Buying diamond for engagement ring

[coltrane]

said the single dude who hasn't gotten laid in 3 months..

was just thinking the same thing.. haha..

[HTexan]

just know the basic stuff. like her ring size, what color of gold she likes, and what style of rings. Shop around at a few places before buying anything.

[coltrane]

No.. already bought it.  The stone that is.

I'm going with a Tacori setting. 

[Croatch]

said the single dude who hasn't gotten laid in 3 months..

4 months.

[The.Giant]

It’s just marketing. The whole “A Diamond is Forever” and the idea of a diamond engagement ring is not an ancient tradition to be revered and followed. It is Sprite’s “Obey Your Thirst.” It is Nike’s “Just Do It.” It is Gary Dahl’s “Pet Rock.” Not only did De Beers understand it had to control supply (buying up and closing down any diamond mine discovered), they had to control demand. They had to make it sentimental. And Americans were the perfect suckers. They targeted the US specifically for our marketability. This campaign is less than 70 years old yet has become so ingrained in our culture that the diamond engagement ring has become the ultimate symbol of how much the relationship, the girl, and love itself is worth.

Diamonds aren’t rare. Fine, using marketing tactics can’t be blamed since that’s part of the game of capitalism. But another part of the game is competition. It’s all well and good if marketers can convince consumers to buy them instead of the competition based on a nice slogan, but the competition should be there to protect the consumer. All gems are valued based on their rarity (as are most things in life). But diamonds are abundant. De Beers has a huge vault where they keep most of the world’s supply of diamonds. If it ever got released into the market, the way it would be if they weren’t a monopoly, diamonds would be worth nothing. It’s literally a pretty rock.

Diamonds have no resale value. The reason a “diamond is forever” is because you’re basically stuck with it. You’ll never be able to resell it except to a pawn shop. Even a jeweler (the few who would be willing to buy it) would offer a fraction of what you paid.

Synthetic diamonds will flood the market. Synthetic or “cultured” diamonds are already being made and within the next few years, will be efficiently made for the mass market. These are real diamonds. They are made in a machine that replicates the environmental forces that make diamonds. The only difference is that they’re better. They have less flaws. And they cost a fraction of the going rate. Want a 2-carat pink diamond? That’ll be a few thousand dollars.

Moissanite looks just like a diamond. Jewelers had to upgrade their equipment to detect Moissanite from diamonds when it came into the market. It’s undetectable with the naked eye. And it’s actually more brilliant. A 1-carat ring is under $1000.

Great info. If I ever cave and get married she's getting a synthetic diamond. Will never know the difference.

[JimmyJam1974]

It's GIA certified.  And yes, you can have excellent grades, i.e. color, clarity, cut, and still have fluorescence.  

You're confused a tad.  Color is a different thing than fluorescence.

What about the 4th C?

[dr.chimps]

Great info. If I ever cave and get married she's getting a synthetic diamond. Will never know the difference.

Haha. Your future mother-in-law, using a jeweler's loupe, will.  

[XFACTOR]

I have this sale for anyone interested.  13.5 carats center stone 15 total carats.

Are you serious?   Out of curiosity what are you asking?  

[Agnostic007]

just know the basic stuff. like her ring size, what color of gold she likes, and what style of rings. Shop around at a few places before buying anything.

I've been looking for a ring for my babe for about 2 months.. Educating myself on diamonds etc etc. She is low maintenance and I am paying cash so it's not about going into debt to impress anyone. After some ocassional shopping we learned she liked the 3 stone white gold, about a carat total weight with side stones. I didn't like the mark up and quality I was seeing at the local chain stores so I ventured online and eventually ended up at James Allen. So I ordered the ring about a week ago. That night she happened to have her laptop out and I casually suggested a site I heard about (James Allen) and she was looking at the rings. I was waiting for her to come across the one I had actually bought for her to see her reaction without her knowing I bought it. It played out a lot different in my head. The reality was she came to the ring right above the one that fit her every requirement that we had previously viewed, and settled on a friggin solataire that looked nothing like what we had been looking at. She went on and on about that ring. I steered her to the one I bought and she said it was beautiful, looked at it a minute, then went back to the other one. As this point I figured I better come clean, as I could still call and change the order in the morning... so I was busted. I told her I had already ordered it but if she really loved the other one I would swap it out. After looking at both of them she decided the one I picked out was better, the other was just unique and at the end of the day the design wouldnt be too practical to wear. But talk about something going a lot different than you planned on..
    

