Engagement Ring?

Question

I am going to purchase an engagement ring for the lady and was wanting to know of some good places to shop around and purchase the diamond.

Answer 1

Here's my opinion . . .
For a nice ring that is priced well go to a chain/mall store and buy a wedding set (engagement ring & wedding band) or a engagement ring that has multiple stone, I use to manage one of these store and that is the type of ring to get your best value. Their solitaires are extremely over priced. Now at this type of store you are not usually getting high quality stones, but if they sparkle and you like the style great. Make sure to ask to walk around with the ring, to see it out of the spot lights they put on the cases, the ring should sparkle in any type of light. Beware of gimmicks like certified colorless diamonds or certified diamonds. The diamonds are definitely colorless but do they have good clarity (i.e. SI1 or better) and they may have a certificate/grading report but you can get those on all diamonds, even poor quality ones, so make sure you know what you are looking at. Learn the 4 c's so as not to be duped by these gimmicks they use to sell the diamonds at a higher price.

Costco is a great place to get very high quality stones VS2 or better for about half of what you would pay elsewhere. They are a great deal but not the cheapest around.

Look online, make sure to find reputable websites that offer a money back return policy and at least 30 days to do so. Try www.whiteflash.com they have beautiful stuff. My best friend's fiance bought her ring from there and it apraised at double what he paid for it. I found www.worldjewels.com to have great prices on it but I personally haven't ever bought from them.

Answer 2

Promise rings are not the same as engagement rings. A promise ring is a ring promising to stay true to each other. There is still no promise of marrying with a promise ring. An engagement ring is a ring that symbolized that the 2 people agree to get married and plan a wedding in the near future

Answer 3

My fiancee got mine at Fred Myer and I love it. However the best thing I could offer is to take someone with you who knows a lot about diamonds. A jeweler can tell you whatever they want but if you have someone who knows that will work out a lot better for you. I would go to the mall, they have a lot of jeweler stores where you can see all types of rings and all types of prices. Good luck and congratulations!

Answer 4

My fiance bought my ring and stone at a gem show. They tend to occur around the country in exhibition centers. Some of them are larger than others, but they all usually have a good selection. Many of the vendors will even do custom orders if you're willing to wait a little while.

http://www.intergem.net/index.cfm

Answer 5

Trunk shows! They are great. Hundreds of settings and loose diamonds all in one location.

Several people love to suggest online sites but I just dont know if I could trust an online site.

Be willing to drive. If it takes a tank of gas to go a couple hundred miles away--but saves you 1,000 on a ring, it's worth it.

Answer 6

Zales is nice. My sister's rings are from there and she has a great warranty and can get them cleaned for free anytime she wants. Damage is also covered and as long as she goes every year for a 'checkup' for the ring, even if she loses the diamond, they replace it for free.

Answer 7

As cheap as some people think it would be, my fiance and me bought our rings at Walmart. My ring costed him only $350, and when I brought it to a jeweler.. he appraised it at close to $700! Plus I have gotten tons of compliments on how beautiful my ring and center diamond is! They have tons of choices and different styles to choose from, and they can fit any budget!

Answer 8

For any jewelry I like going to independent jewelers. Their quality is usually better.

Answer 9

Costco!!