[Confidential] Engagement Ring Advice?

[Presto]

Originally Posted by diesel_test

my parents told me if im getting engaged they'll buy the engagement ring for their soon to be daughter in-law hahaa

they're willing to spend 20k or so on th engagement ring

They're not purchasing a bride, from China, for you? 20k will get them a ring and a girl

[westopher]

Everyone stop posting, diesel_test is in here. Maybe he can give us some good relationship advice to go with the impressive financial advice he usually gives.

[VR6GTI]

Originally Posted by freakshow

@OP, Minichiello's is not a chain. it has been a small family owned business for i think over 50 years..
I had a great experience there when they custom made my ring, and wouldn't hesitate to shop there again.

ive purchased 3 rings from there
I was in the store when matt cooke came in to pick up a ring, years ago.

[TheKingdom2000]

I have never used their return service as the stone I got was exactly what I was expecting.

I just took a look at their website. Looks like they don't cover shipping anymore..
It says the shipping and handling fee is not refunded?

I'd say go for the 1.0+ct then. Since your budget is around $10-12k i'm sure you'll get a really good diamond.

[dvst8]

+ 1 for Minichiello's. Gave me a great deal and honest service.

[ed99]

For quality and value, I go bluenile. For locals, spence has awesome customer service and they have a trade up value for life of the diamond. So only have to pay the difference if your wife decides to upgrade to a 1.5ct 5 yrs later for example.

[Pegacorn]

I think this is really sweet and holy crap that's a lot of dough you're willing to shell out, must be some special lady! I have to agree with dinosaur, though, that is pretty crazy. Diamond rings are pretty much worthless after you buy them and since they are more symbolic than an investment, you may want to reconsider your options. Better to invest in your life together than a ring, but if you have the money to spend, why not I guess.

It can't hurt to try to get some info on whether she actually wants a diamond. A lot of girls are into other stones these days, especially with all the diamond controversy and blood shed and whatnot. If she's dropping hints for a 3 stone 10k diamond, though, then I guess you're on the right track. May be worth looking into ethical diamond options.

If you've got cash to blow, I also recommend Tiffany & Co.
Bishes love Tiffany & Co.

Good luck!

[keifun]

As mentioned earlier in this post. Diamond Deals is where I'm looking at.

Prices are much less than retail stores, plus they customize your ring to your liking.

Theres one in surrey. I went to the one in Downtown Vancouver, Sinclair Centre

[supafamous]

Visited a number of brick and mortar stores to take a look at what they have and the chain stores (Spence's, Lugaro, Ben Moss, Michael Hill) sure carry a lot of crap - low quality diamonds, poorly constructed rings and boring designs. Were it not for the fact that the g/f and I are looking for the right ring and wanted to try different styles I would have walked out of all of them in a couple minutes. Birks was the exception - very limited selection but clearly high quality stuff, those diamonds pop and those rings are beautifully made and those prices reflect it.

A couple of the family run shops I went into were pretty high quality and had designs that were far more interesting (even for their solitaires). They offer custom work for only a bit more than the cost of an existing ring and were able to provide much better advice.

That said, the online shops (Blue Nile and Brilliant Earth) have the best prices and offer quality that compares well with Tiffany and Birks. If you know what you want and they have it then I don't see why you wouldn't buy it from them.

In terms of spending 10K on a ring - gosh, best to you and those who want to do that. I'm comfortably banking 6 figures and don't plan on spending more than 5K (a figure the missus agrees upon). On the flipside I have friends who make half as much as I do who have spent 15K on a ring.

It just seems like an awful lot of money to spend on an object like that - I could get a set of Ohlin coilovers and a Flying Miata SC kit for less than that!