Advice on purchasing a diamond

[Deleted member 79588]

Thanks for the advice fellas... I've got a friend in Chicago who knows a guy who knows a guy that has a hook up on diamonds... Planning on seeing what kind of prices and quality this guy can get. Does anyone have URL's for the diamond exchange or jewelry exchange?

 

[MatticusMania]

At least. It's definitely a good thing I dropped the music major, haha.

Oh man! Well I guess if you can afford it then why not... personally, I'd rather put that money towards buying a house.

 

[EricF]

Thanks for the advice fellas... I've got a friend in Chicago who knows a guy who knows a guy that has a hook up on diamonds... Planning on seeing what kind of prices and quality this guy can get. Does anyone have URL's for the diamond exchange or jewelry exchange?

I did a Google search for "chicago wholesale diamonds" and came up with lots of possibilities.

 

[TSanders]

Want my best advice?

Haggle AND pay with cash if possible. This ring was marked at $5600 and I got it for right at half of that. I got it appraised, and it appraised for more than I paid for it. My fiance got insured for loss or damage.

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[Jeff Roller]

I worked in the jewelry business for 20+ years, was the diamond and colored stone buyer, and lead estate appraiser for the oldest respected firm in my town.

I finished my degree and left the jewelry business. Where did I turn for a diamond ring for my fiance after years of connections to the jewelry business?

EBAY.

Seriously, educate yourself, there's more to it than the grade of the diamond, the cut (make) affects beauty more than color and clarity. I see nothing wrong with buying used (or if you want to pretty it up, estate). Most of us on here see nothing wrong with buying a used bass, why not buy a used diamond? Diamonds don't show wear, I've never seen a reliced diamond. Pop it out, put it in a new ring, and shazam, you have an engagement ring.

 

[theshadow2001]

Why do women hold these rings in such high regard?

 

[Johnny Fila]

Any other advice on purchasing stones? Thanks!

Yes. don't do it.

 

[EricF]

Why do women hold these rings in such high regard?

Some do more than others.

For my wife, it's a symbol of my love for her, and she loves the attention when people notice it (it's quite sparkly).

 

[bongomania]

Just FYI there are significant political issues around diamonds as well, which are NOT adequately addressed by the regulations touted in "Blood Diamond" etc. Of course I can't go into detail without "getting political" here, so just Google for more info.

 

[Snakeman1066]

Thanks for the advice fellas... I've got a friend in Chicago who knows a guy who knows a guy that has a hook up on diamonds... Planning on seeing what kind of prices and quality this guy can get. Does anyone have URL's for the diamond exchange or jewelry exchange?

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they sell a no frills 1 carat round in a simple setting for $500.00 all day long and i fairly sure thay have offices in Chicago the higher end stuff is usally 80% off retail and the say that what you buy from them is guaranteed to appraise for double what you pay


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+1000 on USED you would be suprised how many pawn shops and brokers and estate auctioneers put stuff up on e-bay for a fraction of retail....if you choose to go the diamond route seriously educate yourself and good luck

 

[Snakeman1066]

Just FYI there are significant political issues around diamonds as well, which are NOT adequately addressed by the regulations touted in "Blood Diamond" etc. Of course I can't go into detail without "getting political" here, so just Google for more info.

already touched on that

diamonds are a scam, pure and simple (money wise). Between the DeBeers diamond cartel, child labor in Third World diamond processing/cutting operations, and blood diamonds/conflict diamonds? used to finance oppression and genocide in Third World African countries, diamonds are just not worth the hassle, guilt, inevitable depreciation, and, let's not forget, thousands upon thousands of questionably spent dollars. (Politics aside)....

...if it were me i would sink my money into Moissanite (looks better than a diamond anyway and runs about $500.00 a carat, or better yet (Tanzanite..at least then you investment would appreciate in value)

 

[bongomania]

Ah yes. Another answer (for those who are bothered) is to buy used. Even buying a used diamond and setting it in your own custom-made ring, though a compromise of sorts, is better than buying a new diamond ring.

I'm glad to learn about that Moissanite and Tanzanite, too.

