On avg, what are guys paying these days for engagement rings?

[musey]

Date: 8/7/2007 1:22:26 AM
Author: diamondfan
Musey, tiny thread jack..whereabouts in BH do you live? (if you are comfy giving generals). I lived there til ten years ago when I moved east and my mom is still there!

DF, ironically enough, we're just a couple blocks south of the Rodeo Dr. area that mymodog was referencing... near that stretch of Beverly Dr. with all the shops and restaurants. We moved just a few weeks ago from the Studio City area. I'm thinking it will be a short-lived stint here, we like the quiet Westwood neighborhoods better!

Where in the area did you live? Did you grow up in BH? I so wish we could afford to stay here once we're looking to buy! It would be a very different growing-up experience (for our children) than FI and I had

 

[surfgirl]

DF, musey, know what I find amusing? The real estate moniker "BH adj." That? Is too funny to me..."Hey, I''m BH adj.! It''s just across the street. No, really!"

 

[musey]

Oh my gosh surfgirl, I know exactly what you mean!! It''s so silly. It''s not quite Beverly Hills, but they want to reap the benefits if they can, hahaha

Good thing though is it''s still pretty nice, but lots cheaper because they don''t get to say "Beverly Hills!"

So ridiculous!

 

[diamondfan]

Surgirl, I will tell you something funny. My sister, who is obnoxious, jealous and a wannabe, (hence why I no longer talk to her) lived in Palms. (Kelton way south of Pico if you are familiar with the area). We used to cringe because she would claim she lived in South Westwood, which was BS. I learned, in my househunting years in L.A. and having grown up in the heart of Beverly Hills (on Rodeo Drive near Sunset Blvd) to read between the lines. Charming usually meant small and Near Freeways meant the offramp was near your front door and likely the road went behind your house. Needs some TLC meant a tear down. Interesting floor plan meant no living room and a master in the dining room. Hubby and I would laugh at what we actually would see versus the listing verbage. (sort of like people in singles adds who say they look like Tom Cruise and usually look like Tom Bosley!!!!)

 

[Harleigh]

Date: 8/7/2007 1:43:42 AM
Author: surfgirl

Date: 8/7/2007 1:06:51 AM
Author: mymodog

Date: 8/6/2007 9:41:10 PM

Author: musey

Date: 8/6/2007 9:38:09 PM

Author: surfgirl

Date: 8/6/2007 9:06:02 PM


Author: mymodog


Where I live two carats would be small.

Posts like this make me sad. Is it all about getting a ring of a certain size, or is it about finding your life partner?



And please, may I request that you dont reply with GIANT CAPS yelling at me. Thank you.



Psssst! Musey, what kind of tarty pie is that? I want some!

I''m with you. What is my small-tabled asscher if 2cts. is small?

I live in the Beverly Hills area and 2cts. isn''t even small HERE. I think maybe she means where she lives... as in to her mind?


And I''m pretty sure it''s a little lemon-meringue tart. I was looking for lemon pie, but this looked yummier!

I was just on Rodeo Drive and 2cts. wouldn''t cut it. Go by Cartier and see the 14 carat fancy yellow or even better the 32 ct fancy yellow. It will be a little treat.

These kind of posts make me sad too. Keeping up with the Jones gets exhausting and really, it''s not good for one''s retirement account.

I agree-I have never felt the need to "Keep up with the Jones''es," and would NEVER flaunt my ring at anyone...I just wanted the most bang for my FI''s buck and I got it! Sadly, most of the staff at my school were back at work today, and even though all of them heard that I got engaged a few weeks ago through word of mouth, I felt like I should hide my 2.11 RB (which I ADORE, by the way!) as even the most affluent and snobby teachers don''t have anything to compare with it. After they goggled it, I felt the need to point out that we got a great deal on the stone and that we paid less for my H, SI2 stone in the carat weight it is than had we bought the same quality in a 1 carat stone at a typical jewelry store.

Since they know my bargain hunting tendencies, I''m pretty sure they know we got a great deal, but I in no way want to show off and rub it in their faces. I never thought I would "hide" my ring, but I find myself doing it more and more lately. In no way do I ever want to offend anyone, and I just want everyone to find a great deal like we did!!!

Arghhh...this is just too hard!

 

[musey]

I was just on Rodeo Drive and 2cts. wouldn't cut it. Go by Cartier and see the 14 carat fancy yellow or even better the 32 ct fancy yellow. It will be a little treat.

