Engagement ring

[megatron]

Well, I've decided to propose to my girlfriend and I'm looking for an engagement ring. The issue is that I want it to a surprise, so I don't want her with me when I purchase the ring. I know the basic style of ring that I'm going to get (and that she likes).

I've done a bit of research on the 4Cs and I know my budget range (3-5K). I would agree with that cut is the most important followed by clarity and colour.

I was just going to go to Spence Diamonds and choose one, because that's what most of my engaged/married friends did. However, after reading the following threads:

http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthread.php?t=74215

http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthread.php?t=71248

http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthread.php?t=54103

http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthread.php?t=38215

http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthread.php?t=11530

http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthread.php?t=60281

I'm not sure anymore. Sounds like the majority of people have had a positive experience with them, but some haven't. I'm heading there tomorrow just to see what they have and to get more educated.

The other thing that struck me was BlueNile.ca. It sounds like quite a few people have had good experiences with ordering from them. Most people said they were able to purchase a higher quality diamond from BlueNile than they would get anywhere else, and that seems attractive to me (since I like getting better value for money). My girlfriend is also about quality, than quantity -- she doesn't want a big ring. I'm willing to investigate this further, but I've never bought anything this expensive online.

Sorry if these questions are a bit ignorant, I'm new to this. Any help is greatly appreciated.

1) How does the process work? Just like a cart/checkout system
and then credit card payment?

2) How can you be sure it's the "right" diamond/ring, if you can't see either (the ring or diamond) in person?

3) Are the rings "ready"? or do they have to be made? If so, how long does that take?

4) How long does it take to ship to you?

5) Is there insurance on the ring when shipped?

6) What if there is something wrong with the ring? Is there some sort of warranty/exchange?

Have I missed anything?

I will be digging more around the site to see if I can answer all of these questions myself.

[HammerHead]

Originally Posted by megatron

The issue is that I want it to a surprise, so I don't want her with me when I purchase the ring.

Does she read calgarypuck??

[Maritime Q-Scout]

What you want to do is go around to the different malls in Calgary and scope out what each has to offer. Some have the same locations, but even then what's inside might be slightly different.

Take your time and find the one that you feel the most comfortable with. Trust yourself in making the right decision, if you leave the decision up to someone else you won't be completely comfortable with it.

Lastly, when you're ready, put your two quarters in and work on getting that crane above the ring, hold you're breath and watch it drop down into the prize slot. Nothing beats the thrill of winning on the mechanical arm game, except for maybe proposing to a loved won with said prize.

[Finner]

My girlfriend says she just wants a manufactured diamond ring. I heard some really good things about these guys:

http://www.diamondnexuslabs.com/

They are basically the real thing, just created in a lab. They are way cheaper, more ethical, and look exactly the same as a top end diamond. You should check them out.

[Ducay]

I proposed last November. Did the whole process. I was going to go with blueNile but the fact you had to pay another jewler to get it set made it not so hot (I didnt like any of the settings bluenile offered).

Wasn't thrilled with Spence either, since the prices look nice, but you end up with a lower quality diamond (which is still fine, doubt most chicks could even tell the difference between SI2 and VS1 anyway. Cut and Color are the most important.

I ended up finding one at Anne Louise Jewelers in Market Mall, they had a lot of unique settings there and I ended up getting a great ring with a matching band.

[Jayems]

I went to Alberta Diamond Exchange and got a great deal and a really nice ring. Friendly staff and knowledgeable.

[DOK]

Ok, I'm only one woman, but HONESTLY, when a girl says she doesn't want a big ring, she's being polite. There's a difference between a ring that's gaudy and gross and a ring that's a nice size and beautiful. As well, I promise you this. We respect the work you men go into as far as quality goes, we adore the fact you worked so hard to get a nearly perfect ring that has so many wonderful qualities. BUT, I can say for the most part, if you can't see the difference, it really doesn't matter. Now, don't go buy some cheap-o thing because I said that, but remember that the ring will be on her finger for the rest of her life. Most likely she will forget all the numbers, sizes and dimensions that you told her all about after giving it to her. She will prize whatever you do get her and cherish it for life. I know it's a good quality as far as those "c"'s go because he said so. It's a good size too because it looks beautiful on me. If anything I'd focus on quality as far as crafstmanship goes, I don't want my diamond falling out, or the band bending. Also, I want to have it sparkle, so buying it somewhere local that offers free cleaning is fun.

