Shopping for a ring...

dereksbicycles

dereksbicycles

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I'm not asking you to pick an engagement ring. I would like to know what goes into shopping for one. I mean, do you make sure you got a ring with a warranty for the ring AND the diamond it self or does it not matter? One of my friends told me just to get the best ring you like. Who cares about warranty? What if the ring store goes out of business in 10 years. Then you'll be paying for a life time warranty for only 10 years of use. How important is warranty? Do you really need to bring your ring in a lot for clean up and diamond repairs? A big part of me feels that warranty is a must. A part of me is saying myself just to get the best ring available regardless of warranty. What did you do?
 
dereksbicycles said:
I'm not asking you to pick an engagement ring. I would like to know what goes into shopping for one. I mean, do you make sure you got a ring with a warranty for the ring AND the diamond it self or does it not matter? One of my friends told me just to get the best ring you like. Who cares about warranty? What if the ring store goes out of business in 10 years. Then you'll be paying for a life time warranty for only 10 years of use. How important is warranty? Do you really need to bring your ring in a lot for clean up and diamond repairs? A big part of me feels that warranty is a must. A part of me is saying myself just to get the best ring available regardless of warranty. What did you do?
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I am at a loss here. A warranty for a ring? Diamond repairs?
 
Beowulf said:
I am at a loss here. A warranty for a ring? Diamond repairs?
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Yeah, warranty on ring. For diamond repair, ring repair. Maybe even a loss or stolen ring, but not sure if that is covered. I've not bought anything yet.
 
dereksbicycles said:
Yeah, warranty on ring. For diamond repair, ring repair. Maybe even a loss or stolen ring, but not sure if that is covered. I've not bought anything yet.
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A real diamond is indestructible.
Anyway, have you tried Ebay? I am interested in other replies since I am also searching for the perfect ring. ;)
 
Indestructible diamond can fall out destructible claws on destructible band.
 
Beowulf said:
A real diamond is indestructible.
Anyway, have you tried Ebay? I am interested in other replies since I am also searching for the perfect ring. ;)
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I have checked E Bay, but I am not sure how useful that is. If I don't go for warranty, I would just as well do E Bay.
 
maybe in the begining, you guys pay the warranty for now. in a few years, you guys can decide to stop or continue it. its up to you. We had warranty on my engagment ring for about 5 yrs or something. we stopped paying because we have kids to focus on paying.
 
Beowulf said:
A real diamond is indestructible.
Anyway, have you tried Ebay? I am interested in other replies since I am also searching for the perfect ring. ;)
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It is one of the hardest stones out there, but it isn't indestructible. I don't know why people would think that it's impossible to damage a diamond. If you look at most of the diamonds out there, you will see that they are cut in very specific manner to prevent any accidental nicks. However, if you hit a diamond with a hammer, you may end up shattering it to pieces. Another problem with some rings is that the diamond can fall out sometimes.

Anyway, about the warranty... you should read the fine print before buying a warranty for the diamond. It's the diamond that should be insured. There are several options you can take to protect the diamond. You can buy the warranty from the jeweller or buy insurance premiums from an insurance carrier. You can also start up a saving account and deposit money every once in a while to get to a sufficient amount to replace the diamond if you ever have to. The warranty should vary depending on the value of the diamond. You have to keep yourself on guard though, some of the warranties are nothing but a big rip-off.

Oh by the way, if you are to buy a diamond, make sure that it's not an illegal diamond.
 
Good points there. I'm beginning to think that I should just get the best ring, regardless of warranty. Figure that insurance would cover the ring if anything happens to it.

By this, I don't mean the most $$ ring. I mean the ring that I like the best.
 
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dereksbicycles said:
Good points there. I'm beginning to think that I should just get the best ring, regardless of warranty. Figure that insurance would cover the ring if anything happens to it.
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Don't forget to read the fine print.
 
Congratulations Derek!

As for ring shopping -- consider this --

* There is very little difference in appearance between a mined diamond and a manufactured diamond, but there is a huge difference in price. Actually, I believe that the difference if any is that a manufactured diamond can have no flaws.

* Jewelry is easy to loose, can get stolen, etc.

* Some people that insure their jewelry end up putting the real thing in a lock box in the bank after a few years and end up wearing imitations anyway -- cuz like Frisky Feline says there are other expenses like kids, bills, etc.

* Investing in jewelry dates back to the days before regulated banks and when people had to be prepared to flee with savings that they could easily hide. As an American in the 21st century its unlikely you and your family will have to flee and we have better saving and investing options now.

So ... if its OK with your girl friend consider going for the manufactured diamond for the fraction of the cost and putting the difference in downpayment on a house, or a mutual fund, etc.

If you must go for a mined gem, consider going for one that doesn't involve grossly unfair labor practices.

My two cents.
 
Jazzberry said:
Congratulations Derek!

As for ring shopping -- consider this --

* There is very little difference in appearance between a mined diamond and a manufactured diamond, but there is a huge difference in price. Actually, I believe that the difference if any is that a manufactured diamond can have no flaws.

* Jewelry is easy to loose, can get stolen, etc.

* Some people that insure their jewelry end up putting the real thing in a lock box in the bank after a few years and end up wearing imitations anyway -- cuz like Frisky Feline says there are other expenses like kids, bills, etc.

* Investing in jewelry dates back to the days before regulated banks and when people had to be prepared to flee with savings that they could easily hide. As an American in the 21st century its unlikely you and your family will have to flee and we have better saving and investing options now.

So ... if its OK with your girl friend consider going for the manufactured diamond for the fraction of the cost and putting the difference in downpayment on a house, or a mutual fund, etc.

If you must go for a mined gem, consider going for one that doesn't involve grossly unfair labor practices.

My two cents.
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Good points.

Do you know which ring place or which stones carry on unfair practice?

She has said she just wants a ring. Anything will work. I don't want to buy a cheap $3 ring from flea market, but I won't spend $5K.
 
Diamond Rings

So much great info, Congrats to you my friend what a wonderful and stressful time, lol. have fun with it..Here's my 2 cents... Buy from a reputable seller. Make sure you read the warranty which usually comes with the ring along with an appraisal. If you have homeowners insurance, please add it to your policy and a picture with copies of the documents to your agent. Yes having the ring checked , cleaned and the setting tightened is so very important.
as soon as you pop the question and I am sure she will accept,, smiling have it properly sized. Let the information you got here help you be a wise consumeer but let your heart be the guide when it comes to picking out that special ring. My personal Best wishes, I was married for 27 years to the same man before he had to leave me. Geez, I'm crying again, sorry..Midnight
 
I agree that the diamond should be insured. As for the warranty, check to see what it covers exactly. Probably it's covering the workmanship of the mounting itself.

My nephew got married earlier this summer. He gave his fiance a beautiful ring that had a center square diamond surrounded by several smaller diamonds. One of those small diamonds fell out a couple weeks after he gave it to her. They took it back to the jewelry store where the missing diamond was replaced and the prongs on the setting tightened up so it wouldn't happen again. That was all covered by the warranty.

The warranty obviously would not cover theft or loss (as in, loss of the whole ring, not just one stone falling out), so there is reason to have both the warranty AND insurance.

Make sure that the jeweler gives you the explicit description of the stone, as to cut, clarity, size, etc.
 
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