Engagement Ring Shopping Tips Needed ** UPDATE **

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frankgomez75

Platinum Member
Mar 23, 2004
2,215
1
81
OK, so I'm looking for an engagement ring and needed some tips.
What can I expect to get for around $2000? carats? clarity?
How should it be graded? GIA? EGL?

I'm so confused... :(

UPDATE:
Currently what I'm looking for is:

Princess Cut
Carat: .70 - 1.0
Color: F - G
Clarity: SI1 - SI2
Cut: Good - Very Good
Band: White 18K Gold Cathedral Setting

I found this on Blue Nile:
Carat: .72
Clarity SI2
Color: F
Cut: Good
Cost: $1885 (White 18k Gold Cathedral Setting an additional $300) total = $2185
GIA Certified


I also found this at Jareds Jewelery in Houston:
Princess Cut
Carat: .72
Color: F
Clarity: SI1
Cut: Good
Cost: $2100 + tax = 2273
IGI Certified

Now here is the difference... at Jareds I was told if I buy the band (an additional $200 for a White Cathedral Setting) an it gets lost/stolen or the ring falls out of its prongs.. they will replace the diamond for the same cost.

So my question is... is what Jareds worth the additional $391 for that protection or is it just not worth it?
 
shortylickens

shortylickens

No Lifer
Jul 15, 2003
80,287
17,081
136
My tip is dont get married.
How old are you?

Also, I recommend you find a buddy who knows about jewlery and have him/her walk around with you and show you things. Actually, dont get a her. She'll probably NARC you out to the girlfriend. Women are like that.

Most jewlery stores are WAAY over the top. Anything you want you can get for about 1/3 the price somewhere else, if you know where to look.
A buddy of mine had family in the business and he showed me a lot.

For 2 grand you can get a damn nice ring, but not from a mall shop.
I'd suggest scanning online stores first.

 
D

DBL

Platinum Member
Mar 23, 2001
2,637
0
0
Originally posted by: frankgomez75
OK, so I'm looking for an engagement ring and needed some tips.
What can I expect to get for around $2000? carats? clarity?
How should it be graded? GIA? EGL?

I'm so confused... :(
Click to expand...

Perhaps a nice cut G SI2 .7 Ct stone with GIA cert for around 2K or slightly more depending on the mounting you choose.

 
S

SirChadwick

Diamond Member
Jul 27, 2001
4,595
1
81
You can get a pretty nice 3/4 ct stone for around 2k or less depeding on its clarity, cut, flaws, etc. Ask yourself how important it is that your SO have a perfect diamond? Take her with you and look around to see what she likes. I went to Shane Co. and got a great deal!
 
K

krunchykrome

Lifer
Dec 28, 2003
13,413
1
0
Originally posted by: shortylickens
My tip is dont get married.
How old are you?

Also, I recommend you find a buddy who knows about jewlery and have him/her walk around with you and show you things. Actually, dont get a her. She'll probably NARC you out to the girlfriend. Women are like that.

Most jewlery stores are WAAY over the top. Anything you want you can get for about 1/3 the price somewhere else, if you know where to look.
A buddy of mine had family in the business and he showed me a lot.

For 2 grand you can get a damn nice ring, but not from a mall shop.
I'd suggest scanning online stores first.
Click to expand...


Why shouldn't he get married? He said nothing about himself or his relationship to warrant that kind of advice. In fact, last time I posted something here about my girlfriend, I think you gave me the same advice as well. :confused:

 
K

krunchykrome

Lifer
Dec 28, 2003
13,413
1
0
Originally posted by: frankgomez75
OK, so I'm looking for an engagement ring and needed some tips.
What can I expect to get for around $2000? carats? clarity?
How should it be graded? GIA? EGL?

I'm so confused... :(
Click to expand...


