Momo
Junior Member
🗨️ 1,034
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March 2014
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engagement advice, by Momo on Jan 24, 2015 19:35:40 GMT 1, Quick Q!
I know her dream ring is a round cut solitaire so ANY ADVICE on what is available in my range <2000£, the more I research and look the more confused I get.. Even just pm with your thoughts if you don't want to say publicly..
Thnx
Quick Q!
I know her dream ring is a round cut solitaire so ANY ADVICE on what is available in my range <2000£, the more I research and look the more confused I get.. Even just pm with your thoughts if you don't want to say publicly..
Thnx
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Deleted
🗨️ 0
👍🏻
January 1970
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engagement advice, by Deleted on Jan 24, 2015 19:45:23 GMT 1, If you are looking for a single stone, that may be a hard find. If you are trying to get close to a carat with at least a vvs2 clarity and close to white at min you may have to double that.
If you are looking for a single stone, that may be a hard find. If you are trying to get close to a carat with at least a vvs2 clarity and close to white at min you may have to double that.
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engagement advice, by Sturban Has Saggy Tits on Jan 24, 2015 20:10:35 GMT 1, Quick Q! I know her dream ring is a round cut solitaire so ANY ADVICE on what is available in my range <2000£, the more I research and look the more confused I get.. Even just pm with your thoughts if you don't want to say publicly.. Thnx
Stay away from high street chains.
Don't know if you remember Ratner and what he said before he went bankrupt. He was just being honest, but they are all the same and all sell sh*t.
Independent jewellers are the best and haggle them right down, they expect this.
Main pricing comes down to cut, colour, clarity and carat.
I would go for a smaller diamond with good clarity i.e. no less than VS2, colour H or I.
Haven't checked for a while, but you should get over 1/2 carat for your money
Do a lot of searching and you will find the right one!
Good luck and congrats 
Ps. If you can't find the right one, buy her an unsigned banksy, she will love it!!
Quick Q! I know her dream ring is a round cut solitaire so ANY ADVICE on what is available in my range <2000£, the more I research and look the more confused I get.. Even just pm with your thoughts if you don't want to say publicly.. Thnx Quick bit of advice: Stay away from high street chains. Don't know if you remember Ratner and what he said before he went bankrupt. He was just being honest, but they are all the same and all sell sh*t. Independent jewellers are the best and haggle them right down, they expect this. Main pricing comes down to cut, colour, clarity and carat. I would go for a smaller diamond with good clarity i.e. no less than VS2, colour H or I. Haven't checked for a while, but you should get over 1/2 carat for your money Do a lot of searching and you will find the right one! Good luck and congrats Ps. If you can't find the right one, buy her an unsigned banksy, she will love it!! |
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maxf
New Member
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October 2012
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engagement advice, by maxf on Jan 24, 2015 20:13:31 GMT 1, Go for quality over out and out size - it's all about sparkle at the end of the day as that's what people notice. Some of these rings with cheap 1ct+ stones just look like pieces of cut glass IMO.
Cut probably matters most and don't get hung up on colour - even most experts can't tell the top grades apart without reference stones.
Go for quality over out and out size - it's all about sparkle at the end of the day as that's what people notice. Some of these rings with cheap 1ct+ stones just look like pieces of cut glass IMO.
Cut probably matters most and don't get hung up on colour - even most experts can't tell the top grades apart without reference stones.
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engagement advice, by Jeezuz Jones Snr on Jan 24, 2015 21:08:06 GMT 1, Agree with the above the women like a large rock obviously  but they dont want the rocks that don't sparkle, I think from memory the lower down the alphabet you go the worse the diamond sparkle/colour is. Don't forget these rings have a huge mark up you can negotiate much lower, go 30% and see what happens. Good if you know someone in the business a friend helped me I knew what design my misses wanted, so I copied it, my friend she found the stone, the white gold band and a jeweller to put it all together. Saved me thousands... Good luck fella and if your buying outright negotiate down.
