Engagement Ring Advice

[YosemiteSam]

Brilliant cut is king. It looks the best and will sparkle a ton more than any other cut. If you go to a jewelry chain store (Kay, Zales, etc), expect to get bottom quality diamonds, but you will pay bottom barrel prices. The absolute best place to buy diamonds is the diamond district in New York. Though you have to shop around and haggle a lot. You can get a great deal there.

If you want a diamond that looks expensive that isn't. (and you must ask your woman before doing something like this) You can look at Moissanite (lab grown diamond) and specifically a Forever Brilliant Moissanite. (never buy that cubic zirconia crap) They are far cheaper and can still look great. My wifes wedding bans (she got a set of three) are all real diamonds (from the diamond district), but she also wanted brilliant cut diamond earring studs. She said to get them in moissanite to see what she thought about them. She has been wearing them every day for the last eight years.

 

[Seven]

Keep it under fifteen bucks.

Cause when you break up she ain't giving it back.

 

[CF74]

Hey folks. I have a lovely lady and I need to put a ring on it but I don't know much about them. Well. Not much more than I can research online.

So I'm looking for some unbiased opinions or advice on finding a good ring.

Question 1: Where is the best place to find good deals on engagement settings and center stones in DFW?

Question 2: is there a stigma for purchasing the engagement setting online (without the stone)?

Thanks in advance!

http://www.diamonddoctor.com

 

[dcdallaschick]

Hubs and I picked mine out together post-proposal (my parents had done it this way and suggested it when he asked about what I might like).

I didn't want or like the typical brilliant cut. We went to www.mervisdiamond.com which isn't in your area, but is the kind of place I'd recommend. You start by picking out a loose diamond based on your price range, and they're very forthcoming with information about the grades/classifications so you can make an informed choice (Google is your friend here, too). Then we picked out a setting. I actually went with a setting that had diamonds in it—never even occurred to me that I'd like something like that—so we actually got slightly smaller center stone because it went better with the overall ring.

We had a blast picking it out together, so maybe something to consider. Sometimes you don't totally know what you want (or don't want) until it sits there all shiny on your hand. I'm sure I would have treasured whatever he might have picked out on his own, but it's a little extra special because we actually had the experience of doing it together.

One last thing... walk in there with a firm budget. You can make better, more informed decisions and won't get sidetracked by things that take you away from where you're trying to go.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

I don't know about the ring but when you decide to get married, please, whatever you do, don't do this.

Saban riding an elephant, holding a crystal football for the wedding cake. Wow.......

LOL.......

 

[Fletch]

You either go to Jared's, or find one in a Cracker Jack box.

Here's some advice, say no to the little circle of trust.

Makes life a lot easier.

You buy the ring for thousands of dollars, then you add to your debt by paying for a wedding. Nice way to start out your partnership... already behind the eight-ball, owing money.

 

[Longboysfan]

Hubs and I picked mine out together post-proposal (my parents had done it this way and suggested it when he asked about what I might like).

I didn't want or like the typical brilliant cut. We went to www.mervisdiamond.com which isn't in your area, but is the kind of place I'd recommend. You start by picking out a loose diamond based on your price range, and they're very forthcoming with information about the grades/classifications so you can make an informed choice (Google is your friend here, too). Then we picked out a setting. I actually went with a setting that had diamonds in it—never even occurred to me that I'd like something like that—so we actually got slightly smaller center stone because it went better with the overall ring.

We had a blast picking it out together, so maybe something to consider. Sometimes you don't totally know what you want (or don't want) until it sits there all shiny on your hand. I'm sure I would have treasured whatever he might have picked out on his own, but it's a little extra special because we actually had the experience of doing it together.

One last thing... walk in there with a firm budget. You can make better, more informed decisions and won't get sidetracked by things that take you away from where you're trying to go.

Go with the expert advice here.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

I don't know that I am qualified to give any advice on rings. I let my Wife pick her ring. The only thing I insisted upon was the actual quality of the Diamonds. That ring is an investment like anything else. Don't throw away your money on stones that are not very good quality or buy a ring that is loaded with lessor stones. Some rings give the appearance of more brilliance but may actually have stones of lessor value are not always the best decisions. If you are lucky enough to have a long lasting relationship, it is likely that you and your Wife may, at some point, decide to upgrade that ring and add to it. It's a financial thing sometimes. Once you have more financial stability, down the road, you may decide to go ahead and get something that you may not have been able to afford in the beginning. It's good to have quality stones to use and add to, should you decide to do this.

Just a thought.

 

[Hoofbite]

Holy crap, these ads are on point. First time I visited this thread, I haven't looked at anything else about engagement rings, and the ad above was for engagement rings.

Sorry to cut in on the thread. Just a little surprised they can be that dialed in.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

Holy crap, these ads are on point. First time I visited this thread, I haven't looked at anything else about engagement rings, and the ad above was for engagement rings.

Sorry to cut in on the thread. Just a little surprised they can be that dialed in.

It's super easy.

What I don't like is that they are targeting your email too, VERY precise and specific.

Send and email with a real unique word or name. Watch... You'll get spam email with that word/name.

 

[Nova]

UPDATE:


SHE SAID YES!

I'm the happiest guy in the world right now. Thanks to all who gave sound advice!

Cheers!

 

[Rockport]

Hey folks. I have a lovely lady and I need to put a ring on it but I don't know much about them. Well. Not much more than I can research online.

So I'm looking for some unbiased opinions or advice on finding a good ring.

Question 1: Where is the best place to find good deals on engagement settings and center stones in DFW?

Question 2: is there a stigma for purchasing the engagement setting online (without the stone)?

Thanks in advance!

Run just run. Seriously.

 

[CyberB0b]

UPDATE:


SHE SAID YES!

I'm the happiest guy in the world right now. Thanks to all who gave sound advice!

Cheers!

Wait a while.

 

[YosemiteSam]

Hey folks. I have a lovely lady and I need to put a ring on it but I don't know much about them. Well. Not much more than I can research online.

So I'm looking for some unbiased opinions or advice on finding a good ring.

Question 1: Where is the best place to find good deals on engagement settings and center stones in DFW?

Question 2: is there a stigma for purchasing the engagement setting online (without the stone)?

Thanks in advance!

The Diamond district in Manhattan, but negotiate out the wazoo! They will rip you off if you don't, but you can get a hell of a deal if you know what you're doing. (know how to determine the stone's quality too!)

Final piece of advice. Don't do it!

 

[John813]

Congrats.

Guess I'm late to the question, but Costco has some legit rings for good prices.

 

[Doomsday101]

My girl friends want to go shopping for her engagement ring.

 

[JBS]

My girl friends want to go shopping for her engagement ring.

I've always found this interesting

How many people take their girls shopping for engagement rings vs how many buy them on their own as a surprise?

 

[trickblue]

 

[maxdallasfan]

Craigslist.

 

[Doomsday101]

I've always found this interesting

How many people take their girls shopping for engagement rings vs how many buy them on their own as a surprise?

At first I wanted to get it and surprise her but she is so picky and knows what she wants. Considering the cost I would rather her pick it out. I have yet to propose but we are talking about it.