hahaha. Don't you know? Ivory dresses are all the rage now, so it'll be just fine!

I used a family friend who is a diamond broker and you do save tons of money. If you are planning to spend 5 figures, I would definitely recommend a diamond broker as it cuts out the middle man. Another benefit is that they can make you whatever type of setting you want, I just found a pic online and gave it to him. Although they may not have the exact diamond you want in stock, it wont take long for them to track one down. It only took a week to find one to my specs and about another week to get it in and into the setting.

Another thing to consider is to insure the ring that you buy in case it gets stolen or lost, it has happened to a close friend of mine so hes pretty damn happy it was insured. Hers appraised for $7k more than the purchase price so thats the replacement value in case you want it replaced.

what the $ range on engagement rings?

Low - Med - High - Super High

where do you get it insured at?

There really is no real range as you can get a crappy diamond for a few hundred dollars or spend millions on the rare colored diamonds. It really depends on what you want to spend or can afford. Personally, I feel that they are a complete waste of money but your fiance may take it as their worth. It really depends on the girl you are with, if they dont care, I would get her something nice without completely tapping out and save for a down payment on a home or the wedding. However if they are always looking at all their other friends rings and glowing about them, then your wallet may be in for a beating. The golden rule is 2 months salary but thats just a general guideline so you dont get in over your head in debt if you dont have the bankroll to cover it.

Courtesy of Least I Could Do

http://cdn.leasticoulddo.com/comics/20080926.gif

http://www.leasticoulddo.com/comic/20080926

You can insure them under your normal house insurance but the cost would depend on the appraisal amount of the ring or what you are willing to pay in premiums. Usually, its a few dollars per hundred of the amount you want to insure. Keep in mind, the cost of insurance can exceed $500 annually on a nice ring but it all depends on your insurance company.

bump :)

I'm finding it extremely hard to find a setting in the ~300 range. I can see settings like that on BlueNile.ca, but when I asked a local jeweler to replicate the design, or even make something similar, their price was usually double what bluenile offers. Where do you get settings locally for 2-400?
Also, since I already have the rock, is it advisable to buy the setting from blue nile, then get a local jeweler to just set the stone within it?

Wow they are ripping you guys off the settings big time over in Vancouver... It's only around C$100 for a 18k white gold setting on this part of the globe.

:(
Maybe I should fly there just to buy it..
I looked at a 18kt white gold setting for $860 on blue nile (it had 6 extra small diamonds as part of the setting), local jeweler got back to me about recreating the design -- $1760

Personally, I wouldn't go for a setting with small diamonds on it since those diamonds would usually fall out quite easily as the prongs holding the small diamonds are tiny as heck... (and my fiancee is a klutz)

It could be worth the trip depending on how much you plan to spend on it.

The "shop" I bought from is basically the factory for many store-front stores out there... hence the cheaper price.

Anyone with thoughts on buying the setting from blue nile, and having a local jeweler put the diamond in?

Congrats man!

Something to keep in mind is to get an idea of what she wants. If its not a big secret then ask or if you plan to keep the surprise then get her friend to ask. Most girls have an 'ideal' ring in mind.

if you don't have a lot of money...

http://www.walmart.com/cp/Wedding-En...&catNavId=3896

Vancleef & Arpels
http://www.vancleef-arpels.com/

Tiffany & Co
http://www.tiffany.ca/

Graff
http://www.graffdiamonds.com/

Harry Winston
www.harrywinston.com/

Bvlgari
http://www.bulgari.com/

Cartier
http://www.cartier.com/

Piaget
http://www.piaget.com/

Damiani
http://www.damiani.com/

WHY ARE YOU BUMPING 1 + YEAR OLD THREADS!

Because Timpo is getting ready to be rejected. :troll:

go for a simple gold band. if she says "Yes" then go look for diamonds.


FUCK!!! YEAR OLD THREAD!!! MOTHERFUCKER!!!

Lol year old thread.... now i wonder if the OP got married yet

Yellow diamonds are actually really rare = $$$

Didn't even know this was a year old..
OP - any news???

this is where i got mine, Ran was super easy to deal with

Those are colors S-Z though... not G-M

I went to Minichiello Jewllers and they were extremely helpful with decent prices.
If anyone is looking online, I highly suggest going to a jeweller first to actually take a look at the differences in size and quality. You can only read so much before you need to see the real thing.

What would I expect for a 10k budget?
I assume anything brand named like Tiffany or Harry Winston will cost around 20k?

damn diamonds are so expensive!

Also, what happens if the ring doesn't fit the finger? or the style is not what your SO is looking for? worse case scenario, what if she says NO? any refunds? lol

Just surveying here since we are on this topic. :)