We went ring browsing! YAY!

[Dani511]

I had such a great day!!

As a disclaimer, I want to add that I have been told that the purchase and engagement will not be happening for at least another 6-9 months, but at least I know it is coming and he seems to be very serious!! Things have been much, much better for us since my first post!

Both my BF and I were off from work today, but I still had an errand to run this afternoon. Out of nowhere he said to be, "If you are quick about it, we can go look at rings".

I was overjoyed at the thought of it! Of course what I had to do ran very late, but I managed to get home in time and he still wanted to go! It was sort of late in the day, so we decided not to travel very far and just to try out a local B&M that we haven''t been to yet. I brought my grandmother''s diamond with me so that they could take a look at it. Since I do not want to take the diamond out of the setting until I am ready to re-set it, I like to have a number of jewelers look at it to see what they think.

So, the jeweler took a look at my diamond and was very impressed. He said it is not a modern RB, but it is also not quite an old mine cut or an old European cut, either. It is actually very close to a modern RB, has lots of fire and sparkle (which i knew ), and is much, much whiter than many of the older stones he has seen (he showed us some to compare). After inspection of the stone, he said it is more than likely just over 1 ct, G-H color, and about VS1. He called it a beautiful diamond! I was very happy!!

Then out of nowhere, my BF asks if he can see and price this big, sparkling marquise with side pears!

A bit of background: I love marquise cut diamonds, and so does my BF, but I never talk much about it, b/c I have been set on using my grandmother''s round stone to save money. I absolutely love elaborate settings with tons of diamonds, but I actually crave a BIG center marquise, and since the center stone would be large, I wouldn''t mind a more simple setting. I haven''t written about it since I knew this wasn''t going to happen, and I have posted the elaborate settings that I love in the "Show me your hoped-for sparklies" thread.
Anyhow, this ring was gorgeous!! It had a 1.62 ct (looked closer to 2ct), VS1, H (GIA Certified) marquise in the center, with .35 eye clean SI1 H color side pears, set in 18K white prongs with an 18K yellow gold band (it was sort of a cathedral setting, and was set nice and high, which I love). I would consider having the yellow gold changed to white, but you could barely see the yellow anyhow since the diamonds took center stage and the band was tapered and delicate! It was gorgeous,

and we both loved it. I loved the way it looked on my finger, but it is about $8500 ABOVE his budget!!
I kept it on and stared at it for over an hour and a half while we spoke with the jeweler.

We both loved it so much, my BF said he is going to "see what he can do" about it... there is a tiny possibility that it can be do-able, but I am not going to pressure him or hold my breath, I just had to tell someone about it! That is a ring I would love to have!

Then, while in the car, he actually said, "Lets go to the Westchester Mall, they have Bailey, Banks,& Biddle there".

!!!!

He had bought me a right hand ring (14k white gold with .50ct of pave diamonds) from BB&B for Christmas a few years ago. I know they are expensive, but he suggested it, so I jumped at the chance! I decided to check out some Tacori rings since I haven''t really seen them in person. Needless to say, I was so impressed!!! They are exquisite! They actually didn''t have a huge or varied selection of them, which I was surprised about. I really like how many of their rings with halos (which I tend to really like) are very delicate and not over powering. Then the man who was helping us took out a Tacori I have never seen before on PS or on any website, and one I would never have taken out of the case to try on myself. I doubt I could describe it and I certainly can''t find a pic of it, but I will try my best. The band sort of wrapped around each end of the round diamond but did not connect completely. One loose end pointed north, the other south, and the diamond stood prominently on 6 prongs in the center. The ends of the band had the most beautiful, whiter-than white pave diamonds on the edges only,(the carat weight of the stones was not listed on the tag, but he estimated it as being about .20-.25ct, less than what I usually go for) and the rest of the heavy platinum band was covered in gorgeous and delicate filigree and hand-engraving. It was extremely different and contemporary, but with an antique feel from the engraving and filigree. It was a work of art. I am sorry that I cannot better describe it, and I cannot find it anywhere on the web! It is totally different from anything I would go for, but we both liked it alot! It was also very affordable and well within our price range. I am not sure if it is exactly the ring for me, however, since my diamond will be smaller than the CZ it was set with and I don''t know how it will look with a smaller diamond. Also, due to the design, I would have to wear a wedding band on my right hand. It is definitely worth considering though, and I am certainly going to have to take a look at some more Tacori rings!

All in all, I had a great day, as I learned that this engagement may be much sooner than I had thought! He is seriously looking at rings with me now, and I think I am going to have a great time picking out a setting! He had one of the settings I had posted previously in mind, but he wants to keep looking anyhow!! I am concerned, though, about how much I have been changing my mind lately in regard to styles and settings. I love, love, love the settings I had posted, but it seems each time I see something else, I love that as well! Now I am very confused...

