Ring Prices

[MikkiStreak]

I encourage you to research prices like crazy. If you go with a chain store (like Kays, Jareds, Helzberg's, etc...) it's harder to negotiate because the prices are set by their corporate office. A manager might be able to make a discount, but you're going to have to haggle them to do it.

 

If you go with a private jeweler, you'll have a better chance of negotiating. But the downside is that if the place goes out of business in a couple years, you'll wind up paying for your own repairs, etc...

 

Also, research pricing online. Go to bluenile.com to start. Another company I found online is Sun Jewelers. We wound up purchasing mine from Kay Jewelers and because their corporate office set the prices, they priced it wrong and we got the ring for about $1500 less than it should have been. But had I not looked at other company's prices, I wouldn't have known how good of a deal we got.

 

Also, research priorities---- Cut is first, then judge by color, then clarity last. I would always hear comments about "flawless" diamonds and then I realized that if you get an SI2 or better, no one can see a flaw anyway unless they carry a loup with them. We spent a chunk on my ring, but got a Leo diamond with the highest colorless rating. This makes my smaller stone (5/8th) really stand out. We also got a narrower band for the setting, which makes the stone look way bigger.

 

I read somewhere that the average amoutn spent on a ring is about $2800. You are going to find a really gorgeous ring with the budget you have....

[TammyB]

Where did you read about the avg price of a ring?

[MikkiStreak]

TammyM: If I remember correctly, it was in one of the bridal magazines I get--- don't remember which one. It just stuck because I sat there thinking it seemed like a low average...

[atjorgensen]

my ring was around $3000. It is only 1 carat but it is the quality of the diamond that we paid for and they guarantee 100% trade in value. the same ring comes with more carats and he is upgrading to the 3 carat which is $8000 in a couple of years but right now he wanted to pay out of pocket for it instead of on credit so......

i think that for $6000 you can get a great ring.

btw you should know better than to think you are getting too personal here....we tell each other everything don't we?!!!!LOL

Good luck with ring shopping!!!!