[leejaedong]

Hi! I'm a real newbie when it comes to diamonds, and I'm planning on getting an engagement ring although I don't know where to start. I've read about carats, color, clarity and all but I'm still dumbfounded about picking the right one.. I NEED HELP! I want it to be the perfect engagement ring! Any suggestion would be greatly appreciated... and yeah.. a good website to buy one from as well... sorry for asking too much.

I've been searching online and been getting help from DiamondsForHer mostly and all other sites like Blue Nile as well. Budget would be around $2000-$3000.
HELP!

[curiousnycgirl]

The perfect ring is different for each person - what are her tastes? Does she like minimalism - then I would say a simple solitaire, is she romantic and likes lace - then perhaps an antique setting.

It's not about the perfect diamond for just anyone - it's the perfect ring for your gf

[Joie de Vivre]

My fiance and I are in the process of picking engagement rings together (he already proposed, but with a marriage band )!

after talking to some of my married female friends, a lot of them harp about diamond class or carat. if the diamond class is low, then the carat size should make up for it.. vice versa. (i know my friends seem spoiled!)

as for the setting and cut, definitely try to find out somehow what kind of cut or setting she prefers. That way, you can narrow down your search. Also try to take her jewelry shopping and see what she looks at.

Lastly, in the end.. don't stress too much about it -- because as long as the ring is from you, she will love it no matter what in the end

[2sure]

You just have to try a bunch on in person. See what you like on your finger. See what cut gets you the most of whatever it is you want for the money. Also, you can read all you want on line about the quality but you'll only know if your getting it in person. When you see a good stone you dont have to be a pro to know if you like it or not.

[quankanne]

as an old married lady, I'd like to point out that any jewelry you buy her should be something she will wear throughout the years. In other words, what might look perfect NOW might be impractical as time goes on ... I've seen women keep their goods in their jewelry boxes because they really can't wear them on a daily basis, just not practical. And it becomes just another thing to keep up with.

so definitely take into consideration her tastes, and come up with something that is uniquely hers. She might not care for diamonds, or modern settings, but could be bowled over at the thought of an antique piece or a colored stone. Or, she may know diamonds inside and out, and can point you in the right direction where to shop for her perfect ring ...

[Stung]

Absolutely agree that finding out about and being sensitive to her tastes is fundamental. Many, maybe even most (from what I hear) women will be very picky about diamonds, in fact I've read on these very boards that stone counts above all else and setting is secondary. However, a lot of women still prefer something else.

My own ring is fancy-colored sapphire with a hand-carved artisan-made platinum setting, it's unique and I love it, but it's still more classic than much of my other jewelry, so I can wear it throughout the decades as I age and my tastes change. As a stone a sapphire, even a fancy-colored one, is less expensive than a diamond, although actually more rare, and it's very nearly as hard and impossible to damage...the platinum setting brought the price back up somewhat but that was my partner's choice, I was fine with palladium, anything but gold.

My partner had an advantage in that we had already talked about getting married and so I was able to tell him some things, such as that I did NOT want a diamond unless it was recycled out of my grandmother's old jewelry or something...I just didn't want to worry about blood diamonds plus I hate the way the diamond industry runs its campaigns. We still ended up shopping for it together because he knows I'm picky about my jewelry .

I totally understand wanting to surprise her with a ring at hand, but unless you are confident in her jewelry taste, it might be a good idea to surprise her with a temporary ring...most local jewelry stores will lend you a temp ring if you give them a down payment as a guarantee that you won't run off with it and will return to shop for the real ring. Just make sure that it's a store that has a wide variety of styles or is willing/able to custom-make rings so she has a lot of choice available, because once you give the down payment you're kind of locked in there.

If you still prefer the idea of surprising her with THE ring best, talk to her people first. Ask her best girlfriends, maybe her sister...if there's one you trust to keep their mouth shut and to know your girlfriend's tastes ask them to go ring-shopping with you, or at least to send you some pictures of examples online.

IMHO, it is always better to shop for a purchase like this in-person rather than on a website...and I am the queen of online shopping because I hate malls and standing in lines.

[Thornton]

Find out whether she likes white or yellow gold, and what sort of setting she would prefer (cluster, solitaire, a round or square shaped stone, etc). Then go to a reputable jeweller and ask them to guide you through the process of choosing a ring. They will advise you on cut, clarity, colour etc, and will show you various examples. Imo clarity and colour is more important than carat size - a visibly flawed and/or discoloured diamond just isn't pretty.

Your other option is to buy the stone separate from the ring, in which case the same rule applies - go to a good diamond merchant and ask for guidance on choosing a stone. They will probably also advise on settings, and may direct you to a jeweller who can set your chosen stone in a specially designed ring for you.