Engagement Ring

[werepossum]

I recently got married and I also was in the same situation although my budget was slightly more than yours. You need to educate yourself about clarity and color of diamonds to understand whether you are getting a good deal or not. There are sites that explain those. Any diamond with a G-H color and SI-1 or VS-2 clarity will be good. You also want to get a certified diamond by GIA or some other reliable agency.
After looking all over, I got a 1.07 ct GIA certified SI-1, G color diamond ring for 3,500 from pompeii3. You can get cheaper diamonds with lower clarity and that might fit your budget. In my case, my gf (now my wife) was pretty knowledgeable about all of this so I couldn't get anything of lower quality. Although you might be able to wing it.
Good luck.

I believe the ability to spot a quality diamond is bred into all women. LOL

I did a lot of research and we got our set from a Nashville jeweler for the same thing I could have bought online. It never hurts to make an offer. Just over a carat, simple single VS1/G in white gold, $2,500 for ring and wedding band. (Yeah, it's been awhile.) I always heard that the rule of thumb was two months' salary for the engagement ring, but there's really no right or wrong, only what fits the couple. Some women would prefer a nicer honeymoon or a down payment on a house over an expensive ring. (Hmm, that didn't look right after I typed it.) You can always upgrade later on an anniversary, so don't beggar yourself buying more ring than you can afford. And don't sweat the chance of the engagement ending and losing an expensive ring, just be happy you didn't tie the knot and lose a house.

 

[Falloutboy]

pretty much decided going to get her a moissanite .75ct went shopping last night and for what I can afford all the diamonds look like crap..., would rather get a nice setting with a "beleavable size" rock and tell her I wanted to get her something perfect looking and if down the road she wants an actual diamond we will swap it out, no clue if that will disapoint her or not, but I know she wants to be engaged sooner rather than later, and I'm not taking a loan out on a ring I want to get her.

also what is palladium? would it be a better quality material for the setting over 14k white gold?

 

[Gibson486]

To make gold white, it needs to be mixed with an alloy. Palladium is just another alloy. I doubt you will see the difference because it will be plated with rhodium to give it that extra shiny and white gold look.

the alloy used commonly is nickel. Some people are allergic to nickel. Some also like palladium better because it is easier to bend and shape than the nickel alloy counterpart.

 

[Falloutboy]

To make gold white, it needs to be mixed with an alloy. Palladium is just another alloy. I doubt you will see the difference because it will be plated with rhodium to give it that extra shiny and white gold look.

the alloy used commonly is nickel. Some people are allergic to nickel. Some also like palladium better because it is easier to bend and shape than the nickel alloy counterpart.

but I'm seeing several settings that are straight up palladium, its actually an up charge over 14k are they just saying its palladium 14k and not nickel 14k?

 

[Gibson486]

They are saying it a 14K gold with a palladium alloy. At least that is what i hope they are selling. Some places charge more for palladium, some do not charge more. It's up to the place selling if they want to mark it up. Palladium has gone up in price because some are calling it a cheap man's platinum.

BTW, you can get all palladium, but you mentioned 14K and that refers to gold in this case. It will be more than gold, but less than platinum.

 

[torpid]

depends. I think in IL guy gets to keep, ring is part of a verbal contract and is a premarital asset

Just so I understand... which ring? The engagement ring or the wedding band? My point was that, in many states if you call off a wedding, the guy is legally entitled to have the engagement ring back (if he paid for it). However, I would be surprised if the guy gets the wedding band back if he paid for it upon divorce. Are you saying in IL the guy gets the wedding band back too because it is a premarital asset? If so, then Texashiker should become Illinoishiker for financial safety.

 

[Texashiker]

Just so I understand... which ring? The engagement ring or the wedding band? My point was that, in many states if you call off a wedding, the guy is legally entitled to have the engagement ring back (if he paid for it). <snip> If so, then Texashiker should become Illinoishiker for financial safety.

It seems to me that people put too much thought into this topic.

Buy a cheap engagement ring and be done with it. The engagement is a very short phase of your life, treat it as such.

In 10, 15, 20 years are you or your wife going to care how much you spent on the ring? By that time other more important will be coming around, such as buying a house, buying a car or truck, having children, planning for retirement,,,.

Who in their right mind would spend thousands of dollars on a temporary ring? The engagement ring will be be replaced by a wedding ring in a few months, and then the wedding ring will probably be made into a set anyway.

The engagement ring is a very small, microscope part of your life, but people treat it like its a big deal. Get over it already.

