Comments on: Save Money When Buying a Diamond Ring & Avoid Going into Jewelry Debt http://moneysmartlife.com/save-money-when-buying-a-diamond-ring-avoid-going-into-jewelry-debt/ Money Tips for a Better Life Sat, 21 Nov 2009 07:43:50 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Erica http://moneysmartlife.com/save-money-when-buying-a-diamond-ring-avoid-going-into-jewelry-debt/comment-page-1/#comment-153055 Erica Thu, 25 Jun 2009 01:28:47 +0000 http://moneysmartlife.com/save-money-on-an-diamond-ring-avoid-going-into-jewelry-debt/#comment-153055 I just got a composite stone in by E ring and it looks like one big stone but is really 6 smaller ones. I actually tried it on just for fun thinking it was three or four carats and way out of my $5500 price range. We ended up getting a ring that looks to be three carats for $5600! and because it is really six smaller diamonds set together we could afford a very good color and clarity of each of the diamonds. I also got the designers name and all the dealers who can order from them so I could compare estimates and insure my PERFECT ring. I also got my ring with bigger stones then it came with and set in platinum. All of my friends and family's jaws dropped at the sight of my ring and no one knows! Def the way to go if on a budget! I just got a composite stone in by E ring and it looks like one big stone but is really 6 smaller ones. I actually tried it on just for fun thinking it was three or four carats and way out of my $5500 price range. We ended up getting a ring that looks to be three carats for $5600! and because it is really six smaller diamonds set together we could afford a very good color and clarity of each of the diamonds. I also got the designers name and all the dealers who can order from them so I could compare estimates and insure my PERFECT ring. I also got my ring with bigger stones then it came with and set in platinum. All of my friends and family’s jaws dropped at the sight of my ring and no one knows! Def the way to go if on a budget!

]]> By: brian http://moneysmartlife.com/save-money-when-buying-a-diamond-ring-avoid-going-into-jewelry-debt/comment-page-1/#comment-103757 brian Mon, 08 Sep 2008 08:16:12 +0000 http://moneysmartlife.com/save-money-on-an-diamond-ring-avoid-going-into-jewelry-debt/#comment-103757 <a href="http://www.clerk.co.montgomery.oh.us/pro/image_onbase.cfm?docket=13164637" rel="nofollow">GIA Bribery Scandal Court</a> Update - Beware:GIA Diamond Grading Reports GIA Bribery Scandal Court Update – Beware:GIA Diamond Grading Reports

]]> By: Jennifer http://moneysmartlife.com/save-money-when-buying-a-diamond-ring-avoid-going-into-jewelry-debt/comment-page-1/#comment-97142 Jennifer Wed, 13 Aug 2008 16:16:27 +0000 http://moneysmartlife.com/save-money-on-an-diamond-ring-avoid-going-into-jewelry-debt/#comment-97142 There is a great article on Bloomberg News today regarding diamonds. Check it out: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601093&sid=aIpNv7nRUzFE&refer=spend There is a great article on Bloomberg News today regarding diamonds. Check it out: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601093&sid=aIpNv7nRUzFE&refer=spend

]]> By: Connie http://moneysmartlife.com/save-money-when-buying-a-diamond-ring-avoid-going-into-jewelry-debt/comment-page-1/#comment-86521 Connie Mon, 30 Jun 2008 13:41:17 +0000 http://moneysmartlife.com/save-money-on-an-diamond-ring-avoid-going-into-jewelry-debt/#comment-86521 It was mentioned in the article, but I wanted to throw my two cents in - Amazon.com runs frequent sales, and many times they have diamond rings up to 70% off. They also have a beautiful line of CZ rings - I know this has not been mentioned here, and I'm not looking to start a fight with all these ladies that are set on the real thing, but CZ set into real gold is dirt cheap, and personally I'd rather have a realistic fake than a cloudy yellow diamond any day of the week - jewelry is just for show anyway, why go into debt over it? Just my 2 cents :) It was mentioned in the article, but I wanted to throw my two cents in – Amazon.com runs frequent sales, and many times they have diamond rings up to 70% off.

They also have a beautiful line of CZ rings – I know this has not been mentioned here, and I’m not looking to start a fight with all these ladies that are set on the real thing, but CZ set into real gold is dirt cheap, and personally I’d rather have a realistic fake than a cloudy yellow diamond any day of the week – jewelry is just for show anyway, why go into debt over it?

