You'll be getting terribly ripped off if you go to a "mall store" or even a larger retail chain. Generally, those stores mark their stones and merchandise up astronomically, so even if they tell you they'll give you a "great" deal for X amount over wholesale, their talking retail wholesale and you'd still be paying too much.

Ask around, do some hunting, you have to know someone who knows a private jeweler or a buyer. That's how you get the good prices and the best stones for your money. And if they make their own pieces...even better. A unique, custom piece says that much more to the one you're giving it too.

Example...When I was ready to purchase an engagement ring, I went to our jeweler to talk to him about it. Our jeweler buys all his own stones and makes most of his own pieces. And because we have a long standing relationship with him, he got me the best prices he could. He and I decided that with my wife's small fingers, we couldn't go bigger that 2 ct. with the ring I had designed for her. He got about a dozen different stones that were all really excellent quality ranging in size from 1.6 ct to 2 ct. He and I finally settled on a 1.6 ct. that had a wider table with superb clarity that was abount the same dimensional size as some of the 2 ct. stones. The band was custom-made because I designed it and was cast in platinum. It was nice and heavy, not chinsy-feeling like platinum you'd find in "stores". So when it was all said and done, I paid just under half of what the ring appraised for.

My point is that by cutting out the retail store, you'll be able to get a much better quality ring for your money. And have more choices too.

Good luck.

posted by 69.21.200...

• Engagement Ring Advice, Some Guy, Mon, 31 Jan 2005 05:24:19
  • look first, jp, Wed, 2 Feb 2005 12:41:21
  • WHAT? Not sure if she checks this board........?, andy , Tue, 1 Feb 2005 18:16:57
  • Re: Engagement Ring Advice, CFishgo, Tue, 1 Feb 2005 09:31:33
  • First off - Congrats!!, saabgirlie , Mon, 31 Jan 2005 20:52:33
  • Re: Engagement Ring Advice, Steve in Chicago, Mon, 31 Jan 2005 16:45:24
  • Re: Engagement Ring Advice, Nathan Work, Mon, 31 Jan 2005 16:38:26
    • Re: Engagement Ring Advice, Some Guy, Mon, 31 Jan 2005 16:38:43
  • I figured...., cryptical, Mon, 31 Jan 2005 13:54:00
  • You guys all talk about spending too much $ on rings,, NickR, Mon, 31 Jan 2005 12:22:28
    • How many of us bought our Saabs new? or make payments?, PGAero , Mon, 31 Jan 2005 15:10:35
    • Re: You guys all talk about spending too much $ on rings,, Yak, Mon, 31 Jan 2005 12:29:02
      • I know - I had one :) n/m, NickR, Mon, 31 Jan 2005 12:33:21
  • Practical wife: prefer 401K plan than "rock.", Caukinh, Mon, 31 Jan 2005 12:20:24
  • Interesting responses, my guess is that those who are.., TKC, Mon, 31 Jan 2005 12:07:16
    • Re: Interesting responses, my guess is that those who a, Wendy, Sat, 12 Feb 2005 18:48:03
    • Re: Interesting responses, my guess is that those who a, W, Sat, 12 Feb 2005 18:44:06
    • Re: your guess isn't always true..., JimBlake , Tue, 1 Feb 2005 09:12:23
    • do you have the same thought about weddings?, Bob M, Mon, 31 Jan 2005 12:17:16
      • couldn't agree more..., cryptical, Mon, 31 Jan 2005 14:01:00
      • A ring is a symbol, no it isn't the same ....., TKC, Mon, 31 Jan 2005 13:02:42
        • A wedding isn't a symbol?, Bob M, Tue, 1 Feb 2005 11:46:40
          • Why shower such bitterness and negativity ? n/m, TKC, Tue, 1 Feb 2005 12:14:11
  • Buy a motorcycle instead...., Yak, Mon, 31 Jan 2005 11:43:09
  • Some advice, tsw, Mon, 31 Jan 2005 10:20:05
  • Re: Engagement Ring Advice, Mattias.se, Mon, 31 Jan 2005 09:59:03
  • Link to a good on-line site for this, Dean, Mon, 31 Jan 2005 08:57:03
  • Re: Engagement Ring Advice, Allen K, Mon, 31 Jan 2005 08:41:06
  • How about an estate sale? Canadian diamonds?, Brian_in_MA, Mon, 31 Jan 2005 08:21:03
  • Just beware of really good fakes, yes, there are...., TKC, Mon, 31 Jan 2005 07:59:31
  • Don't go to "store", water dog, Mon, 31 Jan 2005 07:50:42 <-- Viewing This Message
  • Do you know what sort of ring SHE wants?, Urby, Mon, 31 Jan 2005 07:32:45
  • OT, dip, Mon, 31 Jan 2005 07:31:00
  • Avoid the malls, SS, Mon, 31 Jan 2005 07:30:25
  • I did this recently, Josh88SiS, Mon, 31 Jan 2005 07:10:09
  • Re: Engagement Ring Advice, johnf, Mon, 31 Jan 2005 06:57:05
  • I am in a similar boat (don't tell her)..., elliott, Mon, 31 Jan 2005 06:27:37
  • Re: Engagement Ring Advice, MatthewB, Mon, 31 Jan 2005 06:19:13
  • where are you?? find someone you trust...., sonett43, Mon, 31 Jan 2005 06:11:49
  • Don't trade quality for size... women know these things, NateinAA, Mon, 31 Jan 2005 05:50:21
    • i was looking at blue nile, SomeGuy, Mon, 31 Jan 2005 06:37:36
      • do some browsing in person first, MJM , Mon, 31 Jan 2005 09:26:17
      • Sounds about right, NateinAA, Mon, 31 Jan 2005 07:54:15

No Site Registration is Required to Post - Site Membership is optional (Member Features List), but helps to keep the site online
for all Saabers. If the site helps you, please consider helping the site by becoming a member.

• Prev by Date: (none)
• Next by Date: Sounds about right, NateinAA, Mon, 31 Jan 2005 07:54:15
• Main General Bulletin Board

StateOfNine.com

SaabClub.com

Jak Stoll Performance

M Car Covers

Ad Available

The content on this site may not be republished without permission. Copyright © 1988-2024 - The Saab Network - saabnet.com.
For usage guidelines, see the Mission & Privacy Notice.
[Contact | Site Map | Saabnet.com on Facebook | Saabnet.com on Twitter | Shop Amazon via TSN | Site Donations]

Random Saabnet.com Member Gallery Photos (Click Image)