Purchasing an Engagement Ring
- Thread starter Cyinthenorth
- Start date
Is there any kind of negative connotation to buying rings online? Hadn't thought to go that route...probably just not being able to see it before you buy it?
I had a good experience with Iowa Diamond in WDM.
We shopped at the other chain places but found what we liked at Iowa Diamond.
We didn't go crazy on price, but I did finance through Iowa Diamond (Wells Fargo). I think I got something like a year, no interest. Could have paid for it but took advantage of that offer.
As others have said, set a budget and stick with that. Every place will have that one little upgrade that turns into 10 different things and another $500+.
I don't remember getting a warranty, other than whatever came with the ring.
I did get it added to my renter's insurance, through a rider, and now on my homeowner's. Definitely call your insurance guy and get that added ASAP.
My rider covers theft but also if we just lose it.
One last thing on the insurance - Make sure your policy states they will replace at an "agreed value". Some insurance policies will replace the ring with something they find that's comparable, not the exact same ring.
I made them add this language so that I get a check for the appraised value.
We shopped at the other chain places but found what we liked at Iowa Diamond.
We didn't go crazy on price, but I did finance through Iowa Diamond (Wells Fargo). I think I got something like a year, no interest. Could have paid for it but took advantage of that offer.
As others have said, set a budget and stick with that. Every place will have that one little upgrade that turns into 10 different things and another $500+.
I don't remember getting a warranty, other than whatever came with the ring.
I did get it added to my renter's insurance, through a rider, and now on my homeowner's. Definitely call your insurance guy and get that added ASAP.
My rider covers theft but also if we just lose it.
One last thing on the insurance - Make sure your policy states they will replace at an "agreed value". Some insurance policies will replace the ring with something they find that's comparable, not the exact same ring.
I made them add this language so that I get a check for the appraised value.
Was just going to say the opposite. Size Matters. I've never heard a woman say "Did you see how perfect Linda's ring was ?" But I've heard a ton of comments on size of diamonds. Put is in a tan box and it will look clear when she first sees it.
If you have been talking about it with her, take her shopping and figure out what she likes. MY wife was set on the halo setting and she saw it in person and didn't like it. It also gives you an excuse to size her finger that way when you do pop the question, the ring fits right away! She is going to appreciate that so much more because she wont have to take it off and get it sized.
Don't shop at any chain as they are crazy high. I bought directly from a broker in downtown Chicago that my sister knew.
Other biggest piece of advice is keep it simple and buy one that can be reconfigured some day. The ring i bought my wife is a ring with a diamond and that's it. She has grown to hate having a diamond sticking up and mainly just wears her wedding band. We are talking with some jewelers about some options to get it converted into a smooth band as well.
Other biggest piece of advice is keep it simple and buy one that can be reconfigured some day. The ring i bought my wife is a ring with a diamond and that's it. She has grown to hate having a diamond sticking up and mainly just wears her wedding band. We are talking with some jewelers about some options to get it converted into a smooth band as well.
As someone who was recently proposed to, I'd say the biggest thing is to figure out if she wants to go shopping together or not. A lot of people go look a rings together before a proposal but I wanted to be surprised. I don't think I ever specifically told him that but I don't like making lists for Christmas for the same reason so he figured it out. Luckily, I have a jeweler in my family so they worked together to get a diamond and put it in a temporary setting and then I got to pick my own setting after the proposal which was awesome.
Another thing to consider are diamond alternatives, either colored gemstones or moissanite which is a lab created stone that looks like a diamond (for a fraction of the price). Some people are concerned about the ethics behind diamonds so moissanite is a good alternative.
In the end, she will love whatever you choose because it came from you. I would have been perfectly happy with the simple setting mine originally was just knowing that he picked it out for me.
Another thing to consider are diamond alternatives, either colored gemstones or moissanite which is a lab created stone that looks like a diamond (for a fraction of the price). Some people are concerned about the ethics behind diamonds so moissanite is a good alternative.
In the end, she will love whatever you choose because it came from you. I would have been perfectly happy with the simple setting mine originally was just knowing that he picked it out for me.
Here are my opinions:
Spend what you feel comfortable and try to avoid financing. Like other's have said, you can upgrade later once you have more money built up (plus it gives you an anniversary gift idea for in the future)
Shop around at different places. Finding a nice setting can be important too. Many places have different styles plus you get an better idea of what you want.
got a personal articles policy for the one I bought through my insurance agent.
When deciding on what to get, do not focus on size. If you find one you like, consider going a bit smaller and getting a better cut and color.
Make sure the proposal is done right. That can help make up for spending less on the ring.
