Diamond Heart Solitaire Ring, engagement ring questions... not enough money to buy what I'd like... ?
I am having to pay for the wedding in total, for various
reasons. Therefore I really cannot afford an expensive ring. In
fact I am going to have to borrow money, so want to keep the
price of the ring around $1500. My experience so far has been
that I can't really afford a good diamond solitaire for that
price. I mean, I could get a yellowish one with visible
inclusions, but not a great diamond... So I am looking at
something like a 5-diamond ring, maybe .2 carats each. She has
actually seen some of these that she likes. However, it seems
most of these are of lower quality diamonds, and are usually not
issued with certificates of authenticity/grading. Right?
So my questions are: Are multi-diamond stones like this
"acceptable" as engagement rings? Are they worth buying? How do
I know the quality/value of the diamonds if they're not graded
and issued with certificates? Or does none of this really matter?
My only other option would be to buy a solitaire with a cubic
zirconia or other fake diamond for now, with a promise of
upgrading it, later, when I have more money...
Actually, my other idea was to try to find a really pretty opal
with a couple smaller diamonds on the side. We both like opals,
but I have a feeling buying this type of ring for engagement
would make me look cheap... But in reality, with only $1500 to
spend, I guess I am, anyway...
Her preferences? I think she would kind of prefer a 1 carat -
more or less - diamond solitaire. But I don't think I can afford
that. I think she would be happy with a 5-smaller-diamonds ring,
as she has shown me one like this that she likes. I didn't buy
it because it wasn't graded and I hate to pay even $1500 for
something that I have no idea what it is I'm buying...
What do you all think? Would she rather have a cubic-zirconia
with a promise to buy a real one later, or would she rather have
a multi-stone ring with lower quality diamonds? Either way, I
feel I am slighting her, but I just cannot afford to spend
$2500+ on a ring, right now... The wedding itself is going to
set me back more than I can afford...
Or should I just go into debt for the "right" ring, and make the
monthly payments?
Standard Disclaimer #143: I am not a doctor, blah blah blah... I am not
giving medical advice, I am only giving testimony based on my experiences.
Each person is responsible for what they do with information gathered.
My ring cost less than $500 NZD, which is probably about $350 USD in
terms of purchasing power parity. It is NOT cheap. It is the most
beautiful ring I have ever seen, including ones in a museum. And this
is not just love biasing my eyes. However it helps that I don't like
diamonds and think that when it comes to jewellery simplicity and
ceylonese sapphires are the ultimate in beauty.
So my advice is look at other stones. Opals are quite nice (though
not as nice as sapphires :-) ). My grandmother has an opal
engagement ring which is lovely. You should be able to find one that
costs considerably less than $1500.
If you and her have your hearts set on diamonds choose a smaller,
well-cut stone over a larger one. The beauty of the stone is not
dependent on the size.
Definitely do not go into debt. Any more suggestions that $1500 (I
presume USD) is cheap will arise my ire. $1500 is a large amount of
money and should buy a very beatiful stone. And it's the beauty (in
you and your fiance's eyes, not anyone elses) that matters, not the
amount of money you're willing to spend.
Plus, I don't know about your fiancee, but I would have hated for
Andrew to go into debt to buy something for me. It would have
destroyed the happiness I get from my ring.