Engagement Ring

[Magic Johnson]

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.

I just realized that have a Facebook friend who is in this world. I don’t know her really well, and I’m not sure of her exact training and title, but I know that she works with high quality gems and designs jewelry. I’m sure she can be trusted.

[jenn_jenn]

This may sound odd but Costco actually has great diamonds at good prices. I have a few pieces from there and have always been impressed by the quality.

Congrats on your upcoming engagement!

[jenn_jenn]

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.

My husband went this route and it worked out great. He used someone his father had known and done business with for years. He spent about $20k for what would have cost about $25k so there’s definitely a cost savings and he got to have more input into the stone and ring design. Our car ride home from the proposal he was geeking out about the specs and telling me all things diamond he learned - he had a very educational experience.

Another thing I just thought of was that lab diamonds are cheaper than mined diamonds. Know her preference before going this route though. They’re real diamonds and generally more ethically sourced but sometimes people have a weird hang up that lab diamonds aren’t “real” diamonds.

[Fishindude77]

Retail, gem broker, Costco, jeweler, lab, mined, etc. ...... doesn't really matter as very few of us or the bride and groom have the ability to truly assess the quality of precious metals or stones anyway.
You won't know what you've purchased regardless.

All that matters, is everyone is happy. Keep the price reasonable, and just deal with somebody you like dealing with.
I think we bought our rings at Service Merchandise (remember that place?) 39 years ago, probably spent $3-400 total.

[kork13]

My husband went this route and it worked out great. He used someone his father had known and done business with for years. He spent about $20k for what would have cost about $25k so there’s definitely a cost savings and he got to have more input into the stone and ring design. Our car ride home from the proposal he was geeking out about the specs and telling me all things diamond he learned - he had a very educational experience.

Yep, that mirrors my experience almost exactly. The broker was the friend of a friend, and he walked me through selection of the diamond, a pair of sapphires on either side, and followed up with me throughout the process of building the ring to ensure that it was exactly as I wanted it. I loved it. And definitely learned a lot! My wife is thrilled with it as well of course.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

I look at my $1000 ring very fondly (it doesn't fit after 2 kids) and realize how far we've come. He bought at jeweler. Probably overpaid and compared to what we made? But he could have given me a paper ring and I'd have been thrilled. 22 year later I haven't replaced it and I probably could. Was just thinking about it recently and decided nope. I like having people think i'm cheap.

[disneysteve]

I look at my $1000 ring very fondly (it doesn't fit after 2 kids) and realize how far we've come. He bought at jeweler. Probably overpaid and compared to what we made? But he could have given me a paper ring and I'd have been thrilled. 22 year later I haven't replaced it and I probably could. Was just thinking about it recently and decided nope. I like having people think i'm cheap.

I’ll never understand people who replace their ring when they have more money and can afford better. Once you do that, it’s no longer your engagement ring. It’s just a ring. That’s fine but don’t go around telling everyone it is.

[Magic Johnson]

I’ll never understand people who replace their ring when they have more money and can afford better. Once you do that, it’s no longer your engagement ring. It’s just a ring. That’s fine but don’t go around telling everyone it is.

My mom got a new ring (same diamond) several years ago. I think it was because the ring was wearing thin, but I still thought it was strange.

[rennigade]

The idea of wearing a ring is silly to begin with. But, its the norm so its here to stay. I know several people male/female who dont even wear their engagement/wedding rings. Does it mean they're not married? Its a money grab, plain and simple. But like I said, its what is socially acceptable so its just easier to go with the flow. And this is coming from someone who does wear a ring.

[myrdale]

Most of the guys I work with actually wear rubber rings, mostly with some sports logo. That probably isn't going to woo love of your life.

I had a friend who was stationed in Iraqi who said diamonds were dirt cheap over (like 50% of what they go for in the US). He offered to buy a ring for me, but I turned him down. (To clarify for the purposes of proposing to my future wife).

[Magic Johnson]

I'm glad I posted this question. It made me think of my friend who makes jewelry. I don't know her really well, but I know her to be a good and honest person. I've been messaging her since about 4:00, and we're meeting tomorrow at 2:00. She secures the diamond and designs and makes the ring. Thanks all for your help!

[james.hendrickson]

Magic Johnson your avatar photo is the bomb.

[kork13]

I'm glad I posted this question. It made me think of my friend who makes jewelry. I don't know her really well, but I know her to be a good and honest person. I've been messaging her since about 4:00, and we're meeting tomorrow at 2:00. She secures the diamond and designs and makes the ring. Thanks all for your help!

That's fantastic. Last nugget of advice: know your budget for the ring & stick to it. Tell your friend what you're comfortable spending, and she'll help you find the right options to fit within that budget.

Good luck, and I'll boldly say congratulations on your upcoming engagement!

[Magic Johnson]

I am literally and seriously getting ads for engagement rings on different web sites. I have mentioned my intention to buy an engagement ring in three places - here at Saving Advice, using Messenger to initially message my jeweler, and by text on my iPhone after my jeweler and I exchanged phone numbers. I also Googled "engagement ring pictures", so I could send my jeweler a pic of the type of ring I'm interested in. I have no idea which of those entities sold my information, but clearly at least one of them did.

I can't wait to see what kinds of ads we get once we announce our engagement and impending wedding on Facebook (assuming she says Yes).

[disneysteve]

I am literally and seriously getting ads for engagement rings on different web sites. I have mentioned my intention to buy an engagement ring in three places - here at Saving Advice, using Messenger to initially message my jeweler, and by text on my iPhone after my jeweler and I exchanged phone numbers. I also Googled "engagement ring pictures", so I could send my jeweler a pic of the type of ring I'm interested in. I have no idea which of those entities sold my information, but clearly at least one of them did.

I can't wait to see what kinds of ads we get once we announce our engagement and impending wedding on Facebook (assuming she says Yes).

Your data is being harvested all the time whenever you use technology. You don't even need to touch your device as Siri is always listening and will make recommendations to you based on things you have only spoken. Once you've done a search, you will definitely see ads. That's how all of the "free" services make money. If they aren't selling a product, you are the product being sold.