Where to Buy Diamond/Engagement Ring ?
Q.Does anybody have suggestions as to where one can get a decent deal on diamonds/engagement rings? Has anybody encounted, say, a reputable store with exceptionally good prices? I've checked out several on-line stores (bluenile, ashford, etc.) and they all seem to have approximately the same prices. (I'm looking for something simple, probably a plainly-mounted solitaire or three-stone setting.) Also, I have freakishly small finger (size 3). Do you know any place that won't charge extra for ordering an unusual size? There's got to be a huge used market for this sort of things. How does one go about exploring that route without getting ripped off?
A.If you have a Costco membership, they have quite a few rings (ranging from simple to big $$$) for sale. For what it's worth, they guarantee that their diamonds will appraise for at least twice what you pay at Costco. (Don't know how their prices compare; never had need to buy a ring before) Given that when you buy a diamond you are either paying artificially high prices set by the Debeers monopoly or supporting civil war atrocities by buying a blood diamond, I'd consider choosing a symbol other than a diamond to express love. Grieger's in CA used to be a great source of beautiful stones at much lower cost. Haven't bought anything from them in some years-- can't afford much good jewelry these days & got my engagement ring many years ago. I would try searching for them on the web though. I saw some very pretty diamond rings on clearance last week at Walmart, of all places. Was very tempted, but didn't succumb. I was planning to go for no ring at all but my parents balked at that. We came from a culture where engagement ring/present usually very expensive and works as an insurance for the woman (Legally, it goes to her in case of divorce or if the guy backs out from the wedding.) I can understand their unwillingness to completely forego tradition, so I figure a few thousand dollars' worth of ring is a good compromise. My suggestion to anyone who wants to wear a wedding ring is go with a simple gold band. The diamond industry is a big monopoly in the business of manipulating people's emotions. You don't have to buy a diamond to validate your relationship with your spouse. I think diamond engagement rings and double rings look stodgy and passe. These monstrosities are usually done up in white gold as well. Now, it's strictly my view, but I say phooey to white gold. White gold may as well be silver. A gold band looks attractive on the hand, goes with anything you wear, and doesn't snag fabrics. And of course, you are entitled to this opinon. No one is forcing you to wear or purchase a diamond, just as no one is forcing you to offer an answer to the posters questions, rather than to criticize. We now understand that you don't like diamonds & you don't like white gold. Perhaps you also can offer some suggestions as to the type of undies you feel are appropriate for the world to wear. Perhaps we should wear them on the outside to facilitate you checking the choice, too, eh? Do not buy a diamond online. You'll want to go shopping and learn about stones. YOu *can* read up on stones online before you shopping, so you'll have qa littel knowledge under your belt. You'd do the same if you were buying a car or a microwave. Shop that way for a ring, too. Before you leave the house & step anywhere, decide on a budget,. because you don't want to be tempted to buy more than you can afford. Again, these are basic shopping techniques, good for all purchases. Go to a reputable jeweler in your town. Go to a Tiffany's if you have one nearby. That is a lovely place to shop and you may find what you want there. If you live near NY or LA or a large city, there may be a jewelry district where you can visit places that sell loose stones. Things to look for in stones are cut, clarity & color. You want a clear stone, free of defects that can be seen with the naked eye & unenhanced (lasers are used to doctor stones, ask about this when you shop), you want a cut that appeals to you (round, marquise, oval, emerald, etc) & you want as close to a colorless stone as you can afford (assuming you are not looking for a colored stone). Carats, by the way, another thing to be on the lookout for, are the way stones are measured. There is a big jump in prices when you get to 1 full carat or over. There are many lovely things you can buy that are smaller. There is a used market...places that handle estates often carry jewelry, though you may have to be more on your toes in such a situation. In fact, you can check things out on Sotherbys web site. Do a search for diamong rings in the price category you can afford & look at what they have. That'll give you an idea of the used market. In fact, estate jewelry is great place to find a small sized ring, though most rings can be resized for you. No, I am not a jeweler. I look at this from a consumer's view. Be careful, as you would with any pricey purchase. Buy what you like & what you can afford. Go to a reputable dealer. Enjoy shopping.
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