Engagement Ring Advice

[Senator Clay Davis]

It pretty much sucks that society has evolved to the point where many people associate how much you love someone with how much money you spend on that person for things like a ring. If your fiancee/wife is embarassed around her friends because her ring isn't as good as theirs, which to me implies her friends will think less of her for not having as quality a ring, then she seriously needs new friends.

[RedMileDJ]

Originally Posted by MarchHare

Here's my advice: marry a woman who thinks that spending $6-10k on a piece of jewelry is a foolish waste of money and would rather you save for a downpayment on your first home instead.

This.

I think I spent maybe $2700 on my wife's. I then got her the extra band this year, for our 3rd anniversary. She always wanted all 3 bands, but it wasn't in the cards (affordable) at the time. So in total, just under $3000.

I give Spence a +1. I went to several other stores in and around Calgary. But I wanted something that didn't look like all the rest. Their selection can't be beat.

As for buying online...I wouldn't. Something like this needs to be seen and held. I know some people have had positive experiences buying online, but for me it wouldn't work. Not for something like this.

[Bigtime]

Originally Posted by albertGQ

People don't have to buy a house. They can rent. People tend to buy a bigger house than they need. Everyone spens frivilously. UFC tickets, Flames tickets, bigger house, faster car, etc. Some like to spend on a ring for the woman they love.

Girls talk about their rings. The last thing I want is my wife to be out with the girls and they all compare diamond sizes while she sits there all quiet and embarrassed. I'd rather sacrifice Flames tickets for a year than to subject her to that.

Nonsense. We all know that when the girls go out they have naked pillow fights, touch each other, and talk about their significant others dong. It is known.

[troutman]

It is a strange fate that we should suffer so much fear and doubt over so small a thing. Such a little thing.

[Hockeyguy15]

Guys he asked for advice on where to get a nice ring, not for a social commentary or to tell him he is spending too much and is dumb for doing so.

He likely knows how much he wants to spend and it's probably ok with him. He doesn't need you to say "find a girl who wants a cheaper ring". Maybe he came up with the budget on his own and has no input from his fiance to be.

[Lt.Spears]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

It pretty much sucks that society has evolved to the point where many people associate how much you love someone with how much money you spend on that person for things like a ring. If your fiancee/wife is embarassed around her friends because her ring isn't as good as theirs, which to me implies her friends will think less of her for not having as quality a ring, then she seriously needs new friends.

Economically it actually makes sense, if you are looking at the real cost of something (ie. Time and effort), spending more money on someone should equate to you showing you value them more than say... 1000 hours of work.

[Dion]

[Maritime Q-Scout]

I looked around at the local jewelry stores as well as online.

I went with MyJewelryBox.com and have no regrets. I talked to them online first, they answered all my questions, if they didn't know an answer they found out (such as how does Aeroplan work, can I order over the phone and still get my points).

I got exactly what I was looking for, in a greater carat than I could find locally, and only marginally more expensive then the chain stores.

That said, I didn't spend a fortune on the ring. I didn't want to spend $10K on a ring, and frankly I think my fiancé would have sent the ring back if I did.

What I did do was look at the carat, cut, colour and clarity online, then compare in the store. I realized for my price range I'd have to make sacrifices as if you get a flawless colourless diamond that's 5 carats you'll pay through the nose.

I decided I wanted colourless to the naked eye (no one will sit around a table and bring out a microscope to determine the colour, if it's colourless to the naked eye that's good enough).

I also figure that unless you're up close examining it, the inclusions aren't that important. I tried to go with as few as possible but this is where I was the most lenient, this was my category that I said I'd sacrifice the most as, again, unless you're looking at it up real close you can't tell anyway.

The cut I don't think makes a big difference in cost, go with what you like.

As for carat, I found the setting I wanted, with the parameters that suited me, and then I bought the biggest carat in my price range. When the girls are comparing this is what they look at (they say size doesn't matter, but we all know it does )

One thing I did, that was what I wanted, and she loves, is that I didn't go with a solitaire but a trinity with side stones. The stones themselves are smaller but there's more of them, and is more unique, as the solitaire is the standard engagement ring.

At the end of the day go with something you like and she'll like. Once you have that down then compare places, prices, and costs.

If you have any questions, or are curious about the particular ring I purchased send me a PM I'm more than happy to help.

[Morning Wood]

Wow, I didn't think there'd be so many responses already... Thanks a lot guys.

I'm grateful for all the feedback on where and how to go about shopping for the ring, as well as personal values everyone shares about how much to spend on one.

