Need A Diamond Ring!
- Thread starter computerGeek
- Start date
Chicken SOup
Member
Ok let me help you out a little. I just got engaged over the summer and first things first you should do your homework on diamonds. To play it safe, I knew wut i wanted so i went out and got a 1 carat ring from Tiffany's. It is a F color VVS1 set in Platinum. I spent approx 5g's. I have two friends whos' fathers are Jewelers (both Russian Jews). They would have hooked me up but i wasnt able to produce that type of cash. Either way, they both suggested Tiffany. Tiffany has one of the highest standards when it comes to diamonds, and they are as legit as they come. Not to mention that my girl loves to tell people its a Tiffany diamond. And the fact that she can walk into any Tiffany and get it cleaned whenver she wants. It all boils down to preference, but i am extremely satisfied with the ring i purchased. It isnt the biggest rock in the world, but the quality is such that it lights up a room. So yeah, it does have some bling factor..LOL LOL
Do your shopping, get a certified diamond and shop around...
If you wnat online, try www.bluenile.com
oh, and move to a cheaper area for Christ's sake!
$130k new
If you wnat online, try www.bluenile.com
oh, and move to a cheaper area for Christ's sake!
$130k new
that house looks like where my friend used to live, it was in south lake, tx, right near dallas. all the houses in his whole neighborhood looked the same though, that's no fun. he moved there and had a house twice the size as here for less money and it had a sweet in ground pool. he had absolutely no land though
garretts77
Member
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- 2007 WRX VF39'd
I agree with the above. Find out what is is exactly that you want before anything...
This is where I got mine: http://www.thediamondsource.com/
granted I lived in San Diego at the time and could see everything that I was buying, but their inventory is very very nice. My fiancee and I went to like 30+ stores and this place was noticibly better quality than anywhere else that we saw. The prices were nice as well... Hope this helps.
This is where I got mine: http://www.thediamondsource.com/
granted I lived in San Diego at the time and could see everything that I was buying, but their inventory is very very nice. My fiancee and I went to like 30+ stores and this place was noticibly better quality than anywhere else that we saw. The prices were nice as well... Hope this helps.
Before they started changing all platinum to white gold, I got my wife a platinum ring. Most chicks hate real gold color. Key to most rings is one big stone in the middle and two on the sides that are 3/4 to 1/2 that size, and maybe a few real small ones down the sides of the ring. If I find a picture of my wifes I'll post it.
1.01c genuine brilliant princess cut (certified by GIA)
F color, VS2 clarity
$7.5G for the stone, $200 for the setting. Purchased at a local diamond place (http://www.austindiamond.com/). Very happy with the purchase and the stone even if I paid a little more than I could have.
It pays to spend the time becoming educated on the four C's. Shop around and see what you like. I took my wife (then fiance) with me as I wanted her to be happy with the ring.
Ben
F color, VS2 clarity
$7.5G for the stone, $200 for the setting. Purchased at a local diamond place (http://www.austindiamond.com/). Very happy with the purchase and the stone even if I paid a little more than I could have.
It pays to spend the time becoming educated on the four C's. Shop around and see what you like. I took my wife (then fiance) with me as I wanted her to be happy with the ring.
Ben
So not spending 2 months salary, eh? You can always finance the ring if you go to a local retailer. I can't speak for the merchants in the diamond district in NYC, but I'm guessing they won't setup a line of credit for you with no interest financing for 3 years...computerGeek said:
You can find a D color, IF clarity, VG cut, .5C emerald-cut for ~ 2.5K online. You can get yourself into a 1C (same cut, color, clarity) for ~ 11K. Prices quoted are for loose stones and are courtesy of www.bluenile.com
Ben
That's Texas for ya. Most entry-level subdivisions have cookie cutter houses. Same 5 choices for model, exterior, roof, etc. Once you start paying 3 large, then you get into individuality. Don't get me wrong... cookie cutter homes are a good starter home (hell I'm in one now), but I wouldn't buy one again. You get what you pay for. 130K for a home buys you subpar build quality and studs 24" on center for non-load bearing walls :mad:jred321 said:
But back to buying expensive rocks for your womenses...
Ben
First take the time to learn everyting you can about cut and quality of stones online then after you have figured out exactly what you want go shopping. If you are going to buy online bluenile.com is one of the most reputable though you can get some great deal through small time sellers. Otherwise if you are near a jewerly mart and aren't afraid to haggle that is the best route. My wife and I went to the downtown LA jewerly district to find exactly what we wanted and I let her haggle the price as she's much better at it than I am, $3K for .75 carat center, E color VVS1, with two .5 carat sides and both bands.
First time home buying is more important though. Our first place cost $221,000 for a 1000 sq. ft. two bedroom, one bath house, sold it for $325,000 two years later after doing a substantial amount of upgrading to it, cheaply as I did all the labor. We are now a year in on our second house, 2000 sq. ft. four bedroom, two and a half bath for $380,000. It's worth $460,000 at this point and we are closing escrow on a 951 sq. ft. 2 bed, 2 bath condo on the 10th for $221,000 that we'll be using for rental property. Just a word of advise try to buy during the winter months. People don't like to move in the winter so prices always go down and you can also find out many problem like leaks that you don't find out about during the summer. Also you can usually find a place that went on the market near the end of the summer season but was not cleaned up enough to sell adn the sellers my be getting desperate. We've done this with our last two places and bought both for under market value. Second house should have gone for $400,000 and the last place was appraised at $250,000
First time home buying is more important though. Our first place cost $221,000 for a 1000 sq. ft. two bedroom, one bath house, sold it for $325,000 two years later after doing a substantial amount of upgrading to it, cheaply as I did all the labor. We are now a year in on our second house, 2000 sq. ft. four bedroom, two and a half bath for $380,000. It's worth $460,000 at this point and we are closing escrow on a 951 sq. ft. 2 bed, 2 bath condo on the 10th for $221,000 that we'll be using for rental property. Just a word of advise try to buy during the winter months. People don't like to move in the winter so prices always go down and you can also find out many problem like leaks that you don't find out about during the summer. Also you can usually find a place that went on the market near the end of the summer season but was not cleaned up enough to sell adn the sellers my be getting desperate. We've done this with our last two places and bought both for under market value. Second house should have gone for $400,000 and the last place was appraised at $250,000
garretts77
Member
- :
- 2007 WRX VF39'd
$130k in California buys you a 24 cubic foot refrigerator box. The place I am living in now is $370k and it is cheap for the area...benimal said:
back to your regularly scheduled diamond search
Reminds me of the time when I graduated college 8 years ago... a friend of mine got a job in NYC. His apt overlooked some area of Central Park, although I don't recall exactly what part. He was excited as his rent for this little one bedroom was only $1800/month...garretts77 said:
and the great gem hunt of 2005 continues...
