My friend needs HELP!

[NurseLau84]

I hope I'm posting this in the correct spot...Brandi, feel free to move this if it belongs somewhere else.
Here's the situation: One of our (DH and I) good friends called me last night asking my opinion on rings. Turns out, he wants to propose to his GF of 3 years (who I love!!) within a month or so. He is coming to pick me up on Friday and we're going to head out and look for a nice e-ring. Exciting!!

Now, here's the issue. He has no clue what she likes in terms of diamond shape, etc. (I think she likes my ring because she told me, but maybe that's what people say to be courteous??) I know it will be white gold, but that's all I know right now.

He has a budget limit of $3,000. I've been relentlessly searching the web to see what we could swing for this dollar amount, and the results are so varied that I am getting confused, lol. :bbeek:

I completely understand the carat, cut, clarity, color deal....and how that can affect the price of the product substantially. I am definitely going to advise him to stick with anything in G or above color, and SI1 or above clarity, just because I know someone with an SI1 stone and you really can't see the inclusions w/ the naked eye.

If you have a photo of your e-ring that was purchased within the budget that my friend has, I would love to see a picture of it so that I can see on someone's finger and get a better idea of what I should be looking for. And also, opinions are welcomed as to whether it should be solitaire, 3 stone, and what shape you think is best for someone who hasn't voiced a preference.

Sorry for the novel.....I just want to help my buddy out and make sure his awesome girlfriend loves her surprise! :)

Thanks!!!!!!

[MrsDM]

If I were in his shoes, I would probably opt for a solitaire just because there are so many pretty enchancers that she can pick out something pretty if she wanted more of the channel set/pave look. That is unless you know for a fact that she really likes the pave look on your ring.

[acidcookie]

Well here is mine which I think I saw was purchased for $1800? In any case I know it was less than $3,000. The center stone is a pink sapphire, emerald cut, princess cut diamond on either side, and 4 princess cut channel diamonds on each side. The sapphire is just under 1 carat and all the diamonds combined are just under 1 carat.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e368/acidcookie/engagementring002.jpg

As for opinions? Because you have no idea what she wants, unless he knows that she might be interested in something unique or funky or quirky, I say stick with classics. No cuts like trillion or pear--just stick with a princess or round. Or asscher, which is my favorite cut, and beautiful!

I personally like 3-stones, or at least accent stones because I think a plain solitaire, if it's a large stone, looks unfinished and can look awkward.

[NurseLau84]

Very helpful tips, thank you both!

[MrsDM]

As for opinions? Because you have no idea what she wants, unless he knows that she might be interested in something unique or funky or quirky, I say stick with classics. No cuts like trillion or pear--just stick with a princess or round.

Good point - I have a princess cut, which has always been my favorite. Although, rounds sometimes look a little more sparkly IMHO.

[Jacobs_Girl]

My first E-ring was under $3,000. The diamond was flawless and it was an VVS1 but at .58ct.

Also consider the add on and what places offer what. I particularly like Shane Co. just because they have awesome guarantee's, free ring sizing, free cleanings. They guarantee there work so well that if a diamond falls out and is missing they will replace it for free. Also anytime he wants to upgrade Shane Co. will give u face value for the first ring he bought.

Like I did, my 1st ring was $2,550 without tax, when we went to trade it in for my ring they subtracted the $2,550 and he paid the difference.

I would look for reviews on the store you are going to. How well there customer service is and if they had any problems with loosing rings and such.

I think there was a vent somewhere on here about Jared's?

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z303/b3m3rchic/DSC_0004_resize.jpg

GOOD LUCK!!

[NurseLau84]

Good thinking, Rosalyn! I'll have to check into the store that you use and see if there are any nearby. All of that stuff about upgrading, guarantees, etc. is definitely something to consider.

[RosieAngel]

My ring cost about $5,000, so I can't give advice in pictures, but it might help to go build a ring at BlueNile.com to see what you can get in that general price range! I still love to play there and make $20,000 fantasy e-rings.

As far as what to get... You can't go wrong with a solitaire. It's classic, economical, looks good with just about any wedding band, and it never goes out of fashion. Personally, I think there's a reason why round and princess cuts are by far the most popular, but if he wants to choose something more original, like a marquise, that'll be lovely too.

