MM methods , wedding rings

[Deleted]

www.doyledoyle.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?search=action&emptyoverride=yes&template=PDGCommTemplates/HTN/Home.html

We didn't buy my ring here, but a coworker did and said they were great. We looked but I didn't find anything & we ended up having mine (and both our bands) made by these folks.

www.littlekingjewelry.com/

So, maybe come to NYC for the weekend to shop.

[darkling_glory]

Get yourself over to pricescope.com and start reading about diamonds. Ask for help in their forums. I learned so much from just lurking over there.

The ring you posted is gorgeous, and you can definitely fund similar settings if you're patient and willing to wait for the right ring.

I like warmer color diamonds but a k isn't my favorite. And an Si2 "could" be eye clean but it probably isn't.

Good luck! So exciting!

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using proboards

[fuddyduddy]

I've heard great things about Jewels by Erica Grace: jewelsbyericagrace.com/

[Awkward]

I'm just going to make sure I can find this thread later. So and I are making similar investigations for the future. We're leaning towards Moissanite, though, and I want the halo style.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using proboards

[Deleted]

So exciting! I love the ring you posted so you should just get that one. :-)

[pamela]

If you want a real diamond but avoid the guilt, definitely check out estate sales, antique stores and local jewelry stores that do estate purchases. There are some gorgeous rings out there.

[Deleted]

I love the ring you posted.

For what it's worth, if I was doing it all over again I would want moissanite. I did not know about moissanite when I got engaged or I would have considered it. A lot of my friends have "confessed" to me over the years that they have moissanite rings and I would never have guessed. I love my diamond; DH got me a very high quality one and it of course is irreplaceable and I could not put a price on its sentimental value. But that's not because it's a diamond, it's just because it is my engagement ring. Frankly I think the wiser financial move would have been to get a moissanite ring and save the difference.

[niki]

If you want a conflict-free diamond, I've heard good things about Brilliant Earth. I believe their diamonds are from Canada. Googling "conflict-free diamonds" will point you in the right direction.

[sa]

Nov 12, 2012 22:08:28 GMT -5 @ameliapond said:

www.doyledoyle.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?search=action&emptyoverride=yes&template=PDGCommTemplates/HTN/Home.html

I'm glad you posted this. I was trying to think of the name. I stumbled across this place last year and fell in love with a lot of their pieces.

[mbcdefg]

Pretty!

My ring is recycled metal (palladium - more MM version of platinum) and has a Canadian diamond, if you want to browse the site: www.danforthdiamond.com/catalog/details/3426/Palladium-2.5-mm-Engraved-Cathedral-Style-Match-Set

MH bought my e ring first, then we ordered the matching band. We looked a local jewelry exchange store for his ring.

[brooklyn]

Nov 12, 2012 22:08:28 GMT -5 @ameliapond said:

www.doyledoyle.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?search=action&emptyoverride=yes&template=PDGCommTemplates/HTN/Home.html

We didn't buy my ring here, but a coworker did and said they were great. We looked but I didn't find anything & we ended up having mine (and both our bands) made by these folks.

www.littlekingjewelry.com/

So, maybe come to NYC for the weekend to shop.

My engagement ring was made at Little King too! Love them!

[thegooser]

I got my tacori ring from craigslist at half the price! Only worn for 3 weeks and was exactly what I had designed as my dream ring on the tacori website. I believe that buying secondhand negates conflict/cruelty problems (a'la fur).

For the record my diamond is conflict free despite being secondhand.

[Deleted]

Nov 12, 2012 22:15:25 GMT -5 carrotsmakemefat said:

I always eye the rings at Costco too...ya'll will make fun of me if I get something from Costco, won't you??? Ha ha

Um, that would be AWESOME. I hope you also buy your dress from Costco.

xoxo,
Costco Freak

[bluefish]

Several close friends recommended this jeweler to design custom e-rings. DH purchased a loose stone (from another source) and I designed the setting.

www.questjewelers.com/index.php

We've all been very pleased with their services.


On hand for perspective. Sorry, crappy cell pic.

[M]

There shouldn't be any conflict diamonds in the US. The UN banned diamonds from certain regions of the world and regulate it pretty well to make sure none are slipped in. If you want to be sure, then make sure it's certified. GIA is the best type of certification to get because they have strict guidelines on diamond grading but there are others other there.

Look for wholesalers also. My uncle is a jeweler and was able to get us my diamond at whole sale price. I use to work in a jewelry store and the distributor we used wanted 4x the price we paid for mine.

I've also gotten a few loose stones from www.adiamor.com . They have excellent customer service and all their diamonds are GIA certified. I personally prefer quality over quantity but looks like they have 1/2ct E, VVS diamonds for $2200 or 0.9ct G, SI for $2500. G VS2 is about the lowest I prefer for a diamond though. Also look into their "Affinity" diamonds. They are hearts and arrows which is the most perfect cut you can get which gives the move radiance and sparkle. My diamond is a hearts and arrow and even on it's dirtiest days, people (including men) will randomly tell me it's really sparkly haha.

