Male, Ignorant, and Lost

[Byer]

After more than four years I''m going to propose to my girlfriend. It will probably be some time (2 years give and/or take) before we actually get married (both our decission so don''t yell at me .

I haven''t done the actual proposal yet - but I know she''s going to say yes. So, I want to suprise her with a ring when I actually do it. But I''ve read that you want to pick the ring out with her so it''s comfortable and obviously something she''s going to love. My budget isn''t huge and I''m only able to put about $1500 for the diamond(s) and another $500 for the setting.

Should I spend that and get something "temporary" until the wedding then be able to lavish her with something most expensive? Should I just propose without a ring to put on her hand (seems silly - but I''m a guy...)?

Oops, off topic for this forum, huh? Sorry. With my budget can you guys throw me a bone? I''ve been searching the forums here for a while but I''m in information overload. Can I get something not "cheep" with my budget for about .50 ct stone? I want at least "white" for the color.

I''m worried about shopping for this online but that''s all your biggest advice that I''ve seen. How can she know the fit, comfort, etc. if she can''t put it on? Also the worry about getting ripped off online is greater for me (right now) than walking blindsighted into a store.

Stone suggestions for my budget? Advice to allow me to know specifically what questions to ask and what their answers should be? Tips for not getting screwed and getting something you look at and don''t do that "fake beautiful baby" smile to the new parents.

Lost and confused! HELP!

Thanks

 

[jaz464]

Welcome Byer

Okay, where are you located? And do you know if she likes round, princess, etc?

I would spend as much of the $2000 on the diamond that I could. I would choose a very simple yellow or white gold setting. Settings can always be changed later. Something simple and timeless will be best and put all the money you can into a gorgous diamond!

 

[belle]

hey byer

welcome to ps!
(love the title

)

you have definitely come to the right place. we can help you find a great diamond from a great vendor (no ripping off online here!)

you can start your own search using the ''pricescope your diamond'' feature above. to narrow down the list, select ''cut quality search''
in the size diamond you are looking at, you are perfectly safe (as far as ''whiteness'') to go down to ''j'' color. i would also look at ''si2'' clarity. there are many great eyeclean (can''t see any inclusions) at this level and you can save $$.

to keep your setting in budget, you will be looking at simple solitaires which are very classy and elegant. you can always jazz them up with a diamond eternity wedding band.

 

[Modified Brilliant]

Welcome buyer

You''ll get some sensible advice here at PS. Stay within your budget, do a little research, and cherish this

very important time of your life...it''s priceless.

www.metrojewelryappraisers.com

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Byer, my very best advice to you is to spend most of your budget on the diamond now, and set it in a white gold tiffany setting under $200. That way she can enjoy being engaged and if the finances allow later, she can choose a special setting and have the stone reset. So I''m going to look for diamonds around $1700-1800. (There are many, many good ones available in this price range right now!)

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/a-cut-above-h-a-cut-diamond-114394.htm ($1810 with PriceScope/wire discount)

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/a-cut-above-h-a-cut-diamond-122951.htm

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/2354/

After shopping for months locally, I found I could get a better quality diamond online for less money. I bought from Good Old Gold but WhiteFlash is great, too. Both give you a full return policy for the diamond (Wf 10 days, GOG 30 days).

Here''s an example of the setting I am talking about:

http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Solitaire/4-Prong--Tiffany--Style--18k-Gold_994.htm

 

[february2003bride]

http://www.bluenile.com/diamonds_details.asp?__fun_frm=b&pid=LD00152432&filter_id=0&sec=&query=20&page=&sortby=size-d An I, VVS1. .59, Round


http://www.bluenile.com/diamonds_details.asp?__fun_frm=b&pid=LD00133954&filter_id=0&sec=&query=20&page=&sortby=size-d An H, VS1, .57, Round


http://www.bluenile.com/diamonds_details.asp?__fun_frm=b&pid=LD00373221&filter_id=0&sec=&query=21&page=&sortby=size-d A G, Si1, .61 princess

http://www.bluenile.com/diamonds_details.asp?__fun_frm=b&pid=LD00126891&filter_id=0&sec=&query=21&page=&sortby=size-d A G, Si1, .65 princess

http://www.bluenile.com/diamonds_details.asp?__fun_frm=b&pid=LD00401758&filter_id=0&sec=&query=22&page=&sortby=size-d A G, VS1, .58, Emerald cut

http://www.bluenile.com/product_details.asp?oid=4506&page=1&col=3&row=1&pos=3&set_shape= comfort fit 18K whitegold solitare

You didn't specifically say what type of diamond, so I threw in other options besides rounds. All of those are in-house Blue Nile diamonds and if the S1's interest you, call and make sure they are eyeclean.