I was surprised by a non-diamond ring. I really wasn't expecting DH to go that route, but you can get some AMAZING, big, flawless sapphires in every color under the sun for the same price as a small diamond. If your friend knows his girlfriend's favorite color (which he SHOULD, if he's proposing! :lafhard:) this could be a really sweet, alternative way to go.

Some examples (granted, not all are solitaires) of sapphire rings in his price range:

Red:
http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/images/NSC/Jewelry/Ring/J1381_1.jpg

Orange:
http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/images/NSC/Jewelry/Ring/J1419_1.jpg

Yellow:
http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/images/NSC/Jewelry/Ring/J1161_1.jpg

No Green on the site right now, but I know they exist...

Blue:
http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/images/NSC/Jewelry/Ring/J1436_1.jpg

Purple:
http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/images/NSC/Jewelry/Ring/J1445_1.jpg

They also have pink, like acidcookie's gorgeous ring, and pinkish-orange, like mine!

Oh, and here's a star sapphire ring that's really cool:
http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/images/NSC/Jewelry/Ring/J1081_1.jpg

[NurseLau84]

Rosie, I am in love with that yellow sapphire. :soppy:

Thanks so much for all the pictures, I will definitely find out her favorite color...and if he doesn't know, I'll have to kick his a$$. :)

I tend to agree with you on the solitaire thing, and it may be the safest way to go.

[RosieAngel]

Rosie, I am in love with that yellow sapphire. :soppy:

Thanks so much for all the pictures, I will definitely find out her favorite color...and if he doesn't know, I'll have to kick his a$$. :)

I tend to agree with you on the solitaire thing, and it may be the safest way to go.

OMG, I saw that yellow sapphire and fell in love! It's GORGEOUS, especially with the yellow gold! I think that one cost $2500 or something like that.

Too bad it's way too big for my tiny hands! My ring is about half the size of that one, and it feels like I'm hauling around Mount Everest around on my finger. :buck: That's another thing he might want to take into consideration! The bigger the hand, the bigger the stone she can carry gracefully!

[Ninedays9]

I haven't any advice, but I will say that mine is a three stone, princess cut, and I think it was $1500. It's also got little diamonds along the side. I looooove it. I also really like Acidcookie's with the pink in the middle. Very pretty. Mine looks almost identical to hers, except it's all diamond. I personally prefer the princess cut to anything else, though that may not be how she feels.

I have a question that will reveal just how inexperienced I am with jewelry... what does solitaire mean??

[RosieAngel]

I haven't any advice, but I will say that mine is a three stone, princess cut, and I think it was $1500. It's also got little diamonds along the side. I looooove it. I also really like Acidcookie's with the pink in the middle. Very pretty. Mine looks almost identical to hers, except it's all diamond. I personally prefer the princess cut to anything else, though that may not be how she feels.

I have a question that will reveal just how inexperienced I am with jewelry... what does solitaire mean??

Solitaire means that there is just one gem on a simple band. DH calls it "Diamond on a stick!" :lafhard:

[Ninedays9]

Solitaire means that there is just one gem on a simple band. DH calls it "Diamond on a stick!" :lafhard:

Ohhh, thanks! I figured it was that, but I wasn't sure.

[WebLady]

I just skimmed the thread here, but ...

I am not really big on expensive jewelry and don't know a lot about it. Maybe he could try to find a nice loose diamond and then they can go together to pick out a setting and all. Not sure what that would cost though.

[NurseLau84]

Thanks everyone for your great input. Ninedays9- your ring sounds very pretty, and that's definitely in his budget since he wanted to stay at $3k and under.
Brandi- that's also a good thought because it would give them both a chance to be part of the whole thing.

[tha_mrs]

Maybe you and her could make a day to have lunch or so and just go to a ring store and see what she likes.That's how I found my ring. I don't wear jewlery at all. But, I found a ring that I fell in love with and then FH and I was in the mall one day and he wanted to see it in person on my hand. So we went to Kay's.Now he knows what I like.