 

[iamlowsound]

I don't think that I would ever buy a diamond, there are way too many political/moral reasons not to. Plus I think they are a waste of money. I like fancy stuff, I really do. I wouldn't think twice about dropping $2000 on a watch if I had the money, but I just wouldn't do it with a diamond. I would (and will) but my future wife a nice ring, but it will simply NOT have a diamond in it, probably a cubic zerconia, moissanite or tanzanite in it. I also don't see the point in a large wedding, in fact, I intend on eloping, then having a reception for friends and family after.

lowsound

 

[MatticusMania]

I don't think that I would ever buy a diamond, there are way too many political/moral reasons not to. Plus I think they are a waste of money. I like fancy stuff, I really do. I wouldn't think twice about dropping $2000 on a watch if I had the money, but I just wouldn't do it with a diamond. I would (and will) but my future wife a nice ring, but it will simply NOT have a diamond in it, probably a cubic zerconia, moissanite or tanzanite in it. I also don't see the point in a large wedding, in fact, I intend on eloping, then having a reception for friends and family after.

lowsound

My (now ex) wife and I got married in Vegas, for $100. Afterwards she would always talk about the day we would have our "real" wedding. It always made me laugh, I mean, she didnt even have a car & couldnt afford rent, and her priority was in financing a wedding... after we were already married?!
If I ever get married again, it will not be a traditional marriage. I will have a person of my choosing wed me on a beach in Maui type thing, but no way am I dropping a deuce on some crazy bridezilla extravagent wedding. My potentially future wife will have to feel the same, or its off.

 

[Baryonyx]

My wife wore a zirconium ring. I couldnt afford a diamond at the moment. She knew this, and she loved her ring. She got compliments on it daily, seriously. Nice big 2 carat rock of nothing. It looked great, and only cost $50.

Respect man, I commend your sensibility. These are trying times, financially. I certainly wouldn't think any less of a man for buying a cubic zirc for his girl if he spends what he saves wisely. Is it about the look or the cost? If you've got a girl who is happy to be wearing a ring that means she's getting married to you, you've got a keeper. If you've got a girl who is happy because she has a diamond on her finger, you've picked a dud. Not everyone can afford a pricey rock dug up by slaves in Africa, but pretty much anyone can afford to make a heartfelt gesture.

Oh come on, a ring is the last thing to cheap out on.

Nah, such petty frivolities are the first thing to cheap out on. Ideally, everyone would love to buy their girl a nice rock but at the end of the day, it's not always a realistic aspiration.

 

[syciprider]

Don't buy outsourced basses. They may have been made with child labor.

Don't buy Chinese made goods. China makes no effort to curb pollution.

Don't buy a Sadowsky J. The design was stolen.

Don't buy anything you don't need period. Save it towards your great grandkid's education.

Lighten up and quit nuking the process of picking one man's present to his lady.

 

[peterbright]

Talk to your babe. 5 carat cz in a quality setting & use the balance of the money on a down payment on a house.

 

[MJ5150]

If she is right for you, your girl will love you no matter what. The thing is, her friends and family will be the ones clowning on her and YOU if you cheap out on some ghetto ring. You don't want your girl being the object of ridicule, do you? Do YOU want to be the targer of comments like..."your boyfriend bought you THAT? Wow, he must be cheap". Any decent girl will defend you at the moment, but it will hurt her deep down inside.

Remember.....every kiss begins with K.

-Mike

 

[Scarlet Fire]

Here's the way I see it.

You can be sensible all day long and convince yourself that you made the better choice. But when it comes down to it, you're still somewhat disappointed that you didn't wind up with the Fodera instead of the American Jazz, even though the difference in price allowed you to finish your car payments.

I would think it would be the same way with the ring. Even if it's a gift, and it makes all of the sense in the world not to go for the big, shiny ring, it's still going to be a little disappointing, even if she doesn't show it. There's just something about knowing that you have a real diamond in that setting instead of a synthetic substitute, even if you can't tell the difference to the naked eye. So, why not splurge a little? This is the person you want to spend the rest of your life with. Make a sacrifice somewhere (sell a bass?) and give her something nice.

 

[Toasted]

Don't buy outsourced basses. They may have been made with child labor.

Don't buy Chinese made goods. China makes no effort to curb pollution.

Don't buy a Sadowsky J. The design was stolen.

Don't buy anything you don't need period. Save it towards your great grandkid's education.

Lighten up and quit nuking the process of picking one man's present to his lady.

Chalk it up people, I agree 100% w/ Syciprider.