Diamonds are a jeweler's best friend

[Rich_by_the_Bay]

Oy.

Just bought a diamond ring for my DW -- combined b'day and 35th anniversary. I guess you don't LBYM every week :.

While the giving will be awesome, exposing myself to this world of seemingly arbitrary value based on a color, "characteristics" and other grades was quite an eye-opener. Boy did I feel vulnerable. Hope that using a reputable, large local diamonds-only jeweler will be of some protection. Is it mandatory to get an independent appraisal routinely? These are the guy that everyone else seems to use as appraisers, so it seemed kind of redundant.

Plan to give it to her next Saturday. I'll let y'all know how my "investment" goes. We have an awesome, world-class marriage, and I think she'll get the message.

[audreyh1]

Coming from a (strange?) woman's perspective:

I never "got" the value of diamonds at all. It's just a rock! A geological marvel - yes - tremendous forces and unusual circumstances create such a rock. But in everyday life, like Valentine's Day, it seems to be some great marketing conspiracy of a certain industry. Never wanted to own a diamond ring - afraid I would lose the stone. Happy with a simple gold wedding band - just like DH's.

I eventually trained DH not to bother - he bought me a few nice pieces of top notch gold jewelry in the early days, but other than wearing it a few times, it just wasn't that important to me. The expensive stuff lives in the bank safety deposit box now.

I think I'm different..... I guess most women love owning and wearing expensive jewelry?

I'm sure your wife will appreciate the declaration and appreciation represented by that ring Rich.

Audrey

[sgeeeee]

Quote:

Originally Posted by audreyh1 Coming from a (strange?) woman's perspective: I never "got" the value of diamonds at all.* It's just a rock! A geological marvel - yes - tremendous forces and unusual circumstances create such a rock.* But in everyday life, like Valentine's Day, it seems to be some great marketing conspiracy of a certain industry. Never wanted to own a diamond ring - afraid I would lose the stone.* Happy with a simple gold wedding band - just like DH's. I eventually trained DH not to bother - he bought me a few nice pieces of top notch gold jewelry in the early days, but other than wearing it a few times, it just wasn't that important to me.* The expensive stuff lives in the bank safety deposit box now. I think I'm different.....* I guess most women love owning and wearing expensive jewelry? I'm sure your wife will appreciate the declaration and appreciation represented by that ring Rich. Audrey

This sounds a lot like my DW. She would shoot me if I spent money on a diamond for her -- right after she let me know that it's her money too and inquired about the return policy where I bought it. I know this for a fact because I made the mistake of buying her nice jewelery early in out marriage. We have the money to afford these minor extravagances, but she just doesn't see value in owning and wearing expensive jewelery.

She gets insanely excited when I make her a card and gift wrap an insignificant frivilous item that I remember she looked at somewhere. But I've learned not to spend too much money on something for anniversaries or birthdays.

:

[Rich_by_the_Bay]

Quote:

Originally Posted by audreyh1 Coming from a (strange?) woman's perspective: I never "got" the value of diamonds at all. It's just a rock!

Can I put you in touch with my DW?

Really, though, I think I do understand that it's a token, a symbol; it's cost ensures that it's not taken lightly (much to the delight of deBeers and company who own the industry like the Mafia, I've heard). Because she knows that at one level I feel exactly the way you do, I hope that makes it all the more special.

Not sure if any of that makes sense. But I put it in the same category as "no one on their death bed ever looked back and wished they'd spent more time at thei office." In this case, it's "no one on their death bed ever looked back and wished they had given less to their loved ones."

[kz]

I have to agree with Audrey. I've never been one to long for expensive jewelry. Of course, being a jeans and T-shirt type of gal expensive jewelry wouldn't look so hot.

That being said I've finally decided to get a three diamond ring. I won't call it an anniversary ring because I want it to represent something else....my husband of 32 yrs and my two sons.

I guess I finally decided to do something just for me. And it's so unlike me that I'm thinking this just might be lots of fun. And, yes, I'm making DH come along to write out the check. (something he hasn't done in years!!)