Agree with the above the women like a large rock obviously but they dont want the rocks that don't sparkle, I think from memory the lower down the alphabet you go the worse the diamond sparkle/colour is. Don't forget these rings have a huge mark up you can negotiate much lower, go 30% and see what happens. Good if you know someone in the business a friend helped me I knew what design my misses wanted, so I copied it, my friend she found the stone, the white gold band and a jeweller to put it all together. Saved me thousands... Good luck fella and if your buying outright negotiate down. |
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Dr Plip
Junior Member
🗨️ 7,043
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August 2011
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engagement advice, by Dr Plip on Jan 24, 2015 21:09:38 GMT 1, People think it's all about the size. But you cannot beat sparkle.
People think it's all about the size. But you cannot beat sparkle.
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spirit
Junior Member
🗨️ 2,956
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August 2007
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engagement advice, by spirit on Jan 24, 2015 21:15:29 GMT 1, Where are you based? If you are in the UK / London get yourself down to Hatton Garden where a lot of stone dealers and jewellers are based. Do a bit of research and go and speak to a few people there. If you do your homework and speak to the right people you should be able to get something good with your budget.
You will certainly save yourself a lot of money...
Where are you based? If you are in the UK / London get yourself down to Hatton Garden where a lot of stone dealers and jewellers are based. Do a bit of research and go and speak to a few people there. If you do your homework and speak to the right people you should be able to get something good with your budget.
You will certainly save yourself a lot of money...
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Momo
Junior Member
🗨️ 1,034
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March 2014
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engagement advice, by Momo on Jan 25, 2015 14:00:50 GMT 1, Cheers guys and girls appreciate the help, based in Ireland, and was looking at bigger with less sparkle so now flipped that on its head haha
Cheers guys and girls appreciate the help, based in Ireland, and was looking at bigger with less sparkle so now flipped that on its head haha
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engagement advice, by Limited Prints on Jan 25, 2015 14:25:04 GMT 1, My advice would also be to go for quality. I was told by a jeweler that a round cut captures and reflects more light making them sparkle more. Definately all about that sparkle
My advice would also be to go for quality. I was told by a jeweler that a round cut captures and reflects more light making them sparkle more. Definately all about that sparkle
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Lesson1
New Member
🗨️ 332
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November 2011
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engagement advice, by Lesson1 on Jan 25, 2015 15:48:19 GMT 1, What I did: by a cheapish but nice costume jewellery ring that she could wear in future and do the usual on one knee proposal which will be emotional. Then explain and make a date to go ring shopping together. It's amazing how what they think they want may not suit their hand! We also got drawn to quality 'sparkle' over size and you can hassle down. The haggling can be done away from your fiancee of you all her to look around.
What I did: by a cheapish but nice costume jewellery ring that she could wear in future and do the usual on one knee proposal which will be emotional. Then explain and make a date to go ring shopping together. It's amazing how what they think they want may not suit their hand! We also got drawn to quality 'sparkle' over size and you can hassle down. The haggling can be done away from your fiancee of you all her to look around.
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sky8888
New Member
🗨️ 251
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December 2013
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engagement advice, by sky8888 on Jan 25, 2015 16:41:30 GMT 1, I think part of the diamond size is to consider her personal style as not all women will want the biggest diamond (also what will suit her hands), as well as how often she will want to wear the engagement ring after she has her wedding ring. A large stone is more impractical for daily wear, but if she will only wear the ring occasionally in the future it won't be as much of an issue and actually some people prefer a bigger ring to dress up with now and then. How often she wears or changes jewellery at all may be an indicator in this.
IMO unless you have loads of money there is not much point going above the VS quality because you can't tell the difference with the naked eye. The cut is very important and can actually make the diamond look bigger because of the way it throws back the light, so I would put more money into the cut quality than the clarity (though I wouldn't go below Si1 for clarity).
Also I think many women enjoy choosing their own ring (with you), so it's possible to plan a proposal and tell her that as part of it. Maybe visit some jewellers beforehand and then take her to one that you know has a couple of options for what she might want within the budget.
