Engagement rings... how on earth did you pick...
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I knew I wanted an oval solitaire, because my mom had one. 
Plus oval diamonds look bigger! I'm not one to ever decide on a ring style, so a tiffany setting was the way to go. Otherwise, I might get bored with it.
Yikes, $3600 worth of sales tax if you have it shipped to Florida. @_@ That's a honker! I wish my winning lottery ticket was worth more than $15... I'll take $1 million, that's all I really need.
Plus oval diamonds look bigger! I'm not one to ever decide on a ring style, so a tiffany setting was the way to go. Otherwise, I might get bored with it. Yikes, $3600 worth of sales tax if you have it shipped to Florida. @_@ That's a honker! I wish my winning lottery ticket was worth more than $15... I'll take $1 million, that's all I really need.
Yikes, $3600 worth of sales tax if you have it shipped to Florida. @_@ That's a honker! I wish my winning lottery ticket was worth more than $15... I'll take $1 million, that's all I really need.
tell ya what, i'll let you ship it to my house....
Have you checked out Pricescope? You can see tons of pics of rings in the Show Me the Ring section and narrow down your taste. By the way, have you been to Graff's yet?
^^^^
Hey Allison! I have looked at Pricescope.
I haven't been to Graff's -- that's actually one I thought I would skip over, because aren't the diamonds there quite fabulous? I thought they specialized in super expensive stones, unlike Tiffany which carries engagement rings that are $5K. I didn't think I would find anything within my budget.
Hey Allison! I have looked at Pricescope.
I haven't been to Graff's -- that's actually one I thought I would skip over, because aren't the diamonds there quite fabulous? I thought they specialized in super expensive stones, unlike Tiffany which carries engagement rings that are $5K. I didn't think I would find anything within my budget.
I guess it's been a while since anyone posted on this thread but I just saw it and was interested in it. I hope that's okay!
It was easy to pick my engagement ring. My DH didn't have one with him when he proposed. Basically he came to my house and asked to talk to my father and they went off together and when they came back I learned that my DH had asked for 'my hand'. He then got on one knee in front of me and proposed and I said yes. He said he was sorry he didn't have a ring, but that he had thought I might like to pick it out myself and would I mind going together with him to the jewelry store. I didn't mind. I thought it was nice that he wanted to get what I wanted.
I guess I should mention here that we had been dating for seven years at this point, and I really, REALLY wanted to get married to this guy. (We started dating when we were 18 and got married at age 25). My big criteria for the engagement ring was that I wanted one as soon as possible. I just wanted everyone to know that I was FINALLY engaged. (My mother and aunts had been nagging me about it. In my culture, at that time, 25 years old was very old to be still unmarried). So when we went shopping for the ring, my biggest criteria was to walk out with a ring on my finger THAT DAY. My only other criteria was that the diamond should be the biggest one that we could manage that was still shiny and 'pretty'. I knew nothing about cut, color, clarity, etc. and neither did DH.
This was in 1982 and the only choices in the store were solitaires set in YG, which helped to simplify matters. Nothing had sidestones, there was no pave, none of the bands had diamonds inset in them. It was all very plain. The only real choice was between getting a round brilliant or a marquise (marquises were very popular back then). I think they had some emerald cut, but those were very few and I 'm pretty sure that the princess cut was not even invented yet. I decided I wanted a round brilliant, I started looking at the sizes, I picked out a few and DH told me which ones were in the budget. Then I picked the prettiest one out of the biggest stones left. DH paid for it, in cash (most people did not have credit cards back then and he didn't want to finance it). And out we went.
I was so happy with my ring and have remained happy with it. Only my wedding band, which exactly matches DH's and is engraved inside (and was blessed by the pastor at my wedding) is more important to me. That is a YG band with a WG edging.
Fast forward to last year, when we had our 25th wedding anniversary. DH decided he wanted to get me an anniversary band. This time, with the internet and such sources as Pricescope and sites like Blue Nile, I did all kinds of research. I had learned about color, clarity and cut in the meantime, and of course there was a huge amount of choice out there. Although, interestingly enough, many of the 'new' rings looked a whole lot like my grandmother's engagement. Which was a white gold filigree art deco ring with milgrain and so forth. In 1982, when me and DH went ring shopping, I wouldn't have wanted that. It was so 'old lady' looking at that time, so out of date, that I didn't appreciate how pretty it was. It's funny how things go in and out of style.