[Nords]

Spouse has tactfully informed me that she has enough jewelry for now but she won't hesitate to replenish her stock if she feels she's running low.

Good thing too-- two months of my salary is the same as two years' worth.

[AltaRed]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich_in_Tampa Not sure if any of that makes sense. But I put it in the same category as "no one on their death bed ever looked back and wished they'd spent more time at thei office." In this case, it's "no one on their death bed ever looked back and wished they had given less to their loved ones."

Rich, you know in your heart what DW appreciates, and if it reinforces and is symbolic of what you both have in your relationship, go for it. Celebrate to your heart's content.

[Rich_by_the_Bay]

Nice sentiments all around.

[Mwsinron]

Its just a cool thing to do something nice for your spouse. Congrats on your 35th Rich.

[brewer12345]

Rich, as a gut check, price what you are thinking about at bluenile.com That way you have some clue of you are being taken to the cleaners (more than usual, anyway).

[Rich_by_the_Bay]

Quote:

Originally Posted by brewer12345 Rich, as a gut check, price what you are thinking about at bluenile.com That way you have some clue of you are being taken to the cleaners (more than usual, anyway).

Great idea -- thanks.

[haha]

I like jewelry. I especially like colored stones. Depending on the hue and tone of a woman's skin, certain stones look better than others. My wife looks astonishing wearing a good deep blue sapphire.

OTOH, many blonds look wonderful wearing rubies.

I wish I didn't have to LBYM. This is one area where I would enjoy being very generous.

I sometimes wear a diamond pinky ring that was my Dad's, and before him, the stone was his great-grandmother's. I don't wear it often; my Dad was more of a sport than I am by quite a bit!

Ha

[riskadverse]

My wife used to work at / as a jeweler.* It's funny to watch her closely when women show her their new engagement rings.* She also chooses her words carefully when complimenting them.* I wouldn't dare to buy her a ring (without her choosing it first).*

Quote:

Originally Posted by riskaverse My wife used to work at / as a jeweler. It's funny to watch her closely when women show her their new engagement rings. She also chooses her words carefully when complimenting them. I wouldn't dare to buy her a ring (without her choosing it first).

Something is fishy here.

Quote:

Name: riskaverse Posts: 344 (0.248 per day) Position: Recycles dryer sheets Date Registered: October 21, 2002, 09:07:47 AM Last Active: Today at 03:14:30 PM Gender: Female Age: 59 Location: San Diego Local Time: August 06, 2006, 03:19:46 PM Language:

[REWahoo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cut-Throat Something is fishy here.

Picky, picky, picky.... :

[riskadverse]

I know, I saw it was changed a couple of days ago, and I changed it back to male, but it reverted. Maybe someone is trying to tell me something.

[riskadverse]

Also fishy is not the PC Term.

[kcowan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nords Spouse has tactfully informed me that she has enough jewelry for now but she won't hesitate to replenish her stock if she feels she's running low. Good thing too-- two months of my salary is the same as two years' worth.

My wife has declared the same thing. We have some fabulous diamond rings and tennis bracelets and earrrings. But she decided that now we are retired, continuing to build the jewelbox makes no sense.

She gets her jollies by stopping into the $15 store at the airport and buying a bauble that appeals to her if she sees one.

[BunsGettingFirm]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich_in_Tampa Can I put you in touch with my DW? Really, though, I think I do understand that it's a token, a symbol; it's cost ensures that it's not taken lightly (much to the delight of deBeers and company who own the industry like the Mafia, I've heard). Because she knows that at one level I feel exactly the way you do, I hope that makes it all the more special. Not sure if any of that makes sense. But I put it in the same category as "no one on their death bed ever looked back and wished they'd spent more time at thei office." In this case, it's "no one on their death bed ever looked back and wished they had given less to their loved ones."

As a true of measure of appreciation, you can tell your wife that you'll give her any one of your organs (no, not that one). Not only that, you'll perform the surgery yourself.

[HFWR]

"Only real diamonds cut glass..."