Little premature, but I want to start looking into this... Engagement rings

[Viper GTS]

I figure I'll be needing one within a year. Problem is I know next to nothing. Don't know the proper questions to ask, don't know what to look for. For starters, though: Is $1,000 - $1,500 a decent amount to spend? Where can I find pictures & info on stuff in that price range? How much did you guys spend on yours?

Any info would be appreciated, 'cause I need to start saving now.

Viper GTS

 

[GL]

All I know is that if it has diamonds, make sure you get a certificate verifying for the authenticity of the quality of those diamonds. Other than that...I need to know all about these things too even if it is a bit premature for me as well.

-GL

 

[Moonbeam]

Well it takes courage to discuss the fact that your having that premature problem, but I don't know too much about cures. As to diamonds, a one carot D flawless would be nice, nice and expensive.

 

[Viper GTS]

How expensive? I'm looking to get a rough idea of how much money I'll need to have, so I can start making monthly contributions to its fund.

Viper GTS

 

[kranky]

Here's where I would start: find out what kind of ring the gf wants. She's the one who has to wear it, she might as well have one she likes. Might not be easy if you're trying not to tip her off, but you have a year to work with.

I know two women at work who have engagement rings that they don't really like. The hubbies involved bought the biggest rings they could afford, believing the 50-year-old marketing campaign of the DeBeers diamond cartel ("Two months salary for an engagement ring&quot.

It turned out my gf (now wife) didn't want an engagement ring at all! She preferred the look of a simple gold band wedding ring without an engagement ring.

DeBeers has a site with a lot of information on buying diamonds (you'll be able to pick out the marketing BS) at http://www.adiamondisforever.com/M/index.htm

 

[Adul]

So I am not the only jumping into the bioling oil. Good luck viper, only trhing I can say is shop around a lot.

 

[Soybomb]

Yeah be sure she wants one, a surprising number of girls I talked to said they think spending that much money on a rock is dumb. If she's a computer chick get her an engagement computer

 

[Viper GTS]

Soybomb...

Yes, she wants one. I know that for sure.

Viper GTS

 

[lowtech1]

See what jewelry, clothing, music, and book that she owns.

If she have lots of shiners, loads of diner ware/dresses, barbie music, cheap/cheesy paperback romance books, then Diamond it is. (This kind of girl is the worst nightmare that you can get)

If she don?t have or like jewelry, tomboyish clothing, wide range of taste for music (world sound etc...), like the out-door. And she love it when you recite a cheesy poem in here honor that you written, or she is ecstatic when you give here a weed thinking it is an orchid. Then this girl would be thrilled if you give her a 3/4in washer/nut.

But, then again who am I to say since I'm still single

 

[GL]

My brother spent I think CDN$3000 (~US$2000) on a very nice, but modest engagement ring. I think it consisted of a few small diamonds. My sister is big on jewelry cuz her BF is gonna propose any time now...she's always told me to stay away from the big fancy jewelry stores (in Canada we have Birks, and a couple of others). Going to a fancy, but small outlet is usually much better as long as you know your stuff about the diamonds and gold.

-GL

 

[Mday]

$10,000 never hurts... of course it's not like many can afford that... without making payments

--

do what GL said, make sure you KNOW YOUR SH!T about diamonds, and gold... don't be afraid to bring your own loop...

you'll definitely need a woman with you... not YOUR woman, but a woman... her friend or her sister... or whatnot. make sure she knows how to keep a secret.

 

[Francodman]

Aren't you only 19? Are you sure you want to rush into a marriage this early in your life?

 

[Viper GTS]

Mday...

Having a woman with me could be a problem. I would take my sister with me, since I trust her advice completely. However... The fiancee to be (Sarah) has specifically requested that I NOT get help on my choice. She said I could show it to my sister after I bought it for approval, but the decision had to be 100% mine. In the event that my decision gets nuked by my sister, I get to take it back & try again. Oh, and in case you hadn't figured it by now... Yes, she does know the ring is coming, we've been talking about it for a while. The only surprise will be when & how.

Francodman...

18, actually. She's almost 20. It'll be a good 3 - 4 years before we actually get married.

Viper GTS

 

[BoberFett]

Uh oh, she's already making demands. :Q

 

[I'm Typing]

Viper: WTF are you thinking?
Only an insane person would be thinking "ring" at 19.
You ought to be thrown in an institution and locked up until you are 25.

Let me state it again, for the record: the chances of two 19 year olds meeting, and falling in love, who have seen enough of life and are mature enough for marriage, has to be a billion to one. You are not ready, dude. And neither is she.

Take the 1500 bucks and build another kick ass machine, or put it into your education. Where it belongs, not on someone's finger.

