Engagement Ring Shopping Tips Needed ** UPDATE **

[mugs]

Originally posted by: frankgomez75
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 would try to get a better cut. Sacrifice the color some if you have to. Or the size.

Look at the sites Doboji posted, he knows what he's talking about.

 

[krunchykrome]

Why dont you save up some more money and buy something bigger and better?

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: frankgomez75
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 would try to get a better cut. Sacrifice the color some if you have to. Or the size.

Look at the sites Doboji posted, he knows what he's talking about.

It's only a good cut, that is MUCH more important than the clarity when it comes to brilliance. I prefer Ideal cuts with some feathers in them. Sure its SI2 but you will never be able to see them.

Again, go to check out an SI2 versus VS1 (graded by the same company) and I will pretty much guarantee that you will not see a difference.

It's even better if the flaws are on the bottom, classifying it as an SI2, since you will never see them.

 

[frankgomez75]

Originally posted by: krunchykrome
Why dont you save up some more money and buy something bigger and better?

Because I'm still poor... lol
Actually I'm willing to do $2500 but thats prolly it. I'm still gonna spend alot on the proposal.. doing a really nice dinner, treasure hunt and a horse carriage ride. All in all, I'll be hitting the 3k mark. Plus she just wants a ring.. doesn't have to be huge she said.. so that kinda helps me.


My other option is doing a .6 - .7 carat diamond with a band with 2 stones.

 

[DBL]

GIA carries more respect than IGI. The color and clarity on the GIA cert are likely a grade or two better than the stone on the IGI cert.

And there are cheaper places than bluenile such as dirtcheapdiamonds.com

 

[frankgomez75]

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats

Originally posted by: frankgomez75
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. My total at Jareds would be $2490

So my question is... is what Jareds Jewelery offering worth the additional $305 for that protection or is it just not worth it?

you mean they will charge you the same price you paid for a replacement diamond? how is that a good deal???

and here's some info on IGI reports

No they replace the ring for FREE at whatever value I paid for it at the time. So lets say god forbid the ring gets stolen / lost .. I go to the store with a police report and they will replace the ring for Free with another of the same value.

That thread about IGI Cert is interesting.... thnx

 

[DBL]

Originally posted by: frankgomez75
No they replace the ring for FREE at whatever value I paid for it at the time. So lets say god forbid the ring gets stolen / lost .. I go to the store with a police report and they will replace the ring for Free with another of the same value.

That thread about IGI Cert is interesting.... thnx

If that is true, that's a good deal. I?d be wary though. They would really be setting themselves up with such a liberal policy. Usually, you take a rider on your homeowners (or renters) insurance for a conservative (actual replacement cost) appraisal of your ring in case it is lost or stolen.

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

Originally posted by: DBL

Originally posted by: frankgomez75
No they replace the ring for FREE at whatever value I paid for it at the time. So lets say god forbid the ring gets stolen / lost .. I go to the store with a police report and they will replace the ring for Free with another of the same value.

That thread about IGI Cert is interesting.... thnx

If that is true, that's a good deal. I?d be wary though. They would really be setting themselves up with such a liberal policy. Usually, you take a rider on your homeowners (or renters) insurance for a conservative (actual replacement cost) appraisal of your ring in case it is lost or stolen.

yeah, that is too good to be true...there must be a hitch.

Website says replaced only if lost or broken in the orignial mounting....not if stolen or if the ring is completely lost

*edit* I missed the extended warranty...although that doesn't mention loss replacement either....

 

[iamwiz82]

BTW, I also suggest a round cut rather than princess because it will look bigger.

 

[psydancerqt]

My husband got my engagement ring from Jared's. He also purchased the extended warranty agreement. As you stated, if I lose my diamond, it will be replaced for free. Also included, free ring sizing and they re-do the coating (forgot what it's called) as well. We've purchased our wedding rings from there as well. I've had no complaints about their service or the rings.

I remember them saying that they'll match any pricing... see if they're still doing that. I personally prefer buying a ring from a store because you can take it there and have them fix it whenever it needs to be and you can always trade it in later for something different.

 

[DBL]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
BTW, I also suggest a round cut rather than princess because it will look bigger.

Heh, I'd suggest getting what she prefers.

 

[frankgomez75]

Originally posted by: DBL

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
BTW, I also suggest a round cut rather than princess because it will look bigger.

Heh, I'd suggest getting what she prefers.

Yeah, my girl has told everyone she really really wants a princess cut... though I prefer other cuts.. but she's the one wearing it.

 

[TangoJuliet]

i got engaged last year and did a ton of research on buying a ring. it took me about 6 months of research before I actually purchased the ring.

i had gone to about 5 stores in my local malls and looked at all the different types. i also had to find out the type of cut, etc that my future wife wanted. i visited blue nile which is a great website. you can pick the cut, diamond, size and everything but just did not feel comfortable buying it online. they have a great return policy and whatnot but just couldnt do it.

so i configured the ring online through blue nile and then shopped around in the stores to find one that looked like it. i ultimately went with tiffanys....and before you say things like I overpaid for it, etc. i just felt like their diamonds sparkled over all the others. the salespeople were very friendly and they had free sizing, cleanings, etc. i just felt the most comfortable with them.

i ended up getting a .85 round cut diamond set in a channel with 10 diamonds on the side. i cant remember the clarity and color because its been a year but ill post a pic later of it....but it did run me about $9000 (which was my budget). i could have gotten something bigger from the nile but my fiancee is a tiny girl and honestly anything bigger would have looked terrible.

just do your homework, check out blue nile and then try to compare it with something in the stores....a buddy of mine went to the diamond district in nyc and got a ring on the cheap but mine looks 10x's better....so its all a matter of looking at it and deciding if you and her like it.

