Engagement Ring and Diamond Purchasing Advice

Some Irish Bloke

Some Irish Bloke

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notredomer23 said:
'Dirty' definitely isn't the right word when I am comparing it to actual diamond mining lol, moreso, it just feels a bit weird to me. Almost like I'm gaming the system. I know that's not the case, but the natural diamond route was just my mindset for the entirety of everything so the lab-made route is a curveball.

She works in sustainability which aligns with the lab-made process and has said she wouldn't mind one.

I appreciate everyone's advice so far. I've learned way more about diamond buying the last couple weeks than I ever thought I would.
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I just got married last October, so this is all pretty top of mind.

I went with the natural, purely because of the long-term value. The value of a diamond would be less volatile than a lab created gem, IMO. Obviously, you're planning on spending the rest of your life with her so it could/should be a moot point.

I just know she wanted a diamond. Though I don't know why exactly, and she probably didn't, either lol.

Either way, I'm sure she'll love whatever you get her. 'tis just a symbol, after all.

Congratulations brother! These are exciting and happy times.
 
Irish#1

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Cackalacky2.0 said:
My 2 cents:

Lab grown are identical to quality natural diamonds in nearly all aspects. They are mostly ethically sourced with no "blood" sources. Affordable. You can get more carats for your budget with lab grown but resale value is not well understood. Considering this is an entrapment ring I dont think your resale is an issue unless yall break up. In that case if you keep it you will want to get rid of it and not give it to your next victim. If she keeps it she will likely sell it as well.

My big advice is do your due dilligence on what type/style, shape, size of ring she wants. I have seen many, many, many men buy the wrong ring simply because they were trying to surprise the girl and they fucked up out the gate buying a ring that didnt suit her hand, style or tatse.
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WTH do you do with your spare time Cack?
 
Cackalacky2.0

Cackalacky2.0

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Irish#1 said:
WTH do you do with your spare time Cack?
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I know its hard to believe but have lots of friends lol...maybe one to many many's.... but also used to have a roommate whose wife was a wedding planner for a long time. She operated out the house. Heard and saw lots of men making the same mistake. It was almost always the girl telling her that the guy fucked up with the ring.
 
Irish du Nord

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notredomer23 said:
I'm starting this process and I have a fairly decent grasp on what she wants, but what's thrown me off a little bit recently is natural vs lab diamonds. I was all set on going the natural route, but a jeweler family acquaintance is swearing that you can't tell the difference between the two and you get *significantly* more bang for your buck with lab. I still lean the natural route because something about the lab route feels dirty to me which is funny to type when talking about what a dirty industry natural diamond mining. Am I just off base here and lab-grown is the way to go?
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I got engaged last year and went with lab grown. My fiancée really likes the ring and I didn’t break the bank
 
Sea Turtle

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Irish du Nord said:
I got engaged last year and went with lab grown. My fiancée really likes the ring and I didn’t break the bank
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Good. The diamond business is full of shit. One family owning everything and only releasing a few every year to artificially make them more valuable.

Also, that industry has a ton of blood on its hands.
 
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GATTACA!

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Just go lab grown. Doubt it will ever even come up and if it does you can always just take the moral high ground and tell her you’d never support the diamond mining industry.

For real though at least ask her and don’t just assume she cares. I know my wife wouldn’t and would probably be mad if I went real and spent 5x the cost for something that’s functionally the exact same thing.

The ring is supposed to be the symbol of your love. Not the amount you spend on it.
 
Henges24

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Armyirish47 said:
You guys are all way off. Pack up for a couple week excursion to the ONLY public diamond mine in the United States, Arkansas' Crater of Diamonds State Park! Show your true love your absolute dedication by finding the stone that will last forever with your own two hands, or better yet, bring the whole family!!!!

Arkansas is for lovers....of Diamonds!!!
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Hell of a pitch. Pure Arkansas.
 
NorthDakota

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Armyirish47 said:
You guys are all way off. Pack up for a couple week excursion to the ONLY public diamond mine in the United States, Arkansas' Crater of Diamonds State Park! Show your true love your absolute dedication by finding the stone that will last forever with your own two hands, or better yet, bring the whole family!!!!

Arkansas is for lovers....of Diamonds!!!
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Did a school report on Arkansas back in 5th grade. I believe my focus was on diamonds
 
forkbeard3777

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Sea Turtle said:
Good. The diamond business is full of shit. One family owning everything and only releasing a few every year to artificially make them more valuable.

Also, that industry has a ton of blood on its hands.
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Lab grown diamonds are fine and all, but call me old fashioned, but my wife and I (as do our peers) like a blood sourced diamond. We feel it elevates our “WASPY-ness” and it helps us feel more at home in Rice Village.









I kid, I kid ….. I took the engagement ring off of my grandmother’s hand at her visitation when no one was looking, and then later proposed to my now wife with it. To this day, nobody knows.
 
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Irish#1

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Armyirish47 said:
You guys are all way off. Pack up for a couple week excursion to the ONLY public diamond mine in the United States, Arkansas' Crater of Diamonds State Park! Show your true love your absolute dedication by finding the stone that will last forever with your own two hands, or better yet, bring the whole family!!!!

Arkansas is for lovers....of Diamonds!!!
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Went to the 2018 ND Clemson playoff game in Dallas. Wife made me detour on the way home so she could try her luck. It was for fun and a one in a million shot, but there were quite a few serious folks there with all kinds of gear.
 
Irish#1

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forkbeard3777 said:
Lab grown diamonds are fine and all, but call me old fashioned, but my wife and I (as do our peers) like a blood sourced diamond. We feel it elevates our “WASPY-ness” and it helps us feel more at home in Rice Village.









I kid, I kid ….. I took the engagement ring off of my grandmother’s hand at her visitation when no one was looking, and then later proposed to my now wife with it. To this day, nobody knows.
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Might as well. It's not going to do anyone any good in a casket. Now you have something tangible to rekindle memories of your grandmother.
 
Fbolt

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So, dudes buy the diamonds-cool. What are you getting? I'd be telling her to shop down the Rolex aisle and hook me up with the DateJust.
 
forkbeard3777

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Irish#1 said:
Might as well. It's not going to do anyone any good in a casket. Now you have something tangible to rekindle memories of your grandmother.
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😂 I was just kidding. I recently watched the episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm where Larry and Jeff attempted to swap out the 5 wood left in that guy’s casket.
 
Irish#1

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forkbeard3777 said:
😂 I was just kidding. I recently watched the episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm where Larry and Jeff attempted to swap out the 5 wood left in that guy’s casket.
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Went right over my head. lol

When my mom was in the hospital and knew she didn't have much time left, she took off her wedding ring so my sisters could have it.
 
BobbyMac

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Congrats 23!

I did the dirty on the southern shores of Lake Michigan too.

(or maybe that's not Lake Michigan... can't tell on my phone with no readers. lol)
 
Jimmy3Putt

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BeauBenken said:
3 years from when you were working as a once-a-week dish washer at that restaurant your friend's family owns when you were in high school?
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lol.

I'd feel comfortable doing the three year salary from my grade school paper route.
 
Fbolt

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I'm extremely cynical but I'll chime in with a congrats.
 
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