Engagement ring retailers suggestion

[leon82]

Dear forum members:

My fiancée and I plan to get married in year 2011. We are in the market to buy engagement ring / webbing band. Could you recommend some good online jewelry retailers or Jewelry chain stores or diamond factory outlets that offer good selections, reasonable price and great customer service + warranty.

I also want to learn some basics such as diamond setting, style, clarity etc, please share with me online references that provide detailed explanations.

What are some criteria you use to tell if the Jewelry retailers are good one?

What type of certifications (well know, respected by the industry) are used by assure diamond’s quality? (Some retailers told me they don’t give certificate unless ring is above certain value e.g >$2000).

I am looking forward to hear from your and I appreciate your help!

P.S. I live in East Bayarea in California. my budget is $1,000.00

Jeff

 

[slg47]

Hi Jeff-I think you may get more traffic if you move the thread to RockyTalky. The PS tutorials are a good place to start (see under Knowledge). What type of ring are you looking for? (round? princess? solitaire?) If you tell us some more about what you are looking for we can try to help you find some good choices.

 

[leon82]

Hi Jeff-I think you may get more traffic if you move the thread to RockyTalky. The PS tutorials are a good place to start (see under Knowledge). What type of ring are you looking for? (round? princess? solitaire?) If you tell us some more about what you are looking for we can try to help you find some good choices.

Hello slg47:

Thanks for the reply. I am looking for wedding ring/band for my fiancee and myself.
for me I only want a ring without diamond

Here are the basics I am looking for

• diamond shape: non-solitarie, round or other shape is fine

• ring: 18k gold, open channel or prong

• carat: 0.3-0.5

• color: F-H

• clarity: WS-VS cut grade: excellent-very good

• certificate for the diamond

Here is an example of what my fiancee may like
http://www.whiteflash.com/wedding-bands/honey-channel-set-diamond-wedding-band-688.htm

my budget for my fiancee is $850 for myself is $200-400
Please give me some suggestions. Thanks!

Jeff

 

[slg47]

the band you posted is lovely. I don't think most diamond melee is certified though? eweddingbands.com has a large selection of plain bands

 

[iLander]

If you are going to go with a store, go with Costco or Costco.com. Every single diamond is VS2 or better, and I or better, which is a huge deal on small stones. Most jewelry stores use SI (lower clarity) for smaller stones. They have GIA certificates on more expensive stones, and you can view them online.

http://www.costco.com/Common/Category.aspx?ec=BC-EC10573-Cat28447&pos=3&whse=BC&topnav=&cat=56576&eCat=BC|108|28447|56576&lang=en-US

Costco has a band similar to what you're showing (2mm is TINY BTW) with a higher carat weight for the same price. Or for $200 more go to a full carat of diamonds. They have men's rings, I got my DH a platinum band there (but platinum scratches, beware).

But what I really like is that you can return it at anytime for no reason. Keep the GIA or appraisal paperwork, though, they'll want that. if you order online and don't like it, you can return it to your local Costco store.

I saw a ring on Costco for around $6500. Then I saw it's TWIN at a jewelry store (same diamond specs) and it was $22,000! So definitely no small local stores. I think the PS vendors are better at pricing than small snooty stores.

Here's the jewelry home page
http://www.costco.com/Common/Category.aspx?whse=BC&Ne=4000047&eCat=BC|108|28447|56574&N=4000047&pos=2&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&cat=108&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&lang=en-US&ec=BC-EC10573-Cat28447&topnav=

Here's my favorite drool-worthy section
http://www.costco.com/Common/Category.aspx?ec=BC-EC36351-Cat49547&pos=5&whse=BC&topnav=&cat=90001&eCat=BC|108|49547|90001&lang=en-US

 

[tyty333]

I am confused. Are you wanting to buy your fiance an engagement ring and a wedding band for $850? Then you have
another $200+ for your ring?

Edit - I think I get it now...you are just trying to buy a wedding ring for you future wife.

Edit again...

www.eweddingbands.com might be a good place to look for a ring for you. Their prices seem to be pretty low. Several
people on PS have bought from them and seem to be happy with them.

 

[leon82]

Hello everyone:

I read all your replies. I appreciated all your wonderful suggestions and insights! I will check the resources provided by your folks.

Here is my basic requirement for my wedding band (groom to be

18k white gold or platinum (someone told me that platinum will be easily scratched. )
width: 2mm-5mm

here is an example of what I may like http://www.whiteflash.com/wedding-bands/matching-knife-edge-wedding-band-735.htm

Please give me some suggestions. Thanks!

Jeff

 

[Dancing Fire]

BGD carries .30-.40 ct AGS stones within your budget...

 

[kilopoto]

from what i know some good reliable online store are jamesallen, bluenile, zale, abazias, uniondiamond etc. the prices are generally lower than retail stores..Jamesallen and bluenile quite strong players in the market.you can see independent review of the credibility, varieties by http://diamond-o.com/online-store-review/