Dear Readers:
I’m going to propose to Bird.
I know I have a disproportionate amount of female readers so I would like to ask you some questions (but this only works if you actually leave a comment letting me know what you think – don’t be shy!) Guys, feel free to add your thoughts or experiences as well.
Here we go:
1. Would you rather be surprised or have a hand in choosing your engagement ring?
2. Size vs. Quality? (in regards to the diamond)
3. Gold vs. White Gold vs. Platinum vs. Palladium (Lots of metal options)
4. Traditional Retailer vs. Online (I see even Amazon sells E-rings now, but I’ve also been browsing Blue Nile.)
Okay, I can’t really think of anymore questions at this point. Basically, you don’t even have to answer those questions, I just want all your thoughts and opinions on all things engagement rings.
And here’s the scoop: I don’t have a ton of readers (but I really love the ones I do have!), so I’m asking you to please send this post around so I can get as many opinions on this matter as possible.
I will share my thoughts and feelings in an upcoming post very soon, so please keep reading (subscribe by reader or by email in the right sidebar!)
Here are some other blog posts from around the PF blogosphere on engagement rings:
ps. In case you haven’t figured out how personal finance comes into play here…engagement rings can be very expensive. Even when they’re not, they still cost money.
pps. When sending this around, please don’t send it to Bird. Haha
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First of, Congratulations! When purchasing an engagement ring, the issue was choosing the perfect metal. So I have done a lot of research in this area and will share it with you. Platinum is by far the best choice of metals for engagement rings. It is 30 times more rare than gold and over 95% pure. This means that you will be giving something special that not everyone can possess. While white gold is mixed with alloys to produce a white appearance, platinum has a naturally brilliant white luster that does not tarnish or fade. If money is an issue, consider the maintenance costs of other metals and platinum. For example white gold needs to be covered with rhodium every 12 months to provide for a white look. Since platinum is more dense than gold, it is more sturdier and does not scratch or dent. So ultimately, platinum is not only worth it but it is the ideal choice. Hope this helps! Check out my blog for more on this topic- http://www.wordpress.com/johnbirdie
As someone who works in jewelry repair I would recommend white gold over platinum or palladium if she likes white metal. Both platinum and palladium are malleable metals and will look dented very quickly with wear while white gold will tend to look more scuffed. The down side to white gold is that you have to rhodium plate it regularly to keep that bright white look. Some of the choice may depend on the setting as well, some styles are better choices in one metal or the other.
I would strongly recommend, at least for research purposes, visiting some local independent jewelers as well as chain stores. They may be more inclined to give you a well rounded discussion of quality, comparison of metals, different styles etc. I would also look hard at buying the ring from a store with a physical presence because many offer some level of warranty for both stone loss and metal repair, and that can be a very valuable thing.
Good luck and congratulations!
Here’s the thing. Every girl is different. When I met my husband I happened to work in a jewelry store….I highly recommend this since I got my ring at cost plus 10%. That being said….. What color jewelry does your girlfriend wear? Gold won’t work if she loves wearing silver. If silver is what she prefers go with palladium. A newer medal but in between price of platinum and white gold. White gold tends to turn a yellowish hue after a while. After all it is still gold with a white metal mixed in and a coating of platinum to give it it’s coloring. Palladium will hold it’s coloring better. I’m not a big fan of the internet buying thing. I once ordered a beautiful dresser that turned out to be the size of a gnomes dresser…you get my drift. Also, if you find what you want on the internet, print it out, price included and let a local or even chain jeweler get it for you. You know where they are, they have return policies, and you’re satisfaction is most time guaranteed. ]
Most importantly…GET HER OPINION!!! secretly or not, you want HER to be happy. Not all of us!
And Congrats!!!
I really personally think that it would be a much better option if you let her choose her own ring. Maybe you can go to a jewlery store and browse around a pick a few you like, then after take her and point out the ones you chose before. So that way she still has an option but its still your choice, it also helps to keep her within your budget. I’d say a 1-1 1/2 ct diamond will be very nice and their are some that are at a great price. White gold is more popular. I think it would be a wise decision to stay in the retail stores than online.. maybe you can browse online like at zales.com and if you see something you like, print it off or write down the style and then go to an actual store to observe it better. Because if you order stuff staight offline, it might not be what you expect it to be. These were just a few opinions from a young adult that also just recently got engaged… well good luck with everything!
1. I’d rather be surprised
2. I’d rather choose a flawless diamond
3.Platinum
4 Doesn’t matter, as long as he’ll give it to me
Congratulations!
As a confirmed jewelry hound (my husband says I have an obscene amount of jewelry – I contend that what you inherit doesn’t count) let me say this — pay close attention to what she has NOW. Does she wear white or yellow gold or white and yellow combined. Does she prefer modern or older settings, does she like diamonds or colored stones. Surprise is always the best way – IF you’re confident you know her taste. Diamonds are great, if you fall into the marketing thing but historically colored gemstones were the norm. Diamonds are actually pretty common and only priced the way they are due to the monopoly of DeBeers. Ruby is one of the most rare stones, Emerald is classic but make sure she loves it. Sapphire is timeless. Tourmaline comes in a host of colors as well as Zircon (not cubic zirconia, but true zircon). White Zircon rivals diamond and at the turn of the century was used widely in place of diamond.
If you go with diamond, you want a perfect cut, great clarity (no ‘frozen spit’) and color can be tricky so online isn’t the best way to go. My husband asked me to wear ruby in my wedding band — it’s his birthstone and he wanted to make doubly sure that everyone knew I belonged to him – stupidly romantic and wonderful. If your lady is like most, she’ll keep whatever you give her even if she’s not in love with it – because you went out and got it for her – but it would be really nice if she was in love with it. Hope this helps – and again, congratulations!!!
There are a lot of factors to purchasing the a diamond. The first thing is the shape. The next thing you should be concerned with is color and clarity as opposed to size like everyone says. I have sold diamonds for the past 18 years and work in the wholesale part of the business. When your going into it you should have a budget first and then go from there. The price will differ from place to place because of the cost factor. What is more important for you, color, clarity or carat weight? Cut should be a big factor because you can purchase a 1 carat that diamond size can be like a 0.75ct (3/4) and most of the weight is in the belly. If you need any advice please feel free to email me and I can guide you. As far as teh ring, put the diamodn in a solitaire and let her choose the mounting unless you have discussed it and know exactly what she wants. SAfe for all parties.
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