Spend what you feel comfortable and try to avoid financing. Like other's have said, you can upgrade later once you have more money built up (plus it gives you an anniversary gift idea for in the future)
Shop around at different places. Finding a nice setting can be important too. Many places have different styles plus you get an better idea of what you want.
got a personal articles policy for the one I bought through my insurance agent.
When deciding on what to get, do not focus on size. If you find one you like, consider going a bit smaller and getting a better cut and color.
Make sure the proposal is done right. That can help make up for spending less on the ring.
I spent what I could afford, saw the ring set that spoke to me, and bought it all on my own. It was a home run.
Then she got pregnant with kiddo #1, her ring size never returned to the same size, and she doesn't want to get them resized. Now they sit in a drawer.
Hooray, diamonds!
Then she got pregnant with kiddo #1, her ring size never returned to the same size, and she doesn't want to get them resized. Now they sit in a drawer.
Hooray, diamonds!
I knew my wife was checking out rings on Pintrest and looked at what she had liked on there. Shopped at three different jewelry stores and found the best deal at a local store. Got a rock slightly bigger that the one her sister got. Happy wife.
At first I wasn't comfortable spending what I did on the ring. She would have been happy if I had spent less but I enjoy seeing her show it off to this day.
At first I wasn't comfortable spending what I did on the ring. She would have been happy if I had spent less but I enjoy seeing her show it off to this day.
Diamonds are a scam. I certainly would never finance a ring. You can upgrade later if you are so inclined.
I didn't buy my wife a diamond. It's actually somewhat superior but man-made.and maybe 10-25% the cost of a diamond. And yes be sure to let them know what you buy, lying probably isn't a good idea.
https://www.brilliantearth.com/news/moissanite-vs-diamond/
For example
Bluenile shows some loose diamonds 1.3 Ct Cushion for $3,300 to >$8,000
Charles & Colvard 1.3 CTW (not exactly the same) Cushion $859, colorless or $569 for near-colorless.
I didn't buy my wife a diamond. It's actually somewhat superior but man-made.and maybe 10-25% the cost of a diamond. And yes be sure to let them know what you buy, lying probably isn't a good idea.
https://www.brilliantearth.com/news/moissanite-vs-diamond/
For example
Bluenile shows some loose diamonds 1.3 Ct Cushion for $3,300 to >$8,000
Charles & Colvard 1.3 CTW (not exactly the same) Cushion $859, colorless or $569 for near-colorless.
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-Buy something you can truly afford.
-Go to numerous locations. I went to a few of the chain stores (Jared, Kay, etc) and ended up buying at a one location spot (Fiscus). Got a much less of a "pushy salesperson" type of experience and much more knowledge/honesty.
-Pay cash if you can, but I understand that isn't possible for everyone. Make sure to read the fine print on financing if you go that route as they can ding you pretty good for any hiccups.
-Go to numerous locations. I went to a few of the chain stores (Jared, Kay, etc) and ended up buying at a one location spot (Fiscus). Got a much less of a "pushy salesperson" type of experience and much more knowledge/honesty.
-Pay cash if you can, but I understand that isn't possible for everyone. Make sure to read the fine print on financing if you go that route as they can ding you pretty good for any hiccups.
Figure out your future wife's preferences and go from there. Mine does not wear much jewelry at all, so I knew a big stone wasn't going to be her thing. The style of the ring setting was going to play a bigger role.
When I got hers, I had a friend that was pretty knowledgeable about diamonds. He recommend me to a store (I don't even remember the name of it anymore) Their diamonds were good quality and much cheaper than the big name stores, but their settings were pretty meh. I ended up finding a nice setting with some surrounding diamonds at another store and then took it to the place my friend recommended to purchase the main stone.
She loved it and got a ton of compliments. It's definitely not a full carat, but it's got really good clarity and color. I think it looks better than some of those rings that just have a band and a ginormous stone hanging off it.
When I got hers, I had a friend that was pretty knowledgeable about diamonds. He recommend me to a store (I don't even remember the name of it anymore) Their diamonds were good quality and much cheaper than the big name stores, but their settings were pretty meh. I ended up finding a nice setting with some surrounding diamonds at another store and then took it to the place my friend recommended to purchase the main stone.
She loved it and got a ton of compliments. It's definitely not a full carat, but it's got really good clarity and color. I think it looks better than some of those rings that just have a band and a ginormous stone hanging off it.
If I would have thought I could convince my wife of it, I would have loved to have gone this route.
Has anyone proposed without a ring? Would like to keep the element of surprise/excitement, but would want her to have her reasonable choice of ring, if/when it becomes appropriate.
