Help needed finding the best ring within our budget!

[RaiKai]

Date: 3/30/2010 12:19:18 PM
Author: NJDeac

Date: 3/30/2010 12:03:36 PM

Author: legallyspoiled

News Flash! I can be a tad bit hard headed sometimes. I am known to exhaust all possibilities before facing the fact that I can't get exactly what I want. I think that I have finally reached that point with finding the perfect stone.



Although I still think that a 1.25-1.5 carat will look better on my long slender 6.5 finger, I really want to be dazzled when I look down at my finger. And yes, I know that a well cut diamond will appear larger. I don't doubt that but I won't be fully convinced until I see it. (I'm one of those 'I'll believe it when I see it' people.)



That being said, the soon to be fiance and I have an appointment at Whiteflash on Friday since we are both off. I am trying to get an appointment at Brian Gavin also on Friday. Hopefully, I will fall in love with something!



Thanks again for all of your advice and tips along the way!

Echoing that you're probably better off getting a well-cut stone within your budget and upgrading later on if you feel the need. Speaking as a boyfriend who is ring shopping, I would have been a bit insulted if my girlfriend told me 'I want a ring of x size/color/quality and if you can't afford that, I'll pay the difference.' I take pride in the fact that I've managed to save up enough money such that I can pay cash for her ring without going into debt, and to be told 'Sorry, not good enough' would be a big let down for me.


Yes, you're the one that has to wear the ring, but it's not like he's getting you the wrong cut stone/style/or color gold/platinum - carat size is pretty directly correlated with budget, especially when you've established other minimum parameters for color, clarity, and cut. Saying you can't get the ring you want because his budget isn't large enough is a bit of a slap in the face.

Many couples have relationships where they share finances or choose to organize such purchases in a different way. Not everyone necessarily agrees with some of the engagement ring traditions (or the historical connotations) or sees it as entirely upon the male partner in the relationship to decide or have to bear the burden of purchasing. While *you* may be insulted by your girlfriend offering to help out with the ring purchase, others may not be. This is particularly the case where couples have shared finances for a long period of time, or don't have relationships that follow traditional gender roles or traditional expectations.

And, many people do not want to "upgrade" their engagement ring for sentimental reasons. In that sense, it seems to me to make more sense to purchase a ring in the first place they both love. The size can make a drastic difference in appearance in size or how the ring looks, in much the way shape can. If they can afford it together, and are alright with it, why not! I don't know many people off of PS who actually do "upgrade" unless they never had an engagement ring in first place (like myself), or they are replacing it due to loss, damage, etc...


To the original poster - have fun looking. Both Whiteflash and BGD are fantastic; and you will soon see a well cut stone DOES really look up larger and brighter (not only as the proportions are better, but the light reflects better).