Quantcast
Rings Rings Rings - Page 2 - Beyond.ca - Car Forums
Page 2 of 3 FirstFirst 1 2 3 LastLast
Results 21 to 40 of 49

Thread: Rings Rings Rings

  1. #21
    Join Date
    Sep 2004
    Location
    calgary
    My Ride
    Lariat
    Posts
    1,504
    Rep Power
    23

    Default

    Bought at Spence 7 years ago. Great selection, price seamed reasonable. I liked being able to see everything in person vs shopping online
    _____ASP______

    current ski quiver:
    park, all mtn 181 ON3P Kartel 98
    park,all mtn: 181 Armada AR7
    big mtn, pow: 185 Armada JJ

  2. #22
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Calgary
    Posts
    315
    Rep Power
    16

    Default

    I'd try and figure out what your wife to be is happy with too. Its going to be on her hand afterall. I got some good hints from my wife (and her friends) prior to getting mine at Gem by Carati.

  3. #23
    Join Date
    Sep 2004
    Location
    Calgary
    Posts
    10,406
    Rep Power
    35

    Default

    I'm really struggling with this right now because the diamond industry absolutely disgusts me. It is controlled by a monopoly that grossly inflates pricing and preys on social stigma to the absolute maximum. Try to sell a 'used' diamond which does not change or depreciate, sold purely on spec with certification certificates, and you'd be lucky to see 25%-30% of what you pay a jeweler. I don't know if I can get away with Moissanite (which to many people actually looks better than a diamond). Lab grown is obviously the next best bet.

    Personally speaking, I was very surprised to learn that a modestly sized lab-grown diamond + what I think is a simple custom setting was still over $6K so I have no idea what I want to do haha. The sole purpose of a diamond ring is to show it to friends and compare carat size/sparkliness which I also have a really hard time with.

  4. #24
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Upstairs
    My Ride
    Natural Gas.
    Posts
    13,332
    Rep Power
    100

    Default

    Yes, the industry is disgusting, and the social pressures around it are also disgusting, HOWEVER, most couples will conform to social norms, and thus, a certain type/size/cost of ring is required. If your fiancee has friends who show off their rings, then you probably should "keep up with the joneses" in this regard. Your engagement ring is a tough place to show your rebellious side unless your fiancee is on board.

    The ring shouldn't matter to anyone but you two, but in most cases, it does. If the ring is a source of constant tension and stress, that's not going to help your marriage.
    Quote Originally Posted by killramos View Post
    This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
    You realize you are talking to the guy who made his own furniture out of salad bowls right?

  5. #25
    Join Date
    Jul 2004
    Location
    Calgary
    My Ride
    FB6
    Posts
    718
    Rep Power
    20

    Default

    About the lab grown diamond thing, when I was looking ~3 years ago, the reputable grading labs (GIA and AGS) refused to grade lab grown diamonds. You're then left with the 2nd tier graders which some people didn't seem to trust as much. At the time, it also seemed like the better diamond cutters also refused to cut lab grown diamonds and therefore their cut quality was also lacking.

    Has this changed?

  6. #26
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Calgary AB
    My Ride
    V8s
    Posts
    4,572
    Rep Power
    100

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by ExtraSlow View Post
    This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
    If the ring is a source of constant tension and stress, you should find a new woman.
    ftfy

    Plenty of fish in the sea.

  7. #27
    Join Date
    Sep 2004
    Location
    Calgary
    Posts
    10,406
    Rep Power
    35

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by realazy View Post
    This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
    About the lab grown diamond thing, when I was looking ~3 years ago, the reputable grading labs (GIA and AGS) refused to grade lab grown diamonds. You're then left with the 2nd tier graders which some people didn't seem to trust as much. At the time, it also seemed like the better diamond cutters also refused to cut lab grown diamonds and therefore their cut quality was also lacking.

    Has this changed?
    All the ones on RareCarat appear to be graded by IGI. They don't have a reputation as good as GIA but it really makes you wonder how much of that is industry politics. And really, unless your friends are gemologists with a 10x loupe, every diamond looks the same after a certain point.

  8. #28
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Upstairs
    My Ride
    Natural Gas.
    Posts
    13,332
    Rep Power
    100

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by cjblair View Post
    This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
    ftfy

    Plenty of fish in the sea.
    Hey man, I don't disagree.
    Quote Originally Posted by killramos View Post
    This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
    You realize you are talking to the guy who made his own furniture out of salad bowls right?