I'm sorry, I wasn't gonna, but I hafta... Cupcakes are a little treat. Braving the tourists on Rodeo Dr? Not a treat!

Visiting one of the beautiful family-owned antique jewelry stores in BH? Now THAT'S a treat that every PSer should *treat* herself to if she gets the chance!!

Surfgirl, Harleigh and diamondfan, I love that when other posters get heated, posters like you are still around to remind me what a great environment PS is. I'm glad there are so many even-tempered ladies about!

I'm turning in, but since I have a feeling things might get even more ridiculous on this thread

before I PS again, here's some pie for the road

(I used WAAAAY too many emoticons in this little post!)

 

[diamondfan]

I love me some pie! Thanks for the nice words. In real life I am not always cool or collected!!!

Did you see I asked where you live, if you are comfy giving me generalities!

 

[musey]

Date: 8/7/2007 2:27:09 AM
Author: diamondfan
I love me some pie! Thanks for the nice words. In real life I am not always cool or collected!!!

Did you see I asked where you live, if you are comfy giving me generalities!

I did and am! It's the verrry last post on the previous page (3).

 

[diamondfan]

Sorry I did not see your reply!!!

I grew up the 700 block of Rodeo Drive, about a block below Sunset.

My last home in L.A. was on Conway Ave, one block south of Sunset near the Bel Air main gates, and one block west of Beverly Glen, in btwn Bainbridge and Comstock. Very close to the Armand Hammer park and Aaron Spelling''s house. I LOVED my house. It was considered L.A. but it was very close to Westwood and UCLA and considered little Holmby but there is not really such a name in real estate. It was an awesome area, Warner Ave school was the local school and it is a public school that functions very much like a private one. Most likely my kids would have gone there.

 

[musey]

Date: 8/7/2007 2:41:17 AM
Author: diamondfan
Sorry I did not see your reply!!!


I grew up the 700 block of Rodeo Drive, about a block below Sunset.


My last home in L.A. was on Conway Ave, one block south of Sunset near the Bel Air main gates, and one block west of Beverly Glen, in btwn Bainbridge and Comstock. Very close to the Armand Hammer park and Aaron Spelling's house. I LOVED my house. It was considered L.A. but it was very close to Westwood and UCLA and considered little Holmby but there is not really such a name in real estate. It was an awesome area, Warner Ave school was the local school and it is a public school that functions very much like a private one. Most likely my kids would have gone there.

What an amazing area to grow up in!!! My midwestern farm girl roots are very jealous

Do you miss it at all, or are you enjoying a change of pace?

I don't know whether to apologize for hijacking this thread or not, since it's already gotten pretty ridiculous, ha!

 

[diamondfan]

It was pretty awesome. Saw and did a lot of amazing things that many people or children might not, but I really love it in Suburban Philadelphia for raising my kids. Do you know the area in Holmby? I totally adored my house, had gutted it and done a really nice job on it, and it really killed me to let it go. Lost money, sold JUST before the market went nuts (what else is new). The house is now worth btwn 4.5 and 5 million if current sales are any indication, makes me sick to think about all the love and time I put in and just lost it to someone who I do not think even appreciates it. Oh well, what can I do? I was happy to finally sell it at the time.

I miss some things, but when I go back I do hate the smog and traffic and really find a lot of the people to be poseurs and phonies. I think I was the only person I knew that was not somehow in the entertainment field and did not have any desire to be! An anomaly in a one business town for sure!

Why did you move?

 

[fanboy]

This business about 2 carats ''not cutting it'' is absurd: (1) I find that hard to believe regardless of the social circle (2 carats may not be huge to some, but it won''t be tiny either), and (2) why should the OP care if he ''cuts it'' with anybody other than his soon-to-be-fiance?

 

[surfgirl]

Date: 8/7/2007 2:41:17 AM
Author: diamondfan
Sorry I did not see your reply!!!


I grew up the 700 block of Rodeo Drive, about a block below Sunset.


My last home in L.A. was on Conway Ave, one block south of Sunset near the Bel Air main gates, and one block west of Beverly Glen, in btwn Bainbridge and Comstock. Very close to the Armand Hammer park and Aaron Spelling''s house. I LOVED my house. It was considered L.A. but it was very close to Westwood and UCLA and considered little Holmby but there is not really such a name in real estate. It was an awesome area, Warner Ave school was the local school and it is a public school that functions very much like a private one. Most likely my kids would have gone there.

