Talk to me about diamonds

[RMK7SledHead]

What is there to know/learn about diamonds? Not in the market just yet but probably not too far away...

Buy the diamond separate and have it set? Buy the whole deal at one time? Who's reputable to deal with? My preference, just from looking over the years, is a Tiffany princess cut, in platinum. BUT, set it in 14k white gold and the price is dramatically reduced...

any opinions? (besides "don't do it", cause I know that one's coming...)

 

[xrated]

princess cut has the highest divorce rate....seriously, I learned that when I bought.

I dunno, is she real flashy, etc? IMO don't skimp on the main rock, get the highest quality, not somethign with the invisibile flaws.

Me and my bro both popped the question close to each other. I got 1k, damn near perfect stone, whatever the numbers and letters are for that. He got 1k with flaws that the eye doesn't pick up and well you can still tell a difference.

All the same, man go as small as you can. My wife wanted something big with just a band no other stones.....she loves it, but now after paying for it she wishes she would have gotten smaller center with some side stuff.


Oh and white gold, yep hella cheaper and looks good. My wife has kept up on cleaning hers and redipping it, her's looks great. Mine started white gold, but it's faded bad just from wearing it.

 

[triple]

Woman appreciate diamonds like guys appreciate a nice mod sled or a hot chick with a nice rack. I bought my wife a nice diamond ring when we got married and another one for our 25th. THe new one is a full 1.5 carat for the main stone and 3 stones on either side totalling another carat. TO change it up a little, I purchased the setting in a white gold band. It looks very classy. But the compete set from a reputable jeweler. Most now give you appraisals, reports etc. on the ring that you are purchasing. My wife balled her eyes out and the "fun" hasn't stopped since she got her new rock.

One issue that we've had with the new ring is that most people think that it's not real because of the size of the diamonds. THere is alot of costume jewelry out there that looks pretty sparkly.

 

[ruffryder]

both replies are spot on

what every you get, make sure that it looks good to YOU! Especially in the setting you choose. DON'T rely only on all that fancy paper crap, ratings and all that. Just make sure that YOU like it and the it looks good for you!

 

[pullhardr]

Use a good jewler...stay away from the malls if at all possible. Ask about upgrade policies, some places make you pay double for an upgrade on the diamond...$2500=$5000. Shane Company in Denver CO is who I used. Plat. with engagement ring attachment, 1 carat with upgrade after 5 years, VS1 and can't remember clarity. Don't skimp on clarity. 2 reasons I choose Shane Co, one being no minimum on upgrade, two being if they check the mounts atleast once a year they warrany the diamond from falling out. And as the other gentleman pointed out this is her mod sled and possilbly your new one!! Good Luck!!!

 

[RMK7SledHead]

She is not at all flashy...can't really be in our profession.

I'd like to use a smaller, local jeweler, but considering how much we'll be moving over the next 3 years and then long term too, I'm not sure it doesn't make sense to go with a larger "chain"...hence, the Tiffany ring.

In reality, I'm not sure how often she'd even wear it...difficult and would probably be intrusive with gloves on in the cockpit. I've actually thought about just a solid platinum band, or even just a solid band with smaller stones set into it, because of where it will be worn.

So, for the most part, buy it at once from one place? Don't try to buy a stone seperate and have it set?

 

[kiliki]

As a woman who LOVES her diamonds - I will chime in.

Really the C's of diamonds are very helpful.
When you are looking at diamonds ask the jeweler to show you all kinds. Not just all the high dollar ones. By doing this, you will notice the difference in the cut, clarity, etc.


Quality over quantity.
Local guy over chain store - the local guy in your new area will take care of you too.
Round brilliant is my fave cut. Those suckers shine and sparkle in any kind of light. The more cuts a stone has the more sparkly it is.
Buy it all from one place - have something custom made.
I have a band that has five diamonds in it for a total of a carat. The diamonds shine like crazy and the band is not intrusive. If the band is thick enough, you can get it engraved for the extra touch.
Do not buy any diamond that is higher than H in color. Honestly, I prefer E or F in color. And SI1 or higher.

You could always buy a plain band and give her a really great diamond as a necklace. Even women who are not flashy love a diamond once they get them. Trust me - I know from experience.


BTW - you have talked with your lady at all? Some like to be hands on and some like to be surprised (I like both). You can always use a sneaky girlfriend to get info too.

 

[kiliki]

Just a little more.


I like my diamonds in my rings to be a little smaller. My main diamond in my wedding ring is .52 and I like it. My fingers are really tiny (size 3.5) and a larger diamond would not look right. However, my 1.0 carat diamond in my necklace - yah baby!!

 

[PJ-Hunter]

Get her a nice band for when you are working and have her help you decide on the cut and setting for a ring to wear when you go out or have guests over.

 

[sledchick]

Woman appreciate diamonds like guys appreciate a nice mod sled or a hot chick with a nice rack. I bought my wife a nice diamond ring when we got married and another one for our 25th. THe new one is a full 1.5 carat for the main stone and 3 stones on either side totalling another carat. TO change it up a little, I purchased the setting in a white gold band. It looks very classy. But the compete set from a reputable jeweler. Most now give you appraisals, reports etc. on the ring that you are purchasing. My wife balled her eyes out and the "fun" hasn't stopped since she got her new rock.

