engagement rings

[miloblithe]

And traditional settings tend to be cheaper too because every gem store would have them on hand. You can get a "custom" ring out of standard parts and not have to go too overboard.

 

[pseudobrit]

Tsavorite.

Coolest gemstone ever.

 

[WildCowboy]

Very nice...

 

[jefhatfield]

congrats on the choice to get engaged

i wish our family's asian antique/gift store was still around...i would have cut you a great deal

i had never heard of a blood diamond (conflict diamond) in my life and i didn't know that money made from mining diamonds were used to fund all types of wars in africa

 

[jhu]

congrats on the choice to get engaged

i wish our family's asian antique/gift store was still around...i would have cut you a great deal

i had never heard of a blood diamond (conflict diamond) in my life and i didn't know that money made from mining diamonds were used to fund all types of wars in africa

the diamond industry would like to keep that last part under wraps. even with the kimberly process, it still won't help much.

 

[jelloshotsrule]

in a way i like the idea of a stone that's sort of set in the band... but i would imagine to get that custom done would be pretty advanced, and pricey. maybe i'll just get a big old piece of jade and staple it to one of those 25 centers and that way she can wave her "rock" around at all the other ladies when she gets together with her book club.



hahahah


that's funny. (since no one else will see the irony )


jef- glad we could educate you a bit. also see kanye west's song "diamonds of sierra leone".. not the remix/radio version, because that one is dumbed down and basically has no social meaning for whatever reason.

 

[hikingnclimbing]

One idea is to look together like someone else (on the first page) suggested. My boyfriend and I were out on the town one afternoon for a walk and decided to take a look in a store just for kicks (becayse we are romantics like that). I know that he really wants to surprise me, but we found a ring that day that we both fell in love with. So I'd be surprised if it were anything other than that ring. But it's something that both he and I really like. The woman needs to like it since she'll be wearing it (hopefully) forever and I think it is also important for the guy to like it since he'll be putting it on her finger and it's a symbol of his love for her.

Another idea is to look at some of the jewelery she already has and get something that would compliment her favorite necklace or bracelet. If you are ready for the next step then you likely have a pretty good idea about her style preferences. But it's always good to be sure.

I'm excited that you're getting ready to propose. I can't wait until my guy asks me.

 

[sushi]

and i get the sense that in a way she's waiting for me to be ready (i am 6ish years younger than she is) and so me taking the initiative, getting a ring and popping the question will all be a sign of that (duh).

Nothing like marrying an older woman!

Good luck to you both.

As for the ring, there is a huge markup in the jewlery industry. No matter what you get, you are paying a lot more than it is really worth.

So your idea of Jade, if you both like it, is wonderful. Some of the best Jade that I have seen was from Southeast Asia. Sorry I don't have a good source in the states.

However, I would stay away from mail order. You also might want to check out some local mom and pop stores. Sometimes you can find great quality for a cheap price as many do not regularly adjust their prices to reflect cost increases. Some may even give a little "engagement" discount or have some other special.

 

[Mike Teezie]

Congrats on the decision jello.

I'll soon be in the market for a ring myself, and am completely clueless.

Good luck to you brother - I can be of no assistance.

 

[yellow]

For those that might read this and be thinking diamond: EDUCATE YOURSELF

That is the best weapon you will have when you try to buy a diamond. Most stores will try and sell you and utter piece of crap and convince you how great it is when in reality it's cloudy, poorly cut, and full of inclusions. I can't believe what chain places try and pawn off on people now.

Here's a great site to start your education:

http://www.bridaltips.com/diamond.htm

I know the site looks lame, but the dude has MASSIVE good info. Also on car buying. I used his techiques and saved about $7500 when I bought my Liberty in 2002. Definitely good info.

I looked and looked and looked and waiting until exactly what I wanted came on the market. Eventually I bought a killer diamond on http://www.BlueNile.com. It exceeded expectations in all respects. Very happy with my purchase.

 

[jelloshotsrule]

thanks again for the well wishes. i am still not sure when this will all go down, but i'd rather be prepared ringwise and then do the rest on my terms than try to rush it all at the very end...

along with knowing what makes a good diamond, take some time to read what makes a conflict diamond..

 

[yellow]

Oh, and good luck and congrats Jelly! Marriage is awesome!

 

[WildCowboy]

To go along with previous comments about buying a diamond...educate yourself, but don't get hung up on having the best diamond. The most obvious characteristic is carat weight, so that was the driver for me. Most jewelers will try to convince you that you need the best clarity and the least color. But unless you're buying it for an investment, it's just not that important if you can see inclusions under a 10X microscope. No one is going to look at it under a microscope.

I went to the jeweler thinking I needed at least F color and VS clarity, which meant that I could only afford a small diamond. But I found a great jeweler who showed me that I could do just fine with something more like J color and SI2 clarity...to the naked eye, I couldn't tell the difference, and it enabled me to get a much larger diamond.

 

[ChrisBrightwell]

in a way i like the idea of a stone that's sort of set in the band... but i would imagine to get that custom done would be pretty advanced, and pricey.

I doubt it. I think that's called a "channel set" and is pretty common.