By the way, I have pics of that marquise ring, but I can''t find the CD with the program that I must download to allow me to upload the pics to my PC. This is because I only had my mom''s new camera with me in my bag (I was supposed to develop some pics form it at CVS). Also, if I am able to find the software, would it be "bad luck" or not appropriate if I post hand shots of a ring that is not my engagement ring?? I would really like to show it to you ladies, even if I can''t have it! (I couldn''t take any pics in BB&B of the Tacori).

I am sorry this so long and random, I was just so excited that it is feeling more "real", and I had to share it with you ladies!!

And, I also want to know if any of you have this problem with switching preferences. Any advice??

Thanks for listening!!

 

[FrekeChild]

That ring sounds AMAZING.

Think you could try to draw it?

I want to see it dang it.

But yay! Ring shopping is so much fun!

 

[Dani511]

Haha, thanks!! I love ring shopping!!!

I wish I could draw!! LOL

I''ll definitely try to get the pics that I have uploaded, I would love to know what everyone thinks!!

 

[KCCutie]

Oh you''re totally not alone.

I felt the same way. At first when I thought maybe he was thinking about engagement and rings but we hadn''t really talked about it, I thought I was absolutely crazy. To me it was real and I just knew that no one else would see it that way. Then when we had our talk everything suddenly became real and I was so excited. Now every time he says something to anyone about our house hunt I just jump up and down inside I''m so excited. Every day it becomes more and more real to me and the best part is it''s becoming more real to our families too! If we actually went ring shopping I''d be over the moon for sure!

I have switched preferences a lot but I think that happens as you see them in real life and try them on. I had looked on the internet and picked out a ton. I have them saved on a wish list and I actually went back the other day and took some off and I''m still adding to it. Although now it''s more slight variations of the one setting type I really like. Personally I''m kinda glad I don''t have my mind or heart set on one thing b/c I won''t have any say in choosing the ring. I know whatever he picks will be amazing and perfect for me but I don''t want to get too set on one thing just in case.

 

[Bia]

Dani your post made my morning! I am so happy for you! Had this been me, I would have been just as excited, I'd be ready to burst, more like it!!!

BF has yet to ask me to go ring browsing...

I am not sure if it's because he doesn't want me to get too excited if it isn't happening in the immediate future OR if he just wants it to be a total surprise...grrrrrrr.

So, alas, I will have to live vicariously through you girls....

btw: where in Westchester are you? Me = Bronxville --would love, love, LOVE to try on rings with you--

 

[Delster]

Yay Dani that''s fantastic!!! Sounds like you guys had a blast!

Have you looked into marquise stones in the search engine here? A custom setting inspired by the one you loved so much might not be quite so far out of reach, you never know!

I''d love to see this Tacori ring too, it sounds so unique

 

[Just_Me]

How exciting! I''d love to see the pics!

 

[Lanie]

Dani...that is such a cute story! I remember when my bf suggested to me that we go ring shopping, I almost passed out. It''s definitely fun. We did the same thing you did...went to a B&M then went to Bailey, Banks, Biddle. We walked in there thinking it would be way out of our price range, but it wasn''t! I was shocked that they used CZ''s as their displays...they looked like the real thing to me! If you are trying to keep the price of your band down, so you can get a bigger rock, BBB does some of their rings in palladium, which is so similar to platinum, just way cheaper. I think they make Tacori in palladium, but I can''t remember. I know it''s only a few of the designs. Anyway, just FYI.

Now you have to suffer with the rest of us wondering when it will come..... Our ring shopping trip was 2 months ago!

 

[lliang_chi]

Sounds like you guys had fun. And your guy sounds like a sweetheart.

 

[Keepingthefaith21]

Sounds like a productive trip!

You make me want to run out to the nearest Tacori dealer and try to find the ring you described. It sounds dreamy!

I don''t think it''s bad luck to post a photo of a ring you have yet to get. Many ladies here do that and some even sneak pictures of their rings when they stumble upon them hidden in the house - I have yet to hear of a lady who doesn''t end up engaged because of posting a photo

So post away my dear!!!

 

[Dani511]

Oh ladies, you have all made my day!

I am so happy to hear all of your responses!! Thank you for being happy for me!

KCCutie: I am so glad that I am not the only one! I happy for you that everything is becoming real for you- I can’t wait until my BF and I can move in together as well!

Bia: I am soooo glad that my post made you feel that way! I completely know how you feel about the whole BF not asking you to go ring shopping yet- my BF and I had our issues about it for a long time. I am sure everything will begin to fall into place for you two shortly!!
In the meantime, I am in New Rochelle, I am not far from you at all and you totally opened up a can of worms by saying you’d love to try on rings with me!!! LOL! I would absolutely love to go!!

