shape
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E-Ring Pictures

1Cor13

Rough_Rock
Joined
Sep 16, 2011
Messages
2
So let me start out by saying thank you. I have lurked on PriceScope for the past few months in the midst of my engagement ring search and reading through so many threads has proven to be infinitely helpful. I have been consistently blown away by the knowledge that so many of you helpfully share here on the forums. I owe you all a lot...since I knew absolutely nothing about diamonds going into the search. So now that is out of the way...on to the good stuff.

My proposal date is still a few weeks away (she know's it's coming soon) and I am so anxious (I know a lot of you guys probably know how I feel). I was nervous going in to the search since I am young and while I do have a steady job, I definitely am on a shoestring budget and I didn't think I was going to find something that just screamed my (and the gf's name) on my budget. And now because I am shriveling in anticipation...I am hoping to curb the temptation to pop the question early by sharing my excitement with all of you (plus I know how you all love pictures)

I started out by going into some chain jewelers...what a mistake. Every single store put an exhorbant amount of pressure on me to hand over my credit card at the first ring I thought looked OK. Sales people were rude (I don't know if we can name names...but if not I can delete this...but special shout out to Michael Hill Jewelers for your extraordinary pressure and endless phone calls despite my requests to stop). I soon decided that chain stores, while convenient, may not be the best route to go. On top of that, I wanted a ring that was going to be special and that my girlfriend wouldn't find just anywhere on anyone.

So after that I decided to go shopping with the girlfriend to get an idea of her tastes. I kind of guessed she was going to like the "antique" style of ring, which proved to be true. She didn't like super blingy, definitely didn't like modern, and didn't want a plain solitaire. She also didn't want anything huge on her finger (she is pretty modest on jewelery in general and is a kindergarten teacher). That being said, she definitely likes a little bit of sparkle (every girl does). And we had previously decided that it was just a trip to learn about her style...she didn't want to see or pick out the ring.

After a few shopping trips together I found Pricescope and it helped to give me a lot more confidence and clarity (no pun intended) when reasearching and deciding on my purchase. I had toyed with the idea of buying online, but I don't really buy anything online and for personal comfort I wanted to buy somewhere local where I knew if anything happened I would have easy access to a local store. I really did enjoy alot of settings at Whiteflash, and specifically Pearlmans Jewelers was very responsive to my e-mails and questions regarding a Beverley K setting I had expressed interest in.

We checked out a few local jewlers and all were very helpful, but when I set eyes on a setting at a local jewler I knew that it was going to be a perfect fit. It took me a month to actually pull the trigger (I brought in some extra set's of eyes to help in my decision). The setting screamed her name and while I know the advice is to shop diamond first, this setting blew me away. It was made by a company from California (Jyes International) that I have never seen referenced here in the forums (I don't know if that is good or bad...but to my untrained eyes the quality is great...)

Next step was the diamond. My local jeweler brought in three round diamonds all around three quarters of a carat. Two had GIA Certs while one Had an EGL. I was nervous of the EGL after doing my homework here on Pricescope, but while certifications are important ultimately it is my eye for what is and isn't pretty is what makes the decision. I ended up getting a .68 Round Diamond. Here are the Specs for you spec junkies...but for me this isn't very important. I just wanted something that looked beautiful to my eye:

.68 Round Diamond
.25 Carats of Diamonds in the band
D Color
SI2
Inclusions are White.
Excellent cut and jeweler pointed out Hearts and Arrows
Scores .9 on the HCA

I know EGL grades more genrously than GIA...but in comparing three diamonds this one stood out as the whitest and most sparkly. It may not have been the one with the least inclusions, but to be quite honest the inclusions weren't obvious to my naked eye. I looked at it under the loupe and the certificate and I am sure to some of the veteran pricescopers it may not be the cleanest, but on a budget of $4,000 I knew that I was going have to give some slack somewhere and my eye was MUCH more sensitive to color than it was clarity. And I know the regret that I would have in spending more money to get a ring that looked esentially more yellow and less beautifuI would be a decision that I would regret. I would be lying if I said I wasn't nervous about an EGL SI2...but once I saw it in the setting I knew I had made the right decision. My photography skills can't do this ring justice...to me it is just so sparkly and clean and white and I absolutely am confident that my girlfriend is going to love it.

My advice to first-time buyers would to absolutely use certifications as a guide rather than a bible. I was scared about the SI2 and even more scared about the EGL, but ultimately I was happy that I chose a diamond that was right in my budget and that was the best looking stone to my eye. I don't think I did this completely by the Pricescope way...(spending about 35% on a setting...choosing the setting first...going with EGL, etc). I may have been able to save money by getting it set online, but I don't mind paying for peace of mind. So without further ado...thank you and here are some pictures. I am envious of some of your picture taking skills...I can only manage to get good pictures of the setting. I will try to get a face up picture of the diamond next time I pull out the camera...


