Opinions on Ring Shopping

[CheshireSmile]

I''m semi-new here, lurked for awhile, but have just begun posting. BF and I have been together for over four years now and have talked about marriage for awhile, but more seriously so recently. We bought a diamond in early November and now have to get it set. I had given him some pictures of settings I like, since we had pretty much decided that a custom made setting was the way to go, and he had said I should just come with him when he takes the diamond to the jeweler to get it set.

I want my final ring and everything to be a surprise but am tempted to go to the jeweler for setting it because it''s fun and I know what I want better than anyone else would, and I wouldn''t see the final ring then anyhow, I would just be giving my input to how it will look.

So I wanted to see how involved everyone else is in their ring process? I''m totally on the fence on this one.

Tell me your ring shopping stories!

 

[SailorsSweet<3]

SO and I have gone ring shopping and we both know what each of us likes individually and, thankfully, what we dislike we''re on the same page with. I also want to be surprised with the ring so I have an idea as far as what he''ll choose but nothing that I''m 100% certain about. I think, since youre going custom theres no harm in going to the jeweler to pick out what you like - the final design will be a surprise and this way the jeweler will be confident in knowing what you said you liked and how you feel about certain details that your SO may not be able to answer. Good Luck!

 

[CNYHopeful]

Welcome, Cheshiresmile!

This is a good question. SO and I decided awhile ago that I''d prefer not to pick out the e-ring with him. I would really like to be surprised and for it to be something thoughtful that he picked out himself. My thought is that we''ll be looking at wedding bands together when we''re engaged, so it''s no tragedy if the e-ring is not my dream. I have several friends who surprised their FI''s with a personalised e-ring and the story of how they designed it is so romantic and meaningful. Besides, the jewlery he''s gotten me so far has been better than anything I would have picked out myself, so I trust him (with the help of his sister and mother).

However, we are going to a couple of jewlery stores this weekend (not for an e-ring). He''s mentioned he would like to get my ring finger sized as welll. Perhaps he''ll try to get a feel for my style too...so we''ll see. Who knows, maybe I''ll actually end up selecting the e-ring with him afterall. Either way, I''m excited whatever happens!

Let us know what you end up deciding

 

[fieryred33143]

Welcome!

I was there when FI picked out the diamond and the setting. The element of surprise is still there when he proposes so don''t worry about that! And it sounds like he rather you get the ring of your dreams and I think you should too!

 

[EveryWakingMoment]

We''ve looked in about 4 jewelry stores, so that he can get an idea of stone size/shape on my finger. Now its up to him, as i love to see him challenged and out of his comfort zone. It rarely happens

I sent him a few links of settings that differ from the classic RB solitaire, other than that i haven''t told him any preferences. (have none other than RB)

I''ll love anything he picks out. He got me a necklace for a small occasion that i would have NEVER picked out. And i love it, and love wearing it because he complained that it took 3 shops and 2 hours to pick it out

He''s not a sparkly trinket shopper, hehe.

 

[elrohwen]

Congrats on your impending engagement!

We had the stone already from FI's family, but it was in a man's ring and obviously needed to be reset. I completely picked out the style and went with him to the jeweler to tell them what I wanted. After he proposed, I even took it back and had them change some things that I didn't like. So, I had a ton of input on my ring, but I'm very picky so that's the way I wanted it. FI is also incredibly picky about things, so he understood. Secretly I think he was glad that he didn't have the pressure of picking out the perfect setting and was more than happy to leave it up to me

He didn't have strong opinions about it and wanted me to have whatever I wanted.

If you still want a surprise and you're not as picky as me, I think it's a good idea to look with him and give him ideas, then let him come up with the final design. Or, since you already know what the stone is like, just let him go crazy and pick out whatever he wants! I'm sure it'll be beautiful.

 

[GoingCrazy29]

Welcome!

FF and I went ring shopping just so he could get an idea of what I wanted. He knew that I wanted a cushion, but he really got educated about the 4C''s and what were most important to me. He also knew what things to look for in settings (halo, pave, etc). I think I know what I''ll be getting because the sales lady kind of ruined my surprise, but he is still picking everything out on his own and I have no idea about the proposal!

 

[sammyj]

Hi CheshireSmile

,

Well, BF and I have been working together on my dream ring for the past 2 months. We''ve been to 4 mall stores together to check out diamonds and settings. Currently, we have finalized the setting with a custom jeweler but we are still without a stone. We have met with the jeweler 3 times and I approved a wax model of my e-ring on Tuesday!!!!!!! In terms of the stone, since the Canadian dollar has plummeted, we are at a bit of a standstill, but my BF and I have been on PS together and searching for diamonds. He calls me his ''research assistant'' which means that when he has a question I do a search on PS for answers and then forward them to him. He''s completely overwhelmed by the site so I''ll help him in any way that I can. Whichever stone he decides to buy is completely up to him. After our appointment with the jeweler on Tuesday my BF said that I am cut off from knowing anymore information and my input is no longer needed however he may need for me to act as research assistant a few more times.

So yes, the surprise of what the ring will look like is gone, but the surprise of when and how is still there (which, to me, is way more important!!!)!