 

[Ellen]

You''ve gotten more than enough suggestions. I really just popped in to say I loved your title.

Good luck!

 

[february2003bride]

Here''s a stunner!

http://www.whiteflash.com/aca_princess/A-Cut-Above-Princess-cut-diamond-19110.htm .56, E, VS2, ACA Princess Cut

 

[ladykemma]

does she like white gold or yellow gold?

 

[Clarygrace]

Byer! Welcome to PS

I think February2003bride found a lovely Princess cut for you on Whiteflash! That''s a stunner!

Great quality stone!

 

[Cind11]

I thought the title of your post was pretty cute. At least you''re asking questons.

My husband proposed to me without a ring. We then went together to pick out my e-ring. I''m all for surprises but have very definite opinions about what I like. So I preferred him NOT picking it out.

I have bought a diamond tennis braclet and an upgraded diamond online and been VERY happy with both. If you''re nervous, you can always have the diamond sent to an independent appraiser.

 

[tibro]

Byer,
i was in the same "boat" you are several months ago and then i discoved pricescope. as far as online purchases, i bought my stone from whiteflash and have nothing but praise for them as i too was very skeptal about buying online and not being able to see the diamond myself. my suggestion is to go to a local jewerler and see what loose stones they have so you can familiarize yourself with what the 4 c''s visuallyl mean before you jump into a purchase online, which by the way can land you a really nice stone without actually seeing it. another suggestion: do as musch searching and research as you can, look at pricescope, whiteflash, good as gold, and any website devoted to diamond education you can. viewing all site will give the the best education possible as you WILL miss some information no matter how closey you read. if you go to a local jewerler ask them to see idealscope pics and H&As through a viewer. you really can see the difference between a good and ideal cut and a F color stone vs a I or J color stone. if they really want your business they will be more than happy to get a few stones for you to see. i went and looked at stones 5 times at 3 different jewerlers, 2 of which were AGS cert. and ended up buying my stone from whiteflash. dont be discouraged my this as each jewerler had beautiful stones, they were just not was i was looking for. anyway, keep READING and SEARCHING!

 

[Stone Hunter]

By getting something "temporary" I think you mean upgrade the ring for the wedding?

If so then I would suggest going with an online vendor that has a good upgrade policy. Buy the best that you can afford now, putting all the money into the stone, and then upgrade later. You can upgrade before the wedding, for the wedding or for a future anniv. Just know the vendor''s upgrade policy before buying.

 

[Cehrabehra]

Date: 10/18/2006 7:29:02 PM
Author:Byer
After more than four years I''m going to propose to my girlfriend. It will probably be some time (2 years give and/or take) before we actually get married (both our decission so don''t yell at me .

I haven''t done the actual proposal yet - but I know she''s going to say yes. So, I want to suprise her with a ring when I actually do it. But I''ve read that you want to pick the ring out with her so it''s comfortable and obviously something she''s going to love. My budget isn''t huge and I''m only able to put about $1500 for the diamond(s) and another $500 for the setting.

Should I spend that and get something ''temporary'' until the wedding then be able to lavish her with something most expensive? Should I just propose without a ring to put on her hand (seems silly - but I''m a guy...)?

Oops, off topic for this forum, huh? Sorry. With my budget can you guys throw me a bone? I''ve been searching the forums here for a while but I''m in information overload. Can I get something not ''cheep'' with my budget for about .50 ct stone? I want at least ''white'' for the color.

I''m worried about shopping for this online but that''s all your biggest advice that I''ve seen. How can she know the fit, comfort, etc. if she can''t put it on? Also the worry about getting ripped off online is greater for me (right now) than walking blindsighted into a store.

Stone suggestions for my budget? Advice to allow me to know specifically what questions to ask and what their answers should be? Tips for not getting screwed and getting something you look at and don''t do that ''fake beautiful baby'' smile to the new parents.

Lost and confused! HELP!

Thanks

Okay... Maybe it''s just me but I think proposing with a loose stone is a great idea. Sure you have to be careful with it so maybe don''t propose on top of a ferris wheel!! lol But still... if you take the time and spend the money to get a beautiful stone and let her pick out the setting - that''s great!! That way she gets exactly what she wants and yet you don''t show up empty handed! buy the stone online and the setting in person

 

[Cehrabehra]

Date: 10/18/2006 7:36:29 PM
Author: jazmine
Welcome Byer

Okay, where are you located? And do you know if she likes round, princess, etc?

I would spend as much of the $2000 on the diamond that I could. I would choose a very simple yellow or white gold setting. Settings can always be changed later. Something simple and timeless will be best and put all the money you can into a gorgous diamond!

this is true too - if you get a plain basic setting and spend it all on the stone - you can choose your wedding set later when you''re buying wedding rings and spend more on it then, but it''ll keep the rock on the finger till then