I need opinions for my son.

[mrspunkysmom]

I asked several jewelers and got frustrated with the "no we can't do it". I was talking to a customer one day last month who is actually is a talented jewelry designer who travels around the country as a guest lecturer/teacher at colleges, and she explained how its basically redesigning an entire new ring. She gave me a quote that made my jaw drop. Maybe in ten years or so they could afford it, but right now, its not a realistic cost for him to spend.

She just wants a ring. I think she'd be happy with something from the bubblegum machine.

He just wants to put a ring on her finger. He wants it to be a smidgen nicer than something from a bubblegum machine

I'm having fun looking at jewelry for him. I bought myself a couple of baubles too

If you know what her tastes are, find something that reflects those tastes.

As for enlarging the ring: Jewlers no longer replace watch crystals either. The companies won't let them or so I'm told.

It seems no one is willing to put in the time these days. Everything is instantaneous. SIGH.

And the jewelers probably don't want to mess with the ring, so they quote a high price. I find that to be the standard these days for most special orders.


Good luck with the ring. And really good costume jewelry is expensive, too. Looks really nice and sometimes it's hard to tell the difference. Except the price will be way cheaper than the real thing.

And congrats to your son and his fiance.

[kittycats_delight]

You said she wears silver and cubics can be just as lovely so...why not check out the actual store that has the free silver jewelry. The store has more selection, some really nice stuff and you can even choose to build your own ring so you can sapphire accent stones to keep it more unique.

Here's the link.

This is one of my favorites from there.

[lizbud]

You said she wears silver and cubics can be just as lovely so...why not check out the actual store that has the free silver jewelry. The store has more selection, some really nice stuff and you can even choose to build your own ring so you can sapphire accent stones to keep it more unique.

Here's the link.

This is one of my favorites from there.

Wow, there are some great rings on the CZ website. The one you picked out is beautiful. I also like the silver mesh ring. I've never seen one like it before.
The prices seem very reasonable.

[emily_the_spoiled]

In case you are wondering, one of the most famous engagement rings of our time is not diamonds...

[catnapper]

Yup, in fact the first ring I bought is a shameless imitation of it

I'm so stinkin' excited that they're coming - I bought 4 rings, all various shapes and shades of blue. The cheapest is an emerald cut aquamarine with a blue stone called kyanite on the sides for a whole $23 and the most expensive is a white gold knockoff of the Princess's ring. I found a clearance tanzanite solitaire in gold for... wait for it.... $85!!! The first should arrive in tomorrow's mail (at least according to the tracking info)

I took Tony to the mall last night to get him to look at rings just to see what style he has in mind.... nope. He had absolutely no interest in looking at jewelry. He also claims she is nothing like me. Hubby and I laughed. She's a carbon copy of me, except she likes sports.

[smokey the elder]

There are some very good synthetic gems that can be had at reasonable prices and to the untrained eye don't look different from the natural ones.