advice on ring shopping

[munchkin]

Well ladies, DJ and I are going ring shopping today. So, I came to you all for advice as usual. What kind of things do I need to watch out for while ring shopping, and what do I need to ask the people at the shops?
Basically, give me any advice you think would be good about ring shopping, both engagement and wedding bands.
Thanks!

[justnmary]

Make sure you get a warranty....other then that I have no advice. Sorry.

[AngelRoseFyre]

I agree I have a 'keep the ring looking like new for the lifetime of the ring' warrenty. I have used it three times thi year alone (sizing, cleaning, and re-plating), and i havn't had to pay for anyof it. I went thru Samuels Jewlers, I don't know if you have one there, or would even want to, but that's all the advise I can give.

Oh I would also stay away from buying rings online, since you never really now exactly what you are going to get. Some times you really can get a good deal, but I just don't trust it.

[justnmary]

I've also heard horror stories about not going to reputable jewelers. You never know if you go in to have your ring sized or fixed or whatever and they swap the stones....real for fake...not many people can tell just by looking at the stone with the naked eye. So I would make sure you go to a trusted jeweler, not some joe shmo with the room in the back of a gas station type....(cheap jewelers)

[AngelRoseFyre]

Originally Posted by justnmary

I've also heard horror stories about not going to reputable jewelers. You never know if you go in to have your ring sized or fixed or whatever and they swap the stones....real for fake...not many people can tell just by looking at the stone with the naked eye. So I would make sure you go to a trusted jeweler, not some joe shmo with the room in the back of a gas station type....(cheap jewelers)

Pawn Shops and Flee markets are probably not the best choices either.

[Heather]

I can't see Munchkin going to the pawn shop for her engagement ring, lol.

Mike chose our jeweler for my e-ring because he dealt directly with the owner. There were other employees of course, but this guy was great. Mike knew the band he wanted for me and they designed and fitted the diamond at no extra charge. Point being - find a shop that will work with both of you to provide whatever it is you really want.

What else? Um... Mike wanted to get me a platinum band which is double the cost of silver or white gold (I hate yellow gold) so the owner talked him into white gold and placed two bands next to each other, you can't tell the difference between them.

Make sure you get a stone shape you really love, and remember that it's not all about diamonds now. Look at as many stones and settings as you can, then pick something that's just for you.

Make sure the shop gives you insurance, a warranty and an official appraisal for all of the rings.

[AshyBekka]

I am big on the whole white gold v. platinum thing. I told Cliff that I thought it was silly at this point in our lives for him to spend so much on platinum (and if people have platinum, I'm not knocking it-we're just not there yet!), so I ended up with bigger bling and white gold-looks very similar and doesn't tarnish as bad! Also-remember the 4 c's-cut, color, clarity, and carat! Make sure you know the quality of the diamond you're purchasing-it may be big, but is it good quality? Look for visible flaws in the diamond (show up as dark spots sometimes if they're visible to the naked eye), and as the jeweler what the diamond's grade is (I-3 (worst) to flawless/VVS-1 (Very Very Small Inclusions)).

Hope that helps! My grandparents owned a jewelry store when I was growing up, so this was gospel to me!

[lulamae]

What everyone else said.

Another consideration might be to ask whether the jeweler deals in non-conflict diamonds or not (Amnesty International has a buyers guide for non-conflicts on this page). They should be able to tell you, as it's something a lot of people are concerned about now. Code word "Should," though, as many jewelers aren't informing employees about it as they are required to.

Also, if you go for white gold, ask the shop if they do complementary re-coatings. My SIL has a white gold engagement ring that's coated with platinum (or rodium, I can't remember) to make it a bit shiner, but it has to be re-coated every six months or so. Costs about $30 each time, which can add up if you have the ring forever. They're planning on upgrading to platinum eventually, so it doesn't bother her, but it's a long term cost consideration.

The only other thing I would say is if you can afford a Tiffany solitare and it's your style and you have one near you... do it. I'm not spoiled or hoity-toity or anything, but there's something about seeing "Tiffany & Co" on the inside and getting to go to the store whenever to get it polished and cleaned... it's lovely.

[AngelRoseFyre]

Originally Posted by lulamae

Another consideration might be to ask whether the jeweler deals in non-conflict diamonds or not (Amnesty International has a buyers guide for non-conflicts on this page). They should be able to tell you, as it's something a lot of people are concerned about now. Code word "Should," though, as many jewelers aren't informing employees about it as they are required to.

I never knwe anything about that, I wish I had known before I shopped for a ring, I would have taken that into consideration. I am gonna ask my jewler about it anyway.

[Julz518]

Originally Posted by lulamae

My SIL has a white gold engagement ring that's coated with platinum (or rodium, I can't remember) to make it a bit shiner, but it has to be re-coated every six months or so.

