I am a guy...Help me with Engagement ring.

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#76
Randomguy said:
Friday I went to talk to her Dad........he said YES!!......eavesdropping Mom (haha.....nah, I am just kinda loud when nervous...) said she was happy too!!!!
They promised to keep a secret................then started planning a wedding......and probably naming babies and stuff? Just kidding...I am excited...
I'll let all of you know what happens with the ring..
Thanks again
Click to expand...

Oh that is so sweet!
Please keep us up to date!
 
#82
Randomguy said:
Hi everyone.
A few things about me:
1) I am a guy
2) I want to ask her the question
3) I am confused after researching rings for days and weeks and hours online.
4) my eyesight is crappy.....I can't really see well enough to notice subtle differences in diamond quality. Better A or B? hell I don't know....they look the same.
5) I have $5,000 total to spend on a ring.
6) I do not feel comfortable with online rings, used rings, mall stores, estate rings, pawn shops, Craigslist, etc.
7) I like simple, but nice things....and she is the same...although she likes nicer things than I do. But the budget is what it is.
8) she has small hands....and I would ideally like to be able to get the ring adjusted for fit in the store if it is the wrong size for her finger....
9) I am old school......we do not talk about rings as a couple, or go look at them, etc... I want the full surprise aspect.
10) Friends are no help...they are all over the board, from $60k to used diamond off Craigslist re-set, etc....Plus I do not want to have the secret slip out.
11) Her Mom has a very simple ring that she loves that she wears alongside some very expensive jewelry...she would never change the ring her Dad bought her when they were broke and poor...i kind of agree with that.

I'd much prefer a simple classic ring that is from a reputable store than a big ring that was aggressively priced shopped. Can I walk into Tiffany or somewhere similar and walk out with a solitaire ring for that amount? I haven't gone in there because they seem really annoying, and I know that 5k isn't much money to them.

Thanks for any and all help that you may have for me.
Oh, and BTW I am fully Cheezy and would like to propose on Feb 14th.....one less date to remember..I am bad with dates....I will ask her Dad for permission first.
Click to expand...

It's unfortunate that you wouldn't consider antique/estate rings. They are much more classic and you get more bang for your buck. If you're buying retail, 5k will not get you much. At best you'll probably get a half carat with SI clarity but even that is rare. If you want "designer" you'll have to fork out more.
 
#83
Randomguy said:
Hi everyone.
A few things about me:
1) I am a guy
2) I want to ask her the question
3) I am confused after researching rings for days and weeks and hours online.
4) my eyesight is crappy.....I can't really see well enough to notice subtle differences in diamond quality. Better A or B? hell I don't know....they look the same.
5) I have $5,000 total to spend on a ring.
6) I do not feel comfortable with online rings, used rings, mall stores, estate rings, pawn shops, Craigslist, etc.
7) I like simple, but nice things....and she is the same...although she likes nicer things than I do. But the budget is what it is.
8) she has small hands....and I would ideally like to be able to get the ring adjusted for fit in the store if it is the wrong size for her finger....
9) I am old school......we do not talk about rings as a couple, or go look at them, etc... I want the full surprise aspect.
10) Friends are no help...they are all over the board, from $60k to used diamond off Craigslist re-set, etc....Plus I do not want to have the secret slip out.
11) Her Mom has a very simple ring that she loves that she wears alongside some very expensive jewelry...she would never change the ring her Dad bought her when they were broke and poor...i kind of agree with that.

I'd much prefer a simple classic ring that is from a reputable store than a big ring that was aggressively priced shopped. Can I walk into Tiffany or somewhere similar and walk out with a solitaire ring for that amount? I haven't gone in there because they seem really annoying, and I know that 5k isn't much money to them.

Thanks for any and all help that you may have for me.
Oh, and BTW I am fully Cheezy and would like to propose on Feb 14th.....one less date to remember..I am bad with dates....I will ask her Dad for permission first.
Click to expand...
where do you live?

your best bet is a local jeweler....but not like a mall chain

you will get a better quality stone and have more bargaining power

just remember that diamonds have an enormous markup

if you have a local jewelery exchange or market of jewelers.....thats your best bet as they have to be more competitive with pricing

also it helps to have an idea of what you want.....cut.....color....clarity.....setting.....etc

if you sound educated you will have a better chance of working out a deal

if you have no idea they are going to fleece you
 
#88
Brown_Eyes said:
If you're buying retail, 5k will not get you much. At best you'll probably get a half carat with SI clarity but even that is rare. If you want "designer" you'll have to fork out more.
Click to expand...

1/2 Carat SI for $5K?! I hope you haven't shopped at the store you're price-quoting from :p.

I worked at a jewelry store (a nice one, and not a chain or in a mall) and that is way off. A ~.6 Ct SI G solitaire in 14K is like $2k. Better clarity and you're talking around $3K. I don't know about Tiffany's engagement rings - though based on the prices of their other jewelry, I would guess you get a lot less bang for your buck - but a $5k budget will get you a lot in an engagement ring most anywhere else. And I'm talking retail.
 
#90
agreeing with swanky...

according to the James Allen website's loose diamond search:

1.28ct J color SI2 $4940
1.22ct I color SI2 $5070
1.21ct J color SI1 $4980
1.20ct J color VS2 $4940
1.12ct G color SI2 $4890
1.10ct H color SI2 $4910

and so forth.... :)
 
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