[Captain Equipoise]

diamonds = scam for idiots

[Agnostic007]

diamonds = scam for idiots

let's add Luxury cars, valet parking, most supplements, most protein powders, most gym memberships, any new car, any new motorcycle, watches over $20 (they can tell time as well as a $2000 watch), universal remotes over $10, Home stereos over $400, Matresses over $200 etc etc   

The list is endless and in the end, it is what value you place on any one item. I personally could care less about a diamond, but the joy and memories it and the ocassion will bring her for years to come seems to be worth it for many folks.   

[Vince B]

Buying jewelry for someone can be tricky. My advice is to let the receiver choose the stones and setting. That way you know that is what she wants. Well, you hope she is fair dinkum.

If a ring has strong florescence it might be cheaper because it is less desirable. So be careful when selecting a gift that the receiver will own and wear for years and years.

I looked at a large diamond with florescence. The price was something like $225,000. By itself it looked fine. However, when the jeweler brought out a smaller but clearer stone the difference was huge and I thought that is what I would get.

Moissanite is a great alternative. You won't be able to see any difference with your eyes. Matter of fact you probably won't be able to see any flaws until the grade in diamonds is Pk. VSi or Very Small Inclusions is acceptable. G and H colour is what most engagement rings are because that is the sweet spot in diamonds considering all the qualities. Higher quality requires a 10X loupe of jeweler grade to inspect. You can buy these at jewelry supplies and a decent one cost about $100. You will keep this for decades so buy a good one.

A 1 carat diamond is about 1/4 inch across. That is a decent size and probably the smallest I would consider. .75 is almost as big so it depends what the bride to be would be satisfied with. 5 Carat stones are about 11mm across. Not quite half an inch. Going from 1 carat to 3 carats sees the size increase from 1/4 inch or 6.5 mm to about 3/8 inch or 9.4 mm. Adding more carats doesn't increase the size much after that. Somewhere between 1 and 2 carats will look impressive on any finger.

http://www.moissanite.com.au/

[Captain Equipoise]

let's add Luxury cars, valet parking, most supplements, most protein powders, most gym memberships, any new car, any new motorcycle, watches over $20 (they can tell time as well as a $2000 watch), universal remotes over $10, Home stereos over $400, Matresses over $200 etc etc   

The list is endless and in the end, it is what value you place on any one item. I personally could care less about a diamond, but the joy and memories it and the ocassion will bring her for years to come seems to be worth it for many folks.   

No, most of the items you listed (if not all) have a function and are practical..you use a car to drive far distances, get to work, etc. there is a tremendous difference between a huyndai and a mercedes. A diamond is for the most part worthless, it has industrial applications and is used in drill bits, diamond cutter's, grinding stones, etc. but for wearing in a ring is purely cosmetic and utterly useless.

[Agnostic007]

No, most of the items you listed (if not all) have a function and are practical..you use a car to drive far distances, get to work, etc. there is a tremendous difference between a huyndai and a mercedes. A diamond is for the most part worthless, it has industrial applications and is used in drill bits, diamond cutter's, grinding stones, etc. but for wearing in a ring is purely cosmetic and utterly useless.

...Ok

[noworries]

What about the 4th C?

carat weight

[Vince B]

No, most of the items you listed (if not all) have a function and are practical..you use a car to drive far distances, get to work, etc. there is a tremendous difference between a huyndai and a mercedes. A diamond is for the most part worthless, it has industrial applications and is used in drill bits, diamond cutter's, grinding stones, etc. but for wearing in a ring is purely cosmetic and utterly useless.

What value has art, then? Or a beautiful woman? Diamonds became valuable when cutters were able to make them shine with brilliance and fire or colour. Moissanite has more brilliance and fire than a diamond. So in that regard it should be highly regarded. It has a hardness of 9.25 which is harder than rubies and sapphires. Diamond has a hardness of 10 but is 4 times harder than rubies. Moissanite is probably twice as hard as ruby.

That some stones are artificial shouldn't worry buyers. They still have the exact qualities of natural stones. That is not the same as simulants such as cubic zirconia that looks impressive but soon dulls when worn.

Those who buy art and jewelry are buying enjoyment and maybe prestige. Women compare ring sizes and a 1 carat diamond of good quality is something to cherish because most women do not own a stone that large.

