Where should we buy a good engagement ring?

Question

I know that you lose quality by going to mall jewelry stores... however, we visited a few private jewelers and we really couldn't find anything that we liked at the price range we're looking at (~$2000). I'm not into anything big and fancy and honestly, I just want a pretty looking ring. I don't care about having the best diamond out there so long as it's not COMPLETELY, obviously crappy. I don't want to spend 2 grand on tiny stones either... no matter how "spectacular" and "brilliant" they are. My dad got spent a ton on a tiny diamond pendant for my mom and it didn't even look like it was worth it, though supposedly it's got fantastic brilliance and clarity. It looks tiny.

Mall stores offer good financing deals, I've been seeing... like no interest for 12 months. Do private places offer any kind of financing?

We're not rich, but we're not dirt poor either. I'd rather put money away for a wedding, a future house and vacations than on a diamond ring... $2000 is fine with me.

Answer 1

Try online. If you want real I suggest you stick to SI2 clarity or better, and also near colorless, which is J or better. You want the cut to be at least good. Everyone has there own opinion of what size is the right size. The fancier the setting the less you will have for the center stone.

I bought at union diamonds when I became engaged after looking local and elsewhere online, I was real nervous buying online. Had it set locally so I could have it appraised and verified.

You can get a diamond that is 0.7 carats, Color I and Clarity SI2 for $1590.

http://www.uniondiamond.com/diamonds/diamonds.php?search_type_id=3&action_type_id=2&item_id=AA448123&&0.70ct-I-SI2-Round-Brilliant-Cut-Diamond

An 18kt gold setting with 2 small side stones (0.2 tcw) will run you $450.

http://www.uniondiamond.com/jewelry/jewelry.php?item_id=829&action_type_id=2&pic_name=&shape_id=

Answer 2

Perhaps you can look into buying an antique diamond engagement ring from an antique dealer. Antique rings always have a bit more style and unique qualities instead of those mall rings which all look the same! One of the alternatives is to find a ring you like that has another stone in it and then purchase a diamond seperately and have a jeweler work it out. They aren't too expensive. When I got mine, I found a ring I liked and had it made for me. I have a 1 carat diamond (nothing special, but not crap) in white gold and it cost roughly $2000. No one else has one like it!! Good luck :)

Answer 3

Professional Advice ---- You DO NOT lose quality when going to a jewelry store in the mall. Name brands such as Scott Kay are sold in many stores. With your budget you should really try and look into some of those mall store. BUT, only the ones that you know are legimate. Such as:
Kay Jewelers
Mayors
Jareds etc..

Answer 4

Antique Store.
Pawn shops are very good sources.

Lots of beautiful antique settings out there cheaper than newer jewelry with inferior gold and microscopic stones.

You can even get a mans ring with a huge rock in it and have it transferred to a more feminine band. The gold from the mens band should pay for it.

That would actually be kinda fun to design the new ring.

Answer 5

Where do you live? Stores we have in Canada may not be in the States or UK or whatever. I suggest Birk's if you're in Canada. They have a great selection and good prices. They're probably the jewelers with the best reputation in Canada.

Answer 6

You say you'd rather put money away for a vacation, etc, but please remember this is a one-time expense, and you will look at this ring every day for the rest of your life...this ring is a statement about who you are as a couple, and personally, I don't think that's something to cheapen out on...once the vacation is over, that's it, but the ring will be there before, during, and after....

Answer 7

Let your bf do the shopping - and have him choose and buy WITHIN his budget - it would just be stupid to buy a ring on credit when there are other things to spend money on - as you say, that's not what is important. He could get a totally beautiful ring for well UNDER a thousand. Hopefully, you will be pleased by what he chooses, and realize the symbolism of the ring is important.

Answer 8

Build your own ring online.
Very reputable
Put in your price range, diamond shape, diamond clarity, gold color etc.........

http://www.adiamor.com/YourRing.aspx

http://www.bluenile.com

Answer 9

Try this website.

http://pompeii3.com/index.php?p=engagementrings

Answer 10

try to make sure your diamands are cretifed.