protegeV said:
Well, here comes a sad story. My family is pretty poor. I'm one of 8 kids, and my Father made about 40k a year before retiring (NJ Bell Atlantic Pay Phone Toll Collector - grab the change boxes from phones). My Step-Mother (who raised me since age 5) works also - cleaning, cooking, and nannying (I think they call it a "doulah" or something) for well to do families. My dad still works now - driving a school bus. They've got a house(and a mortgage), and are doing ok - but really aren't prepared for the future. Growing up - I was raised a Jehovah's Witness and without getting too far into it, they believe that god is going to take care of them. So - I never paid much attention to credit - that is building credit. I had cash, everything was paid - never had any debt - didn't think I'd need to worry about it. Yeah, I was wrong - I know that now. So to build credit - I picked up the Protege. I was only making 40k a year then - so it seemed an appropriate fit. I'll say this - buying a beige car was smart - cops really don't pay it much attention - and dirt doesn't show as much as my past cars (mostly black, white, and blue).
I didn't start earning 75k until this year, so I've been paying off my car at a quickened pace. Still buying a bit of toys - and going out with friends and taking vacations which burns up the cash a bit. But I keep it in check mostly. The nice thing is - I'm 27 - and the only debt I have is my car (roughly $6200). I'll be mailing another 2k to Mazda before the 26th. What sucks - is that my credit is just starting to be built. Paying off the Mazda should help a bit, but not as much as I would like since I had a co-signer.
Part of me wants a fast car - the rest of me knows that a house/condo is the better investment. So that's why I'm driving a Mazda Protege.
computerGeek
Banned
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- Your Mom
Well here is my problem... she worked in jewelery for many years!!!! I know all the C's.
She hates the bagettes because that to her is a anniversary ring. However i like the emerald cut saphire at the diamondsource... But what i like is of no concern!!! She loves blue topaz (the color).
I can't finance because my credit is in the middle of being fixed and is pure s*** right now. 596 credit score!
Thanks for the links. I will make some calls and try and get some hook ups from whole salers here that a few friends Know too.
As for moving... no... the reason it is so expensive is because of everything around like NY and San Fran and ATL and LA. if i were to move i would make less because everything there is less. 85K in DC is not alot! thats why i drive a MSP. had to sell my 350Z because i couldn't afford the gas and maintenance on it with the 800 a month car/insurance payment!
Once again thanks everyone! and wish me luck. Imma ganna need it!
She hates the bagettes because that to her is a anniversary ring. However i like the emerald cut saphire at the diamondsource... But what i like is of no concern!!! She loves blue topaz (the color).
I can't finance because my credit is in the middle of being fixed and is pure s*** right now. 596 credit score!
Thanks for the links. I will make some calls and try and get some hook ups from whole salers here that a few friends Know too.
As for moving... no... the reason it is so expensive is because of everything around like NY and San Fran and ATL and LA. if i were to move i would make less because everything there is less. 85K in DC is not alot! thats why i drive a MSP. had to sell my 350Z because i couldn't afford the gas and maintenance on it with the 800 a month car/insurance payment!
Once again thanks everyone! and wish me luck. Imma ganna need it!
computerGeek
Banned
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- Your Mom
Micah - get credit cards!!! I sware this will help. use it for gas and pay it off everymonth. If you get CC with 300 dollars or 5000 and barely use it that will be best. You should have a open line of credit and it shows your borrowing power.
I just talked to an advisor and told them i canceled one of my cards. She said i should have left it open showing that i have a good line of open credit. However my debt to income ratio is bad since i have 20K left in Student loans, paying 26K for a 17K car, rent is a mortgage payment here, and a few black marks from my college years.
with your fresh start and your annual income you are prime to have A+ credit in about 2 years max!
I am play catch up from past mistakes and it sux.
Also i just started making 85K this year too. I was making 65K!!!! if only i was making what i make now. I could have kept the 350Z
I just talked to an advisor and told them i canceled one of my cards. She said i should have left it open showing that i have a good line of open credit. However my debt to income ratio is bad since i have 20K left in Student loans, paying 26K for a 17K car, rent is a mortgage payment here, and a few black marks from my college years.
with your fresh start and your annual income you are prime to have A+ credit in about 2 years max!
I am play catch up from past mistakes and it sux.
Also i just started making 85K this year too. I was making 65K!!!! if only i was making what i make now. I could have kept the 350Z
computerGeek
Banned
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- Your Mom
LOL i could be driving a 911 turbo if i lived with my parents!!!!protegeV said:
wait till you move out! rent and utilities and food and insurance and dating and car and gas and liquor and.......
you'll see 40K is chicken feed! especially in B-more!!!! they have the top 3 highest county taxes in MD
