Engagement ring - need specifics?

Question

Thank you for all the feedback about how much to spend on an engagement ring for my girlfriend. I agree with the "it doesn't matter as long as you are in love" advice. However, I want to buy her something nice out of love. So what size, clarity diamond is considered "impressive" - I know nothing? Most of the jewelery (bracelets, earrings) she wears is yellow gold-colored - does that mean I should go with the yellow gold rather than white or platinum look? I want this to be a total suprise so I am not discussing beforehand with her. Thanks!

Answer 1

I think you should at least get her input regarding the metal (gold or platinum) and cut of the diamond...you might also want to bring this up: platinum can not be resized; white and yellow gold can be though. If she really wants a platinum band, suggest a white gold band with a platinum setting (the prongs that hold the stone)...yellow gold, although nice, can give off a yellow-hue and make the diamond look dirty in the wrong light, so I would try to stay clear of that if at all possible.

Carat: Anything above .9 is pretty impressive by any standards, while something more than 1.5-2 carats is just tacky. We know you love her...the ring shouldn't be too excessive.

Clarity: Go to this website http://www.bluenile.com/diamond_clarity.asp as it has an interactive diamond clarity scale that shows you what the symbols stand for.

Cut: Again, here is the website that will explain everything you need to know about how and why a diamond is cut and what the means for brilliance and shine http://www.bluenile.com/diamond_cut.asp

Color: Another important aspect of diamonds...you don't want a real diamond looking yellow if it isn't a canary diamond. This site has another interactive scale to show color effects on the hue of a diamond http://www.bluenile.com/diamond_color.asp

The most important advice...make sure the diamond is certified and come with a certificate. You'll be able to insure it in case anything were to happen...

Answer 2

I was going to go with white gold or platinum, but I decided not to...
1. Yellow gold never goes out of style
2. White gold and platinum has to be re-rodium(ed) about once a year...so that means she'll be without a ring for a few weeks while in being sent out.
3. Never go with titanium. You cannot cut through this metal...I only mention this because I know a few people that had to have rings cut off their fingures for emergancies.
Any jewerly store or online should be able to teach you about the 4 c's .
You might want to get her a solitaire they are classic and so stylish...Any ring can always be upgraded at a later date. A lot of companies will do trade-ins.

Answer 3

If she already wears yellow gold, definitely go with that. As far as clarity, the best thing you can do is get a COLORLESS diamond! Meaning D or E in color. I wouldn't worry too much about the clarity as long as you can't really see any imperfections with the naked eye. I have a 1 carat round solitaire that is colorless and I think the clarity is SI1 or SI2 and it is absolutely stunning and SO sparkly!!! I can only see the imperfections from the side if I look really really hard.... So that should have you some $$$$$$$

Answer 4

I'd go with yellow gold if she mainly wears that but maybe you should have a"hypothetical" conversation with her to see what she has always dreamt of. I wanted a sapphire but there was no way my husband would have known that had we not discussed it. A good size diamond is 1 carat I'm not sure about clarity and everything but there are websites that can explain that. A 1 carat good quality diamond costs about 6K but a 3 carat cornflower blue (light blue) sapphire costs 3.5K. Remember you can always buy the stone separately and find the ring that would look best after.

Answer 5

Wow, people are so weird answering you. I have heard so many stories of how guys find "the ring". My husband said when he was finding mine, a guy came in and showed the jeweler his pinky and said one of her other rings fits him right between the first and second knuckle and the jeweler got out some rings and fitted the pinky where he said his girl's ring fit him.

I was surprised at what my honey chose for me. I never told him what i wanted and he got a gorgeous ring he picked out himself. He got my ring size by doing the same thing with his pinky but he drew a line where my finger fit him comfortably.
Go with what she wears, yellow gold is good. If you get white gold its a waste. There is no such thing is white gold, its just yellow gold with a silver coating, so after awhile the yellow shows up if the ring gets scratched. Platinum is best but expensive. Princess cut diamonds are popular and beautiful. Just go and see the rings themselves. Once you see it you will know what to get her.
Good Luck

Answer 6

Ut oh, picking an engagement ring out without her input could be a recipe for disaster! Be forewarned.

To be honest, many people can't tell a diamond from a cubic zirconia unless it's under a jewelers glass or a trained eye is looking at it.

Today, most women would like at least a 1 carat diamond engagement ring. Many women prefer platinum settings even if they normally wear yellow gold. I like the two-toned look myself. Also, many women prefer a round solitaire cut to their ring, but some like heart shaped, others pear shaped, others square, etc...

To restate, it's really NOT a good idea to pick her engagement ring out without her input!

Answer 7

Why don't you ask one of her friends what she prefers, yellow gold or white gold (less inexpensive) than platinum. As for the ring, it really depends. The less color the diamond(s) has, the better diamond it is (also the pricier it will be). I would ask her freinds or mom or sis for ideas. But it coming from your heart really truly is the BEST THING! And be sure to surprise her and get down on one knee. Congrats and let us know!!! Where are you going to propose?

Answer 8

Check out this website
http://www.worldjewels.net/_e/page/1012/4_C_s_Cut_clarity_color_carat.htm

Ideally you'd want a flawless diamond, but then the price is higher so you'd have to go for a smaller carat than you might have wanted. Also, think about color. Colorless is preferred, but once again, price goes up. As a woman, I'd prefer a smaller carat, but flawless and colorless. I would go for yellow-gold as well so it'll match the rest of her jewelry. To get an idea for the kind of ring to get, look at her current jewelry. Does she like simple jewelry (single stone) or jewelry with intricate designs? Does she work with her hands? If so, she probably wouldn't want one large stone, but maybe several smaller stones (easier to work).

While previous advice was great, as long as you're in love, how much to spend isn't as important. It's the time you took to pick it out (something she'll like) and the way you propose, as well as how you treat her for the rest of your lives. That's what matters.

Good luck!

Answer 9

I say get something bigger than mine- brilliant cut 3 stones two 1/2 ct and 1.8 ct D, SI2 on plat.

Hee hee just kidding (not about the ring though), get her something within your budget. No point splurging when you be in debt just for the sake of a big rock.

My engagement ring was a surprise, my fiancee asked what i liked (i prefer a single solitaire) but he got me a 3 stones ring. I was happy nonetheless.

So, go shop around, do some search on the pricing online, so you get a feel of how much the stone cost with the 4 C's in mind.

Congratulation!

Answer 10

I think that the key is this. If you feel like you know her well enough to want to spend the rest of yur life with her, than you need to trust your instincts in believing that she will love the ring that you pick. If you just shop around you will find the perfect ring because it will cream her name when you see it. As far as yellow gold goes; if that's what she mostly wears you should probably stick with it. Good luck!