 

[lowtech1]

Sound like a high maintenance GF.

If you give her a ring, then might as well throw out your puter now.

She is already telling you what to do now, and what going to stop her from telling you what to do in an engagement/marriage.

Here is a million dollars advice...Get out now while you can !

"I wish she love me the way she love my car"

 

[Viper GTS]

Actually, she's not high maintenance at all. She's very down to earth. Buys all her clothes on sale, won't let me spend a lot of money on her, doesn't care for high class. I figure it's a reasonable request to make that I choose her ring by myself. Other than that, she has not made any demands whatsoever.

As for telling people what to do, she's not like that either. She views me as the leader in the relationship, & has no problem with it.

Viper GTS

 

[Soybomb]

I dunno Viper seems like a pretty mature guy, I think he stands a fair chance of evaluating the sitation well enough to make a good decision. Personally I plan on dating for say 3 years before proposing. It would be at least after college I know! The engagement might only last a year, but I'd rather date for a while before spending money on a ring, make that commitment, etc. I wouldn't say her request for him to choose the ring himself is that unreasonable. Outta curiosity how long have you two been dating viper? Good luck!

 

[I'm Typing]

That is what I am thinking. Get through college. Mature a lot. If it is true love, she will still be there after school is over. If not, then you have saved yourself a lot of heartache and money.

 

[Viper GTS]

Soybomb...

Officially, we have never dated. Dating has never really been my thing. As of now we're officially "just (best) friends," but everyone knows there's more to it than that. I've been talking to her for a year and a half, we've considered the other person to be our best friend for almost a year now. My parents are aware of what's going on, & are supportive, as are her parents.

We will most likely have a long engagement, since she doesn't want to have to balance a new marriage & school at the same time. Her theory is once she's married that's where her time belongs, not studying. I agree, but I figure if she's going to be working until we have kids, we could treat school like her job & live off of one income while she finishes school. But probably we'll be engaged until she finishes her degree. Which is another 3 or 4 years, it'll probably be spring of 2004 before we'll be getting married. In the meantime I'll be going back to school as well, to get my CCNA.

Viper GTS

 

[geno]

You say that she's your good friend, would you consider her your girlfriend? I'm not talking about dating either, have you guys gotten together like that? It seems like you're getting ahead of yourself, you say you've just been talking for a year and a half - and if you guys aren't a couple, then why are you talking about marriage? I may be mistaken about the condition of the relationship, so I'm not going to give a huge lecture on it, but let it be spontaneuous to some point - don't treat it like there's a plan. I dunno though, don't let anyone here influence you, just take a step back for a minute and really analyze things. If this is what you want - go for it, but make sure you know this is the right thing for you.... be careful man

 

[Soybomb]

Hehe if you're doing the stuff dating involves, you're dating I dont think there are any formal papers to sign heh. As long as you're sure you're not rushing into it, it should be cool I think. If you've only been her "best friend" for a year now and you're not buying the ring yet, but say a year or more from now, I don't think that would be an unreasonable time frame.
Once again best of luck with it, I kinda look forward to when I can say I'm making similar plans!

 

[dude]

Viper, have you even tried living with her yet? It can make a difference in the way you two think about each other. Really.

You've only been together for 1 1/2 years? that's hardly lengthy. I just had close friends end it. They were seeing each other for about 5 years now, and have also been living together a little bit at each others house for a couple of years. Guess what? They decided that they were bored with each other. They talked about marriage for two years, and after all that, it just ends like that.

If you do decide to marry, you did say she isn't they pushy type right? Get her one of those rings you get from the capsuls from those 25 cent machines at the supermarket.

 

[Viper GTS]

genocide...

For all practical purposes she's my girlfriend. Is she officially my girlfriend? No. As for spontaneity, this is NOT what we had planned initially. When we started talking, she had a boyfriend. We were specifically avoiding starting anything, in fact we literally laughed at the possibility. But, things change. She doesn't have the b/f anymore, & I'm still her best friend & vice versa.

Soybomb...

How do you define "what dating involves?" She's in PA, I'm in Oregon... Kinda hard to "date" per se. And no, I'm not buying the ring yet. Probably be almost a year from now, but I want to be prepared.

dude...

Have I tried living with her? Umm... No. And it's not going to happen, either. That's not how we're doing things. Both of us come from Christian families, & neither of us has any interest in living together prior to marriage.

Viper GTS

 

[Soybomb]

Ohhhh, in that case, I dont know man. The physical part of a relationship can be pretty important too. You guys need to be sure you're compatible in that way as well. I hope one of you is moving within a couple hours of the other one before long, you need to some time to test that out! Don't fedex the ring man