need help, choosing new ring

[jetmal]

Hello everyone,

My name is Tina, and I am new here. I''ve spent the last couple days reading thru all these posts and looking at all your pictures of your beautiful rings!

I have my 10 yr anniversary coming up and my dear hubby has told me he''d like to buy me an upgrade wedding/ering. I have a nice one now, but of course I''d like it to be larger, and in the past 10 years my taste has changed. The one I currently have is a round, and its in yellow gold.


For the past few years I have had my eyes set on a Princess cut, and either platinum or white gold. I have seen a few that I really like online, Princess cut for the center stone, then a trillion on each side, and the the rest of the band is a pave, of some sorts......

Do any one you out there have a fing somewhat like this???
Can all you ladies who have a princess cut please post a pic???
I need some help deciding......as I am sure this will be the only upgrade I get.....I dont want to keep changing my mind....I want to absolutely LOVE it.

One other thing is that I am a stay at home Mom, so, while I want something around 2 carats or so, and I want BLING BLING, I also need it to be functionable......

any suggestions you have would be greatly appreciated!
thanks
Tina

 

[jetmal]

Is anyone out there willing to help out a newbie?????

I have a couple more questions.....

I will be making my purchase from Fred Meyers in the mall....I know this is not ideal, but I used to work at a jewely store in the mall years ago, and my manager still gives me "cost" pricing, plus they are going to pay me for my trade in, which I really need to do to get the new one.
After reading all these posts, I am concerned that I will not get as nice of a diamond from the mall store....I know my old manager will get me the best she can, for the price......but I wish I could purchase like most of you on here. Has anyone out there been able to find an awesome diamond, at a mall store??? If I find a setting I like, should I ask them to take the diamond out so I can look at it???

Also, I want a ring that is unique. Has anyone ever had a ring custom made thru a mall jewelry store, and if yes, was it alot more expensive than just finding something in the case??

Thanks for your patience and your time,
Tina

 

[jaz464]

Have you checked out Leon Mege''s website? Some of the rings may be kind of what you are looking for, though the cuts are asschers. But it gives you an idea. A ring like this can easily be custom made for you from any of the reputable online vendors. Whiteflash did mine, which is 3 sided pave on the shank, and the pave is just gorgous.

http://www.artofplatinum.com/

 

[mrssalvo]

Hi jetmal and welcome

I think the ring you've described sounds beautiful. You many want to do some research here on princess cuts, the corners are prone to chipping and if you're hard on your rings or will be chasing after kids, you might want to think about a ring style that would work with your lifestyle. however, if you have had your heart set on a princess you should get it. The problem with most mall jewelers is they end up selling poorly cut stones and cannot provide a lot of the info pricescopers like to know before making an expensive purchase. The best thing you can do is educate yourself about cut so the mall store can't get by with selling you something less than steller. If you read the tutorial here it will help you understand some of the things to look for and be sure to ask. I'm not sure if a mall store will even do custom. If they don't have a stock setting you're looking for, maybe you could use your trade in on the stone and have the custom setting made elsewhere. There are several vendors here who do good custom work for very reasonable price. Jasmine mentioned WF. You can check out some of their custom e-rings here. Jamesallen, Wink Jones, and Goodoldgold also do custom work and if you have a PS vendor in your area you might want to consider working with them.

 

[singer]

You can get great stones from most mall stores...you just have to be educated before you walk in. Be picky, ask questions, and make sure it is certified!

I got a great diamond from Helzberg''s!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I think the other question that needs to be asked is will the price they tell you really be any better than the prices from the online vendors for equal quality? Ask if the diamonds are certified. You will have little way to compare quality and price unless you are looking at certified diamonds. And most mall stores would not do custom settings.

Many rings are posted on the Show Me the Ring forum. You might try doing a search for princess cut.

 

[Shay37]

One thing that I have found is that in order to get the best price, negotiate it first. Take the trade-in completely out of the picture. When you are satisfied that you have reached their bottom dollar, then bring out the trade-in. It works that way for cars. Hope it does for diamonds as well.

shay

 

[jetmal]

thanks for all your replies! I really appreciate it.

Well, I cant really negotiate with this store, because my friend is a manager there, and she goes right to the "big wigs" and gets me the absolute lowest price, which is basically their cost. Since she is my friend, she also knows that I am trading in, and the only way I can afford to get a new ring, is to do the trade in.

I know she will not try to rip me off, but the part that does worry me, is .....will I be able to find as nice of a diamond as I would by purchasing off the internet as a loose stone???? and I am also worried about choosing a setting.....I want to find the perfect one for me, and I dont want to see it on 20 other ladies'' fingers...know what I mean????

thanks for all the links, I have been looking thru them all, and getting an education!
I still have a few more to visit.

keep those suggestions coming!!!
thanks again
Tina