[Captain Equipoise]

What value has art, then? Or a beautiful woman? Diamonds became valuable when cutters were able to make them shine with brilliance and fire or colour. Moissanite has more brilliance and fire than a diamond. So in that regard it should be highly regarded. It has a hardness of 9.25 which is harder than rubies and sapphires. Diamond has a hardness of 10 but is 4 times harder than rubies. Moissanite is probably twice as hard as ruby.

That some stones are artificial shouldn't worry buyers. They still have the exact qualities of natural stones. That is not the same as simulants such as cubic zirconia that looks impressive but soon dulls when worn.

Those who buy art and jewelry are buying enjoyment and maybe prestige. Women compare ring sizes and a 1 carat diamond of good quality is something to cherish because most women do not own a stone that large.

Again art appreciates over time, especially when the artist is deceased, they are a somewhat stable investment.. diamonds are worthless once you buy them from a jewelery store, good luck getting more then 1/3 of what you paid for a shiny crystal back.

Most women if not all can buy a cubic zirconia that is identical to the naked eye for about 1/10th the price.

[jtsunami]

let's add Luxury cars, valet parking, most supplements, most protein powders, most gym memberships, any new car, any new motorcycle, watches over $20 (they can tell time as well as a $2000 watch), universal remotes over $10, Home stereos over $400, Matresses over $200 etc etc   

The list is endless and in the end, it is what value you place on any one item. I personally could care less about a diamond, but the joy and memories it and the ocassion will bring her for years to come seems to be worth it for many folks.   

not true.  Diamonds have no use at all other than to look at them.  Those things you listed all can do or fuction as something.  Spend the money you would spend on a diamond on a down payment on a house something you can use, not some useless piece of rock that you stare at, that whole it will create memories line is made up by the people who sell them to you.

[jtsunami]

No, most of the items you listed (if not all) have a function and are practical..you use a car to drive far distances, get to work, etc. there is a tremendous difference between a huyndai and a mercedes. A diamond is for the most part worthless, it has industrial applications and is used in drill bits, diamond cutter's, grinding stones, etc. but for wearing in a ring is purely cosmetic and utterly useless.

X2 what I just posted before I read your's 100% agree!

[Captain Equipoise]

not true.  Diamonds have no use at all other than to look at them.  Those things you listed all can do or fuction as something.  Spend the money you would spend on a diamond on a down payment on a house something you can use, not some useless piece of rock that you stare at, that whole it will create memories line is made up by the people who sell them to you.

x2

Excellent post.

[Vince B]

Every time a person compliments a woman because of her jewelry is worth something. A diamond might be overpriced but is hardly worthless. The truth is women guage their worth partly by gifts and possessions such as jewelry, cars, homes, etc. Like I said, how many here know a single person who owns a 1 carat or larger diamond? So they are not common.

There are only two people who need to know if a diamond is genuine or not. The giver and the person wearing it. I doubt anyone wearing a cubic zirconia will feel special.

Since a good price is hardly retail the object is to search around for a bargain. Just make sure the quality is good and a genuine article. You need to buy a text book on diamonds so you know what to look for and what to avoid.

[GRACIE JIU-JITSU]

I have this sale for anyone interested.  13.5 carats center stone 15 total carats.

 Pink 5.20 cts VS2. GIA cert.

[StanZoLOL]

You need to buy a text book on diamonds so you know what to look for and what to avoid.

How about avoiding marrying a cùnt that expects a diamond?

[Captain Equipoise]

Every time a person compliments a woman because of her jewelry is worth something. A diamond might be overpriced but is hardly worthless. The truth is women guage their worth partly by gifts and possessions such as jewelry, cars, homes, etc. Like I said, how many here know a single person who owns a 1 carat or larger diamond? So they are not common.

There are only two people who need to know if a diamond is genuine or not. The giver and the person wearing it. I doubt anyone wearing a cubic zirconia will feel special.

Since a good price is hardly retail the object is to search around for a bargain. Just make sure the quality is good and a genuine article. You need to buy a text book on diamonds so you know what to look for and what to avoid.

LOL, I comliment a woman when she's hot, has great tits or a nice ass...
  

I don't know one man that compliments a woman for her jewelery unless he is her jeweler or is a flaming homosexual

[coltrane]

Update: called bluenile.  Switched to a vs2. G. Ideal 1.22 carat with no fluorescence.   It was $400 more ...but ill sleep tonight!