m00n Posted October 28, 2003 Share Posted October 28, 2003 I wonder if the average person can really tell the difference between a real diamond and a cubit zerconium (sp?). As a joke, get a chunk of coal, put it in a ring and give it to her. When she ask's what the hell is this, tell her it's her diamond, it just aint done yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael hurd Posted October 28, 2003 Share Posted October 28, 2003 LOL ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
georgie Posted October 28, 2003 Share Posted October 28, 2003 That is halarious!!! I can't say that his fiance will find it amusing though. Some women get a little testy when in diamond mode. If you try this you had better be able to produce the real thing fast! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tankhokie Posted October 28, 2003 Share Posted October 28, 2003 unless you know a seller, prepare to pay around 4 time as much as the dealer paid for it...that aside, just as your looking, pick out a certified diamond (usually international gemmological information) that is very high in clarity (vvs 1 or 2) then look at similiar one that is the next grade (vs 1 or 2) i wouldn't suggest going lower because below these ratings, you start to see the diamonds occlusions/flaws. there is a big price hike when you step up to the vvs, and to the eye, you usually can't tell the difference. (note-all diamonds are different and the grading of one may not exactly match others of the same scale) your wife isn't going to show off her ring with any magnifiers or scopes, so go with what you see. as far as color, i would stick around near colorless or better. again, one that is higher rated may look worse than a lower rating in a different store or light. always ask to escort you out of the store with the ring and view it under other lighting (other than their ideal lights). once you narrow it down, then move to the microscope (not loop). look for black specks, fractures, cloudiness, or facet imperfections. with mine, i was able to find a stone that was 1.02 carat with no occlusions, fractures, clouds or specks. the only flaws are in the facets/cuts. around the girdle of the stone, there are 3 elongated facets. they are only visable under the scope, but help me identify the stone after repairs and cleanings. to the eye, it is a perfect stone and out shines/sparkles most other stone that i see...and trust me, it is all a comparison game once she starts wearing it...an unsaid status symbol of love that when compared to lesser stones, she will be happy with whatever you give her, but as she sees other girls' rings, you want her to be proud of what you gave her and never talk down about it. i can't count the times i have heard others compliment her on her ring and tell them how much nicer it is than theirs...sure you will be out-gunned by some, but those that do usually can be borderline ridiculous (look fake b/c of size) so take your time, and really work the salesperson, avoid new sales people and work with managers. they are the ones that can cut deals and when you start saying things like - i want to do business w/you but i can beat that price by going to a competitor..how can you make this better for me? just put the thought that you may take this big commission away from them and give it to a competitor. hope that helps, good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3dzapper Posted October 28, 2003 Share Posted October 28, 2003 Not for nuthin', but if she isn't happy with what you bought after schlepping from dealer to dealer and looking at stones until your head spins, Dump Her. She'll never be happy with anything you do and make your life a living hell. If a woman is more concerned with impressing her friends than the love you put into the ring, Dump Her. Luckily my wife was thrilled to get the 1/3 carat solitare that I could afford in 1971 and is still with me. I did buy her another ring after 20 years but she wears the original one. It means more to her than sparkle and carats. One more thing, make sure the diamond has a seriel number,look at it through a microscope, write it down, and make sure that you recieve the correct stone when you pick the ring up. Rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
formica Posted October 28, 2003 Share Posted October 28, 2003 ---------------- On 10/28/2003 5:20:33 PM 3dzapper wrote: Not for nuthin', but if she isn't happy with what you bought after schlepping from dealer to dealer and looking at stones until your head spins, Dump Her. She'll never be happy with anything you do and make your life a living hell. If a woman is more concerned with impressing her friends than the love you put into the ring, Dump Her. Luckily my wife was thrilled to get the 1/3 carat solitare that I could afford in 1971 and is still with me. I did buy her another ring after 20 years but she wears the original one. It means more to her than sparkle and carats. One more thing, make sure the diamond has a seriel number,look at it through a microscope, write it down, and make sure that you recieve the correct stone when you pick the ring up. Rick ---------------- Thank you Rick... I was beginning to think that I was the only one who thought that way... and I'm glad to hear she still cherishes her original ring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruinsrme Posted October 28, 2003 Share Posted October 28, 2003 I just wonder what most of us would say if we came home one day and the significant others threw away all out udio and video gear and replaced it with a 25" tv with a built in dvd player. Hell honey I tink this is good enough if its not dump me. My fiance doesn't enjoy HT but she truly enjoys her three diamonds. I but electronics for me and I buy diamonds for her. I do not buy cheap audio gear and i do not by trashy diamonds. she is wearing the difference between a dodge dakota and a 4 door dodge ram hemmy on her finger. she is happy with her diamonds and I am happy with my dakota and pioneer 49txi, dv47ai, rf7s, rc7, 4xrs7s, 2 svs pb2+, sony xbr32800, parasound a52and a23 and my new panny 42"plasma. i can definitely say the diamonds will be worth more in 10 years then my HT gear if I still have it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoe11 Posted October 28, 2003 Author Share Posted October 28, 2003 ---------------- On 10/28/2003 4:20:26 PM m00n wrote: I wonder if the average person can really tell the difference between a real diamond and a cubit zerconium (sp?). As a joke, get a chunk of coal, put it in a ring and give it to her. When she ask's what the hell is this, tell her it's her diamond, it just aint done yet. ---------------- m00n, You trying to get me killed? Thanks to everyone for their comments. I'm lucky in that in my shopping I have a family friend who is a certified gemologist and who's been in the business for better than 30 years. He maintains a small "retail" office and sells at just over cost. The hard part has been prying my significant other away from the basic retail establishment which while having the rings more more accessible are also way more inflated price wise. I've taken her to the retail stores simply to get her likes/dislikes ironed out and now I can work with my family friend to design the ring (he does custom settings as well) and select the stones for it. I'm definitely planning to buy the highest quality diamond my budget will allow as opposed to going for a larger carat weight. I'm helped in this respect as she has a very tiny hand which would be swallowed up by a diamond any bigger than 1.5 carats max. ~shoe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poindexter Posted October 28, 2003 Share Posted October 28, 2003 Just get a setting with out the diamond and say. . . "A diamond simply can't replace the sparkle in your eye." Then get ready to recieve the complememtary hug and kiss. . . Then wait 5 minutes until she realizes --== she ain't got no diamond! ==-- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poindexter Posted October 28, 2003 Share Posted October 28, 2003 Oh wait. . . I just remembered these, might be kinda OT though. Here it goes. "My love for you is like diarrhea. I just can't hold it in." "If we were boogers, I'd pick you first." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
