I'M BACK! HARRY WINSTON VS LUCIDA

[sbear]

ambergretchen: leon mege would be too complicated. already talked with him and he''s too far from us.

SARAP333: she''s not hard to please. like she told me, she would be ok with either one. but like every girl out there, i suppose you all have a "dream ring" don''t you? i CAN afford it, no problem. do i want to spend over 20k for a diamond? i don''t think so. no offense, but i don''t know if it''s worth it to pay 24k for a little piece of jewelry, and i dont know if she''ll even wear it every single day


to answer some of your questions:
yes, tiffany would upgrade your ring only if it''s double the amount
harry winston would upgrade only if there''s a big difference in carat weight. say i get the 1.35ct now, i''ll have to get at least a 3ct or 4ct to upgrade with them

 

[Lula]

sorry, didn''t mean to sound so snarky..I spent the afternoon in the emergnecy room getting my hand stitched up and the painkillers are wearing off! Anyway, your last post clears up a few things. If you can afford it, given the upgrade policies of these two retailers, I honestly think you should spend the extra money now and get the bigger radiant (and if there''s a way you can do this without her knowing, she will be so surprised and will think you are a prince -- and that''s worth a lot more than a couple grand in the long run). I know that spending $24,000 may seem an incredible am''t. to spend on jewelry to you (my husband does not understand my love for gemstones/diamonds either, but he knows it''s important to me). IF you feel you can afford it, go for it! I have a feeling she''ll wear that HW everyday!

 

[mrssalvo]

sbear-if you really aren''t comfortable spending the $24K down the road than that is totally valid. I still think it would be worth it to wait for a HW ring to come along that is in budget..i.e. wait for the lower color/clarity or just go ahead and get the one that''s there now that''s a little more than the lucida. from what you are telling us, she''s really rather have the HW.

 

[tigian]

HW!

 

[anyname]

oi, it sounds like you are in quite a conundrum. HW vs Lucidia, or wait and get a HW later. It sounds like she is willing to wait and get her dream ring. I suggest doing that. There is no reason to spend money now on an expensive ring only to sell it in a year for half it''s value. But if you feel there must be a ring now, how about getting the wedding band now and wear that first? Or something cheap, Tiffany''s has some really cute rings. I did feel badly about my husband spending that much money on me, at first, but i got over it.

Whatever you decide on, i hope it''s something you both love and will cherish for the rest of your lives. And post pics here, of course.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

The problem I have with the whole thing is that you are talking about $24,000 for a 1.5 ct. radiant from HW when just for comparison's sake, I have a 1.63 ct. H VS1 ideal cut diamond that was about $14,000 plus another $1600 or so for a Leon Mege setting. So your dilemma is that you are paying a HUGE mark-up for a brand that no one will know but you and her. We coudl easily find you a radiant and you can have a setting made for far less than $24,000.

I think you need to ask her if she wants a $17,000 1.3 ct. HW ring or would she rather have a similar ring with a 1.6 ct. stone and custom setting. because really, you can get her what she wants for the money you have budgeted if she lets go of the name brand.

(Oh, and I suppose we could have spent $24,000 on a ring, but I wouldn't have wanted to spend that much. I think $15,000 is far above average for an engagement ring already.)

 

[ericad]

If you can swing it, get the girl the one that will make her truly light up from the inside out - the HW. Her mind is being practical, but her heart seems to really love the HW. If the price difference is too much, then wait until they either find something for you within budget, or until you are able to spend the extra. In the scheme of things, over a lifetime, an extra $2600 on a $15k+ ring will be worth the added joy she feels every time she looks at her finger

 

[risingsun]

Since you can afford it, get your future fiance the ring of her dreams. The HW will bring her much joy, based upon everything you have said in your posts. You have an opportunity to do something wonderful for her. I hope you are willing to make this happen.

 

[sbear]

i appreciate your inputs everyone.

i know she doesnt mind waiting but i do. i just want to propose and marry her.

i do want to get her "dream ring" but at the same time i don''t want to spend over 20k on a ring. am i being too cheap??

she does not want to go custom.

she gets influenced by what i say/think. i think the lucida looks good on her and the price is good. i did not like the harry winston with the baguettes on the sides, it just didn''t stand out to me. when i say these things she''ll get persuaded and would tell me to get her the lucida. but i know she''s not that excited about the lucida and that really bothers me! she keeps on giving me all these mixed signals, what does that mean?? in "girl language" what does that tell you and what am i supposed to do?

i must sound gay for asking all these questions, and sorry, but i hope you understand how confusing this is to me

 

[bee*]

It means that she really wants the HW. It''s a pity that they don''t have a G.

 

[sba771]

Date: 5/28/2009 7:32:32 PM
Author: sbear
hmm... this is tough. if i get the harry winston, it''ll be 3k over budget. how many of your fiances/husbands went over budget? i''d really like to stick to my original budget and that''s one of the reasons why i was leaning more towards the lucida. she constantly tells me she feels bad i have to spend so much money on a ring for her, is that ''normal''? did you guys feel bad for your fiances/husbands when he got the ring for you?