$2K wont get much. Shop online, try Blue Nile. See what they offer at $2K. You might be able to find a .5 carat ring at that price. And Im talking about a quality diamond. If you dont care about the 4 or 5 c's (however many there are), go to walmart.com and pickup a 1ct for $2K I think.
 
mugs

mugs

Lifer
Apr 29, 2003
48,920
46
91
Originally posted by: DBL
Originally posted by: frankgomez75
OK, so I'm looking for an engagement ring and needed some tips.
What can I expect to get for around $2000? carats? clarity?
How should it be graded? GIA? EGL?

I'm so confused... :(
Click to expand...

Perhaps a nice cut G SI2 .7 Ct stone with GIA cert for around 2K or slightly more depending on the mounting you choose.
Click to expand...

I'd get a smaller stone with better color, clarity and cut. But that's just me.

Edit: G isn't bad, but SI2 is. I'd get at least VS2. And OP, read up on what about the cut makes a diamond reflect the most light... the proportions you want. Cut is very important, but there's not a graduated rating scale for it.
 
L

Lorax

Golden Member
Apr 14, 2000
1,658
0
0
most important thing is to educate yourself FIRST. figure out what each of the C's mean, etc, then decide what you want. after that, then shop around.
 
iamwiz82

iamwiz82

Lifer
Jan 10, 2001
30,772
13
81
I picked up a rather nice 1 carat right here on ATOT for just over $2000. :thumbsup:

My opinion is that you will not see any inclusions at SI2 or better, so dont bother with a higher. Get a good color there, D to G. I also go for the best cuts as you will see more fire and sparkle than from a poorer cut stone.

 
F

frankgomez75

Platinum Member
Mar 23, 2004
2,215
1
81
Originally posted by: shortylickens
My tip is dont get married.
How old are you?

Also, I recommend you find a buddy who knows about jewlery and have him/her walk around with you and show you things. Actually, dont get a her. She'll probably NARC you out to the girlfriend. Women are like that.

Most jewlery stores are WAAY over the top. Anything you want you can get for about 1/3 the price somewhere else, if you know where to look.
A buddy of mine had family in the business and he showed me a lot.

For 2 grand you can get a damn nice ring, but not from a mall shop.
I'd suggest scanning online stores first.
Click to expand...

I've been with my GF for 5 years.. I think its time to pop the question. :)
 
iamwiz82

iamwiz82

Lifer
Jan 10, 2001
30,772
13
81
Originally posted by: frankgomez75
Ok, so go higher than S12...

And bluenile? Are they reputable? Anyone here ever bought from them?
Click to expand...

My suggestion. Go to a jewelery store and have them show you a VS1 and an SI2 of the same cut, color, and size. Chances are you will not see a difference.
 
mugs

mugs

Lifer
Apr 29, 2003
48,920
46
91
Originally posted by: frankgomez75
Ok, so go higher than S12...

And bluenile? Are they reputable? Anyone here ever bought from them?
Click to expand...

Yes, many people have, they're very reputable. I bought a diamond from them.

FWIW a lot of the stones I've seen in mall stores, especially in the lower price ranges, are SI1 or SI2 clarity, so you could probably sacrifice that. Don't go cheap on the cut though.

Does she have small hands? My wife has tiny hands, she didn't want anything bigger than 3/4 carats... you don't want it to look gaudy. Are you getting a solitaire setting?
 
G

GrammatonJP

Golden Member
Feb 16, 2006
1,245
0
0
Originally posted by: frankgomez75

I've been with my GF for 5 years.. I think its time to pop the question. :)
Click to expand...

just make sure you get a pre-nup in there... jk..

make sure you're clear on who's taking care of the parents later on... my wife's family dump their mom on me, its not bad but 5 of her brother isn't doing jack.. not even picking up any bills.
 
S

SirChadwick

Diamond Member
Jul 27, 2001
4,595
1
81
Originally posted by: frankgomez75
Ok, so go higher than S12...

And bluenile? Are they reputable? Anyone here ever bought from them?
Click to expand...


