OP Lab diamond

Clean Origin
They have a way to try on different diamonds sizes and shapes with magnets to a setting. It helps get an idea of how things look. So fun. I would go there to do this with your partner before buying anything. You don't have to buy to do this.

Clean origin has a great return policy as well.

No I don't work for them but I did just buy a diamond ring there and I have bought many in my lifetime.

Hunt Country Jewelers if you want Natural or Lab stones. They are in Purcellville VA lovely family-owned business they know their shit. I personally do not like their own designs like on their FB page too over the top for me. But they have made me custom pieces that are simple like a solitaire with a diamond and the workmanship and stone could not be beat. And they will work with you on price for sure. They are extremely honest.

Online ordering Brian Gavin, Clean Origin or Blue Nile, not Brilliant Earth.

1 carat to 1.5 totally beautiful and fine.

Does not have to cost the amounts you are quoting.

Anonymous wrote:I’m 40 and now would totally get a lab ring. I don’t even wear my ring anymore as I got an Amazon ring that was a good match for travel and just wear that instead. Original ring was 1.5 ct on a pave band that was like 12k in 2010.

OP here. She will wear the ring everyday. She has a couple of nice pieces of jewelry and she wears them everyday.

I’m 40 and now would totally get a lab ring. I don’t even wear my ring anymore as I got an Amazon ring that was a good match for travel and just wear that instead. Original ring was 1.5 ct on a pave band that was like 12k in 2010.

OP here. I make a little under 20k month gross and that seems like a lot for a ring. I will spend it if necessary but I prefer to stick to under 30k and ideally $15-25k. Below is what I’m looking into buying.

Shape - round or cushion cut
Carat - 1.5-2 carats
Band - Solitaire, pave, and halo

She wants a very simple plain thin wedding ring.

Ask her. Seriously. Every woman I know who got surprised by an engagement ring was at least slightly disappointed. Most of these women lied to their DH and told them it was gorgeous. If you’re ready to get married, you’re ready to talk to her about how much the two of you want to spend, if she wants to choose the ring herself, and any proposals that would embarrass her. (E.g., I told him ahead of time that the Jumbotron proposal was out.)

20 years ago my DH made about $165K and the ring I chose cost $3,500. It was an estate diamond (.75 carat) and we had it set into a white gold band with two sapphires on the sides.

I'd encourage you to not buy from a regular jewelry store with a huge markup. Costco has probably the best value diamond rings I've seen. And estate diamonds will avoid all the nasty political stuff of "new" diamonds that are sourced under terrible conditions.

Definitely not!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yep. Gross salary, not net.

That is stupid advice. When I got engaged my DH's gross monthly salary was $13,000. 2-3 months salary would be a ring between $26,000-$39,000. Who wants a ring that expensive?!?

Also DH's gross salary is now $38,000 - I would NEVER tell him to get a ring that was 2-3 months salary!

PP here - FWIW my engagement ring is a 1.5 carat ring in platinum and was around $8000 (I think). I wear it every day.

Depends on you and your gfs expectations. I would have been upset if DH spent that much. I got a lovely vintage platinum ring for about $3k and i love it. Married 12 years now.

Anonymous wrote:Yep. Gross salary, not net.

That is stupid advice. When I got engaged my DH's gross monthly salary was $13,000. 2-3 months salary would be a ring between $26,000-$39,000. Who wants a ring that expensive?!?

Also DH's gross salary is now $38,000 - I would NEVER tell him to get a ring that was 2-3 months salary!

Anonymous wrote:I’m going to propose to my lovely gf soon and I’m not sure how much to spend on a ring. Is 2-3 months salary still the normal?

Only DeBeers marketing department can answer this question.

“Normal”? I don’t know what that means. Is it still the guideline Debeers markets? Yes. Is it reasonable or even meaningful in any way? No. Did I want DH to set that big of a budget for my diamond? Yes, I couldn’t help it (I’m culturally susceptible for multiple reasons). Did he? No. Do I love my ring anyway? Yes. And even though it cost more like one month’s salary, it cost too much (even though we could afford more without pain).

My advice? Talk to her about what she wants. Many no longer want a diamond (a very wealthy friend loves purple and wanted an amethyst ring—it cost very little).

With the lab created diamonds, you can spend a lot less and get a very nice ring.

Yep. Gross salary, not net.

I’m going to propose to my lovely gf soon and I’m not sure how much to spend on a ring. Is 2-3 months salary still the normal?