[quote=frankj1]for now, that could change...

anyhoo, a hundred years ago, knowing I would likely be getting engaged in a year or 3, I needed a science course toward my undergraduate degree so i signed up for Minerals and Gemstones 101...pass/fail.

all I wanted to know was how to know a good diamond without hoping I picked a good jeweler.

'bout all I recall, and it turned out to be good info, was the 5 "C"s" (maybe 4?)...stuff like clarity, color, cleavage (relates to the cut), carat(s) and maybe another.

very helpful. especially finding the good jeweler.

Gawd, I was wicked smaht back then. Of course the real gem was the lovely Caren. Hoping you have my luck.[/quote]

A Jewish guy learning about diamonds?

Insert stereotype here.

[whip]

[quote=tailgater]A Jewish guy learning about diamonds?

Insert stereotype here.

[whip] [/quote]

I know, right?

And I'm not even Hassidic.

All I can picture is that little evil creature sayin.....

"My Precious "

Congratulations, you will soon become a diamond expert. All about the 3 C's.

[quote=Hmhaines]Read through everything later tonight, just a quick response: Not getting a diamond, she doesn't like them! [/quote]

Great! Diamond prices are completely artificial and controlled. If that wasn't bad enough, the markup on jewlery is about 600%. IMO, there are far better looking gems than diamonds.

BTW, most wedding ring settings are built to last seven or less years.

[quote=Hmhaines]Read through everything later tonight, just a quick response: Not getting a diamond, she doesn't like them! [/quote]

Tip of a railroad spike maybe?

How much you looking to spend? I have one I purchased that has never been adjusted nor tried on.

[quote=dstieger]I was told by a trusted source to go the CZ route. [/quote]

I've heard good things about the p-07 but you can't go wrong with a 75 sp01

on a serious note

marriage is a great thing

i spent a lot on my wife's ring

if i didn't spend as much she wouldn't have loved me less

but I'm glad i did

(but yea, buy her a cz pistol as well 😇 )

[quote=Thunder.Gerbil]Tip of a railroad spike maybe?[/quote]

Okay Adam....you had me LMAO with that one!!!!

Best of luck to the both of you Harvey!!!!

Look around on Etsy.

I was able to have my wife's Engagement ring custom designed....exactly what she wanted.....by this guy.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/mastergoldcraft?ref=l2-shopheader-name 

The ring is beautiful and I probably paid a 3rd of what I would have paid at a big jeweler.

[quote=Gene363]Great! Diamond prices are completely artificial and controlled. If that wasn't bad enough, the markup on jewlery is about 600%. IMO, there are far better looking gems than diamonds.

BTW, most wedding ring settings are built to last seven or less years.[/quote]

Haha. 600%? You buying from a promotional jeweler?

I did GIA diamond course, worked with manufactures estimating their profit for jewelry bought and in turn figuring my margin as well.

If you think 30-50% margin is too much for a "branded and better brand" jewelry I can't imagine the money I could have banked with a 600% margin.

The cheaper the jewelry store the higher the mark up.

Can't you just weld her something?

[quote=teedubbya]Meh don't listen to this get off my lawn crowd and do what makes you happy.

I bought my wife a very high quality certified diamond then had it placed in a simple setting after researching the thing to death. I went smaller and higher quality rather than larger and lower quality but thats personal choice sort of like the horsepower vs. torque compromise unless money is no object. Its worth more today then when I bought it but that's really not the point because I didn't consider it an investment since I do not intend for it ever to get sold.

If you are going in to it basing your decision on the presumption or possibility that things may fall apart down the road and you don't want to lose money on the ring you shouldn't get married anyway. First of all it points to a bleak view on marriage in general. Secondly it proves you are a dumb ass. The value of the ring means absolutely nothing to you if things do fall apart. She keeps it and does what she wants. At that point you WANT it to be worth less LOL.

It's not a waste of money and I wouldn't change a thing. Boats, campers, booze and cigars are wastes of money LOL.

Congratulations man and enjoy the whole thing. The fact I was able to give my wife something she loves to this day is very meaningful to me. It's worth the smile alone. Besides I'm Irish and had to compensate for some other issues and the fact that the diameter of my weiner is roughly the same as her ring finger and I'm a fast finisher means the ring can serve dual benefits.[/quote]

That's pretty much how I did it. I did my research on diamonds, not only learned about the basics, but specifics of an ideal cut as far as table size and depth (though I don't remember what those numbers are now).

Then I hunted till I found a GIA certified one inside of spec. She gets comments all the time about how much it sparkles now.

Her mom looked at it and thought it was fake at first until she finally found a tiny inclusion, then was like, oh wow.

I don't think it was a waste, she loves her ring.

I disagree though on booze and cigars... totally NOT a waste of money!

Harvey, if you haven't reached out to Hoyodude yet, this might be the time.

[quote=Hmhaines]Heading to a jeweler to start the whole Engagement Ring process. When did I become an adult?

[/quote]

?list=RDLavssZC4R2s

The best designed ring are old estate rings made of platinum with the old style diamonds which are not very clear...you see them at antique estate jewelers stores...they are called "coal diamonds"

And the fillagree metal work cannot be matched by today's craftsmen except for ones trained in fixing them...it is almost a lost art...

Go to NYC or philly's "jeweler's row" ( if you live anywhere close) to a

Hebrew jeweler ...and haggle the price...

Or

Diamond rings or loose Diamonds handed down through families are usually

Good luck and can be reset into new rings.

The best designed ring are old estate rings made of platinum with the old style diamonds which are not very clear...you see them at antique estate jewelers stores...they are called "coal diamonds"

And the fillagree metal work cannot be matched by today's craftsmen except for ones trained in fixing them...it is almost a lost art...

Go to NYC or philly's "jeweler's row" ( if you live anywhere close) to a

Hebrew jeweler ...and haggle the price...

Or

Diamond rings or loose Diamonds handed down through families are usually

Good luck and can be reset into new rings.

I love how all-over-the-place you guys are!

I've been hoping to make the ring myself, but I don't think I can cast Platinum well enough without an education. I'd rather at least design the ring and know it was well made.

Maybe her distaste for diamonds will dissipate down the road, I'll do something for her then if need be. That's a nice anniversary gift!

No big wedding, just us maybe. Kind of excited about that. If we do have people, it'll be ten or fifteen max. I've only got three or four people I'd invite.

There's always a chance of things going wrong, but I love her deeply and I know she loves me, and I do want to spend my life with her. Willing to take whatever risk there might be, even though I don't think there is one.

[quote=Hmhaines]I love how all-over-the-place you guys are!

I've been hoping to make the ring myself, but I don't think I can cast Platinum well enough without an education. I'd rather at least design the ring and know it was well made.

Maybe her distaste for diamonds will dissipate down the road, I'll do something for her then if need be. That's a nice anniversary gift!

No big wedding, just us maybe. Kind of excited about that. If we do have people, it'll be ten or fifteen max. I've only got three or four people I'd invite.

There's always a chance of things going wrong, but I love her deeply and I know she loves me, and I do want to spend my life with her. Willing to take whatever risk there might be, even though I don't think there is one.

[/quote]

They all want a diamond, even if they tell you they don't.