 

[Gibson486]

It seems to me that people put too much thought into this topic.

Buy a cheap engagement ring and be done with it. The engagement is a very short phase of your life, treat it as such.

In 10, 15, 20 years are you or your wife going to care how much you spent on the ring? By that time other more important will be coming around, such as buying a house, buying a car or truck, having children, planning for retirement,,,.

Who in their right mind would spend thousands of dollars on a temporary ring? The engagement ring will be be replaced by a wedding ring in a few months, and then the wedding ring will probably be made into a set anyway.

The engagement ring is a very small, microscope part of your life, but people treat it like its a big deal. Get over it already.

LOL.... You wear the engagement ring even after you are married.

 

[Nintendesert]

Texastool, claim to be married and you don't think a woman will remember years later that you were a cheap ass with a ring? Maybe that's why you've been married twice, that and the whole "I don't trust you enough to get you anything worthwhile."

You're such a tool.

 

[Texashiker]

LOL.... You wear the engagement ring even after you are married.

My wife had her engagement ring made into a set with her wedding ring. So now the 2 rings are one in the same.

You claim to be married and you don't think a woman will remember years later that you were a cheap ass with a ring?

My ex-wife would bring up stuff that happened over a decade ago, that is one reason why I left her.

Maybe that's why you've been married twice, that and the whole "I don't trust you enough to get you anything worthwhile."

You're such a tool.

I live my life the way I want, you live your life the want you want.

 

[theeedude]

Anyone deal with b2cjewels?
They seem to have better deals than even overstock and lower prices than everyone else.
I am thinking of upping the budget to $1K and getting something in the 1/2 carat range and returning the overstock ring.

Is this a good deal on a diamond:
http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-1-2616212-0.46-carat-Round-diamond-H-color-SI2-clarity.aspx

I got the Overstock.com ring today. I do actually like the setting it is in, but the tiny diamond has an inclusion noticeable with naked eye fairly close to the table. I guess for $365 shipped I shouldn't expect much Will return it tho.

 

[torpid]

My wife had her engagement ring made into a set with her wedding ring. So now the 2 rings are one in the same.

Wow. I am not following you at all. First you say it's just a temporary cheap ring and the wedding band is the one she will wear. Now you admit she will wear both. So what sense does it make to spend 4x as much on the wedding band as you stated in your first post here? Either way you are spending 5x your weekly salary total for a "set" that your wife will wear throughout the marriage.

 

[Nintendesert]

I live my life the way I want, you live your life the want you want.

So feel free to stop shitting in every engagement ring thread. You have some whacked ass retarded beliefs about rings and marriage and when everyone calls you on it you throw your fit and claim you live how you wanna live blah blah.

Good for you, but part of that is not giving a shit what others think so stop sharing with us. :thumbsup:

 

[vi edit]

Damn. If a future son in law of mine ever wanted to buy my daughter a $10,000 ring I'd tell him to spend a fraction of that and use the rest on the house downpayment. And if my daughter had a problem with that then I failed as a parent.

 

[Fausto]

I swear, the more Tex posts, the more I'm conviced that he's completely batshit.

 

[Texashiker]

So feel free to stop shitting in every engagement ring thread.

This is the only engagement ring thread I have posted in.

You have some whacked ass retarded beliefs about rings and marriage

Its called "thinking for yourself", try it sometime.

Good for you, but part of that is not giving a shit what others think so stop sharing with us. :thumbsup:

The OP asked a question, I posted my opinion, people came back with insults directed at me.

Part of the issue is respect. If someone does not want to walk the path that society says they should walk, at the very least respect that persons opinion. You do not have to agree or even like a differing opinion, but you should at least respect it.

Just because society says an engagement ring should cost more then a wedding ring, does not mean I have to follow the popular opinion. I will buy whatever I want based on what I feel in my heart is the right thing to do. If that means going against what society thinks, then so be it.

My wife and I are happy together, and that is what is important.

 

[Falloutboy]

I swear, the more Tex posts, the more I'm conviced that he's completely batshit.

his first post in this thread convinced me of that.

 

[Texashiker]

his first post in this thread convinced me of that.

Regardless of what tradition, or what society says, how much money do you feel in your heart you should spend on your bride to be?

Forget just for a minute everything you have been told about engagement and wedding rings, from there what do "you" feel is the right thing to do?

