Anybody know anything about purchasing diamond rings...

[Bretsky]

I agree with Madtownpacker. Don't buy her shit.

ditto

[MJZiggy]

I agree with Madtownpacker. Don't buy her shit.

ditto

B, are you telling me that Mrs. Bretsky is not sporting a sweet little piece of stone on her finger?

[Bretsky]

I agree with Madtownpacker. Don't buy her shit.

ditto

B, are you telling me that Mrs. Bretsky is not sporting a sweet little piece of stone on her finger?

NO; can't say that. Smart people learn from the mistakes of others.

I'm not smart

[Harlan Huckleby]

B, are you telling me that Mrs. Bretsky is not sporting a sweet little piece of stone on her finger?

What Ziggy is saying is nice people buy diamond rings.

Ya, people laugh about how silly a custom it is.

But when it comes right down to it, it is still an expectation, re-enforced by social pressure by the Diamondistas.

Bachelors of the world unite. You have nothing to lose but your chains!!!! Down with Diamond facism!!! Death to Ziggy!

[MJZiggy]

Hey!!! That's a little extreme, wouldn't you say? So much for that little bauble I had planned for you for Christmas...

[Harlan Huckleby]

Sorry, perhaps I over-reacted. Maybe just a few lashes. Do you have bed posts?

[Little Whiskey]

there is a lot of things we do because of customs and traditions. didn't each of you call your mom on mothers day? how about give or get gifts at christmas? hell, we are all packer fans (all but the trolls ) one of the teams steeped with the most history and tradition. why do you have brats when you attend a game?? why do you tailgate before and after?? why not just go to a resturant? the answere is simple tradition/history.

[CaptainKickass]

the answere is simple tradition/history.

At the risk of becoming an echoing repetitive dual redundancy"

"Why are women attracted to diamonds in the first place?"

Tradition, history, and clever marketing are not why men buy diamonds for women nor are they why women are attracted to them. Men buy diamonds for women because it's what the women want - and if the men want to keep on gettin' that booty under the ruse of monogamy, then they will pony up.

But what started it? Why does it have to be a diamond? Why can't it be a piece of quartz or sandstone? Why are women offended if it's cubic zerconia?

Is the wedding ring a symbol as we have been taught? Or is it really a measure of worth?

I guess in the end it's all up to the individual and/or couple.

What really bothers me is seeing people do these kinds of things because "it's what we're supposed to do". As if their life is a script and all they need to do is read along until they die. They go along with the script without research of the potential consequences of these decisions and then later on they wonder "how did it all happen?".

Many of my friends are going through some of this kind of thing, be it marriage, child custody, buying/selling a house, or even what to major in.

Be original - Learn from other people's pasts.

[The Leaper]

The best way to get a good value on a diamond is to go to a place that sells high quality stuff...forget mall stores.

My opinion on diamonds? Avoid FL, IF, or VVS clarity...too big a premium. Aim to find a VS clarity stone...these include minor imperfections, but ones that are impossible to see without magnification and that do not impact the beauty of the stone. As for size...avoid stones that are at or just above a major size threshold. People pay a premium to say they have a full 1 carat stone...when a stone that is .9 carats is virtually indistinguishable, especially if it has a great cut and clarity. However, the one that is .9 carats with the same size and clarity of the 1 carat is typically 15-20% cheaper.

If you are in Ohio, I recommend the Diamond Cellar in Columbus. Top notch outfit that makes sure you get the best stone you can afford, and puts you at ease during the process...unlike most mall stores.

[Partial]

This is an interesting topic of discussion.

To those who refuse or don't think you should get your women a diamond rock, I question your commitment and love to the woman.

For better or worse, De Beers has taken an abudant resource, moved all over the world avoiding anti-trust laws to make us pay a premium price for a mineral of great natural beauty.

Women love these because
A. It's the traditional thing to do
B. That sort of investment shows you are serious about them and the relationship by making such a large commitment

and most importantly,
C. Women are beautiful beings that like to look pretty and attractive for you.

There is nothing better than when I buy the girlfriend a nice piece of jewelry, even like some 30 dollar earrings, then when she wears them the first time.

She will take a good long shower, clean out all her pores, shave her entire body so its smooth as silk, put lotion on so its even smoother yet, put a victoria secret little number on, and then put on a pretty dress, or a very nice, flattering outfit, then she will do her hair and makeup all nice, and put on some good, tall shoes all for me, because women love knowing their guy only has eyes for them and love feeling like they are gods gift to their man.

Then, we'll have some amazing love making that night because she looks like an angel and I made her feel beautiful and loved.

That right there is why you get your gal an engagement ring, and you get her the nicest one you can afford if you love her.

I know that I will save up even longer than the alloted two month salary when that time comes. I will probably go for four months and get her something big and beautiful that she will wear and feel gorgeous in every day for the rest of her life.

After all, so you drop 16gs on a ring, you're going to work the rest of your life to pay that off. And that moment when you take her breath away will make every second of it worth it.

[the_idle_threat]

That's beautiful man... You are a true romantic (a.k.a. pussy). :P

[BallHawk]

And cubic zirconium gets the job done just the same at a fraction of the cost.

[MJZiggy]

Not when you consider the cost of the divorce when she finds out you lied.

[Partial]

I really think the divorce rate would go down tremendously if people would just discuss things before acting, especially in regards to their children, and make sure they are a united front.

[BallHawk]

I really think the divorce rate would go down tremendously if people would just discuss things before acting, especially in regards to their children, and make sure they are a united front.

Not to mention cheating on them. That usually pisses your spouse off.