pittsburgh66
Rough_Rock
- Joined
- Dec 14, 2006
- Messages
- 18
Greetings again,
Well, I bought the 1.24ct Asscher that I had for feedback about (pic below), and now it's on to selecting a setting, which brings me to a MAJOR dilemma!
I had gotten some guidance from my fiancee-to-be about two months ago (I think i was pretty sneaky about it, because after all it doesn't take much "leading" to get most girls to start talking engagement rings!), and over the years that we've been together, I've tried to pay attention to rings she's pointed out in magazines and such, so I feel like I've got a darn good idea of what I'm doing (note: I had chosen correctly on an Asscher, which neither of us had even heard of before hitting up bluenile for some E-ring 101; I was SHOCKED when she picked the same shape and 2 of the settings I thought she'd like)
However, despite my knowledge of her taste and preferences, it's looking more and more that the ring is going to be a custom or designer setting (sidestones are a definite, so this will be pricey), and I'm more than a little concerned about the no-return policy on most custom pieces and the limited return policy of most others ( and re-set/return nightmare in general).
So my question is: which of the following options is my best move?
1. Should I get my girlfriend involved in the setting selection process, and how would I go about doing that without completely destroying the element of surprise? we're a couple of romantics and I know she wants to be surprised -- different things work best for different people, but I find the idea of a pre-determined/planned proposal a pretty deflating concept. Note that everyone we know is waiting on our engagement, so it's not exactly coming out of the blue (though I have her convinced that I can't afford a ring until an upcoming financial development that I'm waiting on -- white lie
).
2. Should I go ahead and pick it out myself, having a respectable idea of what she likes? (problem is that there is great variance here, from fancy, ornate Verragios to classic Cartier-repros and the like). I realize that there's a real possibility that whatever I select WILL become the ring of her dreams, but I'm a bit of a perfectionist on these things.
3. Should I set the diamond in a simple solitaire for now, pop the question, and then proceed to let her shop to her heart's delight (also letting us get on with planning our much-overdue wedding!)?
While I know she'll be happy with whatever I select (I can avoid the woofers), I really want her to have the ring of her dreams (and the envy of her friends) instead of me "playing it safe" and getting something less than perfect as a result!
Well, I bought the 1.24ct Asscher that I had for feedback about (pic below), and now it's on to selecting a setting, which brings me to a MAJOR dilemma!
I had gotten some guidance from my fiancee-to-be about two months ago (I think i was pretty sneaky about it, because after all it doesn't take much "leading" to get most girls to start talking engagement rings!), and over the years that we've been together, I've tried to pay attention to rings she's pointed out in magazines and such, so I feel like I've got a darn good idea of what I'm doing (note: I had chosen correctly on an Asscher, which neither of us had even heard of before hitting up bluenile for some E-ring 101; I was SHOCKED when she picked the same shape and 2 of the settings I thought she'd like)
However, despite my knowledge of her taste and preferences, it's looking more and more that the ring is going to be a custom or designer setting (sidestones are a definite, so this will be pricey), and I'm more than a little concerned about the no-return policy on most custom pieces and the limited return policy of most others ( and re-set/return nightmare in general).
So my question is: which of the following options is my best move?
1. Should I get my girlfriend involved in the setting selection process, and how would I go about doing that without completely destroying the element of surprise? we're a couple of romantics and I know she wants to be surprised -- different things work best for different people, but I find the idea of a pre-determined/planned proposal a pretty deflating concept. Note that everyone we know is waiting on our engagement, so it's not exactly coming out of the blue (though I have her convinced that I can't afford a ring until an upcoming financial development that I'm waiting on -- white lie
2. Should I go ahead and pick it out myself, having a respectable idea of what she likes? (problem is that there is great variance here, from fancy, ornate Verragios to classic Cartier-repros and the like). I realize that there's a real possibility that whatever I select WILL become the ring of her dreams, but I'm a bit of a perfectionist on these things.
3. Should I set the diamond in a simple solitaire for now, pop the question, and then proceed to let her shop to her heart's delight (also letting us get on with planning our much-overdue wedding!)?
While I know she'll be happy with whatever I select (I can avoid the woofers), I really want her to have the ring of her dreams (and the envy of her friends) instead of me "playing it safe" and getting something less than perfect as a result!