Anyway, to make a long story short, I did all this research this time and had a lot more knowledge but my criteria remained exactly the same, after all the years that had passed. I still wanted to biggest diamond that DH could afford that was 'pretty'. That is, white and sparkly. I ended up going for a round brilliant again, I guess because they are the sparkliest. I went very high color, F and I got the most ideal of ideal cuts, an AGS0. I got it from Blue Nile, where I had the choice to design my own ring, looked at millions of choices and ended up with--guess what? A setting that is just about identical to that of my engagement ring. That is six-prong Tiffany and the anniversary ring is four-prong tiffany. I changed the metal to platinum, mostly because it is a white metal and that seemed right for a silver anniversary ring, and I went a teensy bit more ornate--there is a little milgrain edging on the plain band.
I guess I liked classic and simple years ago and I still like the same thing, even when there is a lot more choice available. Funny, isn't it?
With both my rings, the engagement ring and the anniversary ring, I like that I can use them just as they are, and showcase the diamonds. I like that I can make them look different also, when I want to. I have an enhancer which makes my original ring look like a three-stone and I use that sometimes. I have a couple of eternity rings that stack that also change the look of the rings that I put on when I feel like it. I know there are other kinds of enhancers available, also. When you buy a ring, you might find that that versatility is something to consider.
Round brilliants look great on the kind of fingers that I have. I do think you should try on different types of stones to see what flatters your fingers. And maybe sparkly isn't important to you, so you might prefer some other type of stone, like an emerald cut or asscher, which doesn't sparkle much.
Anyway, good luck. And remember that the man who is giving it to you is the main thing. I would hate my engagement ring, no matter how beautiful it was, if I wasn't with my DH any longer, instead of still happy after 25 years. Sometimes I go to pawnshops and its really sad to see the rows and rows of engagement rings. It makes you think.
It was easy to pick my engagement ring. My DH didn't have one with him when he proposed. Basically he came to my house and asked to talk to my father and they went off together and when they came back I learned that my DH had asked for 'my hand'. He then got on one knee in front of me and proposed and I said yes. He said he was sorry he didn't have a ring, but that he had thought I might like to pick it out myself and would I mind going together with him to the jewelry store. I didn't mind. I thought it was nice that he wanted to get what I wanted.
I guess I should mention here that we had been dating for seven years at this point, and I really, REALLY wanted to get married to this guy. (We started dating when we were 18 and got married at age 25). My big criteria for the engagement ring was that I wanted one as soon as possible. I just wanted everyone to know that I was FINALLY engaged. (My mother and aunts had been nagging me about it. In my culture, at that time, 25 years old was very old to be still unmarried). So when we went shopping for the ring, my biggest criteria was to walk out with a ring on my finger THAT DAY. My only other criteria was that the diamond should be the biggest one that we could manage that was still shiny and 'pretty'. I knew nothing about cut, color, clarity, etc. and neither did DH.
This was in 1982 and the only choices in the store were solitaires set in YG, which helped to simplify matters. Nothing had sidestones, there was no pave, none of the bands had diamonds inset in them. It was all very plain. The only real choice was between getting a round brilliant or a marquise (marquises were very popular back then). I think they had some emerald cut, but those were very few and I 'm pretty sure that the princess cut was not even invented yet. I decided I wanted a round brilliant, I started looking at the sizes, I picked out a few and DH told me which ones were in the budget. Then I picked the prettiest one out of the biggest stones left. DH paid for it, in cash (most people did not have credit cards back then and he didn't want to finance it). And out we went.
I was so happy with my ring and have remained happy with it. Only my wedding band, which exactly matches DH's and is engraved inside (and was blessed by the pastor at my wedding) is more important to me. That is a YG band with a WG edging.
Fast forward to last year, when we had our 25th wedding anniversary. DH decided he wanted to get me an anniversary band. This time, with the internet and such sources as Pricescope and sites like Blue Nile, I did all kinds of research. I had learned about color, clarity and cut in the meantime, and of course there was a huge amount of choice out there. Although, interestingly enough, many of the 'new' rings looked a whole lot like my grandmother's engagement. Which was a white gold filigree art deco ring with milgrain and so forth. In 1982, when me and DH went ring shopping, I wouldn't have wanted that. It was so 'old lady' looking at that time, so out of date, that I didn't appreciate how pretty it was. It's funny how things go in and out of style.