[Docsgirl]

Or maybe next time you're around her, if she mentions she likes your ring again, you could casually ask her what kind of ring she would like to have if she got married someday. :D

[NurseLau84]

Ok, so I found out the shape she likes---princess. I went out on Thursday to 3 well known chain jewelry stores and was less-than-impressed with the quality of stones they were offering. And, since he wants to do a xmas engagement, we didn't have time to order stones and look at them for a custom ring.

So, we decided to do Blue Nile. They have a 30 day no questions asked money back guarantee. I put together 5 different rings in my friend's price range and this is the one he picked and ordered!!
3848
This Pavé-Set Diamond Cathedral Ring in 18k White Gold has a 0.72 carat Princess-Cut center diamond with Very Good-cut, D-color, and VS2-clarity. With this setting choice, the total carat weight of diamonds for your ring is 0.92.

Total Price: $2,594
I hope she likes it!!! :)

[PGDesigns]

It's beautiful!

[Docsgirl]

Very pretty! I'm sure she'll love it! :D

[Moon.Dust.]

I would take a peek at the jewelry she tends to wear since that'll give you a HUGE hint as to what type of glitters she gravitates towards. Whether real or not there is a style she's intrigued by. Are her pieces big and sparkly? Smaller? Does she have more pieces in a certain cut or design? does she like hand-made pieces? funky? colors? All of this can be determined by checking out her everyday jewelry.

[NurseLau84]

I would take a peek at the jewelry she tends to wear since that'll give you a HUGE hint as to what type of glitters she gravitates towards. Whether real or not there is a style she's intrigued by. Are her pieces big and sparkly? Smaller? Does she have more pieces in a certain cut or design? does she like hand-made pieces? funky? colors? All of this can be determined by checking out her everyday jewelry.

See my last post in this thread. :)
Her e-ring was ordered last night and will be here on the 24th!

[Moon.Dust.]

yeah. I read it AFTER I posted. *sigh*
oh well still good advice.
Glad you guys found her ring!!

[wannabeNurse2]

I'm just glad you avoided Kay Jeweler! I had a terrible time with them! My ring kept falling apart. It had to be sent in numerous times to be fixed. I guess the ring resembled my first marriage lol. They are way over priced too. I get ticked off every time I see their every kiss begins with K commercials. I refuse to let my fiance go there for anything.

[MrsDM]

The ring is very pretty!! I can't wait to see what she thinks of it!!!

I'm just glad you avoided Kay Jeweler! I had a terrible time with them! My ring kept falling apart. It had to be sent in numerous times to be fixed. I guess the ring resembled my first marriage lol. They are way over priced too. I get ticked off every time I see their every kiss begins with K commercials. I refuse to let my fiance go there for anything.

I think everyone on here has had a bad experience at a store for one reason or another. For FH and I personally, he bought and designed my ring there. The service he received there was unbeatable as well as the price. In fact, we can't wait to go and get our bands from there.

I guess it just goes to show you that every store is different :)

[SoonToBeMrsBrown]

I guess it just goes to show you that every store is different :)

I definitely agree, although I had a terrible time with the chain jeweler where we got my first ring (Diamond Expressions) I know of people who swear by them.

[Kay]

The ring you two picked-out and ordered is BEAUTIFUL!! I have seen MUCH "uglier" rings for MUCH MORE!! Great job!! She will be thrilled! I know I would be!!

[NurseLau84]

The ring you two picked-out and ordered is BEAUTIFUL!! I have seen MUCH "uglier" rings for MUCH MORE!! Great job!! She will be thrilled! I know I would be!!

Thanks!! :) I'm so excited to hear about the engagement, I know I'll be waiting for my phone to ring on Thursday.
And thank you all for your help....I truly appreciate it!

[Brian's Bride]

Beautiful ring! Definitely let us know her reaction!!!

[Danielle9608]

My e-ring and wedding ring are from Blue Nile. We had a great experience and I had my ring appraised by and independent company (for insurance purposes) and it appraised from almost double.

[ChristineLS]

You'll have to let us know how it goes :)

[RosieAngel]

Awesome! I'm glad you managed to do some detective work for your friend!

Personally, I'd love a ring like that! She's a very lucky lady!

[NurseLau84]

She loved it!!! Thanks again everyone!