I might do the online thing because the same fear i have about dealing with mechanics ( ripped off etc) I feel the same thing will happen at the jeweller. I checked out that bluenile.ca website and it looks legit.
First off, congrats man. It’s tough to find decent gals in this world so good for you. I got my chick this one: http://www.birks.com/index.asp?cFlag=products&n=1&SKU=3000482566&SecID=64&CatID=728&LangID=1 from a really great Jewish wholesaler for a cash cost of $7,000…it appraised at $22,000 but this was a year ago…today it would probably fetch $14,000 or so. So he did a really great job. Couple things… Get VS-1 [this is a pretty high rating and your chick will love it when her folks go to get it appraised…for insurance]. Karat: 1 to 1.2 [once you cross much over 1/1.2 karats they run you a fortune because you have to get a nearly perfect stone otherwise you see imperfections. Get princess cut. Get white 18k gold [unless your chick is a construction worker]. Hope this helps. You really, really don’t need to spend - IMHO - much over about $7,000 in this environment. If you’re made of money, and stupid, then go straight to Birks…they’ll fleece you out of about double that for the same ring. Congrats again. Willy
I say fvck surprising her on the ring design - get her actual input looking at an actual ring; she’ll have to wear it for the next 50+ years (God willing). That’s what I did - then I used the design to have a replica made by a family friend overseas - fraction of the cost for superior workmanship. Anyways, since it’s a few weeks’ coming, I bought a funkier one to actually use in the proposal, which was 3 days ago (and where I spent time on the surprise element, and which was successful, I might add).
I would consider a pillow, princess, or emerald cut for the stone. Round cuts are nice but they’re a little generic. Also, do something unique with the band, maybe even on the inside (not visible when wore). Also, I would suggest buying the ring out-of-state for tax purposes. My guy told me that he could sell me my ring tax-free if I had a an out-of-state address. And take a knee when you do it because ALL of her friends/families will ask her if you did.
L3 Buckaroo, Most chicks will give guys warning signals WELL in advance and that’s what mine did and I was perceptive enough to get it. Thats why last year at this time I was simply jack-hammering fvcking a hot, ample breasted 24 year old Greek goddess with two University degrees, where as now I’m marrying her. If the girl has a sister, good friend or even a mom you can talk to then you can get details of the exact ring she wants without having the discussion and then really floor her. You’ll get kudos from the mom/sister/friend for actually taking the time to investigate and major major kudos from your gal…who’ll say “yes of course I will” right away - a big burden off your back - and then probably blow you 2 minutes later to help you release the stress of what will prolly be your 2nd most stressful week - having a baby being the first. Trust me, you want to take this part of the courting process seriously. Weddings is all about the girl so let them have this whole process. Trust me, I did/will and I can tell you it’s already making my life so so easy. Had I know, I woulda got married years ago. Willy
KarenC Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Hahaha nope single, was just proposed to before… I’m not sure whether to find this to be an attractive quality or not.
It just means you gotta do it right to get to “yes,” JTLD
bchadwick Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > It just means you gotta do it right to get to > “yes,” JTLD +1
Anyhows, me & my gf have looked online, gone to the shops, found out her ring size and will get it all sorted out this year. She doesn’t care for a big do, which is great imo. Every wedding I go to puts me off having one just a little bit more. We are off to her sister’s this weekend. I can’t stand the formality of it all - and i’ve been to one on every continent bar the Antarctic. We are probably going to hop over to Greece and get it all done on an island. We might even invite our parents.
Doesn’t anyone see how corrosive diamond engagement rings are? It is contrary to gender equality. We are taught that men and women should be treated the same and that gender is a social construct. right? yet, men are still expected to give these engagement rings to women (who demand them) that cost 3 months salary. and this is pretty much only in the US…because of the de beers marketing campaign which told all little girls that true love=diamond ring. women should feel very guilty about their conditioned need for such a large ring. it creates contradictions…which should fracture their fragile psyches: that is, if they actually thought of it. but they don’t…and men don’t either. it becomes part of “tradition”…i.e. something that is blindly followed and beyond debate. it is correct because it was done in the past. I say rationalize!! challenge!! Women should pay their own way. I’m sick of having to pay for everything even though a might date a girl who makes almost as much as I do. I object to paying for everything even if I’m in businesss school and have no salary. yes, i’m bitter.
also, u can buy a “cultured” diamond that is man made in a lab for half the cost. it is a true diamond…although de beers has desperately tried to discredit it. it actually has fewer flaws than a natural diamond.
Carson Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > My advice is to let her choose the ring. Anything else will be a fatal mistake.
“Thats why last year at this time I was simply jack-hammering fvcking a hot, ample breasted 24 year old Greek goddess with two University degrees, where as now I’m marrying her.” Nice work, Will.
I put a lot of time into looking for an engagement ring and I encourage you to treat the purchase like any other big ticket purchase. Here’s a few pieces of advice: 1.) Shop around. I went to about 5 different jewelers and 2 wholesalers to find the diamond. I ultimately bought one in the diamond district in Chicago. For the same specs, I paid about 50% less than what I was being quoted elsewhere. 2.) Cut matters the most, size the second most. Anyone who tells you clarity matters probably can’t tell the difference between a VVS and an SI-1, even under a loupe. Color matters as long as you can’t tell to the naked eye (H or less works). My wife’s ring is slightly smaller than her friends’, but hers is the one that always gets noticed because it’s got so much sparkle to it (it’s ideal cut). 3.) No culet, no fluorescence. 4.) AGS/GIA certified only. 5.) Be prepared to spend some money on a setting. If you just get a solitaire, “classic Tiffany-style” setting, it puts all the emphasis on the diamond, so you’d better have a nice diamond. A $10,000 diamond in a $2,500 setting looks better than a $14,500 diamond in a $500 setting. Good luck.
Getting Out Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > How much am I expected to spend on an engagement > ring and is there any leeway given the tough > economic times? Zero is an option. You aren’t expected to do anything. We decided just not to do it, maybe we’ll buy rings later one day, but more nice-to-have consumption doesn’t seem like like a wise move right now.