 

[udonoogen]

Originally posted by: Naustica
Go to Costco to buy your woman the diamond. 2% executive member cashback and 1% amex/costco rebate. Make sure to save your receipt!!!

Give your woman the diamond ring. Do not tell her where you got it.

After you separate/divorce your wife, get the ring back and take it back to Costco with your receipt for a full refund.

Costco can custom order any diamond for you and they're pretty competitive pricewise. I think I've read that Costco only markup their diamonds like 7% over their cost vs 14% for all other merchandise Costco sells. Sure you can find cheaper if you know what you're doing but you can't beat the convenience/price and the Costco warranty.

omg. LOL

 

[hysperion]

When I buy a ring- I'm going to buy it in .84 carats (my birthyear)........if you were born from 75-86 (sweet spot for diamond size IMHO unless she has fat fingers) you can do the same....just think of some corny bs like I'm going to about how it signifies your love from the beginning......women love that bs............

 

[WackyDan]

I got married when I was 34.

I remember picking up the ring where i bought it. They left me there at the counter with the ring in hand while they took my credit card to drop the remianing balance on. (Paid the card off that month-- wanted the points- don't go into debt for a ring rule #1.)

So I sit there looking at the ring thinking... WTF??? No buttons, no flashing lights, this thing doesn't even connect me to the internet!!! It represented a big part of what my NEW TRUCK could have been..... if I had bought the truck instead.....

Very surreal moment.

 

[Doboji]

So what you're saying is you ignored my advice completely... ignored all the better deals I showed you, and went to the more expensive less quality places...

I suppose you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink...

 

[Doboji]

Originally posted by: frankgomez75

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats

Originally posted by: frankgomez75
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. My total at Jareds would be $2490

So my question is... is what Jareds Jewelery offering worth the additional $305 for that protection or is it just not worth it?

you mean they will charge you the same price you paid for a replacement diamond? how is that a good deal???

and here's some info on IGI reports

No they replace the ring for FREE at whatever value I paid for it at the time. So lets say god forbid the ring gets stolen / lost .. I go to the store with a police report and they will replace the ring for Free with another of the same value.

That thread about IGI Cert is interesting.... thnx

Sounds like purchasing... uhhhh INSURANCE... which will cost you something like 50 bucks a YEAR...

 

[Doboji]

0.70 G SI1 71.3% 72% GIA m-xtk no vg vg no 4.89x4.88x3.48 $2508 $1756SP
0.71 G SI1 73.2% 76% GIA tn-vtk no gd vg no 5.03x4.89x3.58 $2508 $1781SP
0.71 F SI1 68.7% 71% GIA m-thk no gd gd no 5.47x4.76x3.27 $2541 $1804SP
0.72 G SI1 70.7% 75% GIA tn-vtk no vg gd no 4.96x4.91x3.47 $2509 $1806SP
0.70 G SI1 62.8% 58% GIA thk-vtk no gd gd no 7.27x5.06x3.18 $2638 $1847SP
0.70 G SI1 71.3% 72% GIA m-xtk no vg vg no 4.89*4.88*3.48 $2674 $1872*S
0.71 G SI1 73.2% 76% GIA thn-v thk no gd vg no 5.03*4.89*3.58 $2676 $1900*S
0.70 G SI1 71.7% 71% GIA xtn-xtk no gd gd no 5.35x4.73x3.39 $2717 $1902SP
0.70 G SI1 71.3% 72% GIA med-extremely t no vg vg no 4.89x4.88x3.48 $2736 $1915
0.70 G SI1 71.3% 72% GIA m-xtk no vg vg no 4.89-4.88-3.48 $2736 $1915*
0.70 G SI1 71.3% 72% GIA m-xtk no vg vg no 4.89x4.88x3.48 $2737 $1916*S
0.70 G VS2 69.6% 72% GIA vtn-tk no gd vg slt 5.01x4.90x3.41 $2744 $1921SP
0.73 G SI1 70.7% 73% GIA etn - vtk no gd vg ft 4.94x4.92x3.48 $2634 $1923SP
0.72 G SI1 70.7% 75% GIA thn-v thk no vg gd no 4.96*4.91*3.47 $2679 $1929*S
0.70 G SI1 71.3% 72% GIA m-xtk no vg vg no 4.89x4.88x3.48 $2756 $1929*SP
0.71 F SI1 68.7% 71% GIA med-thk no gd gd no 5.47*4.76*3.27 $2717 $1929*S
0.71 G SI1 73.2% 76% GIA tn-vtk no gd vg no 5.03x4.89x3.58 $2730 $1938*S
0.71 G SI1 73.2% 76% GIA thn-v thk no gd vg no 5.03x4.89x3.58 $2737 $1943
0.71 G SI1 73.2% 76% GIA tn-vtk no gd vg no 5.03-4.89-3.58 $2737 $1943*
0.71 G SI1 73.2% 76% GIA tn-vtk no gd vg no 5.03x4.89x3.58 $2756 $1957*SP
0.73 G SI1 71% 79% GIA tn-tk no vg vg no 5.03*4.89*3.47 $2681 $1957*S
0.71 F SI1 68.7% 71% GIA m-thk no gd gd no 5.47x4.76x3.27 $2761 $1960*S
0.72 G SI1 70.7% 75% GIA tn-vtk no vg gd no 4.96x4.91x3.47 $2724 $1961*S
0.71 F SI1 68.7% 71% GIA m-thk no gd gd no 5.47x4.76x3.27 $2772 $1968
0.71 F SI1 72.2% 72% GIA m-stk no gd vg no 5.15x4.82x3.48 $2772 $1968SP