Anytime, I’m there!! Let me know!

Delster: Thank you so much! We did have fun! Thank you for the info- I will certainly look into it! I am really trying to find a pic of that ring- in person it was so different and beautiful!

Just Me and Lliang Chi: Thanks so much, girls! It was a lot of fun, and BF has been a doll lately, I am so glad things seem to be working out well now!

Lanie: Thank you, too! I am glad you had a similar experience when your BF asked you to go ring shopping! That is so funny that you also went to a B&M and then BB&B!!

I will definitely look into palladium, thank you or the info! I know I am going to have to suffer for a little while, we’re thinking it still could be as little as maybe 4 months, but as long as nine months away! I don’t know what I am going to do in the meantime- but at least it gives me /excuses to check out more settings!!

Keepingthefaith21: Thanks! I wish I could have described that Tacori better! It was very unique and beautiful. Maybe next time I can sneak a pic of it when the guy turns his back, LOL!! And I am glad you think it is OK for me to post some hand shots! I am going to try to get those up on my PC today or tomorrow so I can see what you ladies think!

Thanks again, ladies!!

 

[Dreamgirl]

YAY!! Im very excited for you.

I would love to do that with my boyfriend!

 

[ktdid]

How exciting Dani!!! I was the same way when BF asked if I wanted to go ring shopping

Your grandmother's RB sounds gorgeous but I hope you are able to get the ring you truly want! The Tacori sounds so pretty and I know when I looked at them there wasn't one that I wouldn't take in a heartbeat

Sounds like you had so much fun and I'm so happy for you! Can't wait to hear about the ring and proposal when it happens

Oh, and my thought is it's great to have several settings that you love! That way he can choose one and it can still be a surprise!

 

[INdmbLove]

Sounds like a great day for you both! I''m glad that you had such a great time and were able to find such beauties! I can''t wait to see the pictures.

 

[Dani511]

This is why I love Pricescope so much! You ladies are the best!

Ktdid: Thank you so much, it is very sweet of you to say those things!

I do love my grandmother’s diamond, and I still think it is going to be the one that we go with, if for no other reason than to save money. I wouldn’t mind at all, but it is also nice to think that I may be able to have a larger stone that is only ours. And I feel the same way about Tacori now that I have seen them- I’d take any one of them!

I had really loved Simon G and even some of the Verragio collections, and I definitely still do, but seeing the Tacori’s up close- they are just exquisitely made! I am glad that you think it is good to have a lot of settings in mind!! Thank you so much for the well wishes also- as soon as it happens, I will love to share all of the details and pics with all of you ladies!!

Indmblove: Thanks so much!!

We did have a great day and I will be sure to share pics! I am trying to get that ring uploaded for everyone to take a look at, but I am thinking it is going to have to be tomorrow.

 

[Dani511]

Dreamgirl: I didn't forget about you!!

Thank you so much, also!

I never thought my BF would want to go ring shopping again this soon after all of these issues we had had, and I was pleasantly suprised! I am sure it will happen for you very soon as well!! Sometimes it happens when you least expect it! I thought of you when we almost went into Tiffany's at the mall where we went into BB&B, but it was late at that time and the stores were closing. I wanted to check out some of thier settings as well, I haven't really tried any of them on, either.
I'll still be waiting for a while for the engagement, though.

 

[Dreamgirl]

Aw thanks, how sweet of you to remember me! I had tried on the Novo while shopping for a birthday present last summer, he was in the store and I called him over to show him. Wasn't really the same as "looking" together. He kind of had that (GULP) look on his face lol. Once in Tiffany's we walked past the rings together and maybe pointed at one like "Oooh!" but didn't ask to see any. I think in the past years I have tried on the Lucida on my own and I think another one, but that was years and years ago. I hope he remembers that I told him I would like us to look together when he is interested. Well, I think the more I keep my mouth shut about (rings), the better off it will be for me in the future.

Maybe when he is ready, he will be like your boyfriend and say "Lets go look at rings" I could see myself now (sounding like Monica from FRIENDS) "OK!!!"

I would be crazy with excitement.

BTW, if he took you ring shopping, I bet you wont be waiting THAT much longer! I will keep my fingers crossed for you!

 

[Dani511]

Yes, I remember that you like the Novo!

I am sure he will remember or ask you again when the time comes! I had to stop talking about rings for a while as well, and so far, it seems to have maybe paid off (I hope, anyhow!!!) So, I am sure everything will work out for you! Thank you for crossing your fingers for me! I will do the same for you!