Engagement Ring/Wedding Resources?

[DingDingDao]

So I'm getting ready to pop the question, which means that for the next few months I'll be doing a lot of research and shopping for an engagement ring, after which we'll be planning for our wedding. Aside from magazines and ideas my girlfriend already has, we are pretty much complete noobs at this, considering we will be only the second couple in our circle of friends to get married. As such, I've only attended one wedding in the last 10 years, and she has only attended 2 or 3.

I'm trying to get as much information as I can on engagement rings (reputable jewelers, etc. etc.), as well as wedding planning. Anyone have any tips or know of any forums or websites that can help me in this learning process?

Oh, as far as the engagement rings go, I guess I need to lay down some basic information. I live in Los Angeles, and I'm willing to travel to find the perfect ring. If anyone knows of good jewelers in L.A., San Diego, San Francisco, or Las Vegas, please let me know. Here's my basic requirements:

1) Three-stone ring
2) Platinum
3) 1.0 ct round brilliant cut center diamond (or somewhere in that range)
4) D-E-F color
5) IF, VVS1, or VVS2 clarity
6) Sidestones -- I'm still a bit undecided in this category, but I had tapered baguettes in mind

I've looked around at a few of the online places (bluenile, etc. etc.), but I'd really prefer to see the stone and setting in person before throwing down 10K on a ring.

Thanks all.

CLIFFS:
1) I need an engagement ring.
2) Help.

 

[TonyB]

try Tiffanys

 

[rh71]

You really should head down to a local jeweler (not a chain store) and have them explain to you the 4 Cs... and you will also be able to see the differences with a loupe. Only then will you be able to appreciate the differences. In my opinion, you don't have to go as high as D for color. I only noticed a color difference around H. It will save you a lot of money. A 1.0ct center stone (even with sidestones) on a platinum setting shouldn't run around $10k... you can do better for that money. Either go bigger or spend less. And most of all, you need to haggle... and pay cash.

Oh, the authoritative site on wedding planning is http://www.theknot.com ... told us everything we needed to know for ours.

 

[DingDingDao]

Originally posted by: TonyB
try Tiffanys

Tried it. Tiffany only uses one setting for their engagement rings (the Tiffany Setting), and my gf doesn't like it. That, and I was surprisingly disappointed by the quality of the diamonds they were in possession of (this is the Beverly Hills flagship store on Rodeo Drive).

 

[DivideBYZero]

www.dont-do-it-you-mug.com

 

[DingDingDao]

Originally posted by: rh71
You really should head down to a local jeweler (not a chain store) and have them explain to you the 4 Cs... and you will also be able to see the differences with a loupe. Only then will you be able to appreciate the differences. In my opinion, you don't have to go as high as D for color. I only noticed a color difference around H. It will save you a lot of money. A 1.0ct center stone (even with sidestones) on a platinum setting shouldn't run around $10k... you can do better for that money. Either go bigger or spend less. And most of all, you need to haggle... and pay cash.

Oh, the authoritative site on wedding planning is http://www.theknot.com ... told us everything we needed to know for ours.

I agree that a D-IF diamond is probably overkill. I'm pretty up to speed on the 4Cs and all that stuff. Right now I'm at the point where I'm trying to find a good setting, but I've really run into a brick wall when it comes to trying to find a good jeweler. As far as this goes, I'm pretty much seen that word-of-mouth seems be the only way I can find new jewelers to visit. I've tried most of the big name jewelers (Tiffany, Van Cleef & Arpels, Bailey Banks & Biddle, etc. etc.).

 

[DingDingDao]

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
www.dont-do-it-you-mug.com

LOL :beer:

 

[rh71]

Originally posted by: DingDingDao
Right now I'm at the point where I'm trying to find a good setting, but I've really run into a brick wall when it comes to trying to find a good jeweler. As far as this goes, I'm pretty much seen that word-of-mouth seems be the only way I can find new jewelers to visit. I've tried most of the big name jewelers (Tiffany, Van Cleef & Arpels, Bailey Banks & Biddle, etc. etc.).

Crack a phone book for local places and check them out on a weekend to see how many people browse ?

I found my jeweler through coworkers' good praises. Found out she did manufacturing of rings herself too... and was willing to budge. Just got a good vibe through the whole experience. I'd say you need to make some trips to as many as you can find.

 

[tami]

i just got engaged as well, and i have a similar ring to what you describe.

a D 1.0ct stone would be very costly (since it's a D), so if i were you, i'd look somewhere along the lines of an F-G-H, which again, doesn't really look much different than a D unless you are comparing the stones side by side (which is what i did when my fiance and i looked at rings). i think i have an I, but it is so shiny and bright (and still virtually colorless) that people come up to me and say that i could light up a dark room with my ring.

we went to a wholesaler (i guess it works to live near the diamond district of nyc), and we were offered a wide variety of stones in our price range. definitely don't buy online. look around and have someone in the business show you a number of rings and diamonds. as for me, we chose the stone, described the setting, and the guy had it made for us. a week later, i went back to the store and tried it on -- i hadn't seen it beforehand. but it is beautiful

you can have fun designing rings at http://www.adiamondisforever.com/

 

[LordSnailz]

For a diamond ring skip tiffany's, they're way overpriced. Pricescope and diamondtalk were two really help forums when I got my ring a few months ago ... why not got with a G-H color ?

 

[rh71]

Originally posted by: tami
as for me, we chose the stone, described the setting, and the guy had it made for us. a week later, i went back to the store and tried it on -- i hadn't seen it beforehand. but it is beautiful

That's exactly the process that should take place... never let them sell you (or show you) a diamond already set. If they try, you know they're not looking out for your best interest.