I am a newbie, so I apologize for any redudancy I may have in my post in regards to other posts and questions from other members.
My girlfriend (or fiance I could say) and I started shopping for engagement rings this past weekend. Long story short, her and I have been together for a little under 2 years now and practically live with each other and both feel this next step is the right for the both of us. Anyhow, that leads up to this past weekend of ring shopping.
I went to the shopping mall, of course, since you see so many jewelers and inside, we visited Helzberg Diamonds, Whitehall Co., Crescent Jewelers, and Ben Bridge.
Helzberg had the diamond, that we both liked the best. The hearts on fire diamond. That thing really sparkled and it was the highest quality. For a 1 ct in a 18KW setting, it was $9995.
We didn''t get much attention at Whitehall, so we left.
At Crescent, we saw a 2 carat in a 18KW setting for $6995 and a 1.5 carat in a 18KW setting for $4995. Obviously, these diamonds were not the highest quality (I don''t remember the exact specs right now), but we were just merely browsing.
Last, we went to Ben Bridge and saw a few in platinum and 18KW as well. Prices were similar and not too far off from that of Helzberg Diamonds.
Let me lay out what my specs are right now:
Carat: min 1 - 1.5 max 2 (most likely going with 1.5)
Finger size: 5.5
Diamond specs: Of course I want the best, but I know I have to pay for it. That''s why I am leaning towards Hearts of Fire just based off first impressions.
Budget: I''m hoping to stay under $10k, but anything a little above won''t be stretching it
Metal: I was told many things in terms of platinum vs. white gold. The Helzberg jeweler told me to go with 18KW because platinum scratches far too easily and requires more maintenance. The Ben Bridge jeweler told me that platinum is obviously more rare, hence more expensive and although it does scratch more easily, it is much stronger than 18KW because of the other allows used to make an 18KW ring.
Anyhow, this is my first (and only) engagement ring [I hope], and I want to do it right. I''m obviously going to let her choose the designs and what not and I''ll decide on the carat. Are there any specific stores I should visit and where could I find the ideal diamond for me?
Again, I apologize for any repetition, but I do appreciate anybody''s time and assistance.
Thanks for your time,
David
My girlfriend (or fiance I could say) and I started shopping for engagement rings this past weekend. Long story short, her and I have been together for a little under 2 years now and practically live with each other and both feel this next step is the right for the both of us. Anyhow, that leads up to this past weekend of ring shopping.
I went to the shopping mall, of course, since you see so many jewelers and inside, we visited Helzberg Diamonds, Whitehall Co., Crescent Jewelers, and Ben Bridge.
Helzberg had the diamond, that we both liked the best. The hearts on fire diamond. That thing really sparkled and it was the highest quality. For a 1 ct in a 18KW setting, it was $9995.
We didn''t get much attention at Whitehall, so we left.
At Crescent, we saw a 2 carat in a 18KW setting for $6995 and a 1.5 carat in a 18KW setting for $4995. Obviously, these diamonds were not the highest quality (I don''t remember the exact specs right now), but we were just merely browsing.
Last, we went to Ben Bridge and saw a few in platinum and 18KW as well. Prices were similar and not too far off from that of Helzberg Diamonds.
Let me lay out what my specs are right now:
Carat: min 1 - 1.5 max 2 (most likely going with 1.5)
Finger size: 5.5
Diamond specs: Of course I want the best, but I know I have to pay for it. That''s why I am leaning towards Hearts of Fire just based off first impressions.
Budget: I''m hoping to stay under $10k, but anything a little above won''t be stretching it
Metal: I was told many things in terms of platinum vs. white gold. The Helzberg jeweler told me to go with 18KW because platinum scratches far too easily and requires more maintenance. The Ben Bridge jeweler told me that platinum is obviously more rare, hence more expensive and although it does scratch more easily, it is much stronger than 18KW because of the other allows used to make an 18KW ring.
Anyhow, this is my first (and only) engagement ring [I hope], and I want to do it right. I''m obviously going to let her choose the designs and what not and I''ll decide on the carat. Are there any specific stores I should visit and where could I find the ideal diamond for me?
Again, I apologize for any repetition, but I do appreciate anybody''s time and assistance.
Thanks for your time,
David