Bottom line, if you put two diamond rings together and the price difference is high but it's hard to tell by the eye, then that should/could always be the test. If you can't tell, we can't tell. We don't want you going broke, and I'd rather have a "bigger" diamond that's good quality than a small one that's perfect.

[Jayems]

dn

[Bagor]

I proposed with no ring.

Went out the next couple of weekends shopping for one.

Just me, but if I'm spending a load of coin in something I have no clue about, won't be wearing and feel what constitutes being nice as a bit subjective then I just thought it made more sense to let her pick it.

[Ice]

Originally Posted by Daughterofkinger

Ok, I'm only one woman, but HONESTLY, when a girl says she doesn't want a big ring, she's being polite. There's a difference between a ring that's gaudy and gross and a ring that's a nice size and beautiful. As well, I promise you this. We respect the work you men go into as far as quality goes, we adore the fact you worked so hard to get a nearly perfect ring that has so many wonderful qualities. BUT, I can say for the most part, if you can't see the difference, it really doesn't matter. Now, don't go buy some cheap-o thing because I said that, but remember that the ring will be on her finger for the rest of her life. Most likely she will forget all the numbers, sizes and dimensions that you told her all about after giving it to her. She will prize whatever you do get her and cherish it for life. I know it's a good quality as far as those "c"'s go because he said so. It's a good size too because it looks beautiful on me. If anything I'd focus on quality as far as crafstmanship goes, I don't want my diamond falling out, or the band bending. Also, I want to have it sparkle, so buying it somewhere local that offers free cleaning is fun.

Bottom line, if you put two diamond rings together and the price difference is high but it's hard to tell by the eye, then that should/could always be the test. If you can't tell, we can't tell. We don't want you going broke, and I'd rather have a "bigger" diamond that's good quality than a small one that's perfect.

When you put two rings together inside a jewelry store, you can't tell the difference. Out in the real world, the difference becomes much more obvious. Jewelry stores are specifically lit in such a way to make every diamond in the store reflect the most light possible. This conceals flaws from an untrained eye.

Once you wear a diamond on a regular basis, you will absolutely see the difference between a D quality diamond and an I, J, SI quality diamond. Lower quality diamonds may look fine at first, but they are harder to keep clean and will start to show their flaws.

If you want to get the best value for the money, I'd suggest nothing lower than G quality. You're getting a good quality diamond and more for your money than if you wanted a D. Once you get below G quality, you're going to get a stone with flaws, or even chips.

IMO, quality is more important than size. A smaller diamond that is of higher quality will have more brilliance and appear larger than it is. No matter what the size of the stone is, you're going to wear it for the rest of your life (hopefully) and you should get a quality stone for that kind of committment.

Also to consider, when you get a higher quality stone, its easier to trade up should you decide that you want to put a larger stone in the ring later, should you be in a better financial position, say at a five or ten year anniversary.

I'm one of those girls who said I didn't care if I got a big diamond in my ring, and I meant it. It really made no difference to me.

[First Lady]

Originally Posted by Daughterofkinger

Ok, I'm only one woman, but HONESTLY, when a girl says she doesn't want a big ring, she's being polite. There's a difference between a ring that's gaudy and gross and a ring that's a nice size and beautiful. As well, I promise you this. We respect the work you men go into as far as quality goes, we adore the fact you worked so hard to get a nearly perfect ring that has so many wonderful qualities. BUT, I can say for the most part, if you can't see the difference, it really doesn't matter. Now, don't go buy some cheap-o thing because I said that, but remember that the ring will be on her finger for the rest of her life. Most likely she will forget all the numbers, sizes and dimensions that you told her all about after giving it to her. She will prize whatever you do get her and cherish it for life. I know it's a good quality as far as those "c"'s go because he said so. It's a good size too because it looks beautiful on me. If anything I'd focus on quality as far as crafstmanship goes, I don't want my diamond falling out, or the band bending. Also, I want to have it sparkle, so buying it somewhere local that offers free cleaning is fun.

