Engagement Rings

erniegurl00 · #1 03-19-2002, 07:04 PM

Hey girls (and guys if you feel like answering...)

My bf and I are currently looking around for engagement rings. We still have a few months before he plans to "pop the question" but he wants to know what I'd like. The problem is I have no clue! LOL I really don't know what I like. So my question is this: What type of setting do you girls like? What looks good together? (as far as different cuts). Is it better to get side stones with the engagement ring or put them on the wedding band? What type of ring do YOU have? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Have a wonderful day,

Erin

bluz4 · #2 03-19-2002, 07:15 PM

my boyfriend and i are in the same situation. he pretty much guessed when he got my promise ring so he wants me to tell him what i like for an engagement ring. i went to a jewelry store with my mom and she and the lady behind the counter gave me "the idiot's guide to diamonds" lesson.
so i suggest you take a stroll in your nearest jewelry store and do your own homework by yourself or with him by your side. you can also check out theknot.com which is a wedding web site and very helpful too.
but personally i like the princess cut... its very nice.

KappaStargirl · #3 03-19-2002, 07:26 PM

So many questions! I have so many answers!

1) Setting: I am a fan of something with a little extra sparkle, when KappaStarBoy comes up with my ring, it will probably have sapphires on the sides...he says they go with my eyes, how sweet. Of course, you can NEVER go wrong with a Tiffany-style solitaire. A lot of it depends on your lifestyle. Now that I spend 2/3 of my day at a desk, I can get a more elaborate ring. However, I used to be a percussionist and music teacher, and an elaborate ring would have been hazardous.

2) What looks good together? I like side stones that complement the shape of the center stone. Square sides usually look funny with a round center, round sides look good with pear, oval, and other rounds. I myself want a box radiant or emerald cut, so I want baguettes (the long skinny ones set sideways) on the side.

3) Caveat of three-stone engagement rings. The value of the stones is often split between the three stones. A 1-carat solitaire is much more valuable than 3 1/3-carat stones. If I were you, I'd insist on a center stone that you choose yourself, choose the setting separately.

I could go on for a very long time, but instead I will give you some librarianly advice. Go to the library (or bookstore) and get yourself two books: How to Buy a Diamond: Insider Secrets for Getting Your Money's Worth by Fred Cuellar, and The Diamond Ring Buying Guide by Renee Newman. Both are fabulous diamonds-for-dummies books.

PM me if you want to know anything else...KappaStarBoy and I have been doing a LOT of research on this lately. Also, to check out settings and diamonds, visit the DeBeers site or Blue Nile.

Hootie · #4 03-19-2002, 10:30 PM

I have worked in jewelry retail of 2 1/2 years now. So let me tell you there is a wide world of style choices.
From a professional jewelers point of view, and as an honest person let me tell you this much.

The first thing I suggest doing is going together or alone to a reputable dealer. Sit down and try on all the different shapes. You see, while some people may brag and boast about the most popular shapes, others may find that certain shapes don't look good on their fingers. I HIGHLY recommend checking out DeBeer's website, which will allow you to piece together a simple engagement ring.

But in case you don't know anything, here are some shapes you (or anyone) will want to know about...
The Round ~ The most popular shape and most commonly bought. The round diamond is the ONLY shape that has been perfected as far as Cutting is concerned. If you like shimmer and shine you will find it with this cut, as it is cut to have different facets (or mirrors).
The Princess ~ Also known as the Square cut. This cut diamond has become increasingly popular. I have found that younger women love this shape because it is different and something their mother doesn't have.
The Marquise ~ The "Football Shaped" diamond (according to one gentleman customer). This diamond is the second most popular. What you will find with this shape is that it will lengthen your fingers. So if you don't like your short fingers...this might be the shape for you.
The Oval, Heart, and Pear ~ Two fancy cuts whose shape is simply easy to describe by their name.
The Trillion ~ This cut isn't seen often but is obviously a triangle shape. The only thing I will say about this shape is that you will want a CRISP cut (very pointy edges) and good color. The reason for this is that this shape doesn't sparkle like the others. SO you will want it to be crisp and clean!
Finally, my favorite
The Emerald ~ This cut is basically a rectangular shaped diamond. It differs greatly from other shapes in that it also doesn't have a lot of facets (like the round). Instead it has what it called a "step" cut, that can be AWESOME when very clean and free of inclusions!

