Hmm, I think I'm going to need some help!

[Angrypenguin]

Hi all!

My dgf and I have been together for awhile, and while I'm not going to be purchasing anything quite yet, I'm starting to do research on engagement rings and diamonds.

Well, after doing some research, I've come to the realization that I'm a little over my head when it comes to diamonds . I've learned the C's, but I guess I wanted to get some opinions from ladies here on the DIS:

What do you consider to be more important factors when selecting a diamond? For instance, should I give up a little color to get more size, or give up size for a finer cut, etc.? I'd love to get her a ring she'll adore, since it *should* be the only engagement ring she'll ever get . How much is too much to spend, and how much is too little?
I'm a little overwhelmed by all the possibilities , and I'm afraid of making a poor choice .

Thanks in advance for any advice!

 

[laura forbes]

My Df bought me a fairly inexpensive ring (it was lovely though) so he had something to propose and because he didnt trust his own judgement so he thought it would allow me to choose my own ring when I got home.

I love the ring that my DF chose originally despite it not being a very good diamond bacause he chose it himself, so I am absolutly sure your DGF will love anything you pick.

Although if you are really not sure I think my DF's idea was good and very thoughtful.

As much as I do love my ring and I dont want to sound ungreatful, I will still wear my original ring but on my right hand, I would like a nice diamond (it will probably be my only chance to own one) so we are going to London next month to pick out another ring. I would like a nice diamond but apart from that I will just be picking something I like. I am not going to get hung up on prices, I just think if I like it then I like it. So I think if you see something that you like and you think your DGF will like go for it dont get to hung up on the specifics.

 

[malibuconlee]

Two suggestions: 1. check out her other jewelry. Does she wear gold, or silver/white gold? Mine is gold and I love it, but if I had to do it over again, I'd get platinum.

2. There are so many cuts out there, if you're not sure what cut, and you're friendly with her best friend, you could ask there. She'll know what she wants. She'll also know if your soon to be fiance would prefer a solitaire or multiple stones.

Or, you could just propose, without a ring and let her pick it out.

Congrats on taking such a big step!! DH and I got engaged 12 years ago this week. (I picked out my own ring, but he surprised me with the actual proposal)

 

[Swmhc]

I think it depends on you dgf. Is she a big jewelry person, does she have a specific style, etc... I am a big jewelry fan, and somewhat particular (okay, down right picky). I am also good friends with a jeweler. My DF totally took me by surprise when he proposed. I didn't think he was anywhere near that point. I mean we had talked about the future and that we would be moving to another state together,etc... but I thought he was anti-marriage. So when he asked me to be his wife, I was totally surprised ! He had no idea on diamonds (not even the 4 C's) and knew I could get a better deal than he could, so he didn't have a ring when he asked. Of course he immediately insisted that I call my friend and schedule an appointment to look at rings. After looking at thousands of rings on-line and in stores, I got some ideas and we had mine custom designed. I went with a smaller though perfect stone as I wanted the colorless. I also chose a heart-shaped center stone as they are less common (though I was torn between that and marquis). Some think size is more important, some shape, some color, etc... I suggest if you don't know, plan a romantic proposal and instead of having the ring, let her pick. If she is going to wear it for the rest of her life, you want it to be one she truely loves !

 

[Angrypenguin]

Thanks for the advice guys! From my "fishing-for-information-while-still-trying to-be-subtle" conversations with her, I know she loves the princess cut and doesn't like yellow gold. So I'm thinking either white gold or platinum (probably the latter).

Now for the hard part....the diamond!

 

[Kashmir104]

Hi Angrypenguin!

DF picked out my ring all by himself and I'm so glad he did!!! I absolutely love it, so I'm sure that your DGF will love anything you pick out for her! Originally he was going to give me the diamond in a generic setting and then let me pick out the one I wanted, but it means more to me that he picked everything out himself!

He did some research and went to some good jewelry stores to ask for advice. I have only recently become into jewelry (mainly because his mother buys me a lot of jewelry as gifts) and tend to wear the same pieces every day, so he had to go with something stylish, but classy. I mainly wear white gold, so he went with platinum (so I wouldn't have to worry about the color of the band/setting changing. Plus my grandma had problems with her diamond falling out of its setting a few times with gold, so he wanted to avoid that at all costs!).

If you are looking at white gold/platinum, the color should be the most important (if it is too yellow and not "colorless" it will look really yellow up against the "white" of the platinum/white gold). A friend of mine wanted yellow gold, so her DF was able to get a diamond that was not colorless because no matter what it will reflect the yellow in the gold.

As long as you can't see any grit with the naked eye, I don't think clarity is THAT important, especially if you are getting colorless. Just look for a VS1 or VS2 or better diamond and you should be just fine.

As for the carat... mine is 1.4 ct (with the band the ring becomes 2 tcw). You'll probably want to consider her style, the size of her finger, the size of your setting, and your budget. I always wanted a larger diamond... one that I would never have to upgrade because I'm kind of sappy and sentimental like that. The thought of wearing the same diamond my whole life that DF used to propose is very romantic to me, so he knew that he had to go big once.

If you need suggestions for setting styles, my ring was designed by Jeff Cooper. I love his work, and there are also matching wedding bands for each setting- http://jeffcooperdesigns.com/

You can see my ring on page 22 post #317 and a close up of the setting on page 23 post #332 on the board http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=789825&page=23

Good luck and happy hunting!!!!!

 

[aprincess72]

I would always advise that you never get in over your head on an engagement ring. Every single person I know that got crazy on the ring didn't make it! Going into debt is not a good way to start out your new life!

For me the most important aspect of the ring was sentimental value. I knew we were getting engaged I just didn't know when so it was nice to still have an element of surprise. My grandmother and my great grandmother had both left me rings so I wanted to do something with those. We took my great grandmother's 20th anniversary ring mount, his grandmother's diamond, and a new more contemporary band and had my dream ring made. For our wedding rings, my ring has a band that matches my engagement ring band along with my great grandmother's original engagement ring setting and diamond. I added two diamonds from my grandmother's rings as well. DF's ring is my grandfather's original wedding band mixed with a gold setting his grandmother left him. I LOVE that our rings are mixes of things passed down through our families. I can't think of anything that would mean more to me.

So if sentimental is appealing to you I would ask her family and yours if there are any pieces to contribute and have something made. We found a very talented jewler who helped us with the design and our rings were very reasonable! MUCH less than the so called two months salary rule!

 

[Angrypenguin]

Thanks everyone for the comments!

Kashmir: Your ring looks great! And thanks for the advice regarding stone color and ring color; that's just the type of thing I'm looking for