Diamond ring advice?

[hannism]

Hey everyone.

I've learned so much about watches in general thanks to this forum, other watch forums, instagram and reddit.

I'm thinking to get my wife a diamond ring and a Rolex (Datejust 36). We've been married for 14 years, this year. I never was able to get her a diamond ring before as I didn't make a lot.

By no means do I know a lot about Rolexes, but I have a lot of sources to get advice.

I don't know where to go to learn about diamonds. I've heard that jewelry is marked up 70% or so. So, does anyone have any websites or forums that they can recommend to me.

I'm trying to learn as much as I can about diamonds, getting a good deal, how not to get ripped off, maybe getting an uncut diamond and getting it cut/polished by a jeweler, etc.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

[Abdullah71601]

Jewelry is marked up a lot more than 70% and diamonds have a lot of options.

What does she want? You can’t do anything until you know the answer to that question.

[hannism]

Well, when a guy buys an engagement ring for his fiancee, does he get her opinion on the ring?

I was under the impression, no.

But, to answer your questions, I don't really know what she wants.

I don't know what's out there.

My thoughts are if I learn as much as I can about diamond rings like watches, then I can be fairly knowledgable and educated.

Maybe, my thought process is flawed.

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by hannism

Well, when a guy buys an engagement ring for his fiancee, does he get her opinion on the ring?

I was under the impression, no.

But, to answer your questions, I don't really know what she wants.

I don't know what's out there.

My thoughts are if I learn as much as I can about diamond rings like watches, then I can be fairly knowledgable and educated.

Maybe, my thought process is flawed.

Yes. Usually she picks it out.

[Starwalker]

Check pricescope and bluenile.com to find out what is available in your budget. Then go to your local jeweller.....ask to show you a few stones that AGS or GIA certified...ask him what discount he can do against the rappaport price per carat. Aim for about 25%....whatever you choose make sure the cut is excellent, color don't go below G/H....clarity don't go below VS1 or VVS2. As for the costs of mounting the stone...see if you get a discount on that. And there you are. Round's are generally more expensive, due to their being more wastage in cutting the diamond. If you get a round, then try to get a slightly larger table size....it'll make the diamond look a bit bigger. Hope this helps......if you want her input then go to a few shops to see what kind of stone she likes.

[s14roller]

Originally Posted by Starwalker

Check pricescope and bluenile.com to find out what is available in your budget. Then go to your local jeweller.....ask to show you a few stones that AGS or GIA certified...ask him what discount he can do against the rappaport price per carat. Aim for about 25%....whatever you choose make sure the cut is excellent, color don't go below G/H....clarity don't go below VS1 or VVS2. As for the costs of mounting the stone...see if you get a discount on that. And there you are. Round's are generally more expensive, due to their being more wastage in cutting the diamond. If you get a round, then try to get a slightly larger table size....it'll make the diamond look a bit bigger. Hope this helps......if you want her input then go to a few shops to see what kind of stone she likes.

So I agree with a lot of this. Focus on what the eye can see which is size and sparkle. I also would only be looking at a GIA triple excellent (excellent cut, excellent polish, excellent symmetry). Color "I" is actually the cut off for me, and believe it also is for Tiffany and Cartier (I know for sure I have seen H at Tiffany so it's either H or I cutoff). As for clarity, I have seen a ton of eye clean SI1s so that is where the bang for buck is, definitely no higher than VS2. Table size, that's more of a preference even though I also prefer a larger table, but anywhere 52-58% will do. You also don't want fluorescence, but if it's mild and the color is not too colorless, then it's fine but the price should reflect a discount.

I think if you're looking for an easy safe choice that will perform well, go with a GIA triple ex, H+, and VS2. Again, SI1 is really where the bang for buck is, but you'll need to go through some diamonds and make sure it's eye clean.

GL.

[77T]

Some ideas would not fit "getting a good deal" - custom cutting a raw diamond is outside 99% of retail jeweler's skillset.

Maybe the ring should be more like an anniversary style than a solitaire engagement style? Eclectic design/cut diamonds and numerous.

For example:

[Laszlo]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

Yes. Usually she picks it out.

Ditto.

[GB-man]

Do yourself a favor and let your wife choose the ring. Would you want her picking out your forever watch?

[Thatguy]

Originally Posted by GB-man

Do yourself a favor and let your wife choose the ring. Would you want her picking out your forever watch?

This 100%


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[bdex75]

Wander into a couple jewelry stores to “look at watches” and let her go look at rings. Take note of what she is looking at.

Some women can be touchy about this subject. My wife originally was so attached to the ring that we exchanged at our wedding ceremony she would never part with it. It was a smaller marquis ring as we were broke and married in the 90’s. She has since “upgraded” it twice.

We are now at a 1.5 ct round, G color, vvs2, excellent cut. It is a beautiful stone.


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[cop414]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

Yes. Usually she picks it out.

Originally Posted by GB-man

Do yourself a favor and let your wife choose the ring. Would you want her picking out your forever watch?

Have to agree here, let her in on the decision.

[gwalker]

Unless it’s a family heirloom let them help you out. It’s not like picking out where to eat.


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[brandrea]

Well, I think it entirely depends on how well you know your wife. As others have said, “let her choose” is the safest bet and it’s hard to argue ...

Having said that, I know my wife extremely well and her taste in jewelry and fashion. I picked out her ring after doing tons of research on the 5 c’s.

