Anonymous
Post 11/17/2015 09:44     Subject: Does it have to be a diamond?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:My DH got me a Ruby surrounded in diamonds engagement ring. Loved it.


That's,my ring too. Need to lose some weight so I can wear it again! I love it.


Don't wait, get it resized!
Anonymous
Post 11/17/2015 09:13     Subject: Does it have to be a diamond?
I have a sapphire with two small diamond side stones. I love it--so much prettier to me than a diamond, and more flattering on my hand.

I haven't had any issues with it chipping, and I wear it every day. I get compliments on it from random strangers every once in a while. I figure if it's good enough for British royalty, it's good enough for a commoner like me!

Also, I would totally get a ring from Costco. They have great buying power and I bet you get more for your money.
Anonymous
Post 11/17/2015 08:37     Subject: Does it have to be a diamond?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Has anyone bought an engagement ring from Costco? How does the quality compare to others? My understanding is that it comes with a GIA or IGI certificate for the diamond. I just don't really understand when they say "I" or better for the color. Why wouldn't it just state what the color really is?

I think I am looking for a diamond that is higher than "I" but I'm not totally sure. I have seen the internet flow charts for gradation of the color scale. Doesn't help me that much.


The rumor is Costco diamonds are much nicer than the stated grading. I think they use new or student gemologists, and they tend to be very conservative in how they apply the color, cut, etc. So, the listed attributes are the very minimum you receive. They only real negative I can think of, is with sizing. Most Costco rings can only be sized a certain amount.

look at Blue Nile to get an idea of pricing and compare to Costco.


My best friend's engagement ring came from Costco (14 yrs ago) and it's beautiful.
Anonymous
Post 11/17/2015 08:28     Subject: Does it have to be a diamond?
Anonymous wrote:Has anyone bought an engagement ring from Costco? How does the quality compare to others? My understanding is that it comes with a GIA or IGI certificate for the diamond. I just don't really understand when they say "I" or better for the color. Why wouldn't it just state what the color really is?

I think I am looking for a diamond that is higher than "I" but I'm not totally sure. I have seen the internet flow charts for gradation of the color scale. Doesn't help me that much.


The rumor is Costco diamonds are much nicer than the stated grading. I think they use new or student gemologists, and they tend to be very conservative in how they apply the color, cut, etc. So, the listed attributes are the very minimum you receive. They only real negative I can think of, is with sizing. Most Costco rings can only be sized a certain amount.

look at Blue Nile to get an idea of pricing and compare to Costco.
Anonymous
Post 11/17/2015 06:54     Subject: Does it have to be a diamond?
I've seen some lovely rings with colored stones - I think it's more important to: a) stay within budget you neither of you resents the ring purchase over time and b) pick something that suits the recipient then it is to buy a certain stone or spend a certain amount.
Anonymous
Post 11/17/2015 06:23     Subject: Does it have to be a diamond?
Anonymous wrote:My DH got me a Ruby surrounded in diamonds engagement ring. Loved it.


That's,my ring too. Need to lose some weight so I can wear it again! I love it.
Anonymous
Post 11/16/2015 22:58     Subject: Does it have to be a diamond?
My first marriage I had a 3 carat diamond. It was so not me. I hated that ring with s passion.

I've been with my SO for a year and will likely get engaged over the holidays. I've picked out a pear shaped emerald surrounded by diamonds. It's more me and love it.
Anonymous
Post 11/16/2015 17:35     Subject: Does it have to be a diamond?
Anonymous wrote:Not for me. I got a Moissanite (at my request) and LOVE it. I did extensive, extensive research and don't regret my choice one bit. I don't go around telling everyone it isn't diamond (because who goes around talking about their ring constantly?), but when it comes up, I'm happy to tell others about it.

I have friends with verrrrrry nice diamonds and even they say there is no way they can tell the difference. They say they still prefer diamond but they can't tell the difference.

