I'm going to preface this by saying that I love my girlfriend unconditionally and I want to marry her, but we have been shopping for engagement rings lately and all I can think about is all of the great parts I could be buying for my truck. These prices are outrageous! I'm talking BTS tranny big and thats not for a gaudy look me kind of ring. Not to mention all the other goodies that could be had if I didn't go the transmission route. Anyway, sorry to blab

 

cracker jack box... anything more then that amount of money is a waste!

 

ONE PROBLEM! you said "we" have been ring shopping. keep her out of the jewelry stores.

get her ring size and then go pick out a ring that you like and that you can afford.

if she doesnt like ring or it isnt big enough for her, then she doesnt deserve the ring.

 

Congratulations! Ring shopping is one of those things one has to do. I have had friends in the jewelry business for over thirty years. It is truly one of the most cutthroat businesses there is. My suggestion to you is go to J.C. Penneys or someplace like that in your area. Wait for a big sale and pick up something. Whatever you do its likely it will be returned if your bride to be is not present at the time of purchase. Most if not all jewelry comes from the same places no matter where you purchase it. Mark up is like 300 percent at your run of the mill jewelry store. The quality of the stuff is the same no matter where you buy it. So save yourself a bunch of money.

Hope this helps.

 

x2 on what Pete said!

 

Thanks guys

 

My advice- Craigslist. Back when I was married my ex misplaced our wedding rings. I picked up a very nice ring off Craigslist valued at $2500 or something like that for $300 I think. It was in great shaped and she loved it.
To add to what Christian said, if SHE wants to go ring shopping, go along with it BUT you have to act completely uninterested. Let her gawk and google and just say stuff like "yeah, that looks OK I guess." Get a feel for what she likes, then go pick something on your own. Like Christian said, if she doesn't like what you get her she doesn't deserve it.

 

Not sure if they have anything like this in OH but... We have what is referred to as the Jewelry District. it is a place in Downtown Los Angeles where you can find just about anything having to do with Jewelry in one place. It is almost like a swapmeet, but the residents are permenant and will usually haggle pricing. I was able to find a nice engaugement ring for my wife for about $700. I was able to actualy pick out the specific diamond I wanted (and could afford) and put it in the setting I wanted (also what I could afford). The guys would actually let you haggle pricing and cpompete with other "booths." I had the ring appraised last year and was worth 3k at the local shop in the mall. Good Luck!

 

I'll throw in my 2 cents. Most of the good stuff has been covered, but I'll add the purpose of ring shopping is because 1) they enjoy it 2) so you can pay enough attention to determine what style she likes (color of ring, shape of stone, etc, etc.) and 3) because they enjoy it.

Craigslist is a good idea, but don't be surprised if someone tries to pass a fake. If you find a deal on craigslist, I'd stop by a local independent pawn shop and ask him what he'd charge to appraise the ring for you. Those guys are used to getting screwed and will know what to watch for. Independent jewelers or wholesalers if you've got any around will be another place to look. As mentioned, the markup is ridiculous on jewelery, and no matter what you get, at some point she will wish it were bigger, different shape, blah, blah, blah, blah.

If she was able to think straight, you two would go out and select a big fat cubic zirconia and have it mounted on a nice ring and only the two of you would ever know it was fake. It would look just as real as any other diamond, it would be bigger than you could afford, and it's not like you ever get your money back on a wedding ring anyway.

Too bad women don't think that way. Newsflash for you: They don't grow out of it either.

 

Chris, you out did yourself on that post, WOW. I can tell that's coming from experience!! Can reps be given on OT's, LOL

There are a lot of good posts on this subject and from my experience most are true. But, I have to say, Craiglist!!!!!!!!!!?????????????? I learn something new every day.

 

I agree with all above as well.Just one thing,I think you should pick the economical ring out that you can afford ''now''.
Buy a nice shotgun or rifle and give that to her as a wedding present and then you can use it as well.

I am sure you will never want to wear the ring.

 

Wow, loving the responses here guys. We are shopping together so I can get an idea of what to get. When, where and how it gets put on her finger will still be a mystery to her and she better be happy with whatever is put on her finger. As far as the shotgun for for the wedding gift, I already have plenty. Thanks for all the tips guys!

 

Chris is my new hero.

 

LOL X2! Great post! Somebody rep the man I'm in jail!

 

I got him for you Pete, I guess you can rep for OT, LOL.