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RebelGirl

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Aug 18, 2009
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I am new here so I hope this is the right place to post this. My boyfriend and I are beginning to search for my engagement ring this week. The only problem is we don''t really know where to start. From what I have been reading on here, buying something at a local retail store would pretty much be a waste of money. I think buying online sounds like our best option for a nice diamond, but I can''t seem to find a setting I like at sites like bluenile or whiteflash. I don''t feel like I am looking for anything particularly complicated. I really just want a round or oval diamond in a delicate halo setting. Are these hard to find? I''m starting to wonder if I will have to have one custom made. Can someone maybe point me in the right direction? I am feeling so lost, and I readily admit I know very little about these things. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.
 
Welcome, RebelGirl!! It would be helpful to know your budget (for stone and for setting), your timeline, and your color and clarity and carat requirements for your ring. People here love to help -- you''ve come to the right place.
 
Thanks for the replies and links. I knew this would be a good place to find help. :) Sarah, I''ll try to answer your questions as best I can. I haven''t really been given a budget. My boyfriend says he will get me any ring I want. He just wants me to be happy with what I choose. While I do appreciate him saying that, I feel some sort of budget should be set so I am saying roughly around $10,000 at this time. We don''t have a specific timeline really. We''re just taking our time to look, and when I find the perfect one, he''ll purchase it. For the color of the stone, I was thinking maybe F or G. I think I could get away with VS1 clarity since I only want probably a 1 carat diamond. I might go bigger, but I wear a size 4 ring so I don''t want to overwhelm my finger. Does this all sound reasonable? I am willing to adjust my requirements if it will make things easier. Do you guys think I can find a nice ring with this budget or will it be impossible? I am trying to be as realistic as I can. Thanks again for the input.
 
With your budget, it is very achievable. Although personally, VS1 is overkill for clarity. It is defined as very difficult to see under a 10x loupe.
 
Have you been to any shops to look at rings in person? That would probably help you get a sense of what you like, what size looks good on your hand, what colors you prefer, whether you have sharp eyes to spot inclusions, etc.

Make sure you look at some at well cut diamonds, preferably Excellent and Ideal cuts with AGS or GIA reports. That way you''ll know the color and clarity and cut really are what the shop claims. Look at them in as many different lighting situations as you can--in a window by daylight, under the desk in the dim light, etc. Get away from the tricky jewelry-store lighting if you can, because it makes everything look dazzling and you won''t see what the diamonds will really look like in daily life.

Maybe go try on rings at Tiffany''s. Their stones are well cut and correctly labeled, though pricy.

You don''t have to buy at the brick-and-mortar shops (unless you find something you love for a decent price, of course). But it will help you narrow down your preferences.
 
Date: 8/18/2009 8:52:45 PM
Author: RebelGirl
Thanks for the replies and links. I knew this would be a good place to find help. :) Sarah, I'll try to answer your questions as best I can. I haven't really been given a budget. My boyfriend says he will get me any ring I want. He just wants me to be happy with what I choose. While I do appreciate him saying that, I feel some sort of budget should be set so I am saying roughly around $10,000 at this time. We don't have a specific timeline really. We're just taking our time to look, and when I find the perfect one, he'll purchase it. For the color of the stone, I was thinking maybe F or G. I think I could get away with VS1 clarity since I only want probably a 1 carat diamond. I might go bigger, but I wear a size 4 ring so I don't want to overwhelm my finger. Does this all sound reasonable? I am willing to adjust my requirements if it will make things easier. Do you guys think I can find a nice ring with this budget or will it be impossible? I am trying to be as realistic as I can. Thanks again for the input.
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Thanks for the answers to my questions, RebelGirl. I don't think you'll have any trouble finding a lovely stone and setting within your budget.

Do you live in a place where there are higher end jewelry stores -- e.g., Tiffany's? If so, pay them a visit and try some things on to get an idea of your personal preferences for carat size and setting style and diamond color and clarity.

It may be hard to find a well-cut oval in the typical mall jewelry stores, that's why I'm suggesting you visit some higher-end stores if possible.

ETA: LOL, I see that I suggested some of the same things that Glitterata just did! Sorry for the duplication.
 