I think part of the diamond size is to consider her personal style as not all women will want the biggest diamond (also what will suit her hands), as well as how often she will want to wear the engagement ring after she has her wedding ring. A large stone is more impractical for daily wear, but if she will only wear the ring occasionally in the future it won't be as much of an issue and actually some people prefer a bigger ring to dress up with now and then. How often she wears or changes jewellery at all may be an indicator in this.
IMO unless you have loads of money there is not much point going above the VS quality because you can't tell the difference with the naked eye. The cut is very important and can actually make the diamond look bigger because of the way it throws back the light, so I would put more money into the cut quality than the clarity (though I wouldn't go below Si1 for clarity).
Also I think many women enjoy choosing their own ring (with you), so it's possible to plan a proposal and tell her that as part of it. Maybe visit some jewellers beforehand and then take her to one that you know has a couple of options for what she might want within the budget.
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sky8888
New Member
🗨️ 251
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December 2013
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engagement advice, by sky8888 on Jan 25, 2015 16:44:48 GMT 1, Let's also not forget about the band itself - various types of gold, platinum etc... something else to think about
Let's also not forget about the band itself - various types of gold, platinum etc... something else to think about
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Oski
New Member
🗨️ 383
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December 2014
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engagement advice, by Oski on Jan 25, 2015 17:05:44 GMT 1, My engagement advice: DON'T DO IT! You get down on one knee for the proposal, and by the time you're married, she'll have you down on both knees
Great suggestions above. Good luck!
My engagement advice: DON'T DO IT! You get down on one knee for the proposal, and by the time you're married, she'll have you down on both knees Great suggestions above. Good luck! |
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met
Junior Member
🗨️ 2,796
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June 2009
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engagement advice, by met on Jan 26, 2015 1:11:02 GMT 1, Quick Q! I know her dream ring is a round cut solitaire so ANY ADVICE on what is available in my range <2000£, the more I research and look the more confused I get.. Even just pm with your thoughts if you don't want to say publicly.. Thnx
First, I bow to the collective manipulative genius of Gerold Lauck, the N. W. Ayer & Son advertising agency he presided, and De Beers.
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Second, I wish you all the best with the impending engagement.
In your position, given the desire of your partner, here are my thoughts:
(i) It sounds like the diamond cut has already been decided for you, i.e. round.
(ii) For the colour, I'd go with colourless (D, E or F).
(iii) I would then guesstimate the minimum carat your partner would be satisfied with.
(iv) Finally, I'd choose the highest clarity grade available within your budget for that carat.
The above places emphasis on quality rather than weight or size. It's a personal preference, since I'm drawn to quality, and also to discretion and understatement.
[A larger, ostentatious, but low-grade rock doesn't interest me; that would appeal more to those who enjoy wearing Louis Vuitton logos. I've always considered unattractive any need to show off wealth, status or success — an overly-keen desire for peer acceptance. Like having 2,000 friends on social media, or obsessively taking selfies at any and every fashionable location visited, it seems to betray great insecurity. About as sexy to me as the smell of that perfume so many people are wearing, Eau de Spération.]
Consider also a brief trip to London or Antwerp. If you have a stone quality in mind and you search well, the discounts you'll be able to find in these cities may offset your travel costs.
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Third (and related to my first comment), my second comment should be qualified: For a number of reasons, I myself wouldn't actually buy a diamond. As a gesture to a loved one, I'd probably opt instead to plant a sapling with them, or buy them a beautiful work of art.
However, not everyone is capable or inclined to resist societal pressures and, more importantly, the expectations of their future fiancée. In most cases, it would mean engaging in an uphill and constant battle.