  9. #29
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    Calgary
    Posts
    2,093
    Rep Power
    43

    Default

    came across this site while browsing reddit today:
    https://www.idonowidont.com/

    worth looking into if you want to save money but not sure if it works in Canada

  10. #30
    Join Date
    Sep 2004
    Location
    Calgary
    Posts
    10,406
    Rep Power
    35

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by sabad66 View Post
    This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
    came across this site while browsing reddit today:
    https://www.idonowidont.com/

    worth looking into if you want to save money but not sure if it works in Canada
    If the story was posted along with the ring, that would be the biggest time sink of a website

  11. #31
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    calgary
    Posts
    2,028
    Rep Power
    96

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Mitsu3000gt View Post
    This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
    I'm really struggling with this right now because the diamond industry absolutely disgusts me. It is controlled by a monopoly that grossly inflates pricing and preys on social stigma to the absolute maximum. Try to sell a 'used' diamond which does not change or depreciate, sold purely on spec with certification certificates, and you'd be lucky to see 25%-30% of what you pay a jeweler. I don't know if I can get away with Moissanite (which to many people actually looks better than a diamond). Lab grown is obviously the next best bet.

    Personally speaking, I was very surprised to learn that a modestly sized lab-grown diamond + what I think is a simple custom setting was still over $6K so I have no idea what I want to do haha. The sole purpose of a diamond ring is to show it to friends and compare carat size/sparkliness which I also have a really hard time with.
    I would be willing to put a diamond and moissanite side by side, if you can tell me the difference I would be amazed (without looking through some sort of magnification)

    My wife's moissanite ring looks incredible, I won't ever buy a diamond.

    FYI, I bought it through Justin at Gem, go in and look at their moissanite stones.

  12. #32
    Join Date
    Sep 2004
    Location
    Calgary
    Posts
    10,406
    Rep Power
    35

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by vengie View Post
    This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
    I would be willing to put a diamond and moissanite side by side, if you can tell me the difference I would be amazed (without looking through some sort of magnification)

    My wife's moissanite ring looks incredible, I won't ever buy a diamond.

    FYI, I bought it through Justin at Gem, go in and look at their moissanite stones.
    I 100% agree, I am just not completely sure what would happen if my GF asks me if it's a real diamond and I don't lie haha. Kind of an awkward conversation to have before the fact too. I guess if it was a huge issue I could always get it swapped down the road. I don't think she will care to be honest.

    Yeah I am going to see if Justin can show me lab vs moissanite - I am pretty sure I already know the answer, but I need to try find out if my GF is OK with it haha.

  13. #33
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Calgary AB
    My Ride
    V8s
    Posts
    4,572
    Rep Power
    100

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Mitsu3000gt View Post
    This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
    If the story was posted along with the ring, that would be the biggest time sink of a website
    https://www.idonowidont.com/weddingb...25-worn-5-days

    This item description

  14. #34
    Join Date
    Sep 2004
    Location
    Calgary
    Posts
    10,406
    Rep Power
    35

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by cjblair View Post
    This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
    Haha, I didn't notice that they actually had little blurbs - awesome.

  15. #35
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    calgary
    Posts
    2,028
    Rep Power
    96

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Mitsu3000gt View Post
    This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
    I 100% agree, I am just not completely sure what would happen if my GF asks me if it's a real diamond and I don't lie haha. Kind of an awkward conversation to have before the fact too. I guess if it was a huge issue I could always get it swapped down the road. I don't think she will care to be honest.

    Yeah I am going to see if Justin can show me lab vs moissanite - I am pretty sure I already know the answer, but I need to try find out if my GF is OK with it haha.
    This is JUST me, but if my wife was pissed off it wasn't a diamond, I know I chose the wrong girl.
    A diamond shouldn't symbolize your love...

    Not to mention there is a much better way to spend the $$$ thousands saved and put it towards something useful.

    In our case we put the savings towards an epic African honeymoon.

    Experiences>>>>>>>>>>> Material goods.

    Edit: That said, my wife was the one who told me about moissanite in the first place, god bless her.
    Last edited by vengie; 01-06-2020 at 03:26 PM.

  16. #36
    Join Date
    Sep 2004
    Location
    Calgary
    Posts
    10,406
    Rep Power
    35

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by vengie View Post
    This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
    This is JUST me, but if my wife was pissed off it wasn't a diamond, I know I chose the wrong girl.
    A diamond shouldn't symbolize your love...

    Not to mention there is a much better way to spend the $$$ thousands saved and put it towards something useful.

    In our case we put the savings towards an epic African honeymoon.