One issue that we've had with the new ring is that most people think that it's not real because of the size of the diamonds. THere is alot of costume jewelry out there that looks pretty sparkly.

I almost thought you were gonna say.."I bought my wife a nice...rack." hahaha I was gonna say..if you are offerin!!! Just sayin!!
Good luck on the ring hunt!

 

[pullhardr]

Just a little more.


I like my diamonds in my rings to be a little smaller. My main diamond in my wedding ring is .52 and I like it. My fingers are really tiny (size 3.5) and a larger diamond would not look right. However, my 1.0 carat diamond in my necklace - yah baby!!

I like your style...I bought my wife a jewerly box right when we got married. It makes all holidays easy. Earings, necklace, bracelet...just easy!!

 

[xrated]

both replies are spot on

what every you get, make sure that it looks good to YOU! Especially in the setting you choose. DON'T rely only on all that fancy paper crap, ratings and all that. Just make sure that YOU like it and the it looks good for you!

It better look good cause what you pay for it is a new sled and bike!!!

another note, check out insurance so it's covered. Not sure if it's the norm or I just got a smokin deal (i used my father-in-laws lady he buys from so I got a deal) but they appraised th value of the ring and it was way more then what I paid for it.

 

[Extreme-One]

PM F Bomb on here... he was in the Jewelry business for years and owned his own store. I know he still does some custom stuff for customers from time to time. He will steer you in the right direction.

 

[snowmobiler]

wallyworld sells some quality fake ice.

 

[ruffryder]

but they appraised th value of the ring and it was way more then what I paid for it.

honestly, I think all the appraisals for rings are BS.. I mean, if they are selling a ring below the appraised value, it really isn't worth the appraised value now is it. That and if you look on craigslist or ebay there are TONS or rings with good certs and appraisals that aren't selling near the appraisal value.

 

[Sambo11]

If they have a microscope and will let you use it look at any and all stones you are considering. There is a HUGE difference when looking at the stone thru a quality scope vs a loop. With the scope you can see EVERYTHING and it takes out all the BS.

Like someone already mentioned stick with the 3C's, cut, clarity and color. A stone that is in the correct proportion or ratio, known as an Ideal Cut, will always look better than one that isn't. You don't want a short fat stone. IMO the whiter the stone the more it sparkles. Some don't like colorless stones that are in the D,E,F or G range but I think they pop more when they are more white or colorless. The lower the letter the more white or colorless the stone.

Also, IMO I would stay away from any of the "designer" diamonds like Hearts On Fire. A good stone is a good stone. No need to pay extra just for the name.

IMO think long term investment. Don't go with a trendy cut or shape. If you stick with a round you can never go wrong. Round Brilliant stones not only sparkle the best but hold their value the best too.

Most importantly remember a high quality smaller diamond will always be worth more than a lesser quality bigger diamond. Ask anyone who knows their diamonds and they will tell you a really clean stone is always impressive no matter the size.

 

[Chubby]

PAWN AMERICA They all end up there

 

[sp_20022006]

Cubic Zirconia a WOMENS SECOND BEST FRIEND

 

[kiliki]

Well said!!!

If they have a microscope and will let you use it look at any and all stones you are considering. There is a HUGE difference when looking at the stone thru a quality scope vs a loop. With the scope you can see EVERYTHING and it takes out all the BS.

Like someone already mentioned stick with the 3C's, cut, clarity and color. A stone that is in the correct proportion or ratio, known as an Ideal Cut, will always look better than one that isn't. You don't want a short fat stone. IMO the whiter the stone the more it sparkles. Some don't like colorless stones that are in the D,E,F or G range but I think they pop more when they are more white or colorless. The lower the letter the more white or colorless the stone.

Also, IMO I would stay away from any of the "designer" diamonds like Hearts On Fire. A good stone is a good stone. No need to pay extra just for the name.

IMO think long term investment. Don't go with a trendy cut or shape. If you stick with a round you can never go wrong. Round Brilliant stones not only sparkle the best but hold their value the best too.

Most importantly remember a high quality smaller diamond will always be worth more than a lesser quality bigger diamond. Ask anyone who knows their diamonds and they will tell you a really clean stone is always impressive no matter the size.

 

[The Fourth Wolf]

IF you buy from a chain ask the counter help about the display models.

Whenever a retailer like Zales etc introduces a new collection i.e. Spring, Fall - Bridal collections whatever, they always send display versions that are typically set with higher quality stones.

Sometimes they won't sell you a particular ring because of that fact.

I learned all this by accident.
I see from your avatar you're a Marine...at our 10 year anniversary I was a newly promoted E-6 and bought my wife a new wedding set to upgrad her E-3 starter kit. We went to Fred Meyers Jewelers. As it turned out the ring I bought was a display model. The salesgirl said Ooh you're getting a really good deal" I thought "Sure I am, honey. I bet you say that to all the boys" A year later she has it cleaned and the jeweler oohs and aahs and asks what we paid. $3,200 I says and he recommended we have it appraised and insure it.

The appraisal came back at $7,900 with a recommended insurance value of $8,500 to allow for appreciation.

If you're going to buy from a chain I recommend Fred Meyers Jewelers (if you access to one), and get the extended warranty. In our case it more than paid for itself when she broke a prong and then lost a small stone. Their customer service is excellent.