This is topic Diamond Anniv. Band??? I am helpless in forum Books, Films, Food and Culture at Hatrack River Forum.


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Posted by vwiggin (Member # 926) on :
 
My parent's anniversary is coming up and I'm pretty darn sure my dad isn't going to get my mom any jewelry. Great guy, a little dense.

I think I will buy one and give it to her in his name. The thing is, I have no clue about cut, clarity, color, and, damn I'm missing one.

I looked through Zales, Robbins Brothers, and Tiffany's and this is the only one I liked:

Zales Diamond

Details:

Details:

Gold Karat 18K
GIA Color E - F
GIA Clarity IF
Stone Shape Round
Certified Certified
Metal Color White
Diamond Total Weight(CT. T.W) 3/8
Metal Type Gold
Stone Type Diamond

I know it looks boring, but I like the classic, understated design. My mom is a petite little woman, so anything too flashy would seem out of place.

Is $999 a good deal for this ring? Is White Gold something you can wear all the time? And, most importantly (question for the ladies, esp. Mrs. M), would you be happy to receive this as an anniversary present? [Confused] Zales Diamond

[ April 11, 2004, 10:08 PM: Message edited by: vwiggin ]
 
Posted by jexx (Member # 3450) on :
 
I am not a fan of white gold, myself, but lots of people like it!

18K gold is kind of soft, is your mom a physical kind of person? I mess around with the dogs a lot, and do lots of lifting for work, so 18K gold is impractical for me. Even my 14K wedding set gets all smooshed out of shape.

I didn't realize that Anniversary Bands came in three-stone settings. When I first saw it, I thought it was more of an engagement ring, but the website explained the 'past, present and future' aspect of the three stones. I prefer the channel setting, myself (I'm traditional that way, besides, the stones stay out of the way), but YMMMV (your mom's mileage may vary).

$999 seems a bit much for less than a half a carat total weight, but Mrs. M would know better than I. [Smile]

Good luck!
 
Posted by Valentine014 (Member # 5981) on :
 
Jewelry? Diamonds? What woman, (especially your mother) wouldn't like to get a ring as a present?

After having done some diamond research of my own (I was engaged once and we had bought the most beautiful ring), I encourage you to do as much research as you can. Visit at least 3 different stores and I personally, think you shouldn't ever buy a diamond without seeing it loose (out of its setting) through a loop. You would be amazed at the flaws you can see that way, flaws that the sales person never would have mentioned had you not seen them for yourself.

I wish you luck!

Edit: I think it would be best to stick to 14K, jexx is right, 18 is very soft and wears faster.

Edit #2: White gold is a nice choice, just make sure she likes it. I am not sure how old your mother is, but I have found older women seems to like the traditional yellow. But I could be wrong.

[ April 11, 2004, 10:30 PM: Message edited by: Valentine014 ]
 
Posted by vwiggin (Member # 926) on :
 
Gobs of useful information! Thank you kind ladies. [Smile]

To clarify, I have not seen this ring in person. Your point regarding the price-weight ratio is well taken. Sure this ring looks good in a picture, but would the diamonds look a bit small in real life?

I don't know if I would be able to spot flaws in real life. I am pretty good at distinguishing Mint and Near Mint comic books, but that is the extent of my expertise.

I misread Jexx's reference to "channel setting" as "chanel setting" so I visited chanel.com. [Embarrassed]

The good news is, I did come across this pretty nifty engagement ring at Chanel.

BTW, I love how most of these sites don't tell you the prices. [Razz]

[ April 11, 2004, 10:28 PM: Message edited by: vwiggin ]
 
Posted by Jeni (Member # 1454) on :
 
I know about nothing in this department, but I would think the gold should match the gold of her wedding ring.
 
Posted by Jeni (Member # 1454) on :
 
A quide from a wonderful local store my parents swear by.
 
Posted by Mrs.M (Member # 2943) on :
 
quote:
Is $999 a good deal for this ring
NOOOOOOOO! DO NOT buy any jewelry from Zales. Their jewelry is overpriced and of mediocre quality (just like this ring). Tiffany makes a beautiful version this ring - it's not in the online catalog, but trust me, they make it. Go to their showroom and take a look. Tiffany diamonds are always quality and come with a lifetime guarantee. And women get all giddy at the sight of that blue box (well, I do anyway).

quote:
Is White Gold something you can wear all the time?
Yes. It goes with everything, too. Even I mix golds and platinums - my rings and necklaces are yellow gold and my earrings are platinum.

quote:
And, most importantly (question for the ladies, esp. Mrs. M), would you be happy to receive this as an anniversary present?
I'd prefer earrings.