White Gold = Yellow gold that has been reacted with radium... it's not really a coating, it's a chemical reaction that gives it it's white color. ALL white gold is like this, there is no "naturally" white gold metal. However, your sister really shouldn't have to get this done every six months - I think she should take it to another Jeweler, she's being played.

My strongest suggestion, which has been mentioned before, is to go to a local, reputable jeweler. Most chain stores only have what you see and their staff are just salespeople. You want to go someplace that has a "real" jeweler on staff to make rings to your specifications. That is why their chain store prices are cheaper, because they buy "in bulk" and don't make each ring from scratch. Most of these places will also offer a warranty and lifetime complementary service. My jeweler has already resized my ring once and cleaned it 3 times for free, and they have given us a discount on other jewelery we purchased there.

In addition to the 4 C's for your diamond, make sure you choose a metal that suits your needs. In general, the higher the cost, the more durable a metal is... However, the higher the carat, the softer it is. I have a friend who works in a chemical lab, so she HAS to have platinum b/c it is less reactive. But if you don't need platinum, white gold or even silver makes much more sense.

Good Luck!

[labeadel]

The store we went to went through a little presentation with us to explain how rings are sold, their quality, clarity, etc. We found that very helpful and went on to buy our rings from that store. I would suggest going to a place that also goes over that stuff with you.

[m_t_rose]

Originally Posted by Julz518

ALL white gold is like this, there is no "naturally" white gold metal. However, your sister really shouldn't have to get this done every six months - I think she should take it to another Jeweler, she's being played.

It depends on how acidic your sweat is and the oils on your skin I have had to get mine re-plated 2 times and have only have it a year. The jewler has done it for free both times so I don't think they are trying to scam me. When I went to the store I was also told the higher karat of white gold you get the faster it will turn yellow.

We worked directly with the owner of the store and he was great. However, when I went in because a dimond was loose I worked with a clerk and she told me I would have to pay to get the claw fixed. I have a 3 year warranty so I was not a happy camper. I went back in and brought in my warranty plan and highlighted where it said they would fix it she had nothing to say. I would try to work with the owner because they can also get you a better deal on the ring (my e-ring was 60% off ). Have fun picking out your ring!!!

[Indigo]

Mine has to be re-rhodiumed about every six months because it starts to turn yellow on me. The place I purchased my ring does it for free anytime I want it done. My step dad was a jeweler for awhile and told me to go to a place that offers it done for free. I did not pay extra for a warranty as it comes with the ring. Lifetime. No mall jewelry store will offer this. I suggest a freestanding place that offers a free lifetime warranty.

[vanessabg]

Originally Posted by AngelRoseFyre

Pawn Shops and Flee markets are probably not the best choices either.

Yes! AngelRoseFyre! is right here,both markets are not the best choice.

[SerendipityCrafts]

My advice has most to do with our "shopping technique".

DH and I found many a pushy salesperson. We knew what we wanted (more or less) and we were out to find it "at the right price. Unfortunately, we were constantly steered towards the most expensive rings, styles which we didn't like at all, or worse yet, made to feel guilty because we weren't spending a certain amount on a ring.

If either of us didn't feel comfortable with the salesperson or the "vibes" we were receiving, we would say to the other "Let's go for a coffee so that we can talk about it." Then we would tell the salesperson "We may be back. If we do, we will come to see you".

We ended up getting my e-ring for 60% off at a reputable chain jewellery store (lifetime warranty, diamond replacement in case of loss, & cleaning included), my wedding band at Costco (yes, they do have some affordable rings!) and DH's band at a wholesaler.

Look in your phone book under jewellery wholesale (if you live in a larger urban center). We saved by going through a wholesaler but we needed an appt. go view their collection.

Oh yes .... do get your ring appraised for insurance purposes afterwards by an independent appraiser. They will give you an honest appraisal of the diamond etc., plus values for replacement. If the diamond details do not match what was given to you with the ring, head back to the jeweller for an explanation, refund, replacement or discount.

If you need to, you can alway buy an additional rider with regards to your ring, on your home insurance. If you are given a certificate with the ring, resale (inflated) prices are most likely used.

[NovemberGal]

Not to say that this isn't useful for someone right now, but this is another old thread dug up again.

[munchkin]

Originally Posted by vineela

Hi

Even i am also in search of a ring for my engagement can u people advice me where can i get a nice one.

Start your own thread, since this one is pretty old and most people won't look at it.

[feb-bride]

Originally Posted by munchkin

Start your own thread, since this one is pretty old and most people won't look at it.

I removed the post because the poster's signature line is for an on-line jewelry store. The post was a sly attempt at spam.

[munchkin]

Hmmm, very sly. I hate spammers, especially when they spam my threads.