I also know my wife well enough that she’d tell me if she wasn’t absolutely thrilled with the choice

So, if you’re a romantic like me, pick it out yourself and row a bit of caution to the wind

[Etschell]

i disagree. if you know your wife pick it out then show her.

my wife knows one thing. gold rolex submariner ceramic.

[77T]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Well, I think it entirely depends on how well you know your wife. As others have said, “let her choose” is the safest bet and it’s hard to argue ...

Yes I agree with this advice. Long after the memory of a surprise wears off, if she stifled ant disappointment, she'd be reminded of it for years to come. (Not Brian's spouse - but OP's might)

Also, remember the times we live in - if it's too big, she would worry about attracting bad actors while running mundane errands.

[BBL]

Originally Posted by hannism

Hey everyone.

I've learned so much about watches in general thanks to this forum, other watch forums, instagram and reddit.

I'm thinking to get my wife a diamond ring and a Rolex (Datejust 36). We've been married for 14 years, this year. I never was able to get her a diamond ring before as I didn't make a lot.

By no means do I know a lot about Rolexes, but I have a lot of sources to get advice.

I don't know where to go to learn about diamonds. I've heard that jewelry is marked up 70% or so. So, does anyone have any websites or forums that they can recommend to me.

I'm trying to learn as much as I can about diamonds, getting a good deal, how not to get ripped off, maybe getting an uncut diamond and getting it cut/polished by a jeweler, etc.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Originally Posted by hannism

Well, when a guy buys an engagement ring for his fiancee, does he get her opinion on the ring?

I was under the impression, no.

But, to answer your questions, I don't really know what she wants.

I don't know what's out there.

My thoughts are if I learn as much as I can about diamond rings like watches, then I can be fairly knowledgable and educated.

Maybe, my thought process is flawed.

My longtime jeweller has the most amazing finds on estate diamond rings... and prices are lower than a 'never worn' diamond. My spouse and I loved his estate collection, and affordable - so one followed us home. It went something like this: went for another reason, while waiting did some perusing, and voila, there it was!

If you google 'estate diamond rings', see examples (not promoting any particular website)


But as others above, more informed than me about diamond business, have said: know the quality of the diamond and know a reputable jeweler.
Choose together.

[hannism]

You guys are definitely right, and have me a lot of new perspectives to think about.

I’ll let my wife choose the ring.

The analogy of her picking my watch is spot on. I wouldn’t want her to do that.

I guess it wouldn’t hurt for me to be more educated about the whole process so I don’t get suckered & ripped off.

But, in the end, what she picks will be her choice.


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[Fabrice M]

Diamonds is the biggest marketing scam ever. Their prices are completely superficials. Years ago the Debeer group who control the world diamond market convinced everyone that to show your love you needed to buy the biggest diamond you could afford, the guideline then was 2 month salary. I think there are other gemstone that are actually rarer such as emerald or sapphire that may be worth a look....

[Ballzzz]

^100% true it is a scam and unfortunately many of today's females are true believers in said scam.

I funded the scam with my fiances stone lol (SUCKER)

[returntorolex]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Having said that, I know my wife extremely well and her taste in jewelry and fashion. I picked out her ring after doing tons of research on the 5 c’s.
:

I’m aware of only four Cs....what is the fifth?

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by returntorolex

I’m aware of only four Cs....what is the fifth?

Cut, carat, clarity, colour, certification

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[returntorolex]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Cut, carat, clarity, colour, certification

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What WILL they think of next....

[hannism]

I thought I had replied earlier, but I guess not. I’m going to listen to everyone’s advice.

I’ll let my wife pick out the ring, and that way she’ll get what she wants.

I still have some learning to do, but I’m so glad I posted here.




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[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by hannism

I thought I had replied earlier, but I guess not. I’m going to listen to everyone’s advice.

I’ll let my wife pick out the ring, and that way she’ll get what she wants.

I still have some learning to do, but I’m so glad I posted here.




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Go to the Blue Nile website and learn a little about diamond prices. You aren’t going to become an expert, but you’ll be able to ask the right questions at the jewelers. Knowing the ballpark price of the stone and materials will get you an idea of the making price and markup, which will help you negotiate the sale price.

You want the missus to get what she wants, but you need to walk away knowing you bought it right.

[newbee1]

I guess you already know about 5Cs by now. When I chose a diamond, there are the factors I looks for.

1. Color: For me, diamond color is the most important and it should not be less than G. My preference is always between D,E or F which is colorless. G is the least acceptable color for me but never lower than that as it’ll bring a slight color in the stone which I personally don’t like.

2. Clarity: I like SI1 clarity or higher. Anything less than SI1 is easily noticeable by naked eyes.

3. Cut: it depends on person to person. Round brilliance is most popular as round diamond always appears bigger than any other cut of same carat size. I personally like emerald cut diamond but it’s a personal preference. If the cut grading ( not too shallow or too deep) is higher, diamond reflects more light.

4. Carat: it depends on your budget, usually diamond looks good in 1 carat or above.

5. Certification: this is usually tricky as same stone will be graded different by different jewelers or certification. GIA is the most reputed one and usually grade a stone conservatively. A GIA SI2 stone will most probably be graded as SI1 or VS2 by other certification or jeweler. In short, GIA graded stone will always be better.

Once you have the right stone, selecting a ring will be easy.

Hope it helps.


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[Art 1]

Look into pink diamonds. Wife just bought some and one is on its way from Israel.

[Fat_ninja]

DeBeers just decided to sell man made diamonds that are better than natural to protect their diamond business. If you are okay with it you can get some massive diamonds for sub $10k. Man made and natural are both diamond except one has flaws