But my engagement ring has 3 diamonds, so I pretty much have that ring already: http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/kira_marx/detail?.dir=/Wedding&.dnm=37c7.jpg

If I didn't already have that kind of ring, I'd be thrilled with it.

I have a couple of questions for you, though.

1. Does your mother already have an engagement ring? If so, then think earrings.

2. Are you paying for this or is your father? Is your budget flexible?

3. Are you sure that this is something that your parents would be cool with? Will your dad be on board with it and would your mother be upset if she found out that you were the one who bought it?
 
Posted by vwiggin (Member # 926) on :
 
Thanks Jeni! Finally, the CCCC makes sense to me. [Smile]

*checks Bat signal*

There you are Mrs. M.

quote:
And women get all giddy at the sight of that blue box (well, I do anyway).

Can I just get the box?

Thanks for the insightful answers. I would be willing to pay more for a Tiffany's ring, but I would like to keep my budget under $2,000 if possible. My mother lost her engagement ring a long time ago, and she loved that ring so much that she never had it replaced. I think my mom would never suspect my involvement though. She knows I *hate* jewelry of all kinds. [Smile]

BTW, peaked at your pictures. That was a beautiful wedding. [Smile]
 
Posted by Primal Curve (Member # 3587) on :
 
Oh great, way to support a DeBeers made-up tradition.
 
Posted by vwiggin (Member # 926) on :
 
I know. *sigh*

I swore I would never buy a rock that is expensive only because its price is maintained by an international cartel.

But parents. You know. [Dont Know]
 
Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
 
You are definately SWEET! I would love to have offspring that was so thoughtful! [Smile] Good luck with your search.
 
Posted by Mrs.M (Member # 2943) on :
 
quote:
There you are Mrs. M.
Like I'd ever ignore a thread about diamonds.

quote:
Can I just get the box?
Sure, if you enjoy seeing women cry. [Wink]

If you want to keep you budget down and get the nicest possible ring, go for a gold setting with a single stone. It's better to have one really nice stone than three okay ones.

I'm so glad that you looked at the wedding pictures! I've finally gotten to scanning and posting them. Thanks, BTW.

I have to echo what Narnia said - this is a beautiful thing that you are doing for your mother.

Oh, and Primal Curve [Taunt] Diamonds are forever.
 
Posted by vwiggin (Member # 926) on :
 
quote:
Diamonds are forever.
So are credit card bills. [Razz]

Thanks Narnia and Mrs. M for your kind words. My mom really has gone through a lot lately so I think she deserves something that will make her happy. I know it is the "thought" that counts, but women sure think a lot about diamonds.
 
Posted by Primal Curve (Member # 3587) on :
 
Mrs. M, and fashion is transient.
 
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
 
My pappy always used to say -- "If you have to ask the price, then it's too much."
 
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
 
If IGI certification comes with the stones, I personally would feel comfortable with buying online. But make sure that the store is reputable first.

AJ

[ April 12, 2004, 11:36 AM: Message edited by: BannaOj ]
 
Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
 
vwiggin, is your Dad okay with you doing this in his name? Might he feel not okay about it?

Regardless, your mother raised a thoughtful child. I know she will appreciate whatever you do for her. [Smile]
 
Posted by PaladinVirtue (Member # 6144) on :
 
Having just recently purchased an engagment ring, and having done much research in the matter of rings, rocks, and rediculously overpriced merchandise, I would like to second the opinion that that ring is really over priced. IMO you could do much better... I found a pretty good deal at Littman and Barclay Jewelers and I feel comforable recommending them. Best of luck! [Smile]

[ April 12, 2004, 11:44 AM: Message edited by: PaladinVirtue ]
 
Posted by vwiggin (Member # 926) on :
 
I've been picking out gifts for my dad for years so I think he wouldn't mind. The only difference this time is that I would pay for the present, which I think I should since I finally have a "grown up" job. [Smile]

Makes mental note of Littman and Barclay... How can I not trust advice from a man named PaladinVirtue?

Jeni, that was a great link, but that jeweler had a really unfortunate name. [Razz]
 


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