My gf also has not asked for an exorbitant ring at all, and has no clue about diamond attributes. I am not looking for a "big" rock. I was looking for a 0.5-0.8 carat with decent color (better than G), VS1/VS2 inclusions, and a high quality cut.

I shopped a bit with the gf as well as by myself, and those are the parameters I found the most appealing on her hand. The budget I came up with, although it may be a bit tough to swallow, is doable. But if I could find a great ring at a lower price, of course I wouldn't mind spending less as long as the quality is decent.

Again, thanks for all the responses

[REDVAN]

I am also "in the market" for rings, so to speak.

We have enough gold and diamonds in our families. Various cuts, sizes, etc. But we would like to have as much heirloom as possible, with a modern ring design, setting, whatever I am no expert.

I know there are a few recommendations already in this thread, but can anyone suggest a good shop that will design and create your ring with you? My gf is going to have a big say in what it looks like, since she'll be wearing it for the foreseeable future.

[bomber317]

Originally Posted by REDVAN

I know there are a few recommendations already in this thread, but can anyone suggest a good shop that will design and create your ring with you? My gf is going to have a big say in what it looks like, since she'll be wearing it for the foreseeable future.

You can inquire at these stores to see what they can do for you and what pricing.

Brinkhaus http://brinkhaus.com/contact.php
Calgary Jewelers http://www.calgaryjewellery.com/
Alberta Diamond Exchange http://www.abdiamond.ca/

I mentioned before, we got our bands designed by Brinkhaus, PM me if you want a picture of the rings.

I've had several friends go to Alberta Diamond Exchange to get a custom ring.

I've had one colleague go to Calgary Jewelers for a custom ring as well.

All had good things to say about their experiences.

[Ozy_Flame]

6-10k on an engagement ring?? That's alot. No wonder almost 3/4 of income earning Canadians are in debt. I recommend saving most of that for the wedding; however, I've never been married nor want to be, so my opinion has minimal value lol.

[TurnedTheCorner]

Don't pick up the ring well in advance of proposing - having it in hand will drive you nuts. That's been my experience at any rate.

[bizaro86]

http://www.costco.ca/Browse/Product....-Cat109&topnav=

Maybe something like the above?

[moncton golden flames]

Originally Posted by TurnedTheCorner

Don't pick up the ring well in advance of proposing - having it in hand will drive you nuts. That's been my experience at any rate.

i carried 'the ring' all along the west coast trail for a week, and then a few more days in ucluelet until i had the perfect opportunity to ask her. it was killing me having it on me 24/7 rolled up in a sock at the bottom of the backpack. it was quite the relief to get the chance to ask her.

[Lt.Spears]

Originally Posted by Morning Wood

My gf also has not asked for an exorbitant ring at all, and has no clue about diamond attributes. I am not looking for a "big" rock. I was looking for a 0.5-0.8 carat with decent color (better than G), VS1/VS2 inclusions, and a high quality cut.

You do realize that on the diamond alone, that is a massive range, a .5ct diamond can cost around 1700 bucks, a .8ct diamond is around 3000 bucks.

Might want to narrow your size down a bit more :P

[Lt.Spears]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

6-10k on an engagement ring?? That's alot. No wonder almost 3/4 of income earning Canadians are in debt. I recommend saving most of that for the wedding; however, I've never been married nor want to be, so my opinion has minimal value lol.

Lol, you dont want to spend it on a ring that lasts forever, but rather on a wedding which lasts one day?

That logic never made much sense to me.

Lifetime ring> Day long party

[MarchHare]

Originally Posted by Lt.Spears

Lol, you dont want to spend it on a ring that lasts forever, but rather on a wedding which lasts one day?

That logic never made much sense to me.

Lifetime ring> Day long party

I presume that the cost of the wedding is a fixed (relatively) expense that the couple will be paying for regardless of how much they spend on an engagement ring. It's not like they're "cheaping out" on an engagement ring so they can put the savings into a more lavish wedding.

[Ozy_Flame]

Originally Posted by Lt.Spears

Lol, you dont want to spend it on a ring that lasts forever, but rather on a wedding which lasts one day?

That logic never made much sense to me.

Lifetime ring> Day long party

I said engagement ring - not wedding band. No need to shoot from the hip, cowboy.

Even so, one awesome night to remember > a ring that you'll likely lose down the sink and scare off other chicks with.

[burn_this_city]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

I said engagement ring - not wedding band. No need to shoot from the hip, cowboy.

Even so, one awesome night to remember > a ring that you'll likely lose down the sink and scare off other chicks with.

Women normally wear the engagement ring with the wedding band after they're married.