Just my 2 cents :)

]]> By: Ren http://moneysmartlife.com/save-money-when-buying-a-diamond-ring-avoid-going-into-jewelry-debt/comment-page-1/#comment-86340 Ren Fri, 27 Jun 2008 17:10:43 +0000 http://moneysmartlife.com/save-money-on-an-diamond-ring-avoid-going-into-jewelry-debt/#comment-86340 If it's price you are concerned about, ask at your local jeweller about Moissanite. Costs 10 times less than a diamond and tests as a diamond. Also, check out these links: http://www.cbc.ca/consumers/market/files/scams/moissanite/index.html http://www.yoursforever.ca/ Again, it all depends on the lady...but I've made I've made it VERY clear to my boyfriend that when the time comes, I'd rather have a large moissanite, than a small diamond. Besides, who has to know? ;) If it’s price you are concerned about, ask at your local jeweller about Moissanite.
Costs 10 times less than a diamond and tests as a diamond.

Also, check out these links:

http://www.cbc.ca/consumers/market/files/scams/moissanite/index.html

http://www.yoursforever.ca/

Again, it all depends on the lady…but I’ve made I’ve made it VERY clear to my boyfriend that when the time comes, I’d rather have a large moissanite, than a small diamond. Besides, who has to know? ;)

]]> By: Potato http://moneysmartlife.com/save-money-when-buying-a-diamond-ring-avoid-going-into-jewelry-debt/comment-page-1/#comment-85387 Potato Sun, 15 Jun 2008 22:03:01 +0000 http://moneysmartlife.com/save-money-on-an-diamond-ring-avoid-going-into-jewelry-debt/#comment-85387 In my experience, the small independent diamond merchants on Dundas St. in Toronto were quite a bit less expensive than retail/mall locations, and most of their work was custom. Buying the diamond first and then matching the setting seemed to work quite well. For us, cut seemed to be the most bang-for-the-buck since it's what makes the diamond "sparkly". While we could tell the difference in colour when compared to other diamonds, on its own next to a skin-coloured hand everything up to an "I" or "J" appeared perfectly white. A yellow gold (vs. white gold or platinum) band will also make it more difficult to subjectively tell what the colour is (though YMMV). Two other things to mention in addition to what you have. First off is that there is a bit of a psychological importance to round numbers, so there are often price breaks to getting a diamond just below 0.5 or 0.75 or 1 carat. Since many guys will just ask for a half carat or what have you, it can sometimes be hard to find a good cut below that since if a diamond cutter is given a rough stone that they can cut perfectly to 0.48 carats, or cut a little rougher to 0.5 carats, they'll often choose a poorer cut to get to the psychologically important number. Another measure of diamond quality is its fluorescence. Ideally, a diamond shouldn't fluoresce under UV light, and one that doesn't will cost a bit more, all else being equal. However, if you go clubbing a lot and want a neat fluorescence, or want one to look whiter under sunlight than artificial lighting, then you can go for one that fluoresces (just be sure to try to talk them into a discount for it! :) I was going to pay cash for the ring, but they would only give me 2% off for doing so. I figured that by using the card, I get about 1% back in reward points as well as some insurance from theft (I think) or poor workmanship, and since it was going to take a few weeks for the custom ring, with a card # I wouldn't actually get charged until it was ready, so I could wrangle nearly an extra month of interest on the cash (ok, that doesn't total another 1%, but I like using the card). Personally, I think the whole thing is a terrible tradition of throwing money away, but try telling that to a <del>magpie</del> girl. In my experience, the small independent diamond merchants on Dundas St. in Toronto were quite a bit less expensive than retail/mall locations, and most of their work was custom. Buying the diamond first and then matching the setting seemed to work quite well. For us, cut seemed to be the most bang-for-the-buck since it’s what makes the diamond “sparkly”. While we could tell the difference in colour when compared to other diamonds, on its own next to a skin-coloured hand everything up to an “I” or “J” appeared perfectly white. A yellow gold (vs. white gold or platinum) band will also make it more difficult to subjectively tell what the colour is (though YMMV).

