Engagement Ring

[Overload]

So i'm about to finally propose to my girlfriend of almost 4 years and i just wanted some advice from the ladies(or guys) as to what women really look for in an engagement ring.

I am limiting my spending to 15k, unless there is something out there that i deem worthy of spending more.

She likes white gold and wants a "real" diamond.

I was going to just take her to a nice place and let her pick out what she wants but i want it to be a surprise. She knows it's coming, but i want to really shock her with the delivery.

Throw me some ideas people and pics would be nice.

I really know nothing about these things, i'm more of a nerdy Science guy, not a fashion guy.

Besides getting a legit diamond, what else should i really look out for?

Our Buddhist ceremony will be at the end of November and i will need the ring before that.

So ladies, what do you like? what would you change about your own ring?

[Butterbean]

First, congratulations!

You might want to think about taking her to some places and seeing what she likes.  If you are set on buying from the store make sure you negotiate the price down....you may want to buy the ring later...when she is not present...not sure but some women may not want to see you negotiating the price of their engagement ring...

If you don't buy it from a store, make sure you remember exactly what type of stone, cut, approx clarity and setting she likes and about how big.  Does she want a white or colored diamond?

Then if you have any connections, see if you can get a ring from a legit Pawn Shop (seriously [unless she would feel "insulted" for some reason]) or legit "guy" that has what she would want.  You could still spend the $15k but get a better ring that is worth more instantly.  Make sure it is GIA certified w/papers.  

You want decent quality and the shape and cut and setting that she wants.  If she has man-hands, get her a bigger stone.


I really like radiant cut:

[benchmstr]

my fiance has been wearing her engagement ring since we were 20 years old.....i was going to prupose to my girlfriend in college but she died in a car wreck...so i lucked out this time and didnt have to buy another ring...

bench

[Butterbean]

but she died in a car wreck...

Sorry, bench

[newmom]

congrats Overload,

I agree with what Bigfoot posted about the papers and talk them down.

[benchmstr]

Sorry, bench

it was a long time ago....i wasnt going to get rid of the ring...and my current fiance has always lived with me and been my best friend so i just told her she could have it...and she alway wore it...


bench

[tu_holmes]

Don't spend that much!

When it falls apart you're gonna be pissed!

[Butterbean]

congrats Overload,

I agree with what Bigfoot posted about the papers and talk them down.

I wonder if the "Bigfoot" name is available.  It may feel more "right."

[benchmstr]

I wonder if the "Bigfoot" name is available.  It may feel more "right."

i am making butterbeans right now!!!

how about a nude photo of yourslef as a avatar?

bench

[newmom]

I wonder if the "Bigfoot" name is available.  It may feel more "right."

naaa I like Butterbean

[Butterbean]

i am making butterbeans right now!!!

how about a nude photo of yourslef as a avatar?

bench

I don't know if I've ever had butterbeans.

[Princess L]

First of all I would NOT buy from one of those chain stores in the malls.  Find a reputable family owned type business that's been around for years.  The service now and down the road will be worth the little extra $ you might pay.

http://www.kesslersdiamonds.com/what-to-look-for-in-a-diamond.html

http://www.kesslersdiamonds.com/who-we-are/what-makes-us-different.html

[benchmstr]

I don't know if I've ever had butterbeans.

WHAT?...how can you have never had butterbeans?

bench

[Princess L]

WHAT?...how can you have never had butterbeans?

bench

It's a suthern thang

[benchmstr]

It's a suthern thang

you just ruined it for me...

bench

[Migs]

15k is a waste of $

[tone loc]

I sell fine jewelry as a second job. There is a lot to know. One night or morning when you're laying together, ask her what she likes for herself. So many girls like such different things so it's VERY okay to ask. She if she wants a solitaire (single, stand- alone diamond), or  multi-stone ring (most of which are 3 stone). She may or may not want or like pavé stones. Those are the small diamonds that are all over the jewelry world. There is so much out there. And remember when you're buying an engagement ring that one day you'll be buying a wedding band to go with it. You may or may not want to factor that into your pricing. Good luck and keep us posted!

[Migs]

Moissanite man.  then use the rest of the money for a fat ass vacation getaway

[Princess L]

Moissanite man.  then use the rest of the money for a fat ass vacation getaway

That's what I would do, but then again I couldn't care less about jewelry.

Regardless of what you do, make sure you have insurance on it.

[benchmstr]

or you could say "i dont want our marriage to be about material items, so i didnt get you a ring"...

bench

[24KT]

So i'm about to finally propose to my girlfriend of almost 4 years and i just wanted some advice from the ladies(or guys) as to what women really look for in an engagement ring.