Wait, that''s near those weird statues (Geo.Segal?) that look like workmen/gardener''s working on that house right on Sunset? That place freaks me out.

 

[Pandora II]

Also, if I walked in with the dream 3 ct fancy yellow, (you would have NO IDEA whether or not it was an ideal cut or not) and if you made some snide remark about how you would rather have your half carat ideal cut stone rather than my 3 carat it would be poor manners and rude. Sorry, but people would be thinking that you were the tart. If I said the same in public about your ring, it would be rude.

Some of your comments here may well be interpreted this way by the many, many people with smaller diamonds that they have been given.

Personally I''d take an amazing ideal cut 1ct anyday over the stone you posted. But that''s just my personal taste - not fussed on radiants, not fussed about big stones - sure I like to look at them in museums and shop windows, but I wouldn''t want to own one.

 

[surfgirl]

Date: 8/7/2007 11:49:02 AM
Author: Pandora II

Also, if I walked in with the dream 3 ct fancy yellow, (you would have NO IDEA whether or not it was an ideal cut or not) and if you made some snide remark about how you would rather have your half carat ideal cut stone rather than my 3 carat it would be poor manners and rude. Sorry, but people would be thinking that you were the tart. If I said the same in public about your ring, it would be rude.

Some of your comments here may well be interpreted this way by the many, many people with smaller diamonds that they have been given.


Personally I''d take an amazing ideal cut 1ct anyday over the stone you posted. But that''s just my personal taste - not fussed on radiants, not fussed about big stones - sure I like to look at them in museums and shop windows, but I wouldn''t want to own one.

Actually, I think most people here *would* know if it was well cut or not. I found that photo of the yellow diamond to have that crushed ice look, which I dont care for. Quantity does not equal quality.

 

[surfgirl]

oops! double post...

 

[gwendolyn]

Date: 8/7/2007 2:19:42 AM
Author: Harleigh
I agree-I have never felt the need to ''Keep up with the Jones''es,'' and would NEVER flaunt my ring at anyone...I just wanted the most bang for my FI''s buck and I got it! Sadly, most of the staff at my school were back at work today, and even though all of them heard that I got engaged a few weeks ago through word of mouth, I felt like I should hide my 2.11 RB (which I ADORE, by the way!) as even the most affluent and snobby teachers don''t have anything to compare with it. After they goggled it, I felt the need to point out that we got a great deal on the stone and that we paid less for my H, SI2 stone in the carat weight it is than had we bought the same quality in a 1 carat stone at a typical jewelry store.


Since they know my bargain hunting tendencies, I''m pretty sure they know we got a great deal, but I in no way want to show off and rub it in their faces. I never thought I would ''hide'' my ring, but I find myself doing it more and more lately. In no way do I ever want to offend anyone, and I just want everyone to find a great deal like we did!!!


Arghhh...this is just too hard!

Oooh, you''re a teacher? Me too! I don''t go back until the 21st, so I still have a bit of vacation left (which is nice since I taught summer school).

Honey, don''t feel badly about your ring. It is GORgeous and you should be proud of it, not afraid of hurting people''s feelings with it! They probably know you well enough to know that you feel badly since you were talking about the deal you got, so I''m sure they don''t think poorly of you (I''d only get annoyed with someone if they were shoving it in my face and making fun of my smaller ring, and I''m SURE you didn''t do anything like that). Some are probably a bit envious (I know I am!!

) but mostly just happy that you''re happy.

 

[Krissie]

I''ll sit on the "smaller but better quality" bench. I didn''t realize before I started looking at rings that I was color sensitive, but I''ve absolutely fallen in love with my colorless diamond. At 1.11 carats my ring is a bit smaller than that of most of my friends. We had the budget for a larger size, but instead opted for a branded setting and a D stone. I''m a lawyer living in London, but am only here temporarily, and my friends are in DC and NY with similar jobs - and have between 1.5 and 2 carats on average. But I have the satisfaction of knowing that my diamond is perfectly colorless with a setting I adore! Others will of course have other priorities.

This is rambling on and on ... but everything boils down to a matter of personal taste, and there is no "one size fits all" in any geographic region or among any circle of friends! I would definitely make some subtle hints and find out what''s ideal for her!!