We waited until we could afford my diamond and we are both happy we did. I've had it for 5 years now and still get giddy and admire it's beauty every time it catches the sunlight the right way and sparkles at me haha. I love diamond shopping, so let me know if I can help

[liveintheville]

Nov 12, 2012 22:30:58 GMT -5 niki said:

If you want a conflict-free diamond, I've heard good things about Brilliant Earth. I believe their diamonds are from Canada. Googling "conflict-free diamonds" will point you in the right direction.

I was, also, going to suggest looking at Canadian diamonds since they're conflict free.

[thatgirl2478]

Nov 12, 2012 22:15:25 GMT -5 carrotsmakemefat said:

I always eye the rings at Costco too...ya'll will make fun of me if I get something from Costco, won't you??? Ha ha

I guess the big thing I think about is whether I NEED a ring for a proposal, or if I am OK waiting for a good deal/perfect ring. It seems morbid to stalk estate sales and stuff, right?

No! Some of the rings at Costco are gorgeous. I personally wouldn't buy them because I remain convinced that you can find higher quality for that price though.

[Deleted]

My e-ring is just a ring I liked. We had a band notched to match it and it's perfect for me.

[thatgirl2478]

I don't know how much I would trust that there aren't any conflict diamonds being sold in the US. There are ways around almost everything.

I know that there are a few non conflict diamond companies out of Canada. Other than that your best bet is to go with an antique/estate sale diamond or a second hand piece (even pawn shops). I would want to have a second hand/pawn ring authenticated - but many independent jewelers will do that for you. I'm grateful my DH didn't have to make this decision - he had a family diamond to pass on.

As for costco dresses - can you try them on somewhere else & buy from costco? Or see if the bridal store can price match? I'm sure I'll get flamed for that, but we ask for price matching on other items, why not wedding dresses!

I had a really strong idea of what I wanted in a wedding dress, so I found one on Ebay. Paid $100 including shipping. I knew my measurements, the listing gave the measurements of the dress, and since they ALL need some altering, it was NBD (though the alterations were more than the dress).

[lanyac]

Bluenile.com is a great place for diamonds. You can customize your ring, and find the right stone in your price range.

[Deleted]

My friend bought her dress from www.milanoo.com/Wedding-Dresses-c392 and was perfectly happy with it. It was sized exactly as described and her alterations were really minor.

[lanyac]

Nov 13, 2012 9:15:56 GMT -5 carrotsmakemefat said:

Good ideas on the dress. TBH, I am likely going to spend less than 1k on the dress. I have no issues getting a good deal on EBAY or Craigslist once I know what I want and what size I need. Or the DB $100 sale. Nordstrom has good options too. The dress will really depend on what we decide to do for the wedding, but I really like the rouched look and A line dresses look best on me.

What size are you? I've been meaning to get rid of my dress, lol.

[Deleted]

Nov 13, 2012 8:48:31 GMT -5 liveintheville said:

Nov 12, 2012 22:30:58 GMT -5 niki said:

If you want a conflict-free diamond, I've heard good things about Brilliant Earth. I believe their diamonds are from Canada. Googling "conflict-free diamonds" will point you in the right direction.

I was, also, going to suggest looking at Canadian diamonds since they're conflict free.

I was going to suggest this. Another option would be to purchase an antique ring for the stone and have it reset in a style you prefer.

[pamela]

I know you aren't there, but for dresses, also check into Pearl's Place. They are a B&M store in Louisiana, but they do really good online business. I bought my dress there in person, but I wish I had gone online, gotten their better price there and done my alterations elsewhere.

[Deleted]

The ring you posted is beautiful.

I guess you might call my ring "halo" although I prefer to think of it as "antique" looking. I have worn it for almost 4 years and I think the halo explosion started after I got it, because part of what I liked about it was that it was unusual and different than your standard 3 stone or solitaire diamond that most of my friends/acquaintences had. Mine is square and has some unusual detailing, but I find it annoying that someone might think I picked it because it was trendy :@ Not sure why I have such an annoyance with being trendy, lol.

Honestly, I still love my ring so much and wouldn't avoid "halo" just because it is currently trendy. If all goes as planned you'll be wearing your ring for 50+ years (or upgrading at some point but probably keeping the ring for sentimental value) and you should get what you love regardless of trend.

Also, Costco is awesome and has great jewelry, so I'd say kudos to your SO if you ended up with a Costco ring!

[caramia17]

I love this site. It is B&M in WA state. I have not ordered anything, but have a friend who has and was pleased with their service.

Beautiful stuff for you, I think.

eragem.com/engagement-rings

[Kore]

No advice, but I'm excited for you

[wanderlustfoodie]

Regardless where you end up ultimately purchasing the diamond/stone, I second the recommendation to read up at pricescope.com. Fantastic, helpful, knowledgeable community.

[feistypants]

I know we've talked about how awesome I think it is that your first post-d SO was the one, and I just want to squee in total excitement for you!

[puppiesandrainbows]

What about Diamond Nexus lab?