Is engagement ring shopping really this overwhelming?

[wleasure]

Hello everyone. I have been reading great information from various posts on this site for about a week, while at the same time looking at online stores such as whiteflash and ERD but have discovered that there is just soooooooo much to consider. I took my girlfriend into a very well known engagment ring store in southern CA, and just felt overwhelmed. I also was suprised that once I started looking around online, it seemd like I could get a lot more for my money on the web. I can''t really ask my family or her family for support or experience because I do not want them knowing how much I plan on spending. I feel ok on the ability to choose a ring, but the stones get confusing over the web. Has anyone been in this prediciment? If it helps, I am looking at a .75 to a 1.0, or as close as I can get to 1.0, Cushion cut. It looks like I could do 3000-3500 if need be and I just want it to be blinding (so others are jealous ) and woth every penny. Like many others, this is a HUGE investment for me and I would hate to feel ripped off.

Any recommendations? What should I be looking for or wary of when it comes to "table, cutlet, etc.?" I am not in a huge hurry, but I am looking. Please help!!!!

 

[chrono]

You picked a very difficult diamond shape to evaluate since there are so many different looks but when you find the right one, it will be beautiful. I highly suggest Mark at www.engagementringsdirect.com because:
1. He is honest and has a good eye for diamonds
2. He has access to many stones since he is in the diamond district (NY)
3. He knows how to pick the best cushions, hence his nickname, the "Cushion King"

For more reading information regarding cushions:
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/gia-cushion-plots-demystified-somewhat-with-pics.63323/
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/gia-shape-question.57640/
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/a-cushion-by-any-other-name.36001/

 

[DMBsGirl]

Definitely go to Mark Turnowski of ERD (Engagement rings direct/engagementringsdirect.com.) If you do a search up top you can see all the pretty cushions he has found for PS''ers. I wouldn''t worry about table, depth and all that so much, cushions can''t be chosen on numbers alone. Mark T is very helpful with clients, I would tell him what size you want and your budget and let him pick out a couple of stones for you to look at. This should keep the process simple and less stressful for you! Mark also makes GORGEOUS custom settings! Good luck!

 

[Regular Guy]

The search by cut also can help here, and shows this one from GOG.

 

[Stone Hunter]

Welcome to PS!

I just love cushion cuts!! I bet your GF does too! Follow the links that everyone posted and don''t give up till it starts to make sense.

You can also search PS for cushion cuts and read all the threads that come up. That''s what I did and it did really help.

Stones are expensive because people want them! Online will save you money though!

Have fun and don''t stress over this!!!

 

[Haven]

YES--Mark T. at ERD. He is a pleasure to work with, and you can see his expert work on avatars and posts all over PS.

 

[neatfreak]

Yup Mark at ERD is your man. SOOOOOO much easier than trying to find a cushion winner over the web. We got my .81 cushion from Mark and it is just so unique and spectacular. He just picked it for us after we told him what we wanted. It was just shy of $3,000 if I remember correctly...

 

[dianne]

I have to say DITTO to everyone who suggested Mark @ ERD. He is super fantastic. He found my stone and it WAY exceeded anything I had brought in to view at local stores. He will work within your budget, too. I let the the entire process of searching and trying to make all the right decisions just wear me out. If I had to do it over again, I would relax and enjoy the process more...BUT...I have learned a lot so that would help me stress less in the future, too. You do want to put in the time to become informed but please don''t let it ruin the fun for you...I understand how overwhelming it can be. Call Mark!! Best of luck to you!