I kept the one DH had picked because he had picked it. Of course, you can choose a pricier band if that's what you want. But, you might want to consider looking for a loose diamond first.

Good luck to you! Trust me, if she loves you and she is truly the one, the ring is just a symbol. What's more important is the two of you and your relationship.

 

[LindaG4458]

What do you guys think about The Jewelry Exchange? My mother recommended it to me. She is very picky about her jewelry.

The prices look strangely reasonable, even the "build your owns"

Anyone have any experience with this place or opinions?

http://www.jewelryexchange.com/productlist.aspx?catID=156

My former boss's husband used to buy her beautiful things at The Jewelry Exchange. He went to one of the physical stores to buy, though. She had diamond pendants, a three-stone diamond ring, and an anniversary band and all were beautiful. He was very fussy about color, quality, etc. too. He went to the store in the Boston suburb (Sudbury?), but I know there are stores nationwide.

I personally used to buy my jewelry at a small family-owned jeweler. As I became more of a regular customer the discount I received grew. Loyalty paid off!

Since we retired I don't buy much jewelry but still admire a nice ring. I think a solitaire, as good a compromise of quality and size as you can afford, on a plain white gold band would be beautiful.

 

[lil mermaid]

I would even suggest checking out someplace as simple as Kay Jewelers.
This is just an example of what they have. It's 14k white gold, 1/2 ct diamond. It may not be a style you're looking at, but it's pretty, it's simple, and it's under $1,000:

http://www.kay.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product1|10101|10001|-1|161247200|15051|15051.15057

That is a very poor quality diamond. You don't even know what the color is, as they are telling you it can be H, I or J. As a previous poster stated, I3 is the absolute worst clarity grading. It means that the inclusions are visible to the naked eye, and and probably pretty major.

Whoever you buy a diamond from, you should always be able to view the certificate of the actual diamond you are purchasing. Also, I wouldn't even buy a diamond from any store that sells I clarity stones.

 

[EthansMom]

Does it have to be a diamond engagment ring? DH bought me a moissanite ring (solitaire round cut about the same size as a 1.25 ct. diamond in a tiffany-style six prong setting) a couple years ago and it's gorgeous! It wasn't cheap, but was less than $1000. And the only people that know it isn't a diamond are myself and DH... no one else can even tell!

I wouldn't try to pass a moissanite off as a real diamond to your fiancee, but you can always tell her that you will buy her a diamond for a 10 year anniversary gift, if she'd like.

Here's a link to some moissanite rings: http://www.moissaniteco.com/moissanite_solitaire_rings_2.html

 

[luvdzny]

I am the mom of a "soon to be engaged" DD. She sounds like your girlfriend, she likes white gold, princess cut and simple designs. Here is a link to a ring similar to what she has picked out. http://www.helzberg.com/product/1636297.do
Congratulations!!!

 

[java]

I am the mom of a "soon to be engaged" DD. She sounds like your girlfriend, she likes white gold, princess cut and simple designs. Here is a link to a ring similar to what she has picked out. http://www.helzberg.com/product/1636297.do
Congratulations!!!

I1 I2 quality is not good. The quality of I means inclussions- visible to the eye- meaning you would look at the stone and see a black mark or spot someplace on the table of the stone.
I used to work in the business and dh currently is in the business. Quality and clarity of stone are the tricky ones to see online. You have to be familiar with the terminology - SI are better- VSI even better but really not by much so I say if someone is looking to save money be looking at an SI stone NOT I! jmho

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

Java - you have me interested in exactly how much quality and clarity my ring really is. I am going to have to look at the certification tonight and come back and ask your opinion!

 

[2binak]

Here's a site that shows the color, clairity, carat & cut information on diamonds.

http://www.diamondarticles.com/diamond-charts.php

 

[FormrCastMbr]

I have to agree with previous posters...please be sure to get a good quality diamond. A good jeweler will show you loose stones that you will look at through a loop. I think my husband drove the jeweler nuts since he was not happy with any of the diamonds they were getting (luckily the jewler has a store in NYC and goes back and forth weekly). They also want your business and return business so they will work with you.

You are only going to purchase 1 engagement ring in your life (hopefully), make it a knowledgable and enjoyable experience.