They are reputable but I don't suggest buying a diamond online. Why? First off, you don't see it in person until you actually get it. Second, there is no physical store in case you ever need to go in. They also probably don't have a trade-in policy. Shane Co. will let you trade in your diamond ANYTIME and will give you credit for what its appraised at which is usually even more than what you paid. My fiancee would have killed me if she knew I got her engagement ring at online... it just seems much classier and more personal to go to a physical B&M wholesaler and get the ring that binds your relationship together. I didn't want it to just be another online purchase like all the rest I make.
 
S

Saulbadguy

Diamond Member
Jan 27, 2003
5,573
12
81
I spent around $700 - not much by todays standards, but it got a very pretty ring. The diamond obviously was smaller, and probably of less quality, but I can't tell and neither can my wife. We also agreed that there are lots more important things than a freaking ring.

Who cares what the color/clarity/quality is? It should not be an investment. Buy a less expensive ring so you can spend more on the honeymoon.
 
MikeyIs4Dcats

MikeyIs4Dcats

Lifer
Nov 5, 2001
18,366
3
0
Originally posted by: frankgomez75
Ok, so go higher than S12...

And bluenile? Are they reputable? Anyone here ever bought from them?
Click to expand...


they are extremely reputable, in fact, that's where I bought my wife's ring.

my suggestion is to shop locally to get an idea of size, color, and clarity. Then, go to Blue Nile and compare the specifications of what you liked in the store to see the cost difference. You will be amazed. My wife's ring was just under $5k from BN, but a similar ring from the local shops would have been 10 to 40% more....and even then not the same quality.
 
mugs

mugs

Lifer
Apr 29, 2003
48,920
46
91
Originally posted by: SirChadwick
Originally posted by: frankgomez75
Ok, so go higher than S12...

And bluenile? Are they reputable? Anyone here ever bought from them?
Click to expand...


They are reputable but I don't suggest buying a diamond online. Why? First off, you don't see it in person until you actually get it. Second, there is no physical store in case you ever need to go in. They also probably don't have a trade-in policy. Shane Co. will let you trade in your diamond ANYTIME and will give you credit for what its appraised at which is usually even more than what you paid. My fiancee would have killed me if she knew I got her engagement ring at online... it just seems much classier and more personal to go to a physical B&M wholesaler and get the ring that binds your relationship together. I didn't want it to just be another online purchase like all the rest I make.
Click to expand...

If they let you trade it in at any time, that means you could be buying someone else's potentially traded in diamond? Not that I would care, but some women are funny like that... that's why used diamonds have terrible resale value.

My wife would have killed me if I spent an extra $2500 to get her diamond in a B&M store, because that's what it would have cost. ;) I don't think "classier" and "wholesaler" really go together. No offense, but I don't see the big deal over where it was bought. But it's good for the OP to know his options. :thumbsup:

Bluenile has free FedEx overnight or 2 day shipping btw, and if you're not satisfied with the diamond you pick out you can send it back for another one. But it would be good to see some diamonds in person before picking one out.
 
F

frankgomez75

Platinum Member
Mar 23, 2004
2,215
1
81
Originally posted by: mugs
Originally posted by: frankgomez75
Ok, so go higher than S12...

And bluenile? Are they reputable? Anyone here ever bought from them?
Click to expand...

Yes, many people have, they're very reputable. I bought a diamond from them.

FWIW a lot of the stones I've seen in mall stores, especially in the lower price ranges, are SI1 or SI2 clarity, so you could probably sacrifice that. Don't go cheap on the cut though.

Does she have small hands? My wife has tiny hands, she didn't want anything bigger than 3/4 carats... you don't want it to look gaudy. Are you getting a solitaire setting?
Click to expand...


Yeah, she has tiny itsty bitsy hands. She's only 5ft 95lbs.
So I'm thinking 3/4 carat is perfect.
 
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