I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure she's on DEEZ NUTZ. sorry i couldn't resist. i've wondered where she is too.
If she wants it to be a big announcement in front of both families, you could do it at a family gathering you host, like thanksgiving or christmas dinner, and just make a toast to her or something and bring out the ring then. As for where to shop and what kind, i'd say it depends on her style, whether she likes more traditional or more modern design. If she has been hinting at how, she probably also has been hinting at what kind, so i'd loook around to see if she's marked any pages of magazine ads or websites or something. it's cooler if you surprise her and find out through asking her friends or sister or something than ask her directly to pick one out. and congratulations on the decision!
I'd go for clarity over Karats, and I would not spend less than $4.5K, nor would I go over 1.5 Karats at any cost. It's just too big for everyday wear. Get the most brilliant diamond between 1.0 - 1.5 Karats that you can afford. The sparkle of a diamond is much underrated vs the size. Most women worth marrying understand this, or they will be immediately sold on brilliance over size the first day they wear it. Don't buy any setting other than a standard Tiffany (6 prongs gives the illusion of being bigger, and it holds the rock better), without somehow doing recon work on whether she wants something non-standard. Even if she doesn't like the Tiffany, none of her friends or the mom's involved will laugh at you for getting one; she can always get it reset to her pleasing. But, trying to find out what non-standard setting she wants can compromise the surprise element of the whole proposal. If you want a surprise at all costs, just get the Tiffany and don't do any recon work. also, I wouldn't propose in a crowd. I got a really expensive hotel room. and took her there after a night of activities on a date. When you know she'll say "yes", and I think you do, there is something to say about proposing less than 20 feet from a luxury hotel room bed. trust me on that one!
Well what a coincidence this thread popped up as I just purchased an engagement ring today myself! For price, the whole 2 months salary thing is bulls**t. Hey if you're rich go for it; otherwise, if the g/f actually cares about the price you spent or the size of the diamond (assuming it isn't so tiny you can't even see it) then maybe you should rethink about asking her. I think what matters more is getting a ring that really comes from the heart. For example, I got a setting that I could picture myself putting on her finger (a Chandler moment I know); something I feel she'll like. Then I used the main diamond from my mom's old engagement ring and remounted it into the new one. I think that'll make it pretty damn special if you ask me
pshh, engagement rings are all over the place on women's fingers for free, and you can get a nice set of garden clippers for $7.
Don't believe women who say they don't care about the ring. They care. Get something nice. Your woman will be comparing it with other people's rings. Do the right thing.
heypartner made me think of how I did it. I'd already popped the question, and gotten a yes. (within 20 feet of a bed, thank you very much! ) We had seen Breakfast at Tiffany's not long before, and I asked her if she'd like to go to Tiffany's and look at rings. There's one at the Galleria. Well, as you can imagine, they were very expensive. We were looking at engagement rings, and wedding rings, and the fellow helping us was very nice. My future wife saw a wedding ring that was basically a gold band that was a circle of small, very, very high quality diamonds, cut so they sparkled like you wouldn't believe. He took it out and gave it to her to try on, and it fit perfectly. She immediately fell in love with it. I told her, "Sweetie, I can afford this wedding band, but if you want an engagement ring, as well, we'll have to go somewhere else." What did she say? "Buy this, please! It's beautiful. You can get me an engagement ring someday in the future, for one of our big anniversaries, and you can get it at Tiffany's to match this band." So that's what we did. That was over 25 years ago. We still love to go into Tiffany's and browse around. By the way... that's a great, great flick, if you're trying to create a romantic mood.
Post photos of your chic and we'll let you know... I'd say it doesn't matter, but don't be a cheap ass mo' fo'. Spend what your heart desires, and what you know will impress her. You know her better than us... but I had to post the obligatory "post photos". In the end, it won't matter like most people including finalsbound said, "if she loves you, who gives a hoot?". Really, allow her to tell her friends "he must love me because... BLAM, b****ES! [she flashes the big rock]" but also don't do nothing too drastic. macalu, I have changed the color on your post because... you know what? that sh*t is GOLD right there, brother.
Man I am one lucky b*stard. My wife is not at all into jewelery. I spent $600 on her wedding ring and she was more then happy. 2 months salary....damn!
Thnx for the responses. We've looked all over Houston at different jewelry stores. My girlfriend wants a vintage/antique style band. She is not too concerned with the size of the diamond. I'd like to find a jewelry store where there is not a huge mark up, but the only rings I've found that I am considering buying are at Jared's and Robbin's Bros. Anyone know of another place I should look before I buy?
You mean you DIDN'T GO TO JARED? jk. I hate those TV Commercials. Dude... I think you had this wrong... weren't you supposed to buy the "will you marry me" ring on your own and the "heck yeah, HITMAN, I DO [want to jump your bones]!" ring together? Am I missing something here? Why be with her when picking a ring? Isn't that supposed to be a surprise?
There's a place in rosenburg you might try...Herfort's ...seemed like a great place and I wanted to buy from them but they didn't quite have the style of rings I wanted (was looking for something more modern).
Dude, just get a picture online of something she likes and take it to a few different places. Michael Klines will make it to match, and I'm sure plenty of others do the same. If you go to Robbins Bros. you just asking to get ripped off.
go see the movie Blood Diamond Dec 8th and maybe you won't want to buy a diamond... De Beers tried to shut this movie down and it is the epitome of an evil genius corporation. De Beers = OPEC of diamonds http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debeers http://blooddiamondmovie.warnerbros.com/
Agree with heypartner 100%. Don't get fooled by comments from her like "whatever you can afford is alright with me" garbage - she'll be expecting a decent ring as that is a big thing for women to talk about amongst themselves. I think you will have to go at least for 1 karat but no more than 1.5 as they get too gaudy to look at once they go over that size. The engagement ring I got my wife was a little over a karat but the diamond wasn't flawless and the clarity was acceptable. But you could never tell by looking at her ring; if I had gotten a flawless diamond and outstanding clarity (I can't remember the scale), I would have had to pay 12K or more but instead I paid like a third of that amount. Find you a good jeweler to work with - that is really the key and set a price range for yourself. I set a price range and didn't back off it. Trust me - you'll find someone who is willing to work with you - just stick to your guns. Oh and I proposed with just her around - none of our families were around (well her - now mine as well - daughter was there but that was it).
I'm kind of floored by some of the responses in here; 4K, 10K, 15K.... 1karat, 1.5karat, 2, etc... ...this bigger is better mentality is exactly why so many people go in debt in the US. This isn't a house and it's not a car. Get what you can afford and get something that's from the heart, that mean's something. And definitely talk about it w/ her before hand. I love the ring I got, and it didn't break the bank for me; I have a feeling she'll love it too (which is most important), as I feel it suits her style. Maybe I got lucky; she doesn't want something extravagant but not too simple..so I got her something that looks nice, has nice proportions where the whole ring flows well, that can be worn everday w/o fear of messing it up or getting it jacked and something that isn't gaudy. 1K is huge, unless you're talking 1K total weight.
