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Engagement Ring Advice Needed

get her a Chizik coin they're very rare and super cheap

:jimlad:

plus you can melt it to a ring...win-win for her and iowa state fans everywhere
 
guitarchitect7 said:
To me size wasn't a concern. So providing something more priceless in quality instead of a yellow scratched up rock was more meaningful.
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I don't know, My wife has had it for 4 years and wears it everyday. It still looks like a diamond and not some yellow scratched up rock like you say. Also, she helped me pick it out and agreed with my analysis, that you could not tell the difference between the two with a naked eye, so it wasn't worth the extra money.

I can see looking at it from your perspective too, I was just wondering if anyone else felt the same as me on this topic.
 
My brother in law hooked me up with a wholesale diamond broker in downtown Chicago (the guy is a regular at the 5 star restaurant that my BIL manages). He has some jewelry designers that do contract work for him as well. Went and picked out my diamond and got all the papers to certify it etc and then he took me to one of his designers and they designed a custom band for it based upon what I told them she liked. When comparing quality and size that I got it ended up being about 1/3 of what it would of cost me at a jewelry store plus it is a one of a kind ring which my wife loves knowing that no one has her exact ring.

Sounds shady I know but it wasn't at all. It was a great experience. It was crazy walking into this guys safe in his office in Chicago and knowing that I was standing next to millions of dollars worth of just diamonds.

If you can fall into a situation like that you won't regret it.
 
peteypie said:
I don't know, My wife has had it for 4 years and wears it everyday. It still looks like a diamond and not some yellow scratched up rock like you say. Also, she helped me pick it out and agreed with my analysis, that you could not tell the difference between the two with a naked eye, so it wasn't worth the extra money.

I can see looking at it from your perspective too, I was just wondering if anyone else felt the same as me on this topic.
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In that case, you both got exactly what you wanted and that's the most important thing.
 
I have a co-worker which is trying to sell her wedding ring due to a divorce. She is selling it for $1800, but could exchange for store credit (up to $2400) at a family owned jeweler in Des Moines. You would only need to pay $1800 to her and pick out anything you wanted in the store up to $2400 and you cover the remaining if more. Let me know if interested.
 
Buy online. Any store you walk into, you will pay twice as much and have to watch the salespeople play with your emotions. Got mine at James Allen website. Cuts way through the BS.
 
twa5786 said:
Fanatics - I'm well underway in the engagement ring process, and I was wondering if any of you had any experience negotiating diamond and/or band prices, and what your advice would be in that department?

I'm avoiding the mall stores, so I can eliminate that aspect.
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Run for your life.
 
I went to Anglo and dealt with the owner, Scott. He custom designed the ring for me. No pressure, very informative and actually talked me into a diamond that was significantly less than the one I originally wanted.

I went to Jared's-- they tried to screw me and get me signed up for all this crap.
Went to Helzberg-- tried selling me this 2 ct., price point was spot on. Before even looking under the microscope, i could clearly see the flaws. Lady tried smooth talking, but too late.
Went to Josephs -- only place, other than Anglo I would have bought from. Prices were slightly steeper and wouldn't design me a custom ring at the price i wanted.

Going to an Anglo or Josephs is your best bet. Mall stores just want your purchase and try and screw you-- could care less if you come back. The Anglos and Josephs want your business for life.
 
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I would recommend Hermans Fine Jewelry in West Des Moines. They have always treated us fairly and are very nice folks in spite of their goofy commercials.
 
twa5786 said:
Fanatics - I'm well underway in the engagement ring process, and I was wondering if any of you had any experience negotiating diamond and/or band prices, and what your advice would be in that department?

I'm avoiding the mall stores, so I can eliminate that aspect.
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If you can get to Chicago go to jewelers row on Wabash and buy a loose diamond and have it set in a ring. I went to Merry Richards Jewelers there and feel really good about the decision. There are a ton of places though all south of Randolph on Wabash. Best deals in my mind to do it that way.
 
Go work out a jewerly store (e.g. Jared) for holiday help and get the employee discount. My wife used to work at one and i got her ring for 80% off the sticker price. Mark up is HUGE!!!!!
 
I went to Kay's and wasn't all that pleased. Ended up getting my fiance's ring from Boysons (Cedar Rapids) they are great, I would highly suggest the local places. I also used blue nile as a guide as to what I am ordering.

Might be a little old fashioned but I wasn't comfortable spending $2,500 on something before even seeing it in person.
 
wxman1 said:
I went to Kay's and wasn't all that pleased. Ended up getting my fiance's ring from Boysons (Cedar Rapids) they are great, I would highly suggest the local places. I also used blue nile as a guide as to what I am ordering.

Might be a little old fashioned but I wasn't comfortable spending $2,500 on something before even seeing it in person.
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Only $2,500? Man, she must not be that important to you!



:jimlad::jimlad::jimlad:
 
Bought one many years ago at Anglo, when they still had a little space above a bank in Urbandale (I think).

Only advice my dad had was, "Make sure you're sure about this (proposing) because there isn't much market for used jewelry."
 
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