Engagement Rings

• sportchampps

  It wasn't that long distance only an hour and a half for all but 6 months when it was 13 hours
• megandansot

  sportchampps;1144214 wrote:I've been dating my girlfriend for six years now (three long distance three living together). We have moved for each others job from Ohio to Kansas back to Ohio and haven't had any major problems. All that said it's about time I pop the question. We have talked about it before and want to get married sometime next year between spring and fall.
  
  Well today was the first time we looked at rings and I realized I don't know anything about diamonds. So far it seems like most places recommend a G SI2 or better. Is there much of a difference that the eye can see between an I and G. Anyone have any places they recommend or don't recommend in the Columbus area. So far she seems to prefer a small band either solitaire or with small diamonds around the side and a pear shaped diamond. Anything I need to know or do before buying. Any advice would be helpful.

  
  For Round diamonds, there's not much of a difference between G, H and I color diamonds and the naked eye can't tell the difference. With Pear shaped diamonds, color is slightly more important but still, only slightly. Once you mount the diamond on a ring, it appears to be more colorless because it reflects the color of the white gold or platinum band, or appears more colorless in contrast to the yellow band. I would recommend buying online with James Allen because they show you real photos of their diamonds, in addition to the certificates. That way, you can check each diamond yourself. They also offer free shipping in the US (and many other international locations) and free returns for 60-days.
• FatHobbit

  

  ballyhoo;1144438 wrote:Congratulations Sportchampps. I've been down the engagement ring shopping road a few times. I'm on my third marriage now and this one is for keeps! If you've never bought an engagement ring before, it can be overwhelming but it doesn't have to be. I have some info for you. It's a lot, but it's all good...
  
  I agree with McFly1955 who recommended you buy online. It's really the only way to get a decent ring for a decent price nowadays if you're on a budget. If money is no object, that's a different story. I know for a fact that you can get a ring online for 30%-50% less than you would at a retail store. I bought my current wife a ring online at James Allen.
  
  The 4 C's are important, but it ultimately comes down to your budget. And for most normal people, you can't tell the difference between a $1000 and a $100,000 diamond! As long as the diamond is eyeclean (which means you look at it and can't see any black specs or obvious flaws) that's all that matters to you. You should buy the LOWEST DIAMOND CLARITY that is clean to your naked eye. Don't worry about inclusions that are only visible with a microscope. You'll never see them and you'll end up paying through the roof if you buy a diamond that is very very clear. Why pay more if you don't see the flaws with your naked eye?:rolleyes:
  
  Some diamond cuts hide flaws very well because there are so many facets and angles you can't see the flaws when looking at it.
  
  You should also get the lowest possible color that’s white to the naked eye. An H or I or better is usually enough. There's no reason a normal person need to get a D color diamond. For most diamond rings, 99% of people can't tell the difference between an F (expensive) color and an I (less expensive).
  
  Anyway, that's a lot of info! Buy online to avoid pushy salespeople who will try to convince you to overspend and get things you don't need. All the big reputable online sites let you design your own ring and that way you stay within your own budget. Retail stores take advantage of younger people too. Of course be careful if you shop online. But as long as you stick with big well known stores you won't have a problem. I chose James Allen because they have free shipping and free returns and 24/7 customer service. But there are other good sites too. Make sure that whatever store you choose, you read reviews online and make sure it's a place people know about.

  megandansot;1145723 wrote:For Round diamonds, there's not much of a difference between G, H and I color diamonds and the naked eye can't tell the difference. With Pear shaped diamonds, color is slightly more important but still, only slightly. Once you mount the diamond on a ring, it appears to be more colorless because it reflects the color of the white gold or platinum band, or appears more colorless in contrast to the yellow band. I would recommend buying online with James Allen because they show you real photos of their diamonds, in addition to the certificates. That way, you can check each diamond yourself. They also offer free shipping in the US (and many other international locations) and free returns for 60-days.

  Do you two know each other?
• bigkahuna

  I always recommend Rogers/ Andrews Jewelers. There's 3 or 4 locations in and around Columbus (I think there's one in Dublin)
  
  My parents bought almost all of their jewelry from these stores as well as myself. They've always been willing to work with us on price and give us a good deal. With any ring, I believe they charge a one time warranty fee of 29.99. This covers saudering, size adjustments (anytime), and lost diamonds. My dad has 3 1/3 carrot stones in his wedding ring. Two or three times, one has gotten loose and fallen out. He "couldn't find the diamond," and the store replaced it for free.
  
  I'm not sure how other stores work as far as maintenance, repairs, and warranties go, but that's what they offer. I've never had a problem with these stores. Granted, I've only been a customer in the stores in Beavercreek, OH and Toledo, so I'm not sure how good/bad these stores will be.
  
  That's just my opinion; good price, good "benefits", and good customer service. The warranty is lifetime, and all you need to do is have the piece of jewelry serviced once every 6 months.
• jpake1

  

  Go with BlueNile. I just bought a $6,660 ring that retails for $10,250. I was also able to use a 10% discount on the setting because I'm a AAA member. It got shipped to me the exact day they quoted. It came with all paperwork and the neat little box. I checked out several mall places and family owned places and I got a better quality diamond for a lot cheaper price. My advice to you if you go through with an online retailer is to go to all the ring places and look at very similar rings as the one online. That helped me a lot in terms of having a good idea what the online ring would look like. That's the only downfall, you can't check it out. I believe at BlueNile they will sent you the loose diamond to scope out and if you don't like it you send it back, but if you do like it you send it back and they put it in the setting.
• rip34

  slingshot4ever;1144446 wrote:A chain isn't a bad idea in my mind as they sell diamonds separate from bands which is the right way to go. The most important thing is buying a GIA certified diamond. There is another certification that it could be buying can't remember the name. You are likely to get more competitive prices from a chain as well.

  ^This.
  
  GIA and I believe EIG are independent graders of diamonds. Kinda like PSA for baseball cards. Instead of a "gemologist" at the store telling you the diamond is a G, SI2 the diamond is sent off to an independent grader and then returned with a card that identifies the 4 C's. the "gemologist" is legally allowed to be off by a color or two so obviously they would be smart to upgrade to charge more for the diamond. This will also help for insurance purposes as you will have the GIA certificate stating the characteristics of the diamond that would have to be replaced with a similar GIA certified diamond.
  
  I bought my engagement ring from McGivern in Perrysberg and have also bought additional diamonds online from them. They specialize in GIA certified diamonds
  
  I have also bought diamonds from Blue nile and they are very nice in quality also.
• NNN

  

  sportchampps;1144214 wrote:Well today was the first time we looked at rings and I realized I don't know anything about diamonds. So far it seems like most places recommend a G SI2 or better. Is there much of a difference that the eye can see between an I and G. Anyone have any places they recommend or don't recommend in the Columbus area. So far she seems to prefer a small band either solitaire or with small diamonds around the side and a pear shaped diamond. Anything I need to know or do before buying. Any advice would be helpful.

  You don't know anything about diamonds, she doesn't know anything about diamonds.
  
  Buy cubic zirconia, handle any potential insurance yourself, and spend the rest of the money on something useful.
  
  Also, if she ends up divorcing you, she ends up with nothing when she discovers that the ring is basically worthless.
• NNN

  

  Sykotyk;1144384 wrote:You: I Do.
  Her: I Do.... not suck cock anymore.

  Not her husband's, anyway.