Engagement ring questions.

bookishgiraffes · September 2014

So after lots of conversations, BF suggested possibly moving our timeline up from June/July at the earliest to anywhere from November-March. So we've been discussing rings more, particularly in regards to budget. I found a setting that I'm absolutely in love with, but putting in a diamond would put it outside of our budget. However, I've seen many ladies on TK and some on this board discussing Moissanite. The more I look into it, the more I find the idea of having on in an e-ring appealing. So I just have a few questions in regards to this.

1. Those of you who have moissanite e-rings, how do you like them? How do they compare to diamond e-rings?

2. As far as getting a setting from one site, and a center stone from another site, could I just take the two to a jeweler and have it set? How does that work? (I've never bought much jewelry, and BF is clueless in this area as well).

KeptInStitches · September 2014

1.) I chose moissanite because it has a TON more fire than diamond - I think about 2x as much? I'm a magpie and and love the fire. It's especially gorgeous in natural light. Also, I'm an engineer and loved the science in the stone. I had it enhanced with the Forever Brilliant enhancement to up the color and clarity. I'm pretty sure that, all told, my e-ring and wedding band came to ~$1100, including a Forever Brilliant enhanced 0.75 carat equivalent round brilliant moissanite stone. I haven't had any problems with my ring and absolutely love it.

2.) I'm no good here. FI and I got my ring from MoissaniteCo.com (which I highly recommend) and we just did stone + setting from the same site.

Blue & White · September 2014

I know nothing about buying rings but we have lots of moissanite girls on this board so it definitely isn't a bad thing

I'm also friends with our jeweler so he would put it together. I think you mainly just need to find a jeweler that can do repair work - our friends shop is super high end but he even repairs watches sometimes so they do pretty much whatever you want and charge you accordingly

Hummingbird125 · September 2014

I have a 2ct. round moissanite and I absolutely love it. It's almost as hard as a diamond so I don't have to worry about scratching it, plus I think it's more sparkly than a diamond. I've also read that moissanite attract dirt/grime less than diamonds do. FI bought mine off of moissaniteco.com, but I don't know anything about buying the stone separately so I can't help you there. Good luck!

Dignity100 · September 2014

I ended up with a diamond because that's what FI was more comfortable with. I did look at a moissanite with my setting at one time though. You would just buy the setting from the jeweler and ask them to set the stone in it. I do not believe moissanite has to be 'cold set' but I'm sure you could ask if you purchased a loose stone.

If you have your setting picked out, you can always ask the jeweler about having your own stone set into the setting and if there would be any additional costs to do that.

labro · September 2014

I don't know anything about moissanite however I can definitely recommend choosing a stone separately from the setting. I'm not sure if moissanite comes in different grades the way diamonds do...but when you select an individual stone, it will allow you and your FI to see the whole stone and any imperfections or whatever before it's placed in a setting. I also think most jewelers will allow you to purchase just a setting and have a stone placed in it...but I'd call around to a few places and ask first.

eilis1228 · September 2014

My FI got my moissanite loose from Moissanite Co, and we took it to a local jeweler to have it set in one of the jeweler's settings. FI got a 1.5 carat equivalent moissanite enhanced with the Forever Brilliant for ~$600, and then with the setting and the added gemstones in total my ring was around $1600. I get tons of compliments on my ring all the time, and I love the fire in it. A lot of people have no idea it isn't a diamond, but when they ask, I tell them it's a moissanite and explain all the details about a moissanite. If you decide to get a stone larger than a carat, I would recommend the Forever Brilliant treatment if you want the color of a diamond. Untreated moissanite that large will appear more yellow/green, but the Forever Brilliant makes it colorless.

lilacck28 · September 2014

I looked at moissanite. I would have used it, too, except my mom gave us her engagement ring to use (she hasn't worn it for 20 years.) I had her diamond set into a different setting. We found a setting we liked for a great price (it was a thin platinum band with pave diamonds going halfway down the sides for $900.) However, this jeweler had a $400 resetting fee since we did not purchase a diamond or stone through them. $1300 was still less than most comparable jewelry stores, as well as the online vendors, so we went for it. (I researched intensely. I compared the specs of the diamonds, the weight of the platiunum, everything. There were one or two rings on bluenile and james allen that were a little less, but a lot of rings that were more....and shipping my diamond off to them scared me.) But yeah, resetting a stone can be expensive. Ask around about that price before you buy the setting, so you make sure to stay within budget. ETA: I love my diamond... but I'm always jealous when I hear about all the fire of a moissanite!!

bookishgiraffes · September 2014

Thanks for the help everyone!

I had already looked at Moissanite Co. for the stone, but I'll be looking at their settings now too. The store I found the original setting on is online and their physical store fronts are nowhere near me, so I'd be nervous having to ship the stone to them to see if they could set it, plus they only set other stones into their rings on a case by case basis.

The more I read about Moissanite, I'm pretty sure this is the way I want to go! and BF likes that it will keep us in budget and that he can't really tell that it's not a diamond from pictures that I have shown him.

loves2shop4shoes · September 2014

I have no experience with moissanite, but I agree with PP who said it's always a good idea to buy a stone separately from the setting. A shady jeweler can conceal a stone's imperfections with strategically placed prongs, which is why it's never a good idea to buy a pre-set ring.

LabLove86 · September 2014

I'm NEY but am looking at rings with BF. I have decided on moissanite for a few reasons.

First of all - I have my moms diamond and feel as though that is my diamond. I don't need another one.

When I was researching alternative center stones I read a lot more about moissanites and loved everything I read.

I found out that BF wants a meteorite/dinosaur bone wedding band. When researching I found out that moissanites are lab grown but that their composition was developed based on meteorite dust - and I thought that connection was really cool.

So to answer your questions:

1. Before 100% deciding on a moissanite I wanted to see them in person. I found a jeweler close to me (20 minute drive) who is a certified moissanite distributer. So I went in and compared loose stones to each other. I love the fire in them just like @KeptInStitches. And that with the reasons listed above cinched the deal for me.

2. Also no help here - because I found jeweler who is a 'certified distributer' we are just buying the stone and setting through said jeweler - so they will set it for me.

But good luck! And show pictures once you get it! We love ring porn here!!!!

Engagement ring questions.

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