ring_confused
Rough_Rock
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2009
- Messages
- 6
Yes...I said it.... EBAY. I am all about the internet and end up buying 90% of the things I cant get at wal-mart over the net.
I originally would have NEVER considered spending multiple thousands of dollars on an internet ring until I did some more research (and went to some jewelers).
I am in my last semester of college and will be looking for a job soon. I have been with my girlfriend for 2.5 years and would like to get engaged within the next 6-12 months. I currently have about 3,700 set aside for a ring.
My girlfriend does not really have any hobbies per say...but she is obsessed with weddings and engagement rings! I have worked pretty hard to earn enough money to pay for my luxury type items (non life necessities) including my gear for my ATV/ Car/ Hunting and etc. I feel she deserves (and desperately wants...lol) a reasonably large ring.
Now... If I walk into a jewelery store (be it home-grown small places, or rogers/hollands type places) and attempt to get a 2-2.5c TW ring for 3500-4500 I get laughed at. They usually want to sell me a 1.5 c tw with not-so-great diamodns for 5000!
What I know she wants:
- White gold (am considering 14k for some extra strength, over 18k)
- Princess cut
- 3 stone with channel set side diamonds
We have gone ring shopping and a ring like the one in the ebay auction I will link to is about 100% what she wants.
I have done a bit of research (mostly via emailing past buyers of this ebay member) and have found everyone is very happy with their purchase... So far out of the 15 people i have emailed 3 have responded explaining what they purchased and their satisfaction. Judging by the positive comments left for the seller, I think those who choose to respond will have good things to say. I only emailed those who got 1 carat minimum rings, spending a minimum of 2,000 dollars with this jeweler, so the people responding did not buy tiny rings, thus not being able to see problems.
Here is the ebay link:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=200302352073
That is NOT the right specifications though (just use it for a visual on the style/layout of the ring).
After some research I have decided I want nothing less than SI2, and am aiming for SI1. I am also looking for G or H color. My goal is to have an eye-clean ring (see...told you I did research
)
To make the BOOK I just wrote easier to answer questions, I numbered them to help aid in responses.
1) What are your thoughts on SI1 & SI2? G color rating?
That ebay seller has emailed me back a few times with some prices.
SI2- G 1.01 ct center with the total weight being 2.50 ct will be $4299.99
SI1 - G 1.10 ct with the total weight being 2.50 ct will be $4799.99
I asked for a quote on the 1.10 in SI2 just for comparison sake.
One thing I am trying to figure out...on a ring like picture in the auction,
2)how much weight would the channel set diamonds have? I am trying to figure out a good ratio for the side diamonds to the center. Obviously a 1.1 center, 2.5tw will have slightly smaller side diamonds than the 1 carat center that is also 2.5tw. If I can figure out about what the channel-sets weigh I could use my math skills to determine the side stones!
All rings have EGL-USA certs (I know...not GIA..but better than no cert I guess!!)
I am going back to rogers and hollands tomorrow to get the specs on a ring she picked out there. It was (I beleive) a 2.5 ct TW (not sure center size) and I did not ask what the color/clarity was. I do remember it was "on sale" for 5999 down from like 6500. Because it is in my state I would be paying sales tax on it too (so add another 450 on that price). I looked on their website to find a lot of their diamonds are either I-1 or SI2 and a lot of them are J color!!
3) Should I ask the ebay-jewler about girdle, culet, table and all those other words I have not done research on?
4) Will and EGL cert show the cut rating? I dont want to go buying a G/SI1 ring that sounds great, but has a horrible cut and does not have a great sparkle/brilliance to it.
5) What would a person do about a warranty on a ring off the net? This guy has a 100% money back guarantee so I was considering ordering a ring and taking it to a very trusted jeweler that is friends with my girlfriends parents to have them check out the diamonds and the setting (make sure the diamonds are not going to fall out!)
6) I was just reading the forum and read about the "Enhanced" diamonds. Are these bad? If they are to be avoided I want to ask this seller if his are enhanced!
What do you all think? Am I on the right track?
Sorry for the book... I have spent the last few weeks staying up WAY too late researching this stuff and not being able to fall asleep!
