lawrocket 3 #1 September 15, 2003 I'll admit I know nothing about jewelry, even though I dated a jeweler once. We just never talked about it. I'm starting to think about proposing to my lady. But I know nothing about this stuff. Is there any protocol about it? What should I look for in terms of the ring, diamond, etc... My wife is hotter than your wife. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lizzieb 0 #2 September 15, 2003 check out this site http://www.adiamondisforever.com/ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mccordia 74 #3 September 15, 2003 Look at your local wallmart, they usualy have those plastic-egg machines...take enough 10 cent coins with you, and after about 5 or 10 eggs, you should be lucky enough to find a ring in there, so you can spend the other 1999 bucks for a ring on skydiving...JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflybella 0 #4 September 15, 2003 How exciting! (I just got engaged, too) I'm sure someone will contradict but I don't think there is ANY right and wrong way to go about it. The best thing, in my opinion, is to discern 'her' feelings. Does she like to be surprised? Would she rather help in the process? Does she even want a ring? I feel sorry for guys who feel like they have go about the whole thing on the sly and surprise the girl. Not because it's a bad idea, but sometimes it's overwhelming or scary to feel like you could be doing it wrong. Mine asked me in the most beautiful and simple way, and then we bought the ring together. Maybe talk to her friends or family, or even 'hypothetically' bring up the subject - you may clue her in but it could add to the excitement. Check out her jewelry collection - does she wear gold? Silver? Anyway, as far as the stone or the ring - get professional help when deciding how balance cost/quality - there is alot to consider.. But for the process - go with what feels right for her (and for you!) The other thing to remember, it will be an amazing lifelong memory, no matter how you do it. Congratulations again! edited to add: I'm not sure why my response was almost entirely about the 'asking' part - and not the actual ring buying part (?) Maybe because I know that there are marketed 'guidelines' like, "2 months salary" and crap like that. (I work in advertising and even worked on Helzberg Diamonds account.) Don't believe the hype. Go for beauty, intent and solid investment. Don't be pressured - but do your homework. Action expresses priority. - Mahatma Ghandi Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lawrocket 3 #5 September 15, 2003 Actually, she wants to be in on the process. I'd just rather know exactly what I'm talking about when we go shopping for it. Kinda like getting a good wine. I know what kinds of wine she likes, and being able to talk to the seller makes it far easier. My wife is hotter than your wife. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Casie 0 #6 September 15, 2003 SWEEEET! Do you have an idea of what kind of stone she likes? Or if she likes gold/silver/white gold/platinum, etc? I would start with that first, then go from there. Good Luck!~Porn Kitty WARNING: Goldschlager causes extreme emotional outbursts! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dove 0 #7 September 15, 2003 Actually, the plastic egg idea isnt such a bad one if you dont know what she wants. You could propose with one of those and then go shopping together! Or... if you really wanna have the real deal at the time you pop the question, you can probably get a good feel for her tastes just based on what she already wears. I hardly wear any jewelry at all and would by FAR prefer a simple small solitaire ring. Does she wear mostly silver or gold? Does she wear a lot of jewelry or not too much or none at all? If she does wear jewelry, is it intricate and fancy? She might want several stones or an intricate setting. Is her stuff more streamlined and simple? Go solitaire. I would think that you probably know her well enough to get something within reason of what she would like. No matter what you get for her, it's the occasion that is important. A ring is just a token of remembrance. Good luck and congrats! Let us know how it goes! Fall in dove. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflybella 0 #8 September 15, 2003 There are lots of diamond buying websites (Blue Nile, DeBeers) that give you info on Color, Cut, Clarity and Carat. All of these things -in relation- should to be considered. It's a tough and confusing process -but just like when I met Heath, I knew it when I saw it. Action expresses priority. - Mahatma Ghandi Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhillyKev 0 #9 September 15, 2003 Just don't buy into that 2 months salary crap. Talk about marketing genious when they got together on that one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bkdice 0 #10 September 15, 2003 QuoteJust don't buy into that 2 months salary crap. Talk about marketing genious when they got together on that one. hahaha! i agree! if my man presented me with a $15,000+ ring, i'd kill him. ). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydivingfool 0 #11 September 15, 2003 Well this is my beer post so I figured I would make it a helpful one. I knew nothing about buying a diamond 9 months ago. I spent about 4 months researching it on the web and then buying a diamond online from Niceice.com. This site was the best I found. There are a lot of problems that you can run into with BlueNile and the other major players. So here are the basics. Color, Clarity, Cut and Carat. Lets just say that the better or bigger something is the more expensive the diamond will be. Carat is probably the least important you can always find diamonds of any size. Color ranges from D-Z D being colorless and Z being yellow. Most places will not sell you anything less than a J because the diamond starts looking yellow. Most “normal” people can’t afford a D and most people can’t tell the difference from G to D. My suggestion is pick F, G, or H, best quality for the price. Clarity ranges from Flawless F to I included. To keep it short my suggestion is VS1, VS2, or SI again best price for the quality. Your diamond will have minor imperfections, but you will not be able to see them unless you have a microscope. Finally, cut, which I think is very important. I went with an ideal cut, unfortunately also the most expensive. That gives you the most return of light from your diamond, which means that it will really sparkle. That’s my 2 cents. I left a lot out so if you want more info/advice send me a PM Good luck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TomAiello 26 #12 September 15, 2003 Check out the ring guide at Blue Nile. I don't think I'd buy a ring from them, but their informational material is a pretty good starting education.-- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
