1. Before your bf proposed, did he start talking about the ring? Like nonstop?
Everytime my bf and I talk over the past 2 weeks, he brings up weddings and/or engagement rings.
2. Did you (or bf/fi/dh) have a preference as to if the ring was bought at a "ma and pa" store or at a big retail store (Like Kays?)
We were trying to make a list of the positives and negatives of each type of store. We didn't really come to a conclusion.
~~December 3, 2011~~
Re: Engagement ring questions
[QUOTE]1. Before your bf proposed, did he start talking about the ring? Like nonstop? Everytime my bf and I talk over the past 2 weeks, he brings up weddings and/or engagement rings. 2. Did you (or bf/fi/dh) have a preference as to if the ring was bought at a "ma and pa" store or at a big retail store (Like Kays?) We were trying to make a list of the positives and negatives of each type of store. We didn't really come to a conclusion.
Posted by Ember01[/QUOTE]
Um, was this supposed to be a response to another thread? If so, you should have replied there and not started a whole new thread. Just a word of advice.
"Oceana swings from logical to anus punching." - Buttons
Planning / Married / Blog
Um... we have probably talked about weddings/marriage weekly for the last year. We have talked about the ring and seen some together, he told me when he bought it etc. But these conversations are probably also weekly.
We didn't really have a preference about where to buy the ring in terms of the size of the store. We wanted a place that was reputable, fairly priced, and had a good warranty. We ended up going with MoissaniteCo, but we looked at Jared, Diamond Direct, and a local jeweler.
2. He didn't want to buy a ring where he'd pay through the nose for a marked up piece of jewelry (aka, chain store). We went looking at real stores to get an idea of what we both liked, and then he bought my ring online for a great deal. Local jewelers also tend to have better prices for the exact same quality diamond.
2.) He had no preference, and neither did I. The only thing he ruled out was the $600 ring I found on Craigslist. I liked it and had no problem with having a ring that belonged to some one else, he hated the idea.
The ring we want is from Fred Meyer's, but we chose the ring, not the store.
BTW, I have a niece named Ember. But I'm pretty sure you aren't her. She's 4.
2. We ended up going with a custom design from a private jeweler. We shopped a lot in bigger chains, but we were pretty sure all along that we wouldn't buy from one. For one, I've heard a lot of horror stories regarding their customer service and finished product quality. Also, though, they tend to have pretty ridiculous mark-ups on their prices. Zale's tried to sell us a 1 carat (SI2, G/H) solitaire for $13,000. Um, what?
loves2shop4shoes: Thanks for the information on Kays! I will definitely mention it to my bf.
Wrkn925: I was a camp counselor for years and Ember was my camp name, so it's not my real name.
I was pissed.
Still am
But BF knows I'm anti-Kays, although I really have no preferences besides that.
I do recommend getting a ring you can afford though - I have friends who are just engaged and had a kid right away and their finances are terrible currently. He still hasn't paid off the engagement ring.
Mine is from Kay's. It took a while to get it sized. However I get it cared for for free for ever, and cleaned. Also they will resize it forever too, which is nice. I like it, I thought we got good service, and I love my ring. It is very good quality, was a good price, and I can always get it resized, so when I have kids and am bigger I can still wear it.
I feel a little weird about getting it from a chain store, as people often make comments about Kays. However I love my ring, and its good for us.
I did have a preference. FI knew he was supposed to buy the ring from my cousin, at my uncle's jewelry store. He had bought me other jewelry from chain stores but something this big needed to be done at my uncle's since it was more of a custom thing.
2. I realize that some people only have access to Kays and Zales, but we are both pretty turned off by mega chains. All of the jewelry he's bought me has come from the same, small, local family jewelry stores. They've become a chain because they have multiple locations, but they are not the type to have commercials on TV.
We looked at rings from chain stores and I agree the CS was lacking. I guess my BF went alone and they basically told him he couldn't afford anything they had! He threw down his Military ID and they were all about helping him... (just because he has a southern accent doens't make him an idiot... stupid yankees... haha but I digress). But the damage was done!
A friend recommended a family owned jeweler but when we pulled up and it was HUGE. They were patient and let me pick as many settings as I wanted, explained diamonds to us and the "grades" or whatever... then sent me off to wonder the store so they could talk to my BF alone. I know he got my ring from there... just waiting patiently for him to propose... We picked the place for the customer service and quality. We plan on getting our bands there too. BF said when he goes to make a payment, the CS sees him walk in and gets the ring for him to look at haha. Yes I know too much about the ring...
my 2012 shelf:
First comes love, next comes marriage, then comes...
2. Yep, we aren't into the name-brand thing about anything really, but especially not jewelry. We went to a local-ish store and the CS was fantastic. She knew us by name when we walked in, remembered our price points, we only have contact with her. Basically she was great. We were happy with our decision. And FYI - we get free cleaning and resizing for life as well, so it's not just big chains that do this. It's anywhere that wants to keep your future business, IMO.
[QUOTE]<strong>1.</strong> <strong>Before your bf proposed, did he start talking about the ring? Like nonstop?
</strong>
No he did not.
<strong>2. Did you (or bf/fi/dh) have a preference as to if the ring was bought at a "ma and pa" store or at a big retail store (Like Kays?)
</strong>
Since we got moissanite he bought it online because of the greater selection.
Posted by Ember01[/QUOTE]
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