Two other things to mention in addition to what you have. First off is that there is a bit of a psychological importance to round numbers, so there are often price breaks to getting a diamond just below 0.5 or 0.75 or 1 carat. Since many guys will just ask for a half carat or what have you, it can sometimes be hard to find a good cut below that since if a diamond cutter is given a rough stone that they can cut perfectly to 0.48 carats, or cut a little rougher to 0.5 carats, they’ll often choose a poorer cut to get to the psychologically important number. Another measure of diamond quality is its fluorescence. Ideally, a diamond shouldn’t fluoresce under UV light, and one that doesn’t will cost a bit more, all else being equal. However, if you go clubbing a lot and want a neat fluorescence, or want one to look whiter under sunlight than artificial lighting, then you can go for one that fluoresces (just be sure to try to talk them into a discount for it! :)

I was going to pay cash for the ring, but they would only give me 2% off for doing so. I figured that by using the card, I get about 1% back in reward points as well as some insurance from theft (I think) or poor workmanship, and since it was going to take a few weeks for the custom ring, with a card # I wouldn’t actually get charged until it was ready, so I could wrangle nearly an extra month of interest on the cash (ok, that doesn’t total another 1%, but I like using the card).

Personally, I think the whole thing is a terrible tradition of throwing money away, but try telling that to a magpie girl.

]]> By: Celtics and Oprah (and some weekend links) http://moneysmartlife.com/save-money-when-buying-a-diamond-ring-avoid-going-into-jewelry-debt/comment-page-1/#comment-85258 Celtics and Oprah (and some weekend links) Sat, 14 Jun 2008 21:11:54 +0000 http://moneysmartlife.com/save-money-on-an-diamond-ring-avoid-going-into-jewelry-debt/#comment-85258 [...] saw this post over at Money Smart Life and gave a small chuckle. save money when buying a diamond ring & avoid going into jewelry debt Who has been in this situation? What did you do about it? Diamonds are status symbols, but perhaps [...] [...] saw this post over at Money Smart Life and gave a small chuckle. save money when buying a diamond ring & avoid going into jewelry debt Who has been in this situation? What did you do about it? Diamonds are status symbols, but perhaps [...]

]]> By: Personal Finance: The Week in Review # 2 - MoneyRemix http://moneysmartlife.com/save-money-when-buying-a-diamond-ring-avoid-going-into-jewelry-debt/comment-page-1/#comment-85257 Personal Finance: The Week in Review # 2 - MoneyRemix Sat, 14 Jun 2008 21:03:35 +0000 http://moneysmartlife.com/save-money-on-an-diamond-ring-avoid-going-into-jewelry-debt/#comment-85257 [...] Save Money When Buying a Diamond Ring & Avoid Going into Jewelry Debt - “Diamonds are forever…on your credit card”. Classic! [Money Smart Life] [...] [...] Save Money When Buying a Diamond Ring & Avoid Going into Jewelry Debt – “Diamonds are forever…on your credit card”. Classic! [Money Smart Life] [...]

]]> By: Angie http://moneysmartlife.com/save-money-when-buying-a-diamond-ring-avoid-going-into-jewelry-debt/comment-page-1/#comment-85175 Angie Fri, 13 Jun 2008 14:12:39 +0000 http://moneysmartlife.com/save-money-on-an-diamond-ring-avoid-going-into-jewelry-debt/#comment-85175 I love all the comments. Very helpful as we are looking into rings over the next couple weeks. Any comments on the best value for color? Trying not to overspend but find something I like! Also thanks for the reminder of basing carats to hand size! I have very small hands and its hard to place a concept like that when I am primariily looking online. I appreciate any other comments/recommendations people might have! This is stressful for someone who is just trying to pull their finances together. I love all the comments. Very helpful as we are looking into rings over the next couple weeks. Any comments on the best value for color? Trying not to overspend but find something I like! Also thanks for the reminder of basing carats to hand size! I have very small hands and its hard to place a concept like that when I am primariily looking online.

I appreciate any other comments/recommendations people might have! This is stressful for someone who is just trying to pull their finances together.

]]> By: Betty http://moneysmartlife.com/save-money-when-buying-a-diamond-ring-avoid-going-into-jewelry-debt/comment-page-1/#comment-85140 Betty Thu, 12 Jun 2008 16:56:23 +0000 http://moneysmartlife.com/save-money-on-an-diamond-ring-avoid-going-into-jewelry-debt/#comment-85140 Dreamy1 - so now we know to look for a VVS2 clarity... what about color? Is H really that much better than I ? Thanks! Dreamy1 – so now we know to look for a VVS2 clarity… what about color? Is H really that much better than I ? Thanks!

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