Tips for buying an engagement ring

[yeahbuddy289]

Looking for some advice for buying an engagement ring other than "dont do it!" lol. I know what type of ring she wants but other than that I dont know sh*t. How do I know what jewelers are good? And how do I know im getting a good diamond or quality ring? I was thinking about asking her mother to go with me to look... I think she would appreciate me involving her in the process plus it might be nice having her help.

[Trapology]

Damn...I had my "dont do it" all ready to go

Does your girl come from money? If not any diamond will be fine, its hard for someone who doesnt know to tell the difference in quality. Obviously a real diamond doesnt shine in the light so youre not gonna get by with a fake one if she knows about that

You can also go with the mom option, she probably would appreciate it, you can figure they probably had some girl convo about rings so she might guide you in the right direction

[Hoggage_54]

Buy a cheap cubic zirconia ring and tell her it's real diamond and cost you $20k. She wont know the difference.

Also, post pics of her mother.

[yeahbuddy289]

lmao. She doesnt come from a rich family but she's got expensive taste. I know what she wants for a ring.... I just dont know how you go about finding a good jeweler or anything like that.

[Trapology]

lmao. She doesnt come from a rich family but she's got expensive taste. I know what she wants for a ring.... I just dont know how you go about finding a good jeweler or anything like that.

Find a local mom and pop shop thats a good rout

Or if you know what she wants do some research on the price of the diamond the mount and the setting then go into a normal place like this and say I need you to do this for this amount and they will negotiate with you

[almostgone]

Take.your time and shop around. As mentioned above, sometimes it is better to pick out the stone @ a local jeweler w/ a good reputation and then have it put into a setting. Read up on the grading of diamonds, etc. before you start looking so you will know which questions to ask.

[73rr]

Brilliantearth.com well tell u everything u need to now about the grades and everything. After that shop around for best price! Congratulations it's a pain in the a**!

Side note that company also has really nice diamonds but if your looking for a steal. Your not finding it there

[ppwc1985]

Take your time, don't buy into the bullshit about spending 2-3 times your monthly income because the ppl who sell the jewelry came up with that crap. Get at least 3/4 to a caret. Or more if you have the money. I gave my Haw a ring of my mothers and it wasn't even a diamond but had a lot of sentimental value to my family and she loved it. But than she is a diamond. Just take your time. And yes taking her mom would be a great idea if you all have that kind of relationship. Good luck, being married is a blessing provided you pick the right one.

[Hazard]

If you buy the engagement ring you'll hafta buy a wedding ring. Then the only ring you receive is suffering

[TheTaxMan]

The bigger the diamond and most expensive the better (in a womans opinion)

My opinion they should be thankful for whatever they get

[lovbyts]

lmao. She doesnt come from a rich family but she's got expensive taste. I know what she wants for a ring.... I just dont know how you go about finding a good jeweler or anything like that.

Thats called a BIG red flag, mark my words.

Ok with the ring. She will probably get it checked so what you do is guy a Nice Big diamond ring and a matching cubic zirconiaand AFTER she has had it checked you switch them and take it back.

[TheTaxMan]

Thats called a BIG red flag, mark my words.

Ok with the ring. She will probably get it checked so what you do is guy a Nice Big diamond ring and a matching cubic zirconiaand AFTER she has had it checked you switch them and take it back.

And keep the cash for your next wife

[lovbyts]

And keep the cash for your next wife

Hopefully AFTER the 1st one (divorced) he will have learned his lesson, not like some of us.
Ive always said it's cheaper to be a widower than to get a divorce.

[Ernst]

Learn all you can online before shopping. It'll help keep you from being taken advantage of.

To get an idea of loose diamond pricing check out BlueNile Diamonds - Quality Loose Diamonds Online | Blue Nile

The diamond/jeweler industry as a whole would have you believe you need this flawless stone. Unless you have a super magnifier and a depth of experience most of us would not be able to tell much of a difference between few grades one way or the other.

Take it from someone who is having the platinum engagement ring custom made as we speak. I expect it'll appraise ~$14k, and I am not a rich man.

Biggest piece of advice: If buying a stone, accept no substitute for GIA certification.

If you have any specific questions you can PM me, I might be able to help answer some things. I did a LOT of research into this.

[bsh]

Just go to Tiffany & Co.

[lovbyts]

Just go to Tiffany & Co.

Hahahaha then you pay 3x the price just for the pretty blue box.

[thomas8883]

Don't do it, it a TRAP!!!

[bloodchoke]

Buy a Tiffany's box off of ebay and buy a ring at the pawn shop. Be sure to check the inside of the ring for inscriptions.

"Who's Barbara?"

[lovbyts]

Buy a Tiffany's box off of ebay and buy a ring at the pawn shop. Be sure to check the inside of the ring for inscriptions.

"Who's Barbara?"

