OT - engagement ring advice for son...

[mildone_rivals]

It is a long time ago but in 1973 I brought my future wife to the diamond district in NYC. My wife picked out a diamond just under one carat. She loved it so we both were happy. My wife wore it proudy until 2014 when she passed away from cancer. I was lucky as she was so easy to please. She never asked for much.

It's been awhile, but condolences on her passing. Cancer sucks.

 

[masice520]

My advice, buy a sports car instead.

 

[Caliknight]

1) Get a round cut. They are always in style. Simplicity is better, especially if the diamond is nice.
2) Get the biggest one you can while only being able to see whatever flaws it might have through a loop.
3) Whatever you think you can afford, get an even better diamond. My bro got married young, bought what he could afford at the time. Then he started crushing it and always wished he had gotten something bigger/better.

He could do that now, but most women worth their salt are emotionally tied to that first diamond from what I've seen.

Ask some trusted friends. Most guys who have been engaged probably know someone. I'd stay away from a Jared's, unless I knew the owner.

If you want to DM me, I have a great guy. He helps me whenever I need pieces. He's in Oregon of all places. Typically doesn't do one off stuff as he moves weight, but he does it for friends.

Talk about a crazy world. Few like the diamond biz.

 

[RU-ROCS]

asked me for some but my deal was 30+ years ago....is there a better method to buy vs. just "go to Jareds" ? (I actually new a person who worked in NYC and went in, bought the stone, and had it custom mounted..but I had help!)

looking at making the move next few months... is there a smarter method out there vs. commercial retailer/mall thing ? thanks..

Sadly, IMHO diamonds are perhaps the single biggest waste of money that a guy will ever experience,yet we all do it. My 25 year-old son recently spent $11k on a rock for his fiancé (about 15% of his annual salary). They would have been way better off if he spent $1K on a cubit zirconium and had an extra $10K in the bank to start their marriage. But, redicluous conventions and traditions are very powerful. The diamond industry does all they can to perpetuate this nonsense!!

 

[Caliknight]

I find it no different than half the superfluous stuff in the world we spend money on. Actually I like diamonds more- they look cool. And get worn a helluva a lot more than the Moncler jackets.

 

[dollarbill]

Costco. Get them started in the right direction. Good luck. $$$$

 

[Roy_Faulker]

I would say to avoid the most recent ring fad. Lots of newly engaged women have halo diamonds (a large stone in a setting surrounded by multiple small stones. That fad will pass and the ring will be dated...stay traditional. A single diamond or a diamond in a 3 stone setting (past, present, future) is timeless and will never go out of style.

 

[Roy_Faulker]

Damn, that is some budget.

On a related note, I don't know if the rule of thumb of spending a certain percentage (20-25%?) of a guy's salary on an engagement ring is still followed by folks but that always struck me as exceptionally frivolous.

@Scarlet Haze had the right idea about house vs. ring...that's some sage advice there.

When I got married it was 2.5 months salary (never got an answer on net vs gross) which is why it’s cheaper to get married younger

 

[DHajekRC84]

Where is he located? Roughly?

Eastern Pa..Beth.Allentown.

 

[DHajekRC84]

Do what I did......pop the question without a ring. Then tell her that we can either put the ring money towards a house deposit or a ring (she will pick house). Tell her if she picks the house, you will get her a ring later when "we can afford it" and it will likely be nicer than what you would get now. In the meantime she can wear her wedding band. A win-win for all and you get a house deposit that much sooner. That's the smart and logical thing to do, after all you can't live in a ring and it does not appreciate like a house.

He bought his house 2 years ago. Maxing out the 401k and stuff. Working his butt off doing all his home stuff too. I'm sure it will be a reasonable purchase. The kid listens to dad

 

[DHajekRC84]

Good stuff everyone..as usual. Why I asked here and glad you didn't laugh me off...

 

[RU_Planning]

I would say to avoid the most recent ring fad. Lots of newly engaged women have halo diamonds (a large stone in a setting surrounded by multiple small stones. That fad will pass and the ring will be dated...stay traditional. A single diamond or a diamond in a 3 stone setting (past, present, future) is timeless and will never go out of style.

