Well, this gamer is finally taking the plunge :)

[dsheinem]

don't have to worry about it being a conflict diamond mined by miner minors.

had I known then what I know now, I'd have not gotten a diamond at all for this reason

[Luke]

No matter how practical the woman may be, if she says "I don't need an expensive ring" what she is leaving out is "But I really, really want one". Plus the first question every girl will ask is not "how did he propose?" it's "Can I see the ring?". And what's the difference between dimonique and an actual diamond? Ask about any woman.

Plus, it is an investment if you know what you are doing and know how to cut a deal with a certified jeweler. Hypothetical, and just using made up numbers: Say three years ago I bought a diamond engagement ring for $15,000. Say I had it appraised two years later to find out the ring was now valued at $18,000. Not a huge return, but nothing to scoff at. Huge yellow diamonds with spots will not appreciate in value, and look hella tacky.

Also, a second hand store won't have the equipment you need to inspect the diamond properly. You'll end up buying some crappy stone that could be worthless. Make sure the seller is GIA and EGL certified, but the more certifications the better. You are basically spending what you would on a car, so shop around.




I proposed to my wife while we were on the Kiss Cam at our local Demolition Derby and Tractor Pull. I even spat out my chew so I was presentable and such.

[prfsnl_gmr]

don't have to worry about it being a conflict diamond mined by miner minors.

had I known then what I know now, I'd have not gotten a diamond at all for this reason

I purchased my wife's diamond through the Diamond Trust of London...

No matter how practical the woman may be, if she says "I don't need an expensive ring" what she is leaving out is "But I really, really want one". Plus the first question every girl will ask is not "how did he propose?" it's "Can I see the ring?". And what's the difference between dimonique and an actual diamond? Ask about any woman.

.....

Also, a second hand store won't have the equipment you need to inspect the diamond properly. You'll end up buying some crappy stone that could be worthless. Make sure the seller is GIA and EGL certified, but the more certifications the better. You are basically spending what you would on a car, so shop around.

I agree on all points.

I proposed to my wife while we were on the Kiss Cam at our local Demolition Derby and Tractor Pull. I even spat out my chew so I was presentable and such.

[Hobie-wan]

Diamonds are held in artificial scarcity and are often mined under horrible conditions. It seems to me that counting it as an investment is stupid for this reason. Thinking of it like an investment also seems like a bad idea unless you plan to sell it later. Hopefully one's marriage lasts forever and one is always in comfortable finances that never necessitate selling the ring with all its sentimental value. Anyway...

Congrats SSG.

[Jmustang1968]

don't have to worry about it being a conflict diamond mined by miner minors.

had I known then what I know now, I'd have not gotten a diamond at all for this reason

Guess you shouldn't buy cell phones or game consoles either...

[noiseredux]

Guess you shouldn't buy cell phones or game consoles either...

the school pays for Dave's cell phones, game consoles and diamonds.

[Frag Mortuus]

You are basically spending what you would on a car, so shop around.

I spent $1200 on my wife's ring. It has a 1/2 Karat diamond (one stone). I thought I did good. Now I feel like a bum

[samsonlonghair]

I'm going to politely disagree with Luke here. Diamonds are a poor investment at best. Have you tried selling a diamond on the second-hand market, or selling it back to the jewelry store? The results are abysmal.

Remember that the Divorce rate in the US is 40-50%. That's an awful lot of used diamonds on the market.

Walk into any pawn shop in America and ask how much they pay for diamonds. Ask the manager of your local jewelry store how much he pays for used diamonds. Most will simply say, "We don't".

Take a look at used diamond rings completed listings on ebay. Most didn't sell at all. Those that did, sold for less than three hundred dollars.

On the topic of appraisal, ask a jeweler what are the standards for diamond appraisal. The answers might surprise you.

If you believe you can sell a used diamond ring for $18,000 (even a very nice one) I suspect you haven't tried doing so firsthand.

No matter how practical the woman may be, if she says "I don't need an expensive ring" what she is leaving out is "But I really, really want one". Plus the first question every girl will ask is not "how did he propose?" it's "Can I see the ring?".

Ok, this much is truth. I can't argue with these points.

[ninjainspandex]

don't have to worry about it being a conflict diamond mined by miner minors.

had I known then what I know now, I'd have not gotten a diamond at all for this reason

Guess you shouldn't buy cell phones or game consoles either...

you can't even compare those conditions to the conditions conflict diamonds are mined in. I'm pretty sure Chinese electronic workers aren't being forced to work at gunpoint.

[Hobie-wan]

ANYWAY

Don't worry about keeping up with the Jonses and sorry your thread is ruined.