love_hertz Posted October 28, 2003 Share Posted October 28, 2003 You guys got it all wrong, yeah you need to get the perfect diamond ring and have the perfect presentation to go along with it. but that is all women stuff. the mens stuff comes later remember youhave to have one hell of a bachelor party- this is the most important thing in your engaged life. wish ya the best of luck if she truly loves ya the ring won't matter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m00n Posted October 28, 2003 Share Posted October 28, 2003 ---------------- On 10/28/2003 5:55:45 PM shoe11 wrote: m00n, You trying to get me killed? ~shoe ---------------- No... No killed, but I would get a certian amount of satisfaction seeing a knot on your head if you had the gooders to go through with it. I would be so proud of you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BBB Posted October 28, 2003 Share Posted October 28, 2003 ---------------- On 10/28/2003 4:20:26 PM m00n wrote: I wonder if the average person can really tell the difference between a real diamond and a cubit zerconium (sp?). As a joke, get a chunk of coal, put it in a ring and give it to her. When she ask's what the hell is this, tell her it's her diamond, it just aint done yet. ---------------- And her counter joke will be to put his head in a bag and hand it to her future mother-in-law. When his mom asks what it is she tells her Im giving you your sons head back. It just aint done yet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cluless Posted October 28, 2003 Share Posted October 28, 2003 Actually I'm in the same boat with Moon. I know I couldn't tell the difference between a expensive diamond and a piece of glass. These days, I believe that both the man and woman make a similar commitment to marriage so the engagement ring has become passe'. Also, I don't wear rings since I actually USE my hands, and wearing a ring for other than a special occaission is at least inconvienient, and at times a disaster waiting to happen. But I know I don't exactly represent the "NORM" of female thinking....so anyway. If I had to choose between size or quality, I would rather have something of quality rather than a large hunk of crap attatched to my hand. So what if it doesn't garner the same "ooooooh ooooooh" flash factor other women. It would be something of value, not a shody show piece. I actually know someone that "flaunts" a 2 carat cubic zirconia as a diamond....TACKY, TACKY. Ultimately, though you should let her pick out the ring, she's the one that will wear it, and it's an expensive investment. If you do the suprise thing, she will probably never tell you if your choice sucked, and will wear it whether she likes it or not. Perhaps you might want to pick out a few selections that you think will work and let her pick between them. That way you can control the price range and she can select a style that she is happy with. Good Luck and best wishes, Clairol (neither clu or less are willing to take credit for this post) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hwatkins Posted November 2, 2003 Share Posted November 2, 2003 Reading this thread is a blast - We haven't helped the poor fellow out at all. It is real easy to see why this is such a hard decision. My last thoughts on this: 1. This is a 'gift' for her as well as a sign of commitment. Remember, regardless of anything else, this becomes her ring. 2. This is a public show of your committment as well and is coming from your pocket. So be sure it is a reflection of your promise and is comfortable for her. 3. The thought does count - Something can become precious regardless of price. Our very inexpensive diamond to start (years and years ago) is now the centerpiece of a group of much finer and smaller diamonds - the original engagement setting now houses a birthstone on daughter's finger. A rarity - I pleasingly surprised two women on the same day. 4. I would consider asking her to go along, but I recommend buying her something and then taking her to the store and shopping for a replacement if you feel it isn't a good fit. This is a show that your request for commitment is very personal and heartfelt, not merely a consensus. 5. Keep love as part of this regardless - that is the primary point Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougdrake Posted November 3, 2003 Share Posted November 3, 2003 I'll pile on with the clarity and color over carats crowd. My wife and I always notice when someone has a yellowish or cloudy stone. I would rank them in this order of importance - color (as close to colorless as possible), clarity, carat. Oftentimes, inclusions are not visible, depending on their location, so even an SI stone, with excellent color, can look wonderful. Doug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fini Posted November 3, 2003 Share Posted November 3, 2003 My wife eats up baguettes. fini Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m00n Posted November 3, 2003 Share Posted November 3, 2003 If they don't offer, then ask to see the diamond under a microscope. It's really quite interesting to see the flaws in them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krustyoldsarge Posted November 3, 2003 Share Posted November 3, 2003 This is a scary thread! I must smell like dead meat cause there's a clutch of divorcees here in Taegu circling me. On the upside, one of those cheap diamonds might be right for them: "slightly used, greatly reduced".... I should have mounted a Klipschorn to my first wife's ring, after five years she was as big as one... Since I'm obviously in denial, I have no useful advice to offer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krustyoldsarge Posted November 3, 2003 Share Posted November 3, 2003 This is a scary thread! I must smell like dead meat cause there's a clutch of divorcees here in Taegu circling me. On the upside, one of those cheap diamonds might be right for the one of them "slightly used, greatly reduced".... I should have mount a Klipschorn to my first wifes ring, after five years she was as big as one... Since I'm obviously in denial, I have no useful advice to offer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.