 

[Zargon]

Just so I understand... which ring? The engagement ring or the wedding band? My point was that, in many states if you call off a wedding, the guy is legally entitled to have the engagement ring back (if he paid for it). However, I would be surprised if the guy gets the wedding band back if he paid for it upon divorce. Are you saying in IL the guy gets the wedding band back too because it is a premarital asset? If so, then Texashiker should become Illinoishiker for financial safety.

Tecnically both I would think. But I was refering to the engagement ring. It is after all a premarital asset

It seems to me that people put too much thought into this topic.

says one of teh top posters in this thread

Buy a cheap engagement ring and be done with it. The engagement is a very short phase of your life, treat it as such.

In 10, 15, 20 years are you or your wife going to care how much you spent on the ring? By that time other more important will be coming around, such as buying a house, buying a car or truck, having children, planning for retirement,,,.

Who in their right mind would spend thousands of dollars on a temporary ring? The engagement ring will be be replaced by a wedding ring in a few months, and then the wedding ring will probably be made into a set anyway.

The engagement ring is a very small, microscope part of your life, but people treat it like its a big deal. Get over it already.

there are probably 4 main reasons why your wife doesnt wear the engagement rings
1) it sucks ass because you were cheapass
2)you bought a way blingier wedding band
3)she hates you and wish she wasnt married to you
4)she pawned it to take a vacation with the mailman/lawnboy/paperboy/etc

mostly 1 or 2 though

 

[ponyo]

Damn. If a future son in law of mine ever wanted to buy my daughter a $10,000 ring I'd tell him to spend a fraction of that and use the rest on the house downpayment. And if my daughter had a problem with that then I failed as a parent.

What about the wedding? Will you tell your daughter to have a courthouse wedding?

 

[zoiks]

I believe the ability to spot a quality diamond is bred into all women. LOL

I did a lot of research and we got our set from a Nashville jeweler for the same thing I could have bought online. It never hurts to make an offer. Just over a carat, simple single VS1/G in white gold, $2,500 for ring and wedding band. (Yeah, it's been awhile.) I always heard that the rule of thumb was two months' salary for the engagement ring, but there's really no right or wrong, only what fits the couple. Some women would prefer a nicer honeymoon or a down payment on a house over an expensive ring. (Hmm, that didn't look right after I typed it.) You can always upgrade later on an anniversary, so don't beggar yourself buying more ring than you can afford. And don't sweat the chance of the engagement ending and losing an expensive ring, just be happy you didn't tie the knot and lose a house.

Good advice.
2,500 for a 1karat VS1/G is an awesome deal. It must have been a while ago since lately prices have been surging on precious stones and gold.
Was your ring certified?

 

[vi edit]

What about the wedding? Will you tell your daughter to have a courthouse wedding?

Honestly? I'd encourage them to elope to an island getaway and not bother with the cost and bullshit of planning for a wedding. That's what my wife and I did (with our parent's support) and we've had so many other couples our age tell us they wish they had done that instead of dropping $10,000 to $35,000 and months of frustration and planning for one day of activity.

It's not a question of cheap. It's more about practicality. There is just so much more important things that a young couple can do with that money.

 

[ponyo]

Honestly? I'd encourage them to elope to an island getaway and not bother with the cost and bullshit of planning for a wedding. That's what my wife and I did (with our parent's support) and we've had so many other couples our age tell us they wish they had done that instead of dropping $10,000 to $35,000 and months of frustration and planning for one day of activity.

It's not a question of cheap. It's more about practicality. There is just so much more important things that a young couple can do with that money.

I was just curious. I spent ~$25k for the ring and jewelry but did the $35 or so courthouse wedding.

 

[Zargon]

I was just curious. I spent ~$25k for the ring and jewelry but did the $35 or so courthouse wedding.

wow.

I did 3k on the ring, 18k on the wedding thanks for getting married on black friday(dont worry, it was a 4pm wedding with open bar, plenty of time to nap post BF shopping) which netted us 30% off the reception...


I wanted to elope to Cancun or Jamaica, wife said hell no

 

[vi edit]

I wanted to elope to Cancun or Jamaica, wife said hell no

In our situation, my family was all in IL and her family was all in South Dakota. We couldn't find some common ground and both sides had people grublimg. So we said fuck it, asked the parents if they would mind if we just eloped. They said "just have it taped!" and gave us the blessing. Next day we booked a week at a Sandals resort in Antigua and never looked back. It cost us like $3,000 for the week with the airfair and we had small receptions on each side once we got back. Worked out awesome.