Thanks in advance everyone! I know my girlfriend/fiance will very much appreciated all of your help!!!
Hope everyone has a good day
Mike
I originally would have NEVER considered spending multiple thousands of dollars on an internet ring until I did some more research (and went to some jewelers).
I am in my last semester of college and will be looking for a job soon. I have been with my girlfriend for 2.5 years and would like to get engaged within the next 6-12 months. I currently have about 3,700 set aside for a ring.
My girlfriend does not really have any hobbies per say...but she is obsessed with weddings and engagement rings! I have worked pretty hard to earn enough money to pay for my luxury type items (non life necessities) including my gear for my ATV/ Car/ Hunting and etc. I feel she deserves (and desperately wants...lol) a reasonably large ring.
Now... If I walk into a jewelery store (be it home-grown small places, or rogers/hollands type places) and attempt to get a 2-2.5c TW ring for 3500-4500 I get laughed at. They usually want to sell me a 1.5 c tw with not-so-great diamodns for 5000!
What I know she wants:
- White gold (am considering 14k for some extra strength, over 18k)
- Princess cut
- 3 stone with channel set side diamonds
We have gone ring shopping and a ring like the one in the ebay auction I will link to is about 100% what she wants.
I have done a bit of research (mostly via emailing past buyers of this ebay member) and have found everyone is very happy with their purchase... So far out of the 15 people i have emailed 3 have responded explaining what they purchased and their satisfaction. Judging by the positive comments left for the seller, I think those who choose to respond will have good things to say. I only emailed those who got 1 carat minimum rings, spending a minimum of 2,000 dollars with this jeweler, so the people responding did not buy tiny rings, thus not being able to see problems.
Here is the ebay link:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=200302352073
That is NOT the right specifications though (just use it for a visual on the style/layout of the ring).
After some research I have decided I want nothing less than SI2, and am aiming for SI1. I am also looking for G or H color. My goal is to have an eye-clean ring (see...told you I did research
To make the BOOK I just wrote easier to answer questions, I numbered them to help aid in responses.
1) What are your thoughts on SI1 & SI2? G color rating?
That ebay seller has emailed me back a few times with some prices.
SI2- G 1.01 ct center with the total weight being 2.50 ct will be $4299.99
SI1 - G 1.10 ct with the total weight being 2.50 ct will be $4799.99
I asked for a quote on the 1.10 in SI2 just for comparison sake.
One thing I am trying to figure out...on a ring like picture in the auction,
2)how much weight would the channel set diamonds have? I am trying to figure out a good ratio for the side diamonds to the center. Obviously a 1.1 center, 2.5tw will have slightly smaller side diamonds than the 1 carat center that is also 2.5tw. If I can figure out about what the channel-sets weigh I could use my math skills to determine the side stones!
All rings have EGL-USA certs (I know...not GIA..but better than no cert I guess!!)
I am going back to rogers and hollands tomorrow to get the specs on a ring she picked out there. It was (I beleive) a 2.5 ct TW (not sure center size) and I did not ask what the color/clarity was. I do remember it was "on sale" for 5999 down from like 6500. Because it is in my state I would be paying sales tax on it too (so add another 450 on that price). I looked on their website to find a lot of their diamonds are either I-1 or SI2 and a lot of them are J color!!
3) Should I ask the ebay-jewler about girdle, culet, table and all those other words I have not done research on?
4) Will and EGL cert show the cut rating? I dont want to go buying a G/SI1 ring that sounds great, but has a horrible cut and does not have a great sparkle/brilliance to it.
5) What would a person do about a warranty on a ring off the net? This guy has a 100% money back guarantee so I was considering ordering a ring and taking it to a very trusted jeweler that is friends with my girlfriends parents to have them check out the diamonds and the setting (make sure the diamonds are not going to fall out!)
6) I was just reading the forum and read about the "Enhanced" diamonds. Are these bad? If they are to be avoided I want to ask this seller if his are enhanced!
What do you all think? Am I on the right track?
Sorry for the book... I have spent the last few weeks staying up WAY too late researching this stuff and not being able to fall asleep!
Thanks in advance everyone! I know my girlfriend/fiance will very much appreciated all of your help!!!
Hope everyone has a good day
Mike
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