QuickDraw 0 #13 September 15, 2003 QuoteThis is an emotional event, and a purchase that will last a lifetime. The two-months salary convention is a common starting point I would be pretty fucking emotional too. -- Hope you don't die. -- I'm fucking winning Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #14 September 15, 2003 Yeah... Diamonds aren't forever...the payments are!--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #15 September 15, 2003 QuoteI'm starting to think about proposing to my lady. Get help man.......get help...... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
2fat2fly 0 #16 September 15, 2003 Quoteeven though I dated a jeweler once... Do ya think that you could go to her and get a deal?I am not the man. But the man knows my name...and he's worried Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
juanesky 0 #17 September 15, 2003 Jerry, How well informed is your SO? It seems that she already knows about your plan, or has mentioned it o you before you even pop the question. Your choices will be different, if she likes gold, I would suggest you get 18Kt gold, the Karats on the Diamond, is not what measures your love, the whole ring is what represents your commitment to her. Blue skies! (and get help)"According to some of the conservatives here, it sounds like it's fine to beat your wide - as long as she had it coming." -Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Deuce 1 #18 September 15, 2003 I've bought some nice jewelry at The Shane Company, a jeweler up here in NorCal. I think a nice way to go about it is to buy the solitaire diamond, find out what shape she wants, and have that mounted on a simple band. Propose to her with that, it still allows for surprise, cause you select the diamond for her. Then shop together for the setting she will wear for the rest of her life. Some jewelers ( I know Shane co. does it) will comp the band with the purchase of the rock. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mcrocker 0 #19 September 15, 2003 QuoteActually, she wants to be in on the process. I'd just rather know exactly what I'm talking about when we go shopping for it. Kinda like getting a good wine. I know what kinds of wine she likes, and being able to talk to the seller makes it far easier. Use the Internet my friend. diamonds.com Read up on the 5 C's of diamons (Cut, Color, Clarity, Carat, Cost). Know your stuff before you walk into a jewler so you aren't sold any crap. Shop around, Try some auctions, you can ussually get some good vintage stuff on auctions. That is if you don't mind if the diamond is old... well, ALL diamonds are OLD technically so it really isn't a big deal. You can always reset the stone in a new modern setting. I was lucky, A guy I know, knows someone that is a diamond wholesaler. I bought my engagement ring for what the jewelry stores buy it for. I didn't save any $$ but I did get a bigger ring for the price of a smaller one. Remember, don't break the bank now, you can always upgrade the ring for a 10,15,25 year anniversary gift. Good Luck! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflybella 0 #20 September 15, 2003 Quotebuy the solitaire diamond, find out what shape she wants, and have that mounted on a simple band. That's a GREAT idea! I'd suggest a platinum band for a diamond solitaire - more modern and gorgeous together! Action expresses priority. - Mahatma Ghandi Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheBachelor 5 #21 September 15, 2003 Check out Diamond Talk at www.diamondtalk.com. There is a ton of good information there.There are battered women? I've been eating 'em plain all of these years... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lawrocket 3 #22 September 15, 2003 Wow! This response you all have given me is tremendous! Thank you all very much! My wife is hotter than your wife. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sunman 0 #23 September 15, 2003 Here's how to buy a diamond: 1. Go to the jewelry store, and pay thousands of dollars for a rock that is worth about 100 bucks at most (the diamond trade is a monopoly, after all). 2. Try to sleep at night with the knowledge that an estimated $300-$500 million worth of diamonds is being used every year by rebel armies to buy weapons and fight wars in Africa. An estimated 500,000 innocent civilians have lost their lives over the past decade in the diamond wars of Angola, Sierra Leone and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #24 September 15, 2003 Quote2. Try to sleep at night with the knowledge that an estimated $300-$500 million worth of diamonds is being used every year by rebel armies to buy weapons and fight wars in Africa. An estimated 500,000 innocent civilians have lost their lives over the past decade in the diamond wars of Angola, Sierra Leone and the Democratic Republic of Congo. No shit.....and because of Bill Clinton I wasn't able to cash in on any of that!!!! Being only moderately well off keeps me up at night. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Remster 30 #25 September 15, 2003 Quotethat is worth about 100 bucks at most Though I dont necesseraly disagree with you, it's worth what people are willing to pay for it... and apparently, its much more then 100.Remster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