^^^^ Hahaha

[Hoggage_54]

Ok with the ring. She will probably get it checked so what you do is guy a Nice Big diamond ring and a matching cubic zirconiaand AFTER she has had it checked you switch them and take it back.

You are the master, I will remember this tip.

[yeahbuddy289]

Thanks for all the tips guys... im probably making this harder than it has to be... but probably because I care about this girl and I only plan on doing this once lol. So I want it to be right.

[gearbox]

lmao. She doesnt come from a rich family but she's got expensive taste. I know what she wants for a ring.... I just dont know how you go about finding a good jeweler or anything like that.

I agree this is a huge red flag. I happen to love being married and believe in marriage and everything else. However, I do see different perks to staying single.
Back to the expensive taste. There is actually no such thing. It's buy what you can afford within reason and treat it with care. Does it matter if you have a Lexus or a kia. Should I treat the kia like trash cause its less expensive? If she has expensive taste she should- go get a job and buy herself all kinds of expensive things. Story- buddy of mine got married recently and his wife is the same way. I am a Mercedes girl is what she said. She was driving her mother's 13 year old Mercedes that was passed down to her. She crashed it about 6 months into marriage and was excited to get 7k back from insurance for the total of the car. She told my buddy let's go shopping. She is a Mercedes girl so that's what she wants. She then realizes how expensive a new one is and decides its best to use all her/his savings on her new car down payment. Meanwhile my buddy Mr. Nice guy says I guess we will start saving for a house once again. Moral of the story. You make 50k and she makes 30k. You do not own a 45k car!

[gearbox]

Oh hey I'm a Lamborghini aventador kinda guy- so I guess I should get a 2nd mortgage and attempt to buy one
P.s. I have expensive taste so its okay :/

[somewhatjacked]

Buy a Tiffany's box off of ebay and buy a ring at the pawn shop. Be sure to check the inside of the ring for inscriptions.

"Who's Barbara?"

Lmaoooo I did something similar but the other way.

[somewhatjacked]

Oh hey I'm a Lamborghini aventador kinda guy- so I guess I should get a 2nd mortgage and attempt to buy one
P.s. I have expensive taste so its okay :/

Depends on priorities and how much happiness it gives to the person.

No right or wrong imo

[73rr]

Thanks for all the tips guys... im probably making this harder than it has to be... but probably because I care about this girl and I only plan on doing this once lol. So I want it to be right.

Don't worry buddy! Have fun with it. Don't stress about the ring. If it's shinny and u think it's nice. Most likely she will to!

Or she could always return it for a different one. That would be pritty cold. I have seen it before though

[yeahbuddy289]

She makes more than I do... and when she becomes an NP she'll be killing me income wise so she's not using me for money at all lol. She just likes/wants certain things but other than that she's very smart about not living above our/her means.

Yeah I am probably over thinking it... but like I said Im really hoping this will be the one and only time I do this so I want it to be perfect. I dont think she would ever return any ring I got her... even if it wasnt even close to what she wanted... that would be terrible lol and I would probably walk away from it right then and there.

[Trapology]

Oh last thing man
you might wanna consider getting a fake mount for the diamond, if she doesnt come from money theres no way she can tell that, more money for the diamond

[lovbyts]

Oh last thing man
you might wanna consider getting a fake mount for the diamond, if she doesnt come from money theres no way she can tell that, more money for the diamond

Except if her finger turns green from it not being gold. Just get LOW grade, 10K gold or silver and claim it's platinum.

[Trapology]

Except if her finger turns green from it not being gold. Just get LOW grade, 10K gold or silver and claim it's platinum.

I didnt mean that fake lol
Just dont crash out getting something A1

[gearbox]

She makes more than I do... and when she becomes an NP she'll be killing me income wise so she's not using me for money at all lol. She just likes/wants certain things but other than that she's very smart about not living above our/her means.

Yeah I am probably over thinking it... but like I said Im really hoping this will be the one and only time I do this so I want it to be perfect. I dont think she would ever return any ring I got her... even if it wasnt even close to what she wanted... that would be terrible lol and I would probably walk away from it right then and there.

she makes good money then its all good. I would get something you can totally afford. After all, you can always upgrade after a few years as a surprise and she will love that even more I bet.

[lovbyts]

She makes more than I do... and when she becomes an NP she'll be killing me income wise so she's not using me for money at all lol. She just likes/wants certain things but other than that she's very smart about not living above our/her means.

Yeah I am probably over thinking it... but like I said Im really hoping this will be the one and only time I do this so I want it to be perfect. I dont think she would ever return any ring I got her... even if it wasnt even close to what she wanted... that would be terrible lol and I would probably walk away from it right then and there.

Good to hear. You know the old rule how to tell if a girl likes you and comes? When you open a car door for her and when she gets in she reaches over and unlocks you door or something similar. Same goes for a wedding ring. No reason you should settle for a gold band even if you are ok with it.

