Engagement rings... how on earth did you pick...

[catabie]

When I was in college, I dreamt of having a Vera Wang wedding gown and a Tiffany Lucida so I guess it made things really easy for hubby. Now, come to think about it I actually dont mind a non designer engagement ring just because I can save hubby some money AND on top of it get a better quality diamond. But dont get me wrong, I still love my Lucida to death!

I guess once you see it, you know it. The shape should make your heart skip a beat and you are like: THIS IS IT!!

[wcofer28]

Here's how we picked mine..........a local jewelry store was moving and they had their entire inventory marked down 60-70% so we went in and picked out my ring, and bought it at a great deal . I am allllll about a bargain, LOL!! Plus, it was marked .75 carats but it measured at .98 carats. I felt like it was even more of a bargain! Soooooooooo sentimental.

[Junkenpo]

you know..... i gave DH the minimum diamond specs for color, clarity & cut... i gave him pictures of setting styles I liked... left the rest up to him.

I didn't get my dream setting (Cartier 1895) but I got a gorgeous e-ring that i love love love....

doesn't work for everyone, but it's good for me.

[BagaholicAnon]

I'm terrible at this! I've been married twice and I always ended up changing my setting several times. I always kept the original stone, but I changed my settings almost once a year!

I'm no longer married, but I recently purchased a diamond for myself earlier this year, and am already on my second setting! I just didn't think the first one really complemented the stone well. Luckily, my jeweler loves and understands me so he's been great about allowing me to trade in my settings. I just dropped the ring off today for him to re-set, and he's not charging me a penny!

I have to admit, neither me nor any of my exes were really sentimental about the rings. The important thing was to have a ring on to symbolize the marriage, not so much a particular ring.

[Taralindsey]

We didn't have a huge budget for a ring but my DH bought my first one second hand for a fantastic deal at $750 for a nice e ring with a .5- carat center stone with some side stones.. then I lost it 4 years later.... When we got enough money to buy a new ring we were shopping at Costco for some things and I saw it in the case. I knew that was it. I had no idea that I would ever want a ring from costco and I think it's insane that I bought a diamond ring and diapers in the same transaction but I love my ring, it was a good deal and it really did appraise for more than I paid.. and the quality is really good according to my jeweler.

I think when you see it you will know and it wont matter where you got it... just keep looking and trying them on.

[Golden Touch]

My husband chose mine. I originally wanted a large domed white gold Pave set ring with a split gold wedder to wear either side.

I have small fingers (US 5, Aus J)and when I tried it on my hubby wasn't impressed (even though it would of saved him lots of $). I tried on many and the only thing I knew for sure was that I didn't want a solitare and I wanted all my rings to sit flush.

This is what he chose. He chose my eternity as well. I chose the wedding band and I only ever wanted a plain band. I love the setting I have as it won't date. My Grandmothers are very similar and she is 93.

I don't ever see myself upgrading as both of us are sentimental fools.

[SunnyT]

Originally Posted by catabie

I guess once you see it, you know it. The shape should make your heart skip a beat and you are like: THIS IS IT!!

This! I worked in jewelry for several years, so I think DH was expecting a long process with me nitpicking every piece...but my ring was in the first store and it had TAKE ME all over it.

Luckily he went back for it right away because it was vintage...but the SOB still dragged me to a million other stores to throw me off!

[brulee]

I always had the same dream engagement ring and it was even more perfect when I actually tried it on in the store. Definitely love at first sight! So it was very easy for DF to decide what to get me. Luckily, he loved it too.

[to_the_nines]

I know what you mean, I'm the same way. I've been married for almost 9 years and have had 3 erings. I still have each ering, and sometimes wear the older ones. Lately, I've been thinking that I'd like another one...

[mjlover1977]

ahhh - i think i always 'knew' ... i love the look of princess cut. To me, its 'classic' ... and i always wanted the lucida but i also knew that i didnt think that $20k was a good price so my boy chose the diamond and we then got it set lucida style (platinum ... i just adore platinum). My big dilemma for me is around my wedding band!

[duckiee]

he set a budget & i found several rocks closest to the budget (ok i did bust it a little ). was pretty much set on a round brillant even though emerald-shaped (same shape as my mum's e-ring) & heart-shaped were part of the consideration.

showed him several settings that i liked & made him decide the rest! he choose the rock & settings from what i had shortlisted, even though the setting i ended up with was not part of the list at all!

[Jenna51580]

I had my heart set on a Radiant Shape stone and spent a great deal of time looking for one. Than I worked with my jeweler and told him to pull several different square/rectangle shapes and a round so I could see on my finger. After I saw the round I fell in love and bought that particular stone. I have it in a classic Tiffany setting which I keep saying I want to change but haven't yet. I really love the double halo square setting now but I am not sure I will love it down the line so I am still decididng.

[cakegirl]

I am not engaged yet, but seriously have NO idea how I would pick. I may just do one ring, and I don't mind if it it not traditional.
Here is the completely eclectic list of things I have considered:
Cartier trinity ring
antique (Edwardian) platinum and diamond ring
Cathy Waterman diamond band
antique emerald and diamond ring
eternity ring
cushion cut diamond on a thin micro pave band
antique sapphire ring
assorted Reinstein Ross gold rings

I work with my hands so if I get something delicate I won't wear it everyday. I am leaning toward just getting an eternity ring.

[Vegas Long Legs]

About 10years ago, DH & I researched, going to different stores gathering data. so we know what we were looking for. He stated get what you want now, most women your age are upgrading now. Being older had seen tons of stones that others thought were good buys & just didn't have the 'fire.' We spent literally months gathering data.
After gathering the research, setting 'standards', we were recommended a broker who gather stones following my specs, I approved over the computer & then I flew to meet him who had the stone shipped to him. I spent several days with the stones, even took them to the hotel I was staying at. Taking them in different light, running them through his machines, double checking out facts on GIA cert.
I narrowed it down to two, talked to DH & we agreed. We felt since the cost was high we should both have input. We would never spend that kind of moeny on anything without consulting each other. DH is romantic in other areas, so it not being a surprise meant nothing to me.

Very happy we did it this way.

[Swanky Mama Of Three]

Annie, it is overwhelming isn't it!?
I'd truly just try and start narrowing it down to your favorite cut, forget everything else for now.
Then if he is willing I'd still recommend just having it mounted on a basic Tiffany style setting until you find the setting you KNOW you want. . . it could be a 2, 5, 8 yr anniversary gift, but at least you'll truly get what you wnt.
In the meantime you could use an eternity band as the wedding band for added bling.

I still have my basic mounting fmr my upgrade last year! LOL!