That said, before making any purchase, to ensure it's done with open eyes, I highly recommend researching the subject of diamonds as engagement-ring stones (and perhaps also the history of engagement rings, De Beers, and the issue of blood diamonds). Here are a couple of articles:
www.businessinsider.com/why-diamonds-are-a-sham-2013-3?IR=T
www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/weddings/2007/06/diamonds_are_a_girls_worst_friend.html
Separately, three YouTube videos on the subject:
Quick Q! I know her dream ring is a round cut solitaire so ANY ADVICE on what is available in my range <2000£, the more I research and look the more confused I get.. Even just pm with your thoughts if you don't want to say publicly.. Thnx , I bow to the collective manipulative genius of Gerold Lauck, the N. W. Ayer & Son advertising agency he presided, and De Beers. --------- Second, I wish you all the best with the impending engagement. In your position, given the desire of your partner, here are my thoughts: (i) It sounds like the diamond cut has already been decided for you, i.e. round. (ii) For the colour, I'd go with colourless (D, E or F). (iii) I would then guesstimate the minimum carat your partner would be satisfied with. (iv) Finally, I'd choose the highest clarity grade available within your budget for that carat. The above places emphasis on quality rather than weight or size. It's a personal preference, since I'm drawn to quality, and also to discretion and understatement. [A larger, ostentatious, but low-grade rock doesn't interest me; that would appeal more to those who enjoy wearing Louis Vuitton logos. I've always considered unattractive any need to show off wealth, status or success — an overly-keen desire for peer acceptance. Like having 2,000 friends on social media, or obsessively taking selfies at any and every fashionable location visited, it seems to betray great insecurity. About as sexy to me as the smell of that perfume so many people are wearing, Eau de Spération.] Consider also a brief trip to London or Antwerp. If you have a stone quality in mind and you search well, the discounts you'll be able to find in these cities may offset your travel costs. --------- Third (and related to my first comment), my second comment should be qualified: For a number of reasons, I myself wouldn't actually buy a diamond. As a gesture to a loved one, I'd probably opt instead to plant a sapling with them, or buy them a beautiful work of art. However, not everyone is capable or inclined to resist societal pressures and, more importantly, the expectations of their future fiancée. In most cases, it would mean engaging in an uphill and constant battle. That said, before making any purchase, to ensure it's done with open eyes, I highly recommend researching the subject of diamonds as engagement-ring stones (and perhaps also the history of engagement rings, De Beers, and the issue of blood diamonds). Here are a couple of articles: www.businessinsider.com/why-diamonds-are-a-sham-2013-3?IR=Twww.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/weddings/2007/06/diamonds_are_a_girls_worst_friend.htmlSeparately, three YouTube videos on the subject: |
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maxf
New Member
🗨️ 470
👍🏻 331
October 2012
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engagement advice, by maxf on Jan 26, 2015 10:21:02 GMT 1, Don't forget all cuts are not equal - there are great (ideal) round cuts which will have far more 'fire' than a lesser round cut.
My fiancé is quite petite so didn't want a huge ring - in the end I went for (I designed it and had it made as a surprise) a 0.65ct round stone and 2 0.3ct pear stones either side on a platinum band.
I went for the best quality stones I could find (luckily a friend is a diamond broker), rather than spend the money on size. She gets loads of compliments and they sparkle from the other side of the room. I'd definitely go for quality over size - it actually has far more impact IMO.
Don't forget all cuts are not equal - there are great (ideal) round cuts which will have far more 'fire' than a lesser round cut.
My fiancé is quite petite so didn't want a huge ring - in the end I went for (I designed it and had it made as a surprise) a 0.65ct round stone and 2 0.3ct pear stones either side on a platinum band.
I went for the best quality stones I could find (luckily a friend is a diamond broker), rather than spend the money on size. She gets loads of compliments and they sparkle from the other side of the room. I'd definitely go for quality over size - it actually has far more impact IMO.
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Momo
Junior Member
🗨️ 1,034
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March 2014
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engagement advice, by Momo on Jun 23, 2015 1:35:39 GMT 1, I just want to thank all those who offered advice and guidance.. As of Friday I am engaged to the love of my life.. So cheers guys and gals
I just want to thank all those who offered advice and guidance.. As of Friday I am engaged to the love of my life.. So cheers guys and gals
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but they dont want the rocks that don't sparkle, I think from memory the lower down the alphabet you go the worse the diamond sparkle/colour is. Don't forget these rings have a huge mark up you can negotiate much lower, go 30% and see what happens. Good if you know someone in the business a friend helped me I knew what design my misses wanted, so I copied it, my friend she found the stone, the white gold band and a jeweller to put it all together. Saved me thousands... Good luck fella and if your buying outright negotiate down. 