I don''t know if my FI went over budget as we never discussed a budget, but I did see what he spent after the fact. I am normally very frugal, rational and feel weird about spending a lot of money all at once on something. I nearly fell off my seat when I saw the price and got really scared that I was wearing it (I felt better when he reminded me that is why we have insurance). I did feel bad he spent so much BUT I LOVE LOVE LOVE it! Every day I look at it I get so happy, especially after I clean it. So I guess I am saying- I did feel bad, for about a day and then I realized it also made him so happy in making me so happy that I let it go and enjoy it SO much.

Also you asked about ''girl language'' I do think she is hinting she wants the HW- she wants to make you happy which is why she is going back and forth, but if there is a way to do the HW I think she will be over the moon.

 

[Imdanny]

Date: 5/28/2009 4:11:38 PM
Author:sbear
Hey folks,


Sorry I was gone for so long. I need your opinion again. We finally got down to two rings and here they are:


HARRY WINSTON

F

VVS1

1.35ct

Radiant cut

negotiated with us


LUCIDA

H

VVS2

1.30ct

$15,400

would not negotiate


I like the Lucida more but she likes the harry winston more,. The only problem is that the harry wisnton is

slightly over budget. The difference between the two is $2,600 (and the style of course). I'll pay that much more if I get the winston and 'save' that much if we get the lucida.


I really need your opinion. what would you guys do????

Dude, do I really have to answer this question? I think you already know what I would say.

 

[loveloveloveit]

I don''t really think you need to go to the $24K option. There will always be something somewhere that will make us drool but you have to take into account sentimentality, your desire to propose and marry her NOW and ultimately she should be happy with anything you choose for her if the thought is in the right place. I just think get her what your wallet and your heart can afford. You need to be comfortable with it also.

Personally, if YOU don''t like the HW so much, I don''t think you should buy it ... I know everyone else will say she''s the one wearing it so she has to love it, but personally I believe you have to love it too. It almost sounds to me as though neither of them are the right choice ??? Could you stand searching a bit further?

 

[Ellen]

Date: 5/29/2009 1:01:40 AM
Author: sbear
i appreciate your inputs everyone.

i know she doesnt mind waiting but i do. i just want to propose and marry her.

i do want to get her ''dream ring'' but at the same time i don''t want to spend over 20k on a ring. am i being too cheap??

she does not want to go custom.

she gets influenced by what i say/think. i think the lucida looks good on her and the price is good. i did not like the harry winston with the baguettes on the sides, it just didn''t stand out to me. when i say these things she''ll get persuaded and would tell me to get her the lucida. but i know she''s not that excited about the lucida and that really bothers me! she keeps on giving me all these mixed signals, what does that mean?? in ''girl language'' what does that tell you and what am i supposed to do?

i must sound gay for asking all these questions, and sorry, but i hope you understand how confusing this is to me

Not gay, just like a guy.

In my humble opinion, what she''s trying to say, without coming right out and saying it (that would be girl talk) so she doesn''t risk sounding demanding/spoiled, is that she wants the HW. It''s as simple as that. Now you just have to decide whether to get it now, or save up a bit for it. One thing to remember though, prices normally go up, and right now I "think" prices are actually down a little because of the economy. So waiting might actually be counterproductive.....

 

[asforhim]

DUDE!!!!! Coming from another guy, you truly do not know how to read women. GET THE HW!!!, enough said!

AN EXTRA 2-3K IS NOTHING OVER THE LIFETIME OF A RING. If you do not get the HW you will never live it down.... TRUST ME!!

 

[Lula]

Ditto. If you don''t get the HW (and maybe even the bigger HW) you will be in upgrade hell forever. An ounce of prevention...

 

[kevind]

Date: 5/28/2009 9:03:37 PM
Author: sbear

SARAP333: she''s not hard to please. like she told me, she would be ok with either one. but like every girl out there, i suppose you all have a ''dream ring'' don''t you? i CAN afford it, no problem. do i want to spend over 20k for a diamond? i don''t think so. no offense, but i don''t know if it''s worth it to pay 24k for a little piece of jewelry, and i dont know if she''ll even wear it every single day

From another guys perspective, I say just get her the HW. Especially when you said that you can afford it no problem. If you were struggling, then that would be totally different. She will be so happy every time she looks at it.

But then again, if you are only ok with the style, you guys might want to look for a new HW design all together. Good luck.

 

[risingsun]

You are shopping in HW. It costs what it costs. Make your lady happy and come back with pictures. We will be waiting. Prediction: she will wear it everyday and never forget that you made this happen for her

 

[Ellen]

Date: 5/28/2009 9:03:37 PM
Author: sbear
ambergretchen: leon mege would be too complicated. already talked with him and he''s too far from us.

SARAP333: she''s not hard to please. like she told me, she would be ok with either one. but like every girl out there, i suppose you all have a ''dream ring'' don''t you? i CAN afford it, no problem. do i want to spend over 20k for a diamond? i don''t think so. no offense, but i don''t know if it''s worth it to pay 24k for a little piece of jewelry, and i dont know if she''ll even wear it every single day

Missed this part, so scratch the last part of this post and buy her the ring.