I am limiting my spending to 15k, unless there is something out there that i deem worthy of spending more.

She likes white gold and wants a "real" diamond.

I was going to just take her to a nice place and let her pick out what she wants but i want it to be a surprise. She knows it's coming, but i want to really shock her with the delivery.

Throw me some ideas people and pics would be nice.

I really know nothing about these things, i'm more of a nerdy Science guy, not a fashion guy.

Besides getting a legit diamond, what else should i really look out for?

Our Buddhist ceremony will be at the end of November and i will need the ring before that.


So ladies, what do you like? what would you change about your own ring?

Congratulations Overload!!!

Let me say that what we ladies at getbig like doesn't mean a darned thing! It's what your fiancé likes that matters.
What are her tastes when it comes to rings? Base your decision on that.

When it comes to diamonds, keep in mind the 4 C's: Cut, Carat, Colour, Clarity.

These will all factor into the price of any diamond you purchase.

Is she a very traditional sort? If so, perhaps a brilliant cut might be appropriate.

Does she like fancy cuts ie: pear shaped, marquise, emerald cut?

Is she all about the bling? Is she a woman for whom size matters? If so, you might want to place importance on the size of the diamond over clarity.

Is she a woman who prefers quality to quantity? Then place greater emphasis on the clarity of the stone over the carat weight.

Would she prefer a fancy coloured diamond? ie: a canary diamond?

Remember: When choosing the engagement ring... it's all about HER

I know you want to make it a surprise, ...you can still do that, ...but make sure it's a ring she's going to like.
Hopefully she'll be wearing it for many years to come.

Hope That Helps

[Migs]

give her a candy lollipop ring. if she accepts she's a keeper.  then get her a moisonite ring and the fat ass vacation

[tu_holmes]

give her a candy lollipop ring. if she accepts she's a keeper.  then get her a moisonite ring and the fat ass vacation

QFMFT

[BayGBM]

So i'm about to finally propose to my girlfriend of almost 4 years and i just wanted some advice from the ladies(or guys) as to what women really look for in an engagement ring.

I am limiting my spending to 15k, unless there is something out there that i deem worthy of spending more.

She likes white gold and wants a "real" diamond.

I was going to just take her to a nice place and let her pick out what she wants but i want it to be a surprise. She knows it's coming, but i want to really shock her with the delivery.

Throw me some ideas people and pics would be nice.

I really know nothing about these things, i'm more of a nerdy Science guy, not a fashion guy.

Besides getting a legit diamond, what else should i really look out for?

Our Buddhist ceremony will be at the end of November and i will need the ring before that.

So ladies, what do you like? what would you change about your own ring?

You are in the bloom of love and that’s great.  Congratulations!  But do not buy an expensive engagement ring or wedding ring unless both of you are totally debt free, (no mortgage, student loan, car note, etc.) and have money to burn.  Obviously, I’m speaking from my own values, but she should be thrilled with landing a good man—big bling is unnecessary.  A tasteful, modest, symbolic ring is all that is required.  If you want to spend big on a ring wait until you have been together 10 or 20 years—then you will truly have something to celebrate.

I don’t want to be a wet blanket, but remember more than half of all marriages end in divorce and finances/debt is a frequent cause.  Be sure to exchange credit reports before you say I do.
http://www.getbig.com/boards/index.php?topic=193870.msg4547081#msg4547081
http://www.getbig.com/boards/index.php?topic=193870.msg4876069#msg4876069

It would not be a good thing to wait until after you are married to learn s/he has $90k in personal debt that you knew nothing about.

[powerpack]

You are in the bloom of love and that’s great.  Congratulations!  But do not buy an expensive engagement ring or wedding ring unless both of you are totally debt free, (no mortgage, student loan, car note, etc.) and have money to burn.  Obviously, I’m speaking from my own values, but she should be thrilled with landing a good man—big bling is unnecessary.  A tasteful, modest, symbolic ring is all that is required.  If you want to spend big on a ring wait until you have been together 10 or 20 years—then you will truly have something to celebrate.

I don’t want to be a wet blanket, but remember more than half of all marriages end in divorce and finances/debt is a frequent cause.  Be sure to exchange credit reports before you say I do.
http://www.getbig.com/boards/index.php?topic=193870.msg4547081#msg4547081
http://www.getbig.com/boards/index.php?topic=193870.msg4876069#msg4876069

It would not be a good thing to wait until after you are married to learn s/he has $90k in personal debt that you knew nothing about.

I agree with Bay