engagement ring advice...

[GeneValgene]

do you think 0.38 carat is too small for an engagement ring?

-edit-

pic

the sales person told me this is the proportions of the center stone and ring for .38 carat

-edit 2-

haha ok, just to clarify. i'm not asking too "small", as in, not enough bling bling to please the wife, or for bragging or whatever...

i'm more worried about stone-ring proportions so it doesn't look awkward

 

[Jzero]

As long as she doens't mind, it's just fine. If she does mind...you might consider rethinking this whole ordeal

 

[Glavinsolo]

It's your decision. Go to www.bluenile.com and get a nice loose diamond and then get the setting somewhere else. It will save you more money and you might be able to get something larger if you want. .25ct and > are all fine for engagement rings.

 

[ggnl]

If she wants you to go in to debt to buy a huge ring, then you probably shouldn't marry her.

 

[Glavinsolo]

Appended to the above: .25ct or >, J color or better, SI1 or better, Ideal cut or better,

If you get a stone less than .75ct ask for a stone with flourecence in it, it will make the stone look whiter and it will shine better.

 

[AdamK47]

If she likes jewelry, then she might not like it. You see, women who like jewelry like to show it off to their friends and coworkers. A .38 carat ring might not be enough bragging material for her.

 

[Doctorweir]

All depends on the budget, but never sacrifice quality for a bigger stone.
Go minimum vsi for purity
and minimum Top Wesselton for color

If metal allergy is an issue, go 18k/750 gold for the ring (I'd also do that without allergy issue as price is not soooo different compared to 14k/585...)

then decide size on budget

 

[Ameesh]

you should get what you can afford. if shes a good woman she'll be happy with whatever you give her.

 

[49erinnc]

Hey, check my thread about selling an engagment ring.

Seriously though, it all boils down to the type of girl you're involved with. A lot of women want a big fancy rock simply because of the attention it draws. They love knowing that their girlfriends and other women notice it or are envy of it. And then there are women who aren't the least bit materialistic and are far more into the symbolism of the ring instead of the price tag.

I opted to spend far more than what my budget really allowed. Even though she wasn't very materialistic, I did want her to have something to show off and I can't say she wasn't very pleased. But ultimately, the size of the ring shouldn't make any difference. It's the gesture and the life you'll build together that counts.

FWIW: you can get some pretty decent (and legit) .50 T.W. rings on Ebay for around the same price that you'd pay locally for a ring like the one you mentioned.

 

[Tobolo]

she isnt worth a a ring if she wouldnt be happy with what ever you gave her. Do the best you can and she shouldnt ask for anything more.

 

[GeneValgene]

OP edited

 

[alkemyst]

diamondtalk.com

In general H or better in color is fine, esp in a yellow gold setting. Top Wesselton most have no idea on...it's basically a F or G, there is still D above it.

I am not sure what vsi is referring to, VS1 is generally a higher quality than most would want in smaller (sub 1 carat stones) SI1 or VS2 can be had at a much lower premium.

However, cut is really king. A large poorly cut diamond will look lifeless and small compared to a smaller but well cut one. Even if the color grade and clarity scale are much worse.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

too small.

move up to at least 3/4 of a carat.

 

[TwinkleToes77]

1/3 of a carat is a nice size.. its not too small.. and not too big. My friend showed me her ring the other day.. and it was .32 and the way it was cut.. it looked very large.

 

[KMFJD]

Originally posted by: ggnl
If she wants you to go in to debt to buy a huge ring, then you probably shouldn't marry her.

Couldn't that money be used for a hell of a lot more usefull stuff like paying off debt(house/cc's etc's) then some piece of glitter?

 

[Doctorweir]

Originally posted by: alkemyst
diamondtalk.com

In general H or better in color is fine, esp in a yellow gold setting. Top Wesselton most have no idea on...it's basically a F or G, there is still D above it.

I am not sure what vsi is referring to, VS1 is generally a higher quality than most would want in smaller (sub 1 carat stones) SI1 or VS2 can be had at a much lower premium.

However, cut is really king. A large poorly cut diamond will look lifeless and small compared to a smaller but well cut one. Even if the color grade and clarity scale are much worse.

Yes, there is still more than Top Wesselton => River its all about the color from low to premium:
yellow-isch
white
Top Wesselton = blue-like (what a diamond should be )
river = blue-purple... big premium

vsi is the upper classification, subdivided into vs1 and vs2, both are fine, but I would not go below to si. vvsi (vvs1 / vvs2) and pure are nice to have, but no one really sees it and it comes with a big premium...

Cut of course should be at least second best grade (there are different scales). Here it is like very good / good / normal / fair.

As i said before the vsi / top wesselton range is IMHO the best for price / performance...and that's the reason my soon-to-be wife got one of those and I really have a good clue on diamonds right now...

 

[Beller0ph1]

You don't need anything clearer than an SI1 or SI2. Unless you or your girlfriend are diamond experts, you won't be able to see the inclusions.

 

[Cal166]

I have a 18k White Gold .45 carat diamond ring for sale....super cheap. PM me if you're interested.

Pix

 

[oboeguy]

I have to wonder, those who think a nice rock is a waste, how much did you spend on your TV? Why not get a TV a third of the size? "
If [you want to] go in to debt to buy a huge [TV], then you probably shouldn't [be marrying]." Suckas!

 

[BlitzPuppet]

I don't think it is too small, I found something very simple and small and I am very happy.
http://durrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

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