Date: 5/29/2009 8:15:48 AM
Author: Ellen
Not gay, just like a guy.

In my humble opinion, what she''s trying to say, without coming right out and saying it (that would be girl talk) so she doesn''t risk sounding demanding/spoiled, is that she wants the HW. It''s as simple as that. Now you just have to decide whether to get it now, or save up a bit for it. One thing to remember though, prices normally go up, and right now I ''think'' prices are actually down a little because of the economy. So waiting might actually be counterproductive.....

 

[Lorelei]

* wanders into thread*

I would get her the HW.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 5/29/2009 11:08:58 AM
Author: Lorelei
* wanders into thread*

I would get her the HW.

 

[vespergirl]

Get her the 1.35 ct HW. I know a bunch of people said to try to get a G from HW, but HW only deals in colorless stones from what I understand - they don''t sell anything below an F.

I think that the 1.35 HW stone is beautiful, and I honestly prefer it to the Lucida, but more importantly, it''s what your GF wants.

I am also hearing that she REALLY wants a 1.5 ct HW, but that is WAY out of your budget. Honestly, I would have loved a 2 ct ring from HW, but it wasn''t within my DH''s budget. He wanted to buy me a 2 ct ring, but not from a brand name store, because he didn''t want to pay the premium just for the name, which I agreed with, so we ended up with a gorgeous 2 ct stone from a local vendor. If we had gone brand-name, I would have ended up with a 1.25 ct stone. I honestly was more excited about getting a 2 ct stone than being able to tell people that my ring was from HW.

I think that you should have a talk with your GF and let her know that you are happy to buy her the 1.35 ct HW, but you just cannot spend over X amount. If she really wants a 1.5 ct stone or larger, then you will have to look at a ring from a non-brand name store. Then leave it up to her which is more important - a smaller stone from a "label" store, or a larger stone from a non-label vendor. Either choice is OK, but don''t feel pressured into overspending too much because she "has to have" a larger stone from the brand name store. If she has to have brand-name, then she can have a slightly smaller stone, which is still a gorgeous ring.

 

[ms.halo]

Date: 5/29/2009 9:28:47 AM
Author: asforhim
DUDE!!!!! Coming from another guy, you truly do not know how to read women. GET THE HW!!!, enough said!


AN EXTRA 2-3K IS NOTHING OVER THE LIFETIME OF A RING. If you do not get the HW you will never live it down.... TRUST ME!!

And coming from a woman who is guilty of occasionally putting her husband in this position, you need to pick up on her cues here. She''s only going to be truly happy with the HW. You don''t want to have to scrap the Tiffany in five years when she begs for an upgrade to what she really wants. In the same vein, if you are able to afford $20k you may want to consider the larger. Making her happy with this decision will keep YOU happy for years.

 

[anyname]

If you can afford it, without going into debt, get the one she loves. It is like having a car on her finger, but it will last longer than a car. She''s being influenced by you because you''re paying for the ring. Unless you mean she''s always influenced by you, in which case there many be other factors at play. She may feel a little bad about wanting the more expensive one, and knows it''s not rational to have a $25,000 piece of jewelry. Really talk it over with her. How does she really feel about having the Lucida, how open are you about an upgrade, if you get her dream ring would there still be an upgrade in the future? Ask her without giving your input, without using judging language.

You aren''t being cheap, even if were Bill Gates, just rational. $25,000 is a lot of money, there''s no doubt about it. And i''m sure you can think of a thousand different uses for that money. A ring isn''t an investment and there''s no real "value" in it. But she may see if differently. Maybe you both need to keep looking for something you both will love.

And there''s nothing "homosexual" about wanting to be thorough.

 

[tlh]

get the HW. That is the one she wants, and she is the one that wears it... so taht is what matters. The fact that she mentioned it is only the color, may be because she doesnt want to come accross as demanding, as it is a gift from you to her... but it is what she is hoping you''ll get.

You want a lamborghini, she likes the porshe better... the porshe is cheaper.. either way you get a sports car so you''re happy... but you REALLY REALLY WANT the lamborghini.

 

[sbear]

ok ok ok

thanks guys. feels like i got yelled at but it''s ok.. jk

i will think about the harry winston. i''ll talk about it with her again. what do i tell the guy at tiffany? he''a waiting for me to go into the store to sign the papers. we went there yesterday and said we''ll most likely take the lucida (before coming to pricescope), so he''s expecting us to go back and get it. feel bad for making him do all the work...

 

[jet2ks]

Quit talking to her about it! Just buy the ring and propose already. It seems like all the talking is what is making this so confusing. She has told you what she prefers, what else is there to talk about?

As for the guy at Tiffany, why do you have to tell him anything? You chose something she would like better, end of story.

 

[sbear]

it''s done. we''re getting the harry winston.
thanks again everybody.

 

[mrssalvo]

congrats! please come back and post pics!!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Date: 5/29/2009 9:13:54 PM
Author: sbear
it''s done. we''re getting the harry winston.
thanks again everybody.

You''re going to probably have a good marriage if you remember this little lesson!

Now don''t forget to come back with pictures!!!!