Bottom line, if you put two diamond rings together and the price difference is high but it's hard to tell by the eye, then that should/could always be the test. If you can't tell, we can't tell. We don't want you going broke, and I'd rather have a "bigger" diamond that's good quality than a small one that's perfect.

Megatron's fiance??

[Suzles]

As a woman's point of view unless you are ABSOLUTELY sure what style of ring she likes I would say that proposing (have some sort of goofy plastic ring to present) and then going shopping together may be the best bet. I have known a few friends that have been stuck with a ring they really didn't like and just ended up wearing their wedding band on its own.

Fleetwood Jewellery in Heritage Square has a lovely selection - he also sells a lot of estate pieces. (I have always loved vintage jewellery.) Family business- nice people.

[Bigtime]

You could also give Brinkhaus a try downtown. It is where I bought my engagement ring a couple of years back.

http://www.brinkhaus.ca/

[4X4]

Originally Posted by Suzles

As a woman's point of view unless you are ABSOLUTELY sure what style of ring she likes I would say that proposing (have some sort of goofy plastic ring to present) and then going shopping together may be the best bet. I have known a few friends that have been stuck with a ring they really didn't like and just ended up wearing their wedding band on its own.

I always figured that'll be my strategy (if I ever decide to stop being an a-hole and actually stick with a girl). She's the one that has to wear it. God help her if she's stuck wearing something I picked out.

[megatron]

Thanks for all the suggestions!

I think I might just propose without a ring and buy it with her -- to make sure she gets one she loves.

[4X4]

Originally Posted by megatron

Thanks for all the suggestions!

I think I might just propose without a ring and buy it with her -- to make sure she gets one she loves.

Do something corny like giving her a ring box with a note that says "Baby, I wanna take you shopping for the ring of your dreams. But you'll have to marry me".

[Claeren]

Originally Posted by Finner

My girlfriend says she just wants a manufactured diamond ring. I heard some really good things about these guys:

http://www.diamondnexuslabs.com/

They are basically the real thing, just created in a lab. They are way cheaper, more ethical, and look exactly the same as a top end diamond. You should check them out.

They don't seem to be the same as real diamonds at all.

In fact, it seems to be just $5.00 cubic zirconia for $100+.

Lots of stuff on the net,
http://www.diamond.info/forum/index.php?showtopic=2456

Pretty nasty overall internet-conversation though.





Claeren.

[twotoner]

I suggest reading

www.niceice.com

Then when you are ready to pull the trigger you won't find better selection or a better price than what is offered here:
www.bluenile.ca

Good Luck!

[Clarkey]

Spence Diamonds is ok, you'll just pay a whole bunch more (probably the same as any mall store). Blue Nile is a good price and quality but you don't get to see the ring.

[twotoner]

Originally Posted by Clarkey

Spence Diamonds is ok, you'll just pay a whole bunch more (probably the same as any mall store). Blue Nile is a good price and quality but you don't get to see the ring.

True. But you do get to read independent certified AGA and/or GIA reports on the specs. Most places in Calgary couldn't show me that. Once you know what specs you want (colour, cut, clarity and size) it just be comes a matter of finding it.

If you want you can buy just the rock and get the ring anywhere else. Anyhow, I'm not like their spokesperson or anything. I just remember three years ago getting all edjumucated up on rocks and then feeling the disappointment going to all the places in Calgary to try and find the diamond I wanted. Only one store had one close to what I wanted in Calgary (Birks downtown) and they wouldn't even let me see it. I figured I saved 40% and didn't have to compromise on anything going with blue nile.