Mine is a solitaire square brilliant engagement ring (1.1 ct equivalent which is pretty standard for our social group, so not flashier than we could afford) and a half-eternity band. Both are palladium, which I am also extremely pleased with, even after having it resized. I was worried it would be hard to find someone to work on it, but it wasn't. Behaves just like platinum but is the weight of gold.


How much did he/you save by chooseing the mossanite?
Anonymous
Post 11/16/2015 17:29     Subject: Does it have to be a diamond?
Anonymous wrote:What other stones have others proposed with/received? What are the alternatives that are "acceptable" prestige as diamonds without having the crazy diamond price tag?


I have a wonderful ruby. Love it, it is my birth stone. Roommate at the time has beautiful sapphire.
Anonymous
Post 11/16/2015 17:22     Subject: Does it have to be a diamond?
We chose sapphire. Still looks as good as new 15 years later.
Anonymous
Post 11/16/2015 17:17     Subject: Does it have to be a diamond?
Not for me. I got a Moissanite (at my request) and LOVE it. I did extensive, extensive research and don't regret my choice one bit. I don't go around telling everyone it isn't diamond (because who goes around talking about their ring constantly?), but when it comes up, I'm happy to tell others about it.

I have friends with verrrrrry nice diamonds and even they say there is no way they can tell the difference. They say they still prefer diamond but they can't tell the difference.

Mine is a solitaire square brilliant engagement ring (1.1 ct equivalent which is pretty standard for our social group, so not flashier than we could afford) and a half-eternity band. Both are palladium, which I am also extremely pleased with, even after having it resized. I was worried it would be hard to find someone to work on it, but it wasn't. Behaves just like platinum but is the weight of gold.
Anonymous
Post 11/16/2015 17:03     Subject: Does it have to be a diamond?
I have a CZ and love it.

Also look into Moissanite. Many women, especially on WeddingBees love the stone.
Anonymous
Post 11/16/2015 17:00     Subject: Does it have to be a diamond?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:So you're saying with other stones it generally can't take the wear and tear of diamonds for everyday wear? Do you regret the sapphire choice and wish you had gone for diamond instead? Any intention to replace with diamond ring in the nearby future, or no longer important?

Is the right hand ring a religious tradition, or personal preference?


Right hand is typical for most Europeans. Also, many left handed people prefer the right hand.


pp here. You all misunderstood. I meant that I wear it daily on my right hand (ie not my engagement ring). Right hand ring is a term for the one you wear on your right hand but not the wedding band. The sapphire actually has about 3-4 chips. They're not incredibly big, but I can feel them with my fingernail and can see them. No chips whatsoever on my diamond. I think that's the main reason that diamonds are very popular for rings. Rings get a LOT of wear and tear.


Something like the amora gem is almost as hard and much cheaper. Remember that diamonds are 4x harder than sapphires, so there's plenty of wiggle room in between. http://www.prosumerdiamonds.com/amora-gem-review/
Anonymous
Post 11/16/2015 16:58     Subject: Re:Does it have to be a diamond?
Diamonds are overpriced. I'd choose another white sparkly stone. I
Anonymous
Post 11/16/2015 16:55     Subject: Does it have to be a diamond?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:So you're saying with other stones it generally can't take the wear and tear of diamonds for everyday wear? Do you regret the sapphire choice and wish you had gone for diamond instead? Any intention to replace with diamond ring in the nearby future, or no longer important?

Is the right hand ring a religious tradition, or personal preference?


Right hand is typical for most Europeans. Also, many left handed people prefer the right hand.


pp here. You all misunderstood. I meant that I wear it daily on my right hand (ie not my engagement ring). Right hand ring is a term for the one you wear on your right hand but not the wedding band. The sapphire actually has about 3-4 chips. They're not incredibly big, but I can feel them with my fingernail and can see them. No chips whatsoever on my diamond. I think that's the main reason that diamonds are very popular for rings. Rings get a LOT of wear and tear.