We have not gone to any of the jewelry stores yet. Our first time to look will actually be this weekend, and I will make sure we stop by one of the high end places. Right now, I''m not really going in with the intention of buying anything. I mainly want to look at the different options to see if I can narrow down my preferences a bit. I may end up being totally surprised by what I like on my hand.
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It does frustrate me to know that most of the jewelry stores markup their prices for fairly low quality diamonds. I never knew that before so I''m glad I came here to get some help.
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Would it ultimately be best for me to go with an online vendor? I''m not looking for the world''s best ring. All I want is something beautiful that will be decent quality for the money invested. I have one other quick question regarding the metal I should choose. I usually buy white gold, but I rarely hear of a white gold engagement ring. Is there some reason most people don''t go for this metal? Sorry for all the questions. I just want to make a wise decision, and I am a little hesitant to blindly believe everything sales people tell me.
 
Make sure you find a well cut oval, that will give it beauty and as for colour and clarity that comes down to preference, you could go lower than VS1 clarity if you preferred and still have a clean diamond but if you prefer VS1 then stick to that! With ovals also they can show a bit more colour so I would advise looking at GIA graded D to H initially.

Platinum appears to be the most popular metal and it doesn't need maintenance like white gold but you can certainly get WF for your setting if you prefer, sometimes WG needs replating but not in every case, I have some WG pieces I have worn for years which have never needed this.
 
At the moment platinum prices are relatively low and gold is very high, so platinum is (relatively) a good buy. It also happens to be my favorite white metal; I would get platinum, no question. But they both have advantages and disadvantages, so you should decide what YOU prefer.

Platinum is heavier than white gold. It''s more malleable, so it bends rather than breaking, which some people say makes it hold your diamond more safely. It''s naturally white, so it doesn''t need to be rhodium plated (and replated). When it gets scratched, it deforms rather than rubbing away, so it can be repolished over and over without loss of metal, and platinum rings don''t wear away to a ghost over many decades the way white gold ones may.

On the other hand, platinum scratches easily and develops a matte patina that some people don''t like (though others, including me, love it). Details like engraving may blur over the decades.

White gold is essentially yellow gold with some other metals added to make it white. Usually those other metals include nickel, which many people are allergic to or can develop an allergy to from wearing it for years. And usually it has a slight yellow tinge, so it''s usually plated with rhodium to make it look white. The rhodium wears away faster or more slowly depending on your skin chemistry, so it may need replating every year or two. (And I dislike the look of rhodium.) On the other hand, it doesn''t get as scratched-looking or develop the matte patina.

There are lots of white gold vs. platinum threads on this board--do a search and you''ll find them.
 
Date: 8/19/2009 10:18:45 AM
Author: RebelGirl
We have not gone to any of the jewelry stores yet. Our first time to look will actually be this weekend, and I will make sure we stop by one of the high end places. Right now, I'm not really going in with the intention of buying anything. I mainly want to look at the different options to see if I can narrow down my preferences a bit. I may end up being totally surprised by what I like on my hand.
2.gif



It does frustrate me to know that most of the jewelry stores markup their prices for fairly low quality diamonds. I never knew that before so I'm glad I came here to get some help.
9.gif
Would it ultimately be best for me to go with an online vendor? I'm not looking for the world's best ring. All I want is something beautiful that will be decent quality for the money invested. I have one other quick question regarding the metal I should choose. I usually buy white gold, but I rarely hear of a white gold engagement ring. Is there some reason most people don't go for this metal? Sorry for all the questions. I just want to make a wise decision, and I am a little hesitant to blindly believe everything sales people tell me.
Click to expand...

I think going into different stores just to look and try things on without the pressure to buy something is a great idea.

You are right, you may be surprised at what looks good on your hand -- and the more you can try on the better idea you will have about what you want in a ring.

When you have narrowed down your preferences for cut, color, clarity, and setting style, come back and let us know!

You will want to look at some online options so you can compare what you saw in the stores to what is available online.

Typically you can find what you want online for less money than what you see in a store, but some people prefer to buy locally, from a store, and that's okay, too. Just make sure you do your research beforehand, so you know that you're getting the best value for your money.

You are right to be wary of the sales staff in many jewelry stores. Salespeople will tell you all sorts of things -- so if you hear anything that you are unsure about, please feel free to bring it to this forum for feedback!

Oh! I almost forgot the most important part -- have fun shopping and trying on rings
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