Purchasing a engagment ring. Diamond Advice.PLz

[daystar91]

My son is proposing to his long time girlfriend and he need advice about purchasing a diamond engagement ring. He has found a couple of rings he likes. If you had a choice of purchasing diamond which one would you choose and why, a small diamond clear no tint or would you purchase a diamond with very little tint(that you can't see except under a light) but a bigger diamond? I know nothing about the two and he needs advice so if any of you ladies have some advice I would appreciate it, thank you..

 

[sksjasams]

Do you have more details?
Is the tint visible only under special jewelers light, or is it visible under any light?

I would prefer the smaller, clear diamond. I have a 1/3 carat myself, but it is very sparkly Its not perfect but it does not have a tint.

Have your son and his girlfriend discussed getting married? Have they window shopped for rings? She may have given clues as to which she would prefer as far as shape, style, size, etc. I'm not much for being surprised, especailly with something I will wear everyday for the rest of my life. But that's just me.

Congrats to your son on this big milestone!

 

[pryncess527]

I prefer quality of stone over size -- but I worked in jewelry for years and have met many women who value size more. In fact, based on my anecdotal experience, it seems most women prefer large over clear/flawless when they can't have both. He needs to think about his fiance and try to figure out what she'd value most highly.

Congrats to him on taking this exciting step!

 

[daystar91]

The tint is only visible under a jewelers light. The one ring is .5 karat colorless or the other one is .75 karat near colorless. They have been ring shopping for 6 months and he has an idea of what she likes. It's a Verragio ring.

 

[BellsFam]

Think CCCC, the four Cs.

Clarity, Cut, Color and Quality!

The better, higher grades based on diamond standards.

I would go for the smaller diamond better quality.

Shop around don't go to one store and think that's it...

Make sure the girl has some thoughts on this, have your son see what she likes based on the jewelry she already wears... Or ask her friends or family.

CONGRATS!!!

 

[Vernie822]

My center stone is .5 carats. It has a halo around it and there are diamonds on the band, so the total weight is 1.23 carats. We tried rings on at the jeweler and I picked out a few different ones that I liked, but ultimately he chose the ring. I personally preferred the look of the ring I have compared to the ring with a larger stone, but I have small hands. I would choose smaller with more sparkle and clarity, but that is just my personal preference.

 

[kymom99]

When I got engaged, my husband chose a 1/2 carat solitaire with fabulous clarity. At that time, there were numerous other ladies who talked only about the size of their diamonds, but I much preferred the superior quality of mine. Over the years, people have complimented me on my ring. I don't even clean it regularly and people are amazed at how it sparkles.

 

[LJSquishy]

My husband gave me a choice similar to that. I could either choose a smaller, nicer diamond or a larger, less perfect diamond.

I chose the smaller stone. It's very, very sparkly, bright, and clear. It was the right decision for me. Mine is D color (maybe E but pretty sure it's D) VVS2. I think it's .75 carat but I honestly can't remember. My other choice was 1 carat I think but the stone was not as perfect.

 

[Goofy'slady]

Bigger is not always better.

I'd much rather have a flawless small diamond that sparkles than a big 'ol diamond that wasn't worth the money.

 

[Alesia]

Call me old-fashioned, but I think a lady should pick out her own ring. After all, she's the one who will be wearing it for the rest of her life.

 

[verleniahall]

agree with the PP ^^

I would rather have the little stone that is perfect than the imperect large one

 

[AquaDame]

Personally I would go smaller with higher quality, but then I do not like flashy large jewelry - its going to depend on what he thinks she would prefer.

Since you didn't specifically say he would not entertain other ideas, I always like doing a shout out moissanite as an alternative to diamonds. I went that route because I didn't care to have him spend so much money (and morally I had issues with the industry) but I have had a grand total of 0 people in the last four years look at my ring and think it is anything but a very high end diamond. The two actual diamonds (from his grandmothers' ring) that sit next to it pale in comparison and the cost gave him more leeway to go to a jeweler and design the ring to exactly what we liked and wanted. I would not trade it for anything in the world, and it was about 1/3 the price of something similar if we had insisted on a diamond solitaire which was important to us since we still had a wedding to pay for and wanted to buy a house!

 

[daystar91]

Thank you everyone. He has decided to just ask her what she preferred. He wanted to have her give him some ideas and make it some what a surprise but maybe it's best she pick it out since she will be the one wearing it as some of you have said. Thank you all again.

 

[Goofy'slady]

Thank you everyone. He has decided to just ask her what she preferred. He wanted to have her give him some ideas and make it some what a surprise but maybe it's best she pick it out since she will be the one wearing it as some of you have said. Thank you all again.

I think he made the right choice. While buying the engagement ring can be a pressure cooker experience for some guys a lot of couples at least do some browsing for rings that way the guy has more of a clear idea what his future bride wants, likes and what is most important to her. I know for me when I got married (2002) diamond rings were so boring that I often referred to them as big 'ol hunks of glass and told my then husband not to waist his money in buying me one. I preferred a gemstone and we picked it out together. Since it was bought at Macy's we even had a coupon hahahaha. He paid a hefty 200+ on the ring I wore during the duration of our 10yr marriage. I'm sure looking back on it he's glad that's all he spent since we're no longer together.

However, if I had the chance to do it all again (I hope you're reading this Liam Neeson) I would choose a diamond because over the years designers have done some pretty amazing things with settings and things. I have completely fallen in love with Halo style engagement rings.

 

[Jarmo]

Call me old-fashioned, but I think a lady should pick out her own ring. After all, she's the one who will be wearing it for the rest of her life.

I agree with this, mostly because my wife picked a $500 sapphire ring instead of a diamond.

 

[Alesia]

I agree with this, mostly because my wife picked a $500 sapphire ring instead of a diamond.

I picked a sapphire ring as well. It suits me much better than a diamond would have.

 

[JanaDee]

The tint is only visible under a jewelers light. The one ring is .5 karat colorless or the other one is .75 karat near colorless. They have been ring shopping for 6 months and he has an idea of what she likes. It's a Verragio ring.

Get the larger one.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I picked a sapphire ring as well. It suits me much better than a diamond would have.

I agree, why a diamond? Mine is an emerald!

 

[stsomewhere]

I have a large tanzanite surrounded by diamonds. I love it.

 

[Madteaparty001]

If she likes the look of diamond but isn't completely attached to the idea then mention Moissanite. It's more reflective, shows a better range of colors and is a fraction of the cost.