OK so It's been over three years, and it's at the point where I can't wait much longer to ask my gf to marry me. She's the love of my life, and I've known that I was going to marry her about a week into our relationship...but I digress

I'm assuming there are at least as many financial predators in the jewelery business as there are in the used car, real estate, and stock market sectors. My gut is telling me to stay away from all of the chain stores all together (the thought of one of my girlfriend's aunts coyly whispering to her mother "he went to Jared" makes me want to inhale Cohiba smoke until my stomach ejects itself from my insides) I've been reading a lot on the components of a ring (the 4 Cs, setting, etc) so I'm not so much looking for advice on that (though I'm always open to suggestions) as I am looking on ways to not get ripped off. I've heard of buying antique rings, has anyone done that? If anyone has any positive advice or horror stories with a lesson please share. I'd love to hear from as many people as possible:-)
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No help on the ring (been married 26 years)...but congrats brother!! :-)
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First, congrats! I made the same move a year and a half ago and am glad I did.

The only advice I am giving on the ring is to not overspend. You shouldn't be paying off a ring for years. I just had a grad student buddy living on a 15K a year stipend put a 9K ring on a credit card. That ring is going to cost him a fortune...
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Look look and look again. FYI if you buy a ring from a store ands it's 20k it isn't actually worth more than 5k. There are great deals if you buy right. Craigslist is not how you do it. The cost of diamonds is low if you can find someone that sells or buys used stones. buy her a diamond then pick the setting together. My wife loved that.
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I don't know your friend, but if my friend did that I may have some words for him. Thanks for the advice, but I would NEVER buy a ring that I couldn't pay for outright. Especially on a CC!

That sounds like a great idea. I've heard many times to buy the diamond separately. Do you know where to look for places that do this? I will likely be looking in the Chicago or Augusta, GA area....

This is good stuff, more advice is definitely welcome!
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Andrew, I just went through this and popped the question in July. I had the luck of having a family friend in the business, and went to his guy who does repairs and custom work.
What I went through though was:

• Picking the stone, did she want diamond, sapphire, etc? I went with a diamond (white, although a friend recently picked a black diamond set in White gold), but mine was a normal diamond.
• Color and clarity are the things to look for (you can look on the internet for diamond gradings and examples)
• Then I had to decide on the setting and the gold. My fiancee is a Nurse, so a strong setting, but still nice and shows off the diamond well.
• I went with White gold (14 carat) and added 2 small blue sapphires on either side...they sparkle but set off the diamond!

Anyway you choose - the important part is it is something she will want. I know someone who goes to the big box stores because she likes to upgrade - which works for them, but not for me. I wanted something that would be nice, and I dont do the trade up thing.

Good luck - PM me if you want the name and number of my guy:-)
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I know some people go down to the islands (ie Grand Cayman) and getting stones allot cheaper then here. Take her on a cruise, pop the question and let her pick the stone. Just an idea.
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Genius Larry, genius
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http://www.bluenile.com/
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Congratulations! I'd check out www.bluenile.com... Lots of information on picking a stone, etc. They also have great (unbelievable) service & their pricing was much better than my local stores.

- edit - Kevin beat me to it :-)
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Very nice. Giving them a quick look-over before I go to sleep. Their site is very intuitive and looks amazing! Will definitely look further into this tomorrow
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I do but down in Venezuela. They have a mine and my wife's was cut in Israel EGL certified. My employee 'carried' it back for me.

I wish I knew someone in your neck of the woods. Sorry...
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Early congrats Andrew......I went with Kay Jewelers and we are so glad we did and yep we shopped and shopped and shopped some more, but Kay made us the best offer for our budget. I know you don't want to go that way, but just thought I'd throw in my :-)
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Wow great prices for retail however there are better prices.

You should call all the Scrap Gold buyers in your area. They buy lots of gold and the diamonds that go with them. Most of the diamonds are wholesaled to middle men. I bet you could find 1.5ct for 4-5k.....

Women live it when you save :-) and buy big.... This is the perfect opportunity... She will brag about you for years...

'oh ya you paid what for 1ct? My husband bought this better quality (?) for 1/3....
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How about a Montecristo cigar ring?
Simple, yet elegant. :-)
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:-) :-)
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That's the engagement ring, I think you gotta get her a Cohiba for the wedding ring :-)

I vote convince her to go with tattoo'd ring fingers and spend the balance on cigars :-)

:-)
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bought mine at Kay jewelers and she loved it.
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I have been in the business for over 25 years and here are a couple things that I tell my friends:

Get a certified diamond, preferably GIA certified, they are the gold standard for diamond certification.

14k or platinum solitaire settings never go out of style.

Stick with a standard shape diamond (this one is my preference but it has not failed), you cannot go wrong with a Round Brilliant Cut.

If had to choose between attributes, I always say to NEVER skimp on color. You'll find 1 million diamonds out there with the standard "G-H-I" color range, but once you place a D or E color diamond next to any of those, you'll never question this recommendation again.

Also, be aware of any place that uses ranges when specifying color or clarity. If they say G-H-I or I quality without being specific such as G color, SI2, then you can be sure it's at the low end of that range, and I can guarantee whatever cert they may produce will not be GIA.

Good Luck and Congrats!
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Another vote for Blue Nile. I have been purchasing from them for years. Not one single complaint here.

You know - the average person can't tell the difference between a SI1 and a VVS1. So unless your girlfriend is one to run right down to a jeweler - you have options. And with Blue Nile you can pick your diamond, setting and your price.

Congratulations!

Ron
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