Anyway, to make a long story short, I did all this research this time and had a lot more knowledge but my criteria remained exactly the same, after all the years that had passed. I still wanted to biggest diamond that DH could afford that was 'pretty'. That is, white and sparkly. I ended up going for a round brilliant again, I guess because they are the sparkliest. I went very high color, F and I got the most ideal of ideal cuts, an AGS0. I got it from Blue Nile, where I had the choice to design my own ring, looked at millions of choices and ended up with--guess what? A setting that is just about identical to that of my engagement ring. That is six-prong Tiffany and the anniversary ring is four-prong tiffany. I changed the metal to platinum, mostly because it is a white metal and that seemed right for a silver anniversary ring, and I went a teensy bit more ornate--there is a little milgrain edging on the plain band.
I guess I liked classic and simple years ago and I still like the same thing, even when there is a lot more choice available. Funny, isn't it?
With both my rings, the engagement ring and the anniversary ring, I like that I can use them just as they are, and showcase the diamonds. I like that I can make them look different also, when I want to. I have an enhancer which makes my original ring look like a three-stone and I use that sometimes. I have a couple of eternity rings that stack that also change the look of the rings that I put on when I feel like it. I know there are other kinds of enhancers available, also. When you buy a ring, you might find that that versatility is something to consider.
Round brilliants look great on the kind of fingers that I have. I do think you should try on different types of stones to see what flatters your fingers. And maybe sparkly isn't important to you, so you might prefer some other type of stone, like an emerald cut or asscher, which doesn't sparkle much.
Anyway, good luck. And remember that the man who is giving it to you is the main thing. I would hate my engagement ring, no matter how beautiful it was, if I wasn't with my DH any longer, instead of still happy after 25 years. Sometimes I go to pawnshops and its really sad to see the rows and rows of engagement rings. It makes you think.
black jade-
I think your story is wonderful and I totally agree with you about the non-existent choices in the 80's -vs- what is out there today.
I am currently going through the ring-deciding dilemma myself and find it a little overwhelming. I went to look at shapes and styles today and I have a feeling it's going to take a little while to really figure out what I want.
I also agree with you that it is the love of the man who gives it to you and the commitment that it represents is what really matters-you are a lucky woman to have found your true love!
Thanks to the OP and the ladies on this forum for providing the insight and opinions-you are all a big help and I am glad there is this forum to get some really good advice on such a big decision!
I think your story is wonderful and I totally agree with you about the non-existent choices in the 80's -vs- what is out there today.
I am currently going through the ring-deciding dilemma myself and find it a little overwhelming. I went to look at shapes and styles today and I have a feeling it's going to take a little while to really figure out what I want.
I also agree with you that it is the love of the man who gives it to you and the commitment that it represents is what really matters-you are a lucky woman to have found your true love!
Thanks to the OP and the ladies on this forum for providing the insight and opinions-you are all a big help and I am glad there is this forum to get some really good advice on such a big decision!
Black Jade,
Thank you so much for posting your wonderful story!
I never really thought about how the choices for rings were so limited in the '80s, but they certainly were. When DH and I went ring-shopping, like you I just wanted something I could wear out of the store that day to show that we were engaged. I was just amazed that some guy was actually going to buy me jewelry!
Our funds were limited, neither of us had ever even been inside a jewelry store before. A friend directed us to a jeweler in a real sleazoid neighborhood. In fact when I went back to get my ring properly sized the next day I was witness to a drug-related robbery at a store next door.
Our only choices for rings were round and marquis diamonds in yellow-gold. I wanted a ring like my mother's or grandmother's, but the jeweler brusquely informed me that such things were not made anymore and furthermore they were not the style. DH picked out a Tiffany setting with a small round stone, and although I wasn't terribly fond of it he was the one paying.
I really would not part with it all these years later. Because of what it means, what it symbolizes, because it's from DH and it conjures the memory of the adventure of getting engaged and buying the ring.
Like you have, I too have several stack rings I wear with it to show it off, make it look a bit different. I've thought about getting an enhancer but haven't found any I remotely like.
Thanks for posting your story, Black Jade. It really brought back fine memories.
Thank you so much for posting your wonderful story!
I never really thought about how the choices for rings were so limited in the '80s, but they certainly were. When DH and I went ring-shopping, like you I just wanted something I could wear out of the store that day to show that we were engaged. I was just amazed that some guy was actually going to buy me jewelry!
