Question:

I may be a regular poster here eventually, once I get the ring and propose to my girlfriend.   well anyway, I’m looking for opinions of online and wholesale merchants specifically an operation called Diamonds Direct and another one my brother told me about called jewelryexchange.com. Anyone heard of these places? This Diamonds direct place doesnt really have a brick and motor location and I havent checked into the dotcom place yet, but my brother tells me they guarantee 2x the appraisal value. Finally, how does one know what they are buying. For example, if I buy a certain diamond with specified criteria, how do I know for sure thats what I’m getting? To a layman, diamonds all look the same. It seems so easy to just swap a cheaper diamond in place of what a person has bought. This is a good size expense, so I want to be prepared. D.B. Young.      Team OS/2! –this message printed on recycled disk space<– antique computer virtual museum, turbo pinto + more at www.nothingtodo.org Delete the obvious (Aolsucks) to reply.

Response:

In a previous article, Guy Noir – private eye said… I’m looking for opinions of online and wholesale merchants

IIRC, jewelry exchange has spammed this group on several occasions, and I wouldn’t do business with spammers. — Joe Pucillo Baltimore, Maryland  USA To reply by email, please remove the .xx from the address.

Response:

Ask her to marry you and then go with her to some nice jewelry stores and let her pick out a ring that she likes, that is within your budget.  You don’t have to have the ring before you propose.  She should have a say about an imortant piece of jewelry she will be wearing forever. — Diane I. Life is good. My email account is at nyc.rr.com addressed to dti – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I may be a regular poster here eventually, once I get the ring and propose to my girlfriend.

Response:

Hmmm.  You know her best.  DH and I went out and tried a few rings on months before he proposed.  However, he chose the ring my himself based on what we both agreed looked good and what he liked.  Depending on the bride-to-be, you may want to have a ring in hand or you may want to wait.  Either way is perfectly appropriate.  If you want to choose a ring together after you’ve asked her, you can buy her a smaller ring (like maybe a pearl ring) to wear in the interim.  These don’t cost much (especially given the low cost of gold) and are pretty.  However, you know her best and can probably figure out what she wants.  If not, ask her or, if you want a complete surprise, ask one of her friends.  I guarentee you that she’s talked about possible engagement scenarios with her friends. — Melissa 3/18/01

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Ask her to marry you and then go with her to some nice jewelry stores and let her pick out a ring that she likes, that is within your budget.  You don’t have to have the ring before you propose.  She should have a say about an imortant piece of jewelry she will be wearing forever. — Diane I. Life is good. My email account is at nyc.rr.com addressed to dti I may be a regular poster here eventually, once I get the ring and propose to my girlfriend.

Response:

Well, it’s up to you.. you don’t "need" a ring to propose, but if you really want to have one, just go shopping with her sometime and see what she likes.  My hubby to be knows I’m not overly fond of diamonds and what he did was have an absolutely beautiful ring custom handmade for me.  It’s gold with an oval black onyx.  I just adore it. Heather A.

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