Engagement Ring Advice

[ernie]

6-10k on a ring? Wow. Pull back on the diamond size to something smaller and concentrate on a unique design. Also take into account what your future wife does for a living. Diamonds sitting up on the finger can be a huge pain in the ass for anyone who spends all day pulling on gloves (scientists, nurses, doctors etc).

As mentioned numerous times save the money for something far more useful as you start (continue) your lives together. There will be plenty of time to by big diamonds etc later in your life.

[wayzeted]

Hey,
I bought my fiancee a ring online and I HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend buying online to save money. She loves the ring. Even though I didn't know anything about diamonds or rings, it was super easy. Their customer service helped me pick out the diamond. I got mine online at James Allen http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/ Their prices are great and they have free shipping and free returns. They also have very impressive crystal clear enlarged photos of the diamond and the ring. So you kinda know exactly what you're getting.

Of course you are nervous of forking over thousands of dollars online, but it's perfectly safe with a big well known company, Like James Allen or Blu nile. Don't ever buy from some obscure site no one has ever heard of.

Most people i know still buy at stores because they don't know about online jewelers or they're too afraid to buy a big ticket item online. With the good sites, it's very easy. And they have people you can call who will walk you through everything.

good luck and congrats dude!

[iggyntangs]

Hi all, in a bit of a bind so thought I'd ask CP faithful if anyone has any advice.

I purchased an engagement ring from People's and I was promised that I would have the ring by the weekend, however they are now telling me that I won't have it until Wednesday.

Unfortunately I planned a lot around this and am going to Banff tonight and was wanting to propose during dinner...does anyone have any ideas of what I could do?

We've already picked out the ring and such, but I wanted the proposal itself to be a surprise...has anyone been in this situation before?

Other alternatives? I know it's not ideal, but could I ask the store for an "alternate" ring for the purposes of proposing before the real ring comes in?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

[AcGold]

I don't know about you guys but 6k for a stone that's not actually rare seems like a scam to me

[sun]

Originally Posted by iggyntangs

Hi all, in a bit of a bind so thought I'd ask CP faithful if anyone has any advice.

I purchased an engagement ring from People's and I was promised that I would have the ring by the weekend, however they are now telling me that I won't have it until Wednesday.

Unfortunately I planned a lot around this and am going to Banff tonight and was wanting to propose during dinner...does anyone have any ideas of what I could do?

We've already picked out the ring and such, but I wanted the proposal itself to be a surprise...has anyone been in this situation before?

Other alternatives? I know it's not ideal, but could I ask the store for an "alternate" ring for the purposes of proposing before the real ring comes in?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

I think you're better off proposing a different weekend than using a dummy ring this weekend. Especially if she already knows what the ring looks like, she might be disappointed she can't wear the real one?

Pretty lame situation though. What explanation did People's give for the delay?

[TheyCallMeBruce]

A friend of mine left a pamplet (either he created it, or it was a real pamplet) about how all diamonds come from debeers, and therefore, are all conflict diamonds. There are images of dead children, villages being burned to the ground, and executions. He left this strategically on the coffee table. When she asked about it, he claimed that the pamplet came with the mail. It totally worked.

[iggyntangs]

Originally Posted by sun

I think you're better off proposing a different weekend than using a dummy ring this weekend. Especially if she already knows what the ring looks like, she might be disappointed she can't wear the real one?

Pretty lame situation though. What explanation did People's give for the delay?

Miscommunication? Sucks too because I paid extra to have it rush-ordered.

It's unfortunate I really wanted to do it in this time frame since it's our anniversary and I wanted that to be the surprise.

[Winsor_Pilates]

Pretty poor service by them. I think alternative ring is your only choice if you're not willing to pick another date.

[squiggs96]

Get a ring pop for like 25 cents and use that. It's so far away from a regular ring, that she won't be disappointed that you didn't get the ring that she wanted. It's a novelty item, that you can quickly explain. It could also be funny for her to show off the ring that you just gave her, or to see the looks of the waiters at the restaurant. They might even feel sorry for her and she gets free dessert. If you get someone to take pictures of it, it could be a really neat story.

And the best part is, at the end of the night she has something to suck on.

[Sliver]

A ring pop would be the cheesiest thing you could possibly do in this situation. I'd get a loaner from People's and stick with the plan.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by AcGold

I don't know about you guys but 6k for a stone that's not actually rare seems like a scam to me

Hey good for you, but that does not help him. So unless you have something useful to add, then keep it to yourself.

[ernie]

Not sure this is advice but presumably you know the woman better than anyone else so I'd say take a step back and assess how much the presence of the actual ring will mean to the occassion. Will the night be "ruined" because the actual ring isn't there or will it be a minor inconvenience as after all the occassion is really about the committment. (not judging anyone if they believe the actual ring plays a big part or that it says something about commitment etc. Some have these moments planned for years and want it to be exactly that way...this goes for both sexes. Others are much more casual and can roll with the punches).

Now once you have that question answered you ask the second question...do I use a loaner ring, some other form of jewlery or simply no ring at all?

Again you know her best.

Essentially, I understand the "panic" you are likely feeling. Even though you know what the answer is going to be to the question you ask there is always that nagging "what if" and it is nerve racking for many. Things aren't going to plan! etc etc etc.

Step back.

Take a breath.

Take another breath.

Think about who this person you are proposing to really is.

You know the proper decision. Trust it.

[verda13]

Not sure if this helps, but from what I understand, you can buy the fake rings (cubic zirconia) at Spence for $100 or so. They have thousands in stock and you could probably find one that's close to identical as the one that is delayed.

Just an idea.

[Locke]

[automaton 3]

Originally Posted by Husky

If you are any sort of labour person I would avoid these types of metals...as they cannot be cut like a traditional ring from gold/alloy.

A bit OT - but a friend lost his ring finger due to getting his wedding band caught while hopping down from a D9.

He is constantly rubbing the stump due to the phantom pain.

I left my ring off when I worked in the trades, my wife was all for it.

[DownhillGoat]

^getting a ring caught is definitely a concern.

The titanium rings not being able to be cut off however is completely false. A convenient story to tell shoppers to sell a more expensive metal.

http://www.snopes.com/weddings/horrors/titanium.asp

[TheyCallMeBruce]

Buy her an engagement skull!

[Hanni]

Originally Posted by automaton 3

A bit OT - but a friend lost his ring finger due to getting his wedding band caught while hopping down from a D9.

He is constantly rubbing the stump due to the phantom pain.

I left my ring off when I worked in the trades, my wife was all for it.

Originally Posted by kunkstyle

^getting a ring caught is definitely a concern.

The titanium rings not being able to be cut off however is completely false. A convenient story to tell shoppers to sell a more expensive metal.

http://www.snopes.com/weddings/horrors/titanium.asp

The extra frustrating thing I found wedding ring shopping recently relating to this is (and I know I shouldn't be surprised) that sales people have no idea what they are talking about and you get different information from different stores.

[iggyntangs]

Thanks everyone for the advice,

I have decided after much deliberation to put it off and propose when I have the ring.

Yes I put a lot of time and effort to make this night work, but I'd rather make the night truly memorable for the right reasons and have the ring I wanted when I do ask her.

Thanks again to everyone for the advice and suggestions!

[steveo]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

Hey good for you, but that does not help him. So unless you have something useful to add, then keep it to yourself.

This is your reply to the original post on first page

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

don't

That's pretty useful too.