Once you pick out your CENTER diamond you should then chose your mounting. You have options there too...

Solitaire is a single diamond mounted on a band with no side diamonds. You can chose to later add a wrap (a seperate ring with diamonds that is usually soldered to the solitaire) or you can add a band to it (diamonds or plain).
Bridal refers to a setting. A bridal will hold your center diamond and many other diamonds. Usually this means when you are proposed to, you'll have lots of diamonds, instead of just one. There is usually a seperate band (with or without diamonds) that you will solder onto it later.

Coloring of your band is entirely up to you! But here's my advice...
Gold is strongest in 10 or 14 karat. 18 karat or higher means there is more gold than aloids so therefore it's softer and more brassier looking. Most of the time you won't find 18 k gold unless it's mixed with a stronger substance like platinum!
White Gold is stronger than yellow gold because of the alloids in it. Gold in general is easier to mold, so all gold is softer compaired to platinum...but that's not necessarily a bad thing because then you can polish it up easier and you won't pay as much for sizings and solderings in the future!
Platinum is a heavy and durable metal. All the platinum in the world could fit into one small room! Platinum is very durable yet can get a "worn" or "antique" look after time. Platinum is harder to polish...you almost have to scrape away a layer to get to the shinier stuff underneath! Platinum is also very costly!
Titanium is a newer metal being used for rings (mostly mens). Titanium is the stuff they use on the space shuttles. It is generally scratch resistant and a more rugged look. I have, however, seen some women's rings done in it. It's lightweight, compared to platinum, but about as strong!

Hootie · #5 03-19-2002, 10:38 PM

I forgot to add that if ANY of you have ANY questions about diamonds I will happily answer them. I love talking about diamonds (in case you couldn't tell) and informing people so they can be educated buyers

So good luck ladies!

Hootie

dzsaigirl · #6 03-19-2002, 10:59 PM

I have a princess cut center stone with channel set princess cut stones in a platinum band. It is a Scott Kay. My wedding band was going to be a full band of the same channel set princess stones, but we are now opting for the simple platinum band.

I love my ring and I love my fiance! Only 3 more months to go

KappaStargirl · #7 03-19-2002, 11:27 PM

One more interesting thing to point out:

What do you do for a living? The answer to this question can affect the metal your diamond is set in.

If you use your hands to do much more than type or write (do you work with children? Do you repair anything? Do you work in a lab?), you might want to consider platinum or titanium, which are stronger and more scratch-resistant. As a librarian, I spend my days with paper, and when I found out that higher grades of gold can be damaged by the acids in paper (especially in older books, which my library has a lot of), I opted for pt instead of white gold.

Hootie · #8 03-19-2002, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by KappaStargirl
One more interesting thing to point out:

What do you do for a living? The answer to this question can affect the metal your diamond is set in.

If you use your hands to do much more than type or write (do you work with children? Do you repair anything? Do you work in a lab?), you might want to consider platinum or titanium, which are stronger and more scratch-resistant. As a librarian, I spend my days with paper, and when I found out that higher grades of gold can be damaged by the acids in paper (especially in older books, which my library has a lot of), I opted for pt instead of white gold.

You have a good point. Also for those of you who are allergic to metals, you will want to opt for Platinum or Titanium which are hypo-allergetic...that goes for earrings as well.
KillarnyRose asked me a great question...and that was, can you tell the difference by looking at the metal. Sterling Silver will look pale and whitish. It is also very very soft and can easily bend and scratch. White gold and platinum to most people, look the same. If you feel them in the palm of your hand, however, you will be able to tell that platinum is very heavy. Anything in 10k white gold may also, over time, show a yellowish tint due to the alloids mixed. If that is the case you can rhodium plate it, which gives it a coat of shine. You usually won't find this problem with 14k white gold unless it's a bad batch of white gold!

