Hi everybody,
I first want to thank everybody for providing such helpful information this forum and website. I''ve enjoyed learning about diamonds here, and as a first-time shopper it has greatly simplified my life so far.
I have started planning for the expenses associated with our engagement, and I have read very interesting proposal stories here. All of us shopping for diamonds appreciate good diamonds, but I am wondering where you all see the line between getting the best ring, and getting the best story to go with the ring. I''m sure it''s a matter of taste, but I would like to get opinions on this.
A little background. I''m 28, starting the 4th year of a graduate degree program. My girlfriend is 23 and will be graduating from her masters at about the same time I will graduate from my program. We have been together for a little less than two years, living together the whole time, and things have been smooth. We have discussed engagements, marriage and other future plans and decided that we probably would like to get engaged in about 12 months, as I start the 4-5 month job search process for an academic job in my field.
As of right now, I''ve estimated that by that time I should be able to have about $4000. Thanks to Pricescope, I''ve figured out that I can get a nice ring for her, in the slightly less than 1 carat range (0.9-0.95) and be left with about $500 for planning a proposal. That is what my current salary allows. She likes: round stone, very thin ring, tiffany style or with small gemstones, relatively insensitive to color (G-H is fine). Eye-clean is sufficient.
I have also been toying with the idea of a travel proposal/celebration to Paris. I''m a native French speaker from Canada, and she has been learning French for a couple years. So, French has some special connection to us. I have friends in Paris who could help me plan a nice 3 day trip (I''ve never been there), and using some frequent flyer miles I''ve estimated that about $1700 would do the trick.
So here are some options:
1.
$3500 diamond & ring (.9-.95 carat, SI2, H)
Local proposal, on a weekend getaway with $500 budget. Not planned yet.
2.
$2300 diamond & ring (about .75 carat, SI2, H, simple white-gold solitaire ring)
Weekend in Paris. Simplified current plan: ask her to prepare a bag to visit some of friends in Pittsburgh for the weekend (we’re in central PA). As we get to Pittsburgh, instead drive to a nice outdoor location and propose to her. Explain that we’re actually going to Paris.
What are your opinions/experiences? Better ring or better proposal? Any other idea?
Thanks!!
I first want to thank everybody for providing such helpful information this forum and website. I''ve enjoyed learning about diamonds here, and as a first-time shopper it has greatly simplified my life so far.
I have started planning for the expenses associated with our engagement, and I have read very interesting proposal stories here. All of us shopping for diamonds appreciate good diamonds, but I am wondering where you all see the line between getting the best ring, and getting the best story to go with the ring. I''m sure it''s a matter of taste, but I would like to get opinions on this.
A little background. I''m 28, starting the 4th year of a graduate degree program. My girlfriend is 23 and will be graduating from her masters at about the same time I will graduate from my program. We have been together for a little less than two years, living together the whole time, and things have been smooth. We have discussed engagements, marriage and other future plans and decided that we probably would like to get engaged in about 12 months, as I start the 4-5 month job search process for an academic job in my field.
As of right now, I''ve estimated that by that time I should be able to have about $4000. Thanks to Pricescope, I''ve figured out that I can get a nice ring for her, in the slightly less than 1 carat range (0.9-0.95) and be left with about $500 for planning a proposal. That is what my current salary allows. She likes: round stone, very thin ring, tiffany style or with small gemstones, relatively insensitive to color (G-H is fine). Eye-clean is sufficient.
I have also been toying with the idea of a travel proposal/celebration to Paris. I''m a native French speaker from Canada, and she has been learning French for a couple years. So, French has some special connection to us. I have friends in Paris who could help me plan a nice 3 day trip (I''ve never been there), and using some frequent flyer miles I''ve estimated that about $1700 would do the trick.
So here are some options:
1.
$3500 diamond & ring (.9-.95 carat, SI2, H)
Local proposal, on a weekend getaway with $500 budget. Not planned yet.
2.
$2300 diamond & ring (about .75 carat, SI2, H, simple white-gold solitaire ring)
Weekend in Paris. Simplified current plan: ask her to prepare a bag to visit some of friends in Pittsburgh for the weekend (we’re in central PA). As we get to Pittsburgh, instead drive to a nice outdoor location and propose to her. Explain that we’re actually going to Paris.
What are your opinions/experiences? Better ring or better proposal? Any other idea?
Thanks!!