Engagement Ring

[Magic Johnson]

Are there any inexpensive ways to purchase a high quality engagement ring? A small diamond is fine, but I don’t want a low quality ring. I’ll probably ask her to marry me in May or June.

[Magic Johnson]

Pawn shops? I live in the boondocks, and there are no pawn shops nearby. It’s probably 50 miles to the closest one. I guess I could call first, or check out a web site. Can a pawn shop be trusted for quality? I have no idea what I’m looking for. I haven’t bought an engagement ring since 1994, and I just went to the mall and overpaid for it.

[bjl584]

Lots of people try to sell them if you look at popular resale and auction sites.
You might have to pay to have it sized unless you are lucky enough to find the right size, but there is no shortage of them out there.

The fact is that about 50% of marriages end up biting the dust.
There is no shortage of rings out there.

[Magic Johnson]

That’s a great idea. I’m just clueless on how to assess quality.

[Jluke]

I think there is a site named something along the lines of
“i do but now I don’t .com “ that has rings.

if you are superstitious maybe that’s not the site to buy from.

[kork13]

Going the normal purchase route, I would highly recommend a gem broker. They will be able to source a good quality diamond at a lower cost, and likely they have a jeweler in their contacts that could also set it into a quality ring/setting. That's how I went about my engagement and wedding rings, and they cost only $3k when it would otherwise have cost me at least $5k from the standard shipping mall jeweler. Legit savings. Plus, I was able to design the ring entirely -- the design was 100% my own.

[Fishindude77]

My only suggestion is don't go overboard on spending.
The ring is just a symbol and has very little to do with a good marriage.

[rennigade]

Just head to any jewelry store and purchase something that you can afford. I know people that have used blue nile. Not sure if thats still a thing.

[disneysteve]

Just head to any jewelry store and purchase something that you can afford.

I disagree with "any". Avoid the chains in the malls. You want to go to a local family-owned shop where the staff is experienced and actually cares about their reputation in the community and building long-term relationships with their customers. Ask around at work. Ask local friends and family. Post the question on your community Facebook group. When you start hearing the same place mentioned repeatedly, that's probably the one you want to pick.

[scfr]

Have you explored the option of a family heirloom?

[Magic Johnson]

I disagree with "any". Avoid the chains in the malls. You want to go to a local family-owned shop where the staff is experienced and actually cares about their reputation in the community and building long-term relationships with their customers. Ask around at work. Ask local friends and family. Post the question on your community Facebook group. When you start hearing the same place mentioned repeatedly, that's probably the one you want to pick.

Wow, count me as surprised that Disney Steve is recommending retail.

I live in BFE, and there is exactly one jewelry store within 30 miles. I could drive an hour or two to a larger city.

[Magic Johnson]

Have you explored the option of a family heirloom?

No, I’m not aware of any family heirlooms.

[Magic Johnson]

I think there is a site named something along the lines of
“i do but now I don’t .com “ that has rings.

if you are superstitious maybe that’s not the site to buy from.

It would be a hell of a thing if I bought the same engagement ring from my ex that I bought her in 1995.

[Magic Johnson]

My only suggestion is don't go overboard on spending.
The ring is just a symbol and has very little to do with a good marriage.

I paid around $1K in 1995. I was a college student, and I was making around $8K/yr. What was I thinking? That was literally the first item I borrowed money to buy, except my education, I guess.

[disneysteve]

Wow, count me as surprised that Disney Steve is recommending retail.

I live in BFE, and there is exactly one jewelry store within 30 miles. I could drive an hour or two to a larger city.

There are certain times I want to deal with a trusted individual. Buying expensive jewelry is one of those times. Can you save money at a pawn shop? Sure. Can you get a good deal on ebay? Sure. Personally, I don't have the knowledge or expertise to know if a gemstone is what someone says it is. Not to say that a retailer doesn't ever rip people off, but if you choose a family-owned shop with a long-standing local presence and good reputation, that's highly unlikely.

I think driving an hour or so to make a substantial purchase isn't unreasonable at all.