Our funds were limited, neither of us had ever even been inside a jewelry store before. A friend directed us to a jeweler in a real sleazoid neighborhood. In fact when I went back to get my ring properly sized the next day I was witness to a drug-related robbery at a store next door.
Our only choices for rings were round and marquis diamonds in yellow-gold. I wanted a ring like my mother's or grandmother's, but the jeweler brusquely informed me that such things were not made anymore and furthermore they were not the style. DH picked out a Tiffany setting with a small round stone, and although I wasn't terribly fond of it he was the one paying.
I really would not part with it all these years later. Because of what it means, what it symbolizes, because it's from DH and it conjures the memory of the adventure of getting engaged and buying the ring.
Like you have, I too have several stack rings I wear with it to show it off, make it look a bit different. I've thought about getting an enhancer but haven't found any I remotely like.
Thanks for posting your story, Black Jade. It really brought back fine memories.
I was the same way until I connected with an antique diamond a few years ago (this was for our 10 year anniversary, as I had never had an engagement ring). Once I saw it, I never looked back. A few years and several upgrades later, I still wear an old cut and have even started my own business selling antique diamonds and jewelery. I think it's just a matter of finding what speaks to you (sounds easier than it is, of course!)
Pricescope is a great suggestion - I spend lots of time there
Pricescope is a great suggestion - I spend lots of time there
I had a hard time picking my girlfriends ring. It took me months to find the ring that I knew she would love. I had the most trouble when it came to picking the metal to have the ring set in, there are a lot of differences. I ended up going with a platinum setting because I knew it would last a lifetime and that it would hold the stones a lot more securely than any other metal. And I also knew that Platinum is hypoallergenic so it would not cause any allergic reactions, my girlfriend has really sensitive skin.
I'm proposing at the end of the month. Here's what the ring will look like. http://www.engagementguide.com/ring_gallery/details.php?ring_record_id=415&categories
I'm proposing at the end of the month. Here's what the ring will look like. http://www.engagementguide.com/ring_gallery/details.php?ring_record_id=415&categories
Bumping this- I need help!
As I posted in another thread, my bf and i are going to elope in the summer. When we decided, he asked me what kind of ring I wanted. I didn't even have to think about it- an eternity ring- roughly 3 carats. I have never been that excited about a traditional ring. I did research online, and then the other day went to try some on locally. The first one I didn't like but just thought it was a badly made ring. The store wasn't very nice, but I was just trying it on for size since I was going to order from The Facets Collection. So, today I went to a very nice store. I tried on almost the exact ring I was thinking of getting and it just looked wrong on my finger. I can't even explain it.
I started looking at some other rings-they have a great selection of antique as well as new items. I was drawn to the antique rings- Edwardian sapphire and diamond rings and Old European cuts. I loved the way they looked on, but they are SO different from what I was sure I wanted. My style tends to the more modern and fashion forward.
Did anyone end up with the complete opposite of what they thought they wanted? Where do I go from here?
As I posted in another thread, my bf and i are going to elope in the summer. When we decided, he asked me what kind of ring I wanted. I didn't even have to think about it- an eternity ring- roughly 3 carats. I have never been that excited about a traditional ring. I did research online, and then the other day went to try some on locally. The first one I didn't like but just thought it was a badly made ring. The store wasn't very nice, but I was just trying it on for size since I was going to order from The Facets Collection. So, today I went to a very nice store. I tried on almost the exact ring I was thinking of getting and it just looked wrong on my finger. I can't even explain it.
I started looking at some other rings-they have a great selection of antique as well as new items. I was drawn to the antique rings- Edwardian sapphire and diamond rings and Old European cuts. I loved the way they looked on, but they are SO different from what I was sure I wanted. My style tends to the more modern and fashion forward.
Did anyone end up with the complete opposite of what they thought they wanted? Where do I go from here?
I didn't with my ring but with most facets of my wedding--dress especially. I like PLAIN things that are simple and elegant and I ended up with this fully beaded--multicolored beading even--and strapless thing. It was so pretty but so not what I thought Id ever wear.
Ok that totally didn't help.
But I can say this:
I thought for sure when I was rebuying my e-ring this month that I would want a 3 stone, with rounds or pears on the side. And when I tried them on...Meh.
Ok that totally didn't help.
But I can say this:
I thought for sure when I was rebuying my e-ring this month that I would want a 3 stone, with rounds or pears on the side. And when I tried them on...Meh.