[thisAngelBites]

You can get all caught up in the stats, but in the end, I think a pretty ring is more likely to be a hit than a tiny, perfectly white and internally flawless stone. But check with her - if she thinks it must be "perfect" and will otherwise always be unhappy if it isn't, then you have to go with that.

When we looked at diamonds (and I did study some mineralogy during one of my stints in uni, so I am reasonably knowledgeable) I was struck by how whiteness mattered in how pretty the stone looked, and the clarity mattered less until you got pretty large inclusions in the stone.

You will pay at least twice what you could sell the ring for. I'd look for someone recommended amongst friends or acquaintances - someone with a good reputation and not a lot of overhead can always do a better price than someone who is paying sales people to stand around looking professional, and rent and stuff. There are people who deal in stones who have been around a long time and just come to you and show you their stuff and they have far lower margins than shops, so you will get more for your money, but you have to find someone reputable. Mall shops tend to buy junkier stuff and you pay more.

Think about if you have a friend whose family is quite financially comfortable and whose mother has a nice ring - those older people are often the people who know where to go to get good stuff at good prices.

[GirlyGymRat]

Thats called a BIG red flag, mark my words. Ok with the ring. She will probably get it checked so what you do is guy a Nice Big diamond ring and a matching cubic zirconiaand AFTER she has had it checked you switch them and take it back.

Stopppppppp. I don't come from $ but I like nice things! Not all have to be $$$$$. Some nice things are free. :P

[GirlyGymRat]

Just go to Tiffany & Co.

Nooooooo. Over priced for the stamp of tiff. Noooooo

[lovbyts]

Stopppppppp. I don't come from $ but I like nice things! Not all have to be $$$$$. Some nice things are free. :P

Yeah but there aren't many like you anymore. Most don't want to work for it or still appreciate it when it's a good deal or free. Most care more about it being nice, big and expensive.

[Moonjumper]

She makes more than I do... and when she becomes an NP she'll be killing me income wise so she's not using me for money at all lol. She just likes/wants certain things but other than that she's very smart about not living above our/her means.

Yeah I am probably over thinking it... but like I said Im really hoping this will be the one and only time I do this so I want it to be perfect. I dont think she would ever return any ring I got her... even if it wasnt even close to what she wanted... that would be terrible lol and I would probably walk away from it right then and there.

We always over think this process. Best advice I can offer is to avoid chain stores. Price is way overinflated at them usually. I bought my last one at a local shop. For the quality of what it is, I saved about a grand or more by getting it from them. Half carat princess cut mounted on white gold for 1k out the door. Solid quality stone and setting.

[lovbyts]

Most smaller quality stores also have a display area for consignment rings. That is always an idea. What I have also done in the past is have a ring made and either buy a loose stone through a shop or??? I use to know someone. There are some very cool designs online also where you can buy the ring with no stone and then have one put in.

[GirlyGymRat]

Most smaller quality stores also have a display area for consignment rings. That is always an idea. What I have also done in the past is have a ring made and either buy a loose stone through a shop or??? I use to know someone. There are some very cool designs online also where you can buy the ring with no stone and then have one put in.

I've shopped consignment b4 but not for diamonds. There was a ma and pa jewelry store that had "estate sale pieces" and I found beautiful Pearl earrings. You have to be decisive. I walked out without a special one of a kind piece. Went back the next day and it was gone. Forever.

Not sure if anyone else mentioned diamond wholesalers. Or diamond brokers. I would avoid the big chain jewelry stores at the mall. There markups are incredible! Crazy and don't fall for the trade up policy. They are just ripping you off a second time. Lol

[GirlyGymRat]

You can get all caught up in the stats, but in the end, I think a pretty ring is more likely to be a hit than a tiny, perfectly white and internally flawless stone. But check with her - if she thinks it must be "perfect" and will otherwise always be unhappy if it isn't, then you have to go with that. When we looked at diamonds (and I did study some mineralogy during one of my stints in uni, so I am reasonably knowledgeable) I was struck by how whiteness mattered in how pretty the stone looked, and the clarity mattered less until you got pretty large inclusions in the stone. You will pay at least twice what you could sell the ring for. I'd look for someone recommended amongst friends or acquaintances - someone with a good reputation and not a lot of overhead can always do a better price than someone who is paying sales people to stand around looking professional, and rent and stuff. There are people who deal in stones who have been around a long time and just come to you and show you their stuff and they have far lower margins than shops, so you will get more for your money, but you have to find someone reputable. Mall shops tend to buy junkier stuff and you pay more. Think about if you have a friend whose family is quite financially comfortable and whose mother has a nice ring - those older people are often the people who know where to go to get good stuff at good prices.

^^^ what she says. Esp about color and clarity. I have a gf who spent big $$$$$ on white stone after the insurance claim on the stolen ring. It's a gorgeous diamond. No one says hey can I see your diamond closeup. Let me inspect it. Lol. Every diamond has imperfections including the hope diamond.