If you're ever shopping and unsure if what you're buying is REALLY the metal they say it is...look inside the ring (in the shank). Legally for anyone to sell GOLD it has to be marked 10 K or 14 K or whatever. There are no exceptions. Sterling Silver will generally bear a mark of 825s (actually the number represents how many parts out of a thousand are silver). Platinum carries a mark of 925kp?
FYI ~ anything 14 K means that the rings is 58% pure gold

aephi alum · #9 03-19-2002, 11:42 PM

Go to Tiffany's if you have one near you. They offer a free video, "How to Buy a Diamond." (Of course, they hope you will come back and buy the diamond from them. In my husband's and my case, it worked.

)

You will want to think about your wedding ring at the same time. Do you want a wrap or a separate ring? What color wedding ring do you want? (You should get the same color engagement and wedding ring if possible - but you don't have to pick out both rings definitively now.) Are there any religious restrictions on your wedding band? (Some religions require a plain, unadorned band - in which case you may want more jewels on your engagement ring.)

KappaStarGirl makes a good point about your job - though I will add that in certain jobs, it is unsafe to wear a ring at all. In that case, you can do whatever you want with your ring, knowing that you will only wear it on social occasions... or you may wish to look for some other jewelry item (pendant, watch, etc) as a token of your engagement.

If it helps... my husband looks good in gold, I look good in silver tones. Picking out our rings was hell!

My engagement ring is a traditional Tiffany-cut diamond in a platinum setting. His is several small diamonds, channel set in gold. Our wedding rings are matching yellow gold bands with a white gold design.

Early congrats and happy shopping!

Sisterplum · #10 03-19-2002, 11:59 PM

I don't have any detailed advice, but what my husband and I did was go to many jewelry stores (we moved 3 times in 2 years and had to keep looking for new stores!) and try on all different kinds of engagement rings...that way YOU get a feel for what you like and what looks good on you...and your honey will know which ones are your faves too!

We decided on one, then Art went back later (and found out they discontinued that style, so he upgraded!

)...this way he knew I'd love the ring!

If you'd like to see a pic of my engagement and wedding rings (and Art's wedding band too!), check it out here (for a far-away shot) or here (for a closer-up shot)

The pics don't do the ring justice though. They look MUCH better in person...the cool part is on the sides of the rings, there is a loopy design that makes the prongs to hold each diamond....and the diamonds are in a step formation, which is also kind of hard to see from the pics! Art got my rings at Zales btw (if you wanted to know!) and I got his ring from People's (Canadian company....also owned by Zales!)

erniegurl00 · #11 03-20-2002, 12:24 AM

Well right now I'm a student, but in a few years I'll be working as a Speech Pathologist. That means I won't be doing a lot of hard work with my hands.

I would also like to say that my bf has wonderful taste on his own. He shopped for my promise ring totally on his own. We have gone into some stores together, but I don't always enjoy it. I'm tired of having sales people pushing me. (No offense Hootie. You're wonderful and helpin gme out a ton!

) I've already decided on a few styles that I like, but once I find a ring I like I usually see another I like as well! LOL Oh, and get this. I'm not a big fan of platinum. I think I'm the only girl who doesn't like the metal. I'm opting for white silver. Hopefully that'll work out best for me.

jharb · #12 03-20-2002, 01:11 AM

I just wanted to say congrats Erin! I hope we'll be having a candelight soon for you!

Pi Phi Love,
Jess

erniegurl00 · #13 03-20-2002, 01:23 AM

Jess,

Thanks sweetie!

Of course it's going to be sometime next school year before I have the candlelight. Trust me I can't wait!

Erin

TriSigmaTX · #14 04-01-2002, 11:50 PM

Ok, since it's new...I have a link to my new ring. It's platinum with a East/West set oval. Eric designed the ring hisself. He did not buy it anywhere...

I'm so proud of it, because NOONE will ever have a ring like mine.

Here's the link!

Link to my ring

Hootie · #15 04-01-2002, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TriSigmaTX
Ok, since it's new...I have a link to my new ring. It's platinum with a East/West set oval. Eric designed the ring hisself. He did not buy it anywhere... I'm so proud of it, because NOONE will ever have a ring like mine.

Here's the link!

Link to my ring

That's a neat ring Tracy! Is it two toned or all yellow gold? I can't exactly tell although it looked like two toned to me! Congratulations!

Hootie