    Experiences>>>>>>>>>>> Material goods.

    Edit: That said, my wife was the one who told me about moissanite in the first place, god bless her.
    Yeah I understand - and I don't think she'd care or I wouldn't even be considering it. For sure she wouldn't even know unless I told her haha. We aren't having a wedding though, so since we're saving so much money there, I think it's reasonable to get her a little bit nicer of a ring (if it makes sense). There is no way I am buying a mined diamond though.

  17. #37
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Calgary
    My Ride
    Pt Cruiser
    Posts
    1,423
    Rep Power
    46

    Default

    moissanite's for phonies bronie

  18. #38
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    calgary
    Posts
    2,028
    Rep Power
    96

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by BavarianBeast View Post
    This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
    moissanite's for phonies bronie
    Lol you shut up, go tend to your mushrooms

  19. #39
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Location
    Calgary
    My Ride
    X3
    Posts
    849
    Rep Power
    21

    Default

    Thanks for the mentions guys, much appreciated!
    Missed a lot here, sorry.

    swak, it looks like you're in Edmonton so dropping into my store might not be possible, but feel free to pm or e-mail me with questions you may have. I'm always happy to help and guide you along in wading through some the misinformation you'll see.

    As a general rule of thumb, and I'm sure the guys who have come to me can attest to, we run in a very transparent manner. We guide you to find the right ring and stone vs giving you the hard sell on something in inventory we really want to move. 95% of our engagement ring sales are some form of custom. We look at stones loose and compare side by side so there's nowhere to hide any imperfections or abnormalities in a stone.

    I'm going to try to write a comprehensive engagement ring buying guide in the coming weeks here. Long overdue, sorry about that. In the meantime people are always welcome to contact me for an honest answer on anything.

  20. #40
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    Moo Town
    My Ride
    (0^oo^0)~
    Posts
    746
    Rep Power
    23

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Mitsu3000gt View Post
    This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
    I'm really struggling with this right now because the diamond industry absolutely disgusts me. It is controlled by a monopoly that grossly inflates pricing and preys on social stigma to the absolute maximum. Try to sell a 'used' diamond which does not change or depreciate, sold purely on spec with certification certificates, and you'd be lucky to see 25%-30% of what you pay a jeweler. I don't know if I can get away with Moissanite (which to many people actually looks better than a diamond). Lab grown is obviously the next best bet.

    Personally speaking, I was very surprised to learn that a modestly sized lab-grown diamond + what I think is a simple custom setting was still over $6K so I have no idea what I want to do haha. The sole purpose of a diamond ring is to show it to friends and compare carat size/sparkliness which I also have a really hard time with.
    I know we have sponsors on here so I don't want to step on any toes. My dad was a jeweler for 30+ years so we've connected with alot of the local shops over the years and I've looked at wholesaler prices.

    Since moissanite stones are typically more yellow, I'd say looking for a DEF coloured moissy would bring the price up substantially. Some people would prefer to have a colourless stone and that's their call.

    Other than that, lab grown diamonds are the next most economical choice but nowadays storefronts don't always price them proportionately because they can capitalize on the eco-friendliness of cultured stones. That said, you're more likely to get the specs that you're looking for in a lower price range.

    Maxime's quoted a friend of mine $6100 for a 1ct SI1 G cultured stone which is ludicrous. Wholesale cost was way below that.

    Jewelry has one of the highest markups in any luxury product so just stay within your lane, get something she's happy with, and call it a day. People judge others whether they have no ring, a medicore ring, or a mack daddy ring.

    Thank god I was able to go through my dad's stash and make a custom ring at cost haha, 'cause ring buying sounds irritating as hell when you get selection paralysis.
    Last edited by rx7boi; 01-06-2020 at 04:37 PM.

Page 2 of 3 FirstFirst 1 2 3 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. Imitation bmw headlight rings

    By ecstasyracer in forum Performance Modifications
    Replies: 9
    Latest Threads: 01-14-2003, 11:24 PM
  2. Lord of the Rings Two Towers Download

    By mwmhong in forum General
    Replies: 20
    Latest Threads: 01-12-2003, 05:05 AM
  3. Chrome rings

    By 88 CRX in forum Performance Modifications
    Replies: 10
    Latest Threads: 12-30-2002, 09:04 AM
  4. Lord of the Rings 2

    By max_boost in forum General
    Replies: 29
    Latest Threads: 12-20-2002, 12:18 AM
  5. Replies: 1
    Latest Threads: 06-27-2002, 08:34 AM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •