mjamesthomp Posted May 11, 2010 Posted May 11, 2010 I am going to buy stud earrings for my girlfriend of over a year. We've known each other since we were, jeez, 12. We're 25, doing well, and living in downtown Chicago together. She just got a really great job at a national TV station in their marketing department and I want to get her something nice. Clearly the #1 choice would be real diamonds, but at this point we're still paying off our huge european trip and credit cards. This has lead me to research Moissanite "diamonds", but it seems like there are a lot of opinions and scams around scientifically grown diamonds. What I really want is some help from people who have actually had experiences with these or people who work with them. Thank you all so much for your help and this will help my girlfriend have a great birthday!
marsle85 Posted May 11, 2010 Posted May 11, 2010 Firstly- way to go. I'm happy for you guys, it sounds like you're really in love with her. Secondly- sorry... but girls don't function on practicality when it comes to this kind of stuff. She will absolutely love and appreciate your sweet gesture, and surely will love whatever you give her... but if you asked her right now: Moissanite or real diamonds- the girl will want real diamonds. I know I can't speak for all women... but I will will say this WITHOUT FAIL- I would rather small, real diamonds than larger, artificial diamonds. It speaks for the value of the relationship. Diamonds are diamonds. Rich, real, timeless, earthy. Small or big, they're still diamonds.
Hot Carl Posted May 11, 2010 Posted May 11, 2010 You can have diamonds made out of the ashes of a lost loved one or pet. Man's best friend can be transformed into woman's best friend. Literally. What could say "I love you" better than that?
norajane Posted May 11, 2010 Posted May 11, 2010 Instead of a diamond substitute, is there another gem that she likes? A birthstone perhaps? Or maybe you could buy her a leather handbag or briefcase with her initials that she can take to work? If it's supposed to look like a diamond, but it's not...it will be a disappointment. So skip the moissanite, cubic zirconia, whatever. If you can't afford the real thing, get her something else.
quankanne Posted May 11, 2010 Posted May 11, 2010 I vote birthstone ... personal and pretty. Diamonds can wait if she knows y'all are trying to pay down a debt.
Ruby Slippers Posted May 11, 2010 Posted May 11, 2010 Diamonds are no more rare or precious than many other stones. Rubies and sapphires are actually more rare. But the De Beers company has a virtual monopoly on them and controls the industry. Still, ignorance and effective marketing mean that many people are dazzled by diamonds and accept no substitutes. I agree with the other posters who suggest getting something really nice that is not any kind of imitation of "the real thing", something you can afford. Some of the Tiffany keys, for instance, are under $200 and quite nice.
sweetjasmine Posted May 11, 2010 Posted May 11, 2010 Diamonds are no more rare or precious than many other stones. Rubies and sapphires are actually more rare. But the De Beers company has a virtual monopoly on them and controls the industry. Still, ignorance and effective marketing mean that many people are dazzled by diamonds and accept no substitutes. I agree with the other posters who suggest getting something really nice that is not any kind of imitation of "the real thing", something you can afford. Some of the Tiffany keys, for instance, are under $200 and quite nice. Agreed. I personally don't buy into the oooh diamonds thing, but some people do. And some of us are practical when it comes to this kind of thing - I'd feel awkward if my SO bought me expensive diamonds when I knew he couldn't afford it. Better to get something authentic that doesn't cost as much but is just as beautiful, like a colored gemstone.
Romance Posted May 11, 2010 Posted May 11, 2010 Never buy a girl something fake. If you can't afford it, buy something else. It's always more appreciated.
SadandConfusedWA Posted May 11, 2010 Posted May 11, 2010 (edited) Moissanite is even sparklier than a diamond. I have both, moissanite and diamond jewlery and I prefer moissanite as the sparkle is out of this world. IMO rubbies and emeralds and other natural stones are very expensive as well so you are better of with moissanite. Here is the website I bought my jewlery from and they are very reputable and quick to deliver. Mind, you it is not exactly cheap either, it's only cheap relative to diamonds. www.moissaniteco.com Edited May 11, 2010 by SadandConfusedWA
SpanksTheMonkey Posted May 11, 2010 Posted May 11, 2010 You can have diamonds made out of the ashes of a lost loved one or pet. Man's best friend can be transformed into woman's best friend. Literally. What could say "I love you" better than that? Wow thats kinda creepy lol.. I myself vote for smaller real ones and if you shop around you can get a decent deal prob get a pair of plain studs for near or under 100 bucks. Also is silver a option? diamonds and silver is cheaper then diamonds and gold if she has any female friends who like to shop ask them to help..
Bejita463 Posted May 11, 2010 Posted May 11, 2010 at this point we're still paying off our huge european trip and credit cards. Priorities.
Eeyore79 Posted May 11, 2010 Posted May 11, 2010 Wow thats kinda creepy lol.. I myself vote for smaller real ones and if you shop around you can get a decent deal prob get a pair of plain studs for near or under 100 bucks. Also is silver a option? diamonds and silver is cheaper then diamonds and gold if she has any female friends who like to shop ask them to help.. Silver tarnishes and gold doesn't - you don't want to pay a fortune for diamond earrings and end up not wearing them because the setting has gone brown. Plus the small amount of gold in a pair of earrings would hardly make a difference to the price anyway; the money is in the diamonds. You can actually get diamond earrings a lot cheaper than you think, if you go for a cluster of small chips instead of a solitaire - I'm talking less than $100. I think the gesture is the important thing, though - as long as you get her something beautiful and personal, she won't care what it's made out of
Ann_Igma Posted May 11, 2010 Posted May 11, 2010 I think you should definitely get her a real gemstone, no matter which route you go, but I am one of those in the 'alternate gemstone' camp. There are plenty of great gems to choose from which will usually cost you a fair bit less than diamonds would. Also, you can even be that slight bit more personal by getting her a gemstone in her favorite colour, or one which matches her favorite outfit.. something like that. Personally, I'd be a lot more impressed by my partner putting that much thought into the gift than I would be by him spending more on diamonds.
Rorschach Posted May 11, 2010 Posted May 11, 2010 Priorities. This, the romantic in me is very happy for your devotion to the girl, but the financial adviser in me is screaming in agony hoping you make wise decisions. Buy her something nice but something you can afford! Debt is evil man, KILL IT KILL IT KILL IT
Jersey Shortie Posted May 11, 2010 Posted May 11, 2010 Pay off your trip. When you've done that, then buy her the diamonds. One thing at a time.
SomewhatExperienced Posted May 12, 2010 Posted May 12, 2010 Check out damascus jewelery. I don't know how price compare to jewelery with diamonds i it. Damascus is a metal that is folded and treated in a certain way so that it develops these really beautiful grains and patterns that differ tremendously based on the way that it was folded. They can mix silver, gold, platinum and copper in different ways. Think as if metal could take on a grain like wood does. The cool thing is no two pieces are identical so you can tell her about how only something as unique as this can be worth something as special as her...or something along those lines.
Twenty-ten Posted May 12, 2010 Posted May 12, 2010 I disagree with people who say pay off credit card first. You have your whole life to do that, she just got her ideal job now, it is a very good reason to celebrate now. Not in 10 yrs when you finish paying off your credit card Moissanite, is gorgeous. I just got back from a business trip and picked a gorgeous pink Moissanite ring super funky and cool on a gold setting for around $600, would never get something that cool and on gold setting with diamond for that price. Was looking at some Italian Jewelry for min. $2800 . Moissanite looks great and it does sparkle like crazy. Diamond earrings do not have to break the bank look around you can get a decent pair 1/4 ct for around $250 that is pretty reasonable. But not sure what your budget is I agree with the birthstone idea too.
Ruby Slippers Posted May 12, 2010 Posted May 12, 2010 I disagree with people who say pay off credit card first. You have your whole life to do that, she just got her ideal job now, it is a very good reason to celebrate now. Not in 10 yrs when you finish paying off your credit card This is the kind of thinking that has screwed up the finances of millions and millions of people. Spending money that you DON'T HAVE = BAD.
Twenty-ten Posted May 12, 2010 Posted May 12, 2010 This is the kind of thinking that has screwed up the finances of millions and millions of people. Spending money that you DON'T HAVE = BAD. Oh god, it's just one special occasion. True discipline comes in the ability to set boundaries and abide by them. If he can set his mind to be on a tight budget for the next few months and put himself on a fast-tracking plan to pay off his debt there is no reason at all he can not achieve both. Buying diamond earrings, then eating out every night, and buying concert tickets, spending countless nights out drinking and going to the movies all the time or purchasing new gadgets or clothes (her) with unpaid debts is irresponsible. Making an exception to celebrate his significant other's work achievement is hardly irresponsible. Again, you can achieve both if you do it right. Credit cards are to spend money you don't have, why else do you use a credit card?
Pink Cupcakes Posted May 12, 2010 Posted May 12, 2010 FORGET the EARRINGS...you are LIVING with her. SHOW HER SOME RESPECT AND GET HER AN ENGAGEMENT RING. A NICE ONE. 1 CARAT AT LEAST. EARRINGS WON'T CUT IT IN THIS SITUATION. THEN SET A DATE. IF SHE'S GOOD ENOUGH TO LIVE WITH, SHE'S GOOD ENOUGH TO MARRY. OR CUT BAIT ALTOGETHER.
Twenty-ten Posted May 12, 2010 Posted May 12, 2010 ^ Ooooh interesting comment Pinkcupcakes! wanted to add this to my last post and didn't get a chance: Edit: in hindsight I see that I did give a 10yr plan to pay off a card in my previous statement, which I was being totally facetious. Perhaps that is what made my comment seem irresponsible. I want to rectify I was totally being sarcastic when I said 10yrs.
Ruby Slippers Posted May 12, 2010 Posted May 12, 2010 Credit cards are to spend money you don't have, why else do you use a credit card? Twenty-ten, I like you, but this is ridiculous. Oh god, it's just one special occasion. True discipline comes in the ability to set boundaries and abide by them. If he can set his mind to be on a tight budget for the next few months and put himself on a fast-tracking plan to pay off his debt there is no reason at all he can not achieve both. Right. Just like their big, expensive European vacation. Just this one time! Whatever happened to having the discipline to save up to buy something you want? I guess that's just out of fashion.
Twenty-ten Posted May 12, 2010 Posted May 12, 2010 I like you too Ruby, it's cool we are disagreeing though. Ok so what are credit cards for then? Do you have credit cards? If so why do you use them if you save up to make all your purchases?
sweetjasmine Posted May 12, 2010 Posted May 12, 2010 I like you too Ruby, it's cool we are disagreeing though. Ok so what are credit cards for then? Do you have credit cards? If so why do you use them if you save up to make all your purchases? I don't know about Ruby, but for me, it's to build credit history so if/when I need a loan/mortgage, I won't be denied and/or won't get screwed with insanely high interest rates.
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