IMG_2747.jpg

IMG_2742.jpg

IMG_2741.jpg

Sorry about the long post...but I am excited and this is my way of venting before the "big day. :mrgreen:
 

JuneRose

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Jun 16, 2011
Messages
724
Beautiful ring! I love how much thought you put into it- that is very romantic! I'm sure she will love it :appl:
 

hmr_mama

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Dec 15, 2009
Messages
519
That's a beautiful ring...and an early congrats on your engagement!

Love your "name"...the greatest of these IS love!
 

Just_Ducky

Rough_Rock
Joined
Aug 31, 2011
Messages
13
Congratulations on finding such a lovely ring! It's just beautiful, and it sounds like it will suit her perfectly! :appl:
 

bright ice

Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
May 14, 2010
Messages
4,328
Beautiful ring, best wishes!
 

yennyfire

Ideal_Rock
Trade
Joined
Jun 6, 2010
Messages
6,872
What a lovely ring! And I love the time and effort you've put in to finding the perfect ring for your lady. Good luck with the proposal and please come back with handshots!
 

moosemom

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Jun 3, 2011
Messages
210
Very pretty and elegant ring! Congratulations.
 

chicagogirl6

Rough_Rock
Joined
Aug 30, 2011
Messages
12
Lovely ring and I love all the thought and effort you have put into it. Cant wait for handshots!!! she's a lucky lady!
 

luv2sparkle

Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Feb 3, 2008
Messages
7,950
Congratulations, you put together a beautiful ring! I am sure your girl will love it. I love your avatar name. Stick with that and you
will have a wonderful marriage!


Please come back and post handshots if you can, and tell us about how she reacted!
 

gemgirl

Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Feb 8, 2003
Messages
5,565
Totally cool screen name :halo: .

I love love LOVE your ring! That setting is just lovely. It has just the right amount of vintage flare.
 

Laila619

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Apr 28, 2008
Messages
11,676
Oh, you did a great job! I love the ring, the setting is so pretty and unique.

I'm sure she will be just thrilled!

I LOLed at your "special" shout out to Michael Hill. :D
 

junebug17

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Jun 17, 2009
Messages
14,128
Wow, that is just so pretty, I really love that setting!! You did a wonderful job, she's going to be thrilled - please come back with hand shots if you can!
 

smc7277

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jul 23, 2011
Messages
48
Beautiful!
 

smc7277

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jul 23, 2011
Messages
48
Beautiful!
 

Christina...

Ideal_Rock
Joined
Mar 7, 2011
Messages
5,028
It's beautiful! Congratulations!
 

Zunibaba

Rough_Rock
Joined
Sep 16, 2011
Messages
13
Beautiful ring! Please keep us posted how she liked it cause she will surely do. Awesome taste!
 

Amys Bling

Super_Ideal_Rock
Joined
Jun 25, 2010
Messages
11,025
Beautiful ring!! I love the setting :)
 

AudiLover

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Jul 3, 2011
Messages
130
What a beautiful setting! I am a plain solitaire girl and usually elaborate settings don't speak to me, but this one honestly blew my mind. I love it. Be sure to get some hand shots after she says yes! :))
 

stargurl78

Ideal_Rock
Joined
Apr 19, 2010
Messages
3,296
What a lovely ring! I'm sure she will love it!
 

catwalk82

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Jul 4, 2008
Messages
305
gorgeous! You did a fantastic job-can't wait to get more pics and here all about the proposal :appl:
 

Mrs W

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Sep 21, 2008
Messages
810
Congrats, I love that setting.
 

marcy

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Feb 27, 2007
Messages
26,275
Congratulations. It is gorgeous.
 

yssie

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Aug 14, 2009
Messages
27,242
The ring is beautiful :appl:


Good luck with the proposal! Looking forward to handshots in a few weeks :bigsmile:
 

1Cor13

Rough_Rock
Joined
Sep 16, 2011
Messages
2
Thanks to everyone for their support, encouragement, compliments, and well-wishes. I will be sure to give an update once the big day comes around!
 

Jade-D

Rough_Rock
Joined
Dec 16, 2013
Messages
2
That is a beautiful setting and diamond and I'm sure she thought so too. It is perfect :love:
 

iota15

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Mar 19, 2010
Messages
1,278
I think you did a great job. What a beautiful setting and stone. I'm sure she'll be thrilled. I would.
 

kalomeli

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Oct 25, 2012
Messages
461
Good luck with the proposal! The ring you chose is beautiful! :love:
 
D

Deactivated member 42515

Guest
This thread is from two years ago. I'm pretty sure he has proposed by now.
 
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