What about the Champaign Diamond trend?

 

[SkilletHead2]

Do what I did......pop the question without a ring. Then tell her that we can either put the ring money towards a house deposit or a ring (she will pick house). Tell her if she picks the house, you will get her a ring later when "we can afford it" and it will likely be nicer than what you would get now. In the meantime she can wear her wedding band. A win-win for all and you get a house deposit that much sooner. That's the smart and logical thing to do, after all you can't live in a ring and it does not appreciate like a house.

With you except for the "tell her" part. Better off saying, "Now here's a thought, but it's just an idea...."

 

[SkilletHead2]

Good stuff everyone..as usual. Why I asked here and glad you didn't laugh me off...

We're happy for any break from talking about the OC hire!

 

[RU848789]

What about the Champaign Diamond trend?

Very underrated movie, IMO.

 

[musclesmarinara]

asked me for some but my deal was 30+ years ago....is there a better method to buy vs. just "go to Jareds" ? (I actually new a person who worked in NYC and went in, bought the stone, and had it custom mounted..but I had help!)

looking at making the move next few months... is there a smarter method out there vs. commercial retailer/mall thing ? thanks..

I just wrote a huge post but it got cleared by the forum and I lost it. Basically, I just spent six months researching this before proposing and would be more than happy to share this information with someone. All of this knowledge is just wasting away because it was a one time purchase. Text me at 212 363-0096 and we can set up a time to talk.

 

[RUaMoose_rivals]

Paid about $1200 for an engagement ring back in '94. Fords Jewelers.

 

[tagarzon]

I figured as much. Not sure how people can not let the stone out of their sight. Is not like the merchant was going to cut, polish and set the stone with us standing there waiting.

Sorry buddy but you got taken. The stone never leaves your possession once it is appraised by an independent appraiser.

 

[mildone_rivals]

Sorry buddy but you got taken. The stone never leaves your possession once it is appraised by an independent appraiser.

Perhaps. But it was over 30 years ago and I got divorced around 8 years ago. And I often blow the money I spent on that ring in an evening nowadays.

Incidentally, we got her ring at the Jewelry Exchange in Woodbridge. IIRC, the vendor, who's main store was in NYC, would take the diamonds sold in Woodbridge back to NYC to be set. So perhaps I was taken, but so were a lot of people, it seems, as the guy was doing a pretty good business.

 

[jvgrad02]

Capital Diamonds on rt 22. Ask for Anthony. His prices are great and helps you understand what you're buying.

 

[TheHandOfChaos]

Best advice = Don't

 

[Scarlet Shack]

Being someone who lot that long ago popped the question the second time last summer....

1. Do your recon on what she likes. Period

2.) Do buy your stone from a ceretified GIA diamond appraiser

3.) you will save money if you go to the Diamond District. Same thing, I went to jewelers row this past summer and did really well compared to what you get at retail stores which have another mark up

4.) Getting the rock and getting the setting should be independent of each other...then match them. a good place will put the package together for you...especially if you see the setting and ring you like but want to upgrade or downgrade the stone for budget

Best of luck

 

[Adam2744]

Earth treasurers in eatontown

 

[rurichdog]

James Allen.
It's a strange feeling waiting for FedEx to deliver an $8000 diamond to your home.

 

[G- RUnit]

Tattooed rings.

Save the money on the honeymoon or down payment on a house.

Rings are stupid.

 

[jordkap]

Make sure you get an education on diamonds before you buy. You may still not be able to tell or know everything, but it makes a difference. Also color is more important than clarity in my opinion. A very clear diamond looks better to the naked eye, even if it has some imperfections inside.

 

[DHajekRC84]

Thanks again all. I think we got it now. Some great POVs and common sense thoughts. Appreciated.

BUT, you know what is REALLY weird...ever since starting this thread I now get a James Allen ad clip running for rings on that Rivals box to the right. Not a fan of being "mined" ...