Get the stone first and then work on the setting and yes, get platinum prongs...but even platinum will bend...I have gotten my ring caught on things and totally bent them...be sure to have prong checks at least every year, if not more often. It is always nice to get it cleaned while there too!

 

[Liberty Belle]

Maybe I'm the only one, but I thought it was BEAUTIFUL!! Now, I'm not much on jewelry, so I wouldnt' be as picky as the other posters



Just MY opinion of course, I'd want the ring in hand when proposed to... it just means so much more...
Later, if ya'll want to upgrade, or go with a different style, you can, but please, don't propose ringless

I agree on both counts, except I'd be wary of buying such an expensive piece sight unseen.

I did not want to pick out my engagement ring. Dh knew I liked simple solitaire rings and he picked out a beautiful one for me and had it with him when he proposed. Maybe it's the romantic in me, but I definitely would not want to shop for my own ring.

 

[ICF]

guy here....and just my 2cents, but I would NEVER buy a ring off the internet sight unseen.

If you see something online that you can then go look at in a real store that's one thing...but not at a place where you can't walk in and return if needed.

 

[bunny]

Have you thought about Craigslist or Ebay? I know that might sound crazy, but my husband's friend's finance broke up with him after a couple months and gave him her ring back. He sold it on Ebay for a lot less than what he paid for it, so someone got a great deal. You would think in today's economy people would be selling their jewels. Even if you found something but didn't like the setting, you could have your local jeweler reset it.

 

[Wishing on a star]

BLUE NILE!!!!!!

They are one online source that is completely reputable.

Yes, I would, and have, purchased from them....
Would highly recommend it.
Way less than the Jewelry Stores, for a nice sized diamond ring, and it is NOT low quality/yellow.

Try them!

If you change your mind when it is 'sight seen', you can just return the package, no questions asked.

My ring is exactly as I expected...
Complete with the official papers on the diamond.

People actually notice my ring!

Learn about the three 'C's... Color, Cut, and Clarity.

I made sure the main diamond in my ring was very high in the color rating (highest is colorless)... You simply do not want a diamond with any yellow or color. Cut is important in how much it actually refracts light and 'sparkles' so that is next important.... And, believe it or not, if the flaws are small and not visible to the naked eye, clarity can be skimped on a bit. Unless you have thousands of dollars.... don't dream of affording a 'flawless' diamond.

Good Luck!

 

[DSNY4ever]

After searching through your previous posts to see if you may be my bf , I see that you're not .

That was too funny

- Anyway, to chime in, my husband bought my ring off of Bluenile.com and it is wonderful. Good quality and they have a very good reputation (after we were married for a while we saw a 20/20 or Dateline about ring quality vs. what the certificates say and Blue Nile ranked among the tops!).

Go with your gut on what you think she would like. It made me feel good to see my husband knew exactly my taste when he proposed. I have no idea how much it cost and I don't care... I am just happy to be married. But who knows if I would be saying that if it had been really ugly!

Here's mine from blue nile-

 

[ShootingStarMom2]

Long before we were engaged, DH took me to a few jewelers to look at what type of ring I might like. I gave him a few ideas and he ended up choosing the one that he thought I would like the best. He picked the one I really loved even if it meant saving a little extra to make it happen. I think she will be happy to have a ring, but happier that you're making the proposal in the first place. Would her friends have any insight? Say, if her best friend and her happened to stop at the mall to look at rings to get an idea for style? We always used to go and look!

We have a Jewelry Exchange by us, but we've never been there in person. I've looked at their online store for a few right hand ring ideas. I would agree to see the diamond in person, or at least get it from somewhere where you can return it without issues. Good luck!

 

[Mom2Nick]

IMO you need to go to a REPUTABLE stand alone jewelry store and see it up close and personal. This is a huge step and this ring is something your wife is going to cherish for a very long time. Please do not buy anything sight unseen online.

Best of luck.

 

[doxdogy]

Please don't laugh at this suggestion, but try a pawn shop too. We have one here in town that sells either used or new rings. We bought one there about six years ago and paid about $800 for it. When it was appraised, it came in at a value of about 2K. It is not an engagement ring, but just a diamond ring. It has four smaller princess cut diamonds in a invisible setting, with smaller stones on the sides. DH is in there quite a bit and the guy was shocked at the value of the ring.