 

[decodelighted]

Where ****I***** am from, anything less than 4.575 carats is laughed out of the room! And forget D/IF ... C''s only for us! CANARY?? That''s for the birds. And the BEST BLING is completely suckable, lovingly set in a ring of fine Chinese plastic.

of course the walls HERE are a little padded, and they feed us through a slot, and ... and ... I want my mommmmiiieeeee

 

[musey]

Date: 8/7/2007 12:29:19 PM
Author: decodelighted
Where ****I***** am from, anything less than 4.575 carats is laughed out of the room! And forget D/IF ... C's only for us! CANARY?? That's for the birds. And the BEST BLING is completely suckable, lovingly set in a ring of fine Chinese plastic.

of course the walls HERE are a little padded, and they feed us through a slot, and ... and ... I want my mommmmiiieeeee

 

[Ninama]

My materialistic child within is on the verge of a tantrum...

I wonder what the e-ring standard is here in Southeast North Hollywood (Toluca Lake adjacent)?

 

[Pandora II]

Date: 8/7/2007 12:29:19 PM
Author: decodelighted
Where ****I***** am from, anything less than 4.575 carats is laughed out of the room! And forget D/IF ... C''s only for us! CANARY?? That''s for the birds. And the BEST BLING is completely suckable, lovingly set in a ring of fine Chinese plastic.

of course the walls HERE are a little padded, and they feed us through a slot, and ... and ... I want my mommmmiiieeeee

I want one of those - suckable... now that is actually my ''test'' for coloured stones. If I want to eat it, then I''m in love....

Deco, you crack me up. It''ll be all your fault if I get caught reading PS at work!

 

[Haven]

Parts of this thread make me so sad! I''m fairly new to PS but my favorite thing about this site is that so many different people from different walks of life come here to share their expertise and their opinions in a kind, supportive manner.

I think it''s fair to say that unless we live on private islands, most of us have to endure our share of snarky individuals in real life, and we certainly don''t need to be confronted with that when we come on to PS to gush about each other''s (and our own) diamonds and help others make educated purchases.

It is so reassuring to see PSers like Musey, Gwendolyn, MC, Pandora, Surfgirl, Harleigh, et cetera successfully thwarting Mymodog''s attempts to breed nastiness on the forum--thanks, guys!

mymodog--You don''t have to like anyone''s advice on here, but they are certainly giving good, informed advice about diamonds and cut. Like you, I also love the crushed ice look, which many people here do not prefer, and that''s okay. I know that most of my fellow PSers are not going to love the cushion I chose because it has more of a radiant faceting, but I''m still going to share it because I love it, and that''s all that matters. And guess what--I''m confident that I won''t receive one bit of criticism for my choice, because PSers are just not like that. Now, if I was asking for advice about the cut, then I''d expect honest advice and opinions about the faceting, and I''d value that advice.

Blinginator--Good luck with your purchase, I''m sure with a little education you''ll make the choice that is right for you and your lady. And then you''ll come back and post handshots.

Harleigh--Wear your gorgeous ering with pride, it is beautiful, and you should not be ashamed of it!

 

[Haven]

AAAAAAAHHAHAHAHAHAHA Deco!

If I knew how to post a little animated guy bouncing around laughing, I would.

 

[Madam Bijoux]

"Custard Pie" (baked and sung by Led Zeppelin):
Drop down, baby, let your daddy see.
Drop down, mama, just dream of me
Well, my mama allow me to fool around all night long
Well, I may look like I''m crazy, I should know right from wrong
See me comin'', throw your man out the door
Ain''t no stranger, been this way before
See me comin'', mama, throw your man out the door
I ain''t no stranger, I been this way before.
Put on your night shirt and your morning gown
You know by night I''m gonna shake ''em down
Put on your night shirt Mama, and your morning gown
Well, you know by night I''m gonna shake ''em down
Your custard pie, yeah, sweet and nice
When you cut it, mama, save me a slice
Your custard pie, I declare, it''s sweet and nice
I Like your custard pie
When you cut it, mama... mama, please save me a slice.
Save me a slice of your custard pie.
Drop down

 

[Madam Bijoux]

I hate it when my pics don''t work.

 

[psadmin]

Everyone Thank You for all of your input, But this thread has gone off topic.

Andrey
PS Admin