|
Post by ompong on Dec 9, 2007 1:59:50 GMT 8
Hi guys and gals!
Yep, I'm about to start this long and exciting journey. My first official stop would be the engagement part. I'm looking for a good (TRANS: pretty but no too expensive) engagement ring for my fiance. For those married guys or soon to be married ones, any suggestion on where to find one? Or any info what to look for or something? Where did you buy and rangingly how much does one costs?
To the ladies out there, any tips on what women mostly want a ring to be? I mean the design or appearance.
Thank you so much my friends! I am worried but excited at the same time about this! Thanks in advance for your help!!! ;D
|
|
|
Post by g.b.b on Dec 9, 2007 9:29:59 GMT 8
try ongpin in downtown... many to choose from....... mine... i haven't proposed yet and she's mad at me........ hehehe
|
|
|
Post by ompong on Dec 10, 2007 0:38:55 GMT 8
Thanks GBB! Not to inject any malice, but I wonder if the jewelries there are of good kind? Sorry for that since I have no idea on that place. I would also appreciate more suggestion my friends!
|
|
|
Post by g.b.b on Dec 10, 2007 0:52:35 GMT 8
lot of chinese, italian (white, yellow) gold... and stones too.... and cheaper din.......
|
|
|
Post by baboinsky on Dec 10, 2007 2:48:05 GMT 8
Congratulations! I proposed to my GF last Nov 26 din. I didn't go to the trouble of looking around for engagement rings because a cousin of mine makes/sells them. I also heard that you can find good deals in the ongpin and meycauayan areas, but I don't know exactly where. To give you an idea of the price, the ring that I bought costed 38k (goodbye new wheelset ;d). The round cut diamond is almost half a carat and it's set on a 14k white gold ring. I initially wanted to get a princess cut diamond because most of the engagment rings you see around have round cuts, but the price of the stone was singnificantly higher.
|
|
jarod
All-Mountain Rider
Having fun is all there is!
Posts: 194
|
Post by jarod on Dec 10, 2007 15:17:39 GMT 8
Nice info baboinsky! Congrats as well! I'm reading a lot about these things and it sure is complicated as well
|
|
|
Post by anthrax76 on Dec 10, 2007 16:17:21 GMT 8
i got my wife's engagement ring from a friend who buys then in meycauayan. i got it for 13K, small diamond. i wanted to splurge more on the wedding rings, he he he.
we had our rings made to order also, old jewelries from the family (mostly broken necklaces) were melted to lower the cost.
in case you want to get them in ongpin, you might want to bring a jeweler to check if the stone is clear. some stones have carbon deposits inside which could be seen by a magnifying glass. my mother-in-law examined the ring i gave my then gf. good thing the stone was clear.
another place to go are auctions from pawnshops....although i don't want you go that far.
Update.....
now who was the PinoyMTBiker member who was supposed to propose in bataan after a bike ride?
|
|
|
Post by rocky on Dec 10, 2007 16:27:39 GMT 8
Well my son RJ will be arriving home from Tokyo this Saturday Dec 15 at 1325. From NAIA, I will rush him to Rockwell to avail of 50% discount for an engagement ring his fiancee has chosen and reserve for herself for my son to buy.
Nice move...right? My future daughter-in-law has chosen for herself the engagement ring she fancies, at 50% discount, saving my son the worry of looking for the right ring.
You think you can do this arrangement where you and your fiancee hunt for engagement ring together? Or are you at this stage where you like to surprize her pa by going thru motions of dramatic effect, kneeling down and the like, and asking her "Will you marry me sweetheart?"
Wish I know more details as to how much the engagement ring will cost and carat size?
All I know is I am excited myself to the prospects of being a grandfather soon.
|
|
|
Post by maxbuwaya on Dec 10, 2007 17:35:33 GMT 8
I did go for the ring that you can wear everyday on a regular street without getting robbed.
Sealed bearing from an A class wheelset
|
|
|
Post by fullspeed on Dec 10, 2007 18:27:39 GMT 8
Congrats brad! If you are familiar with Binondo, you can try this shop in Masangkay st. near Salazar/Ongpin. New Life Jewelry yun store. I bought my ex-gf's engagement ring there, many sizes and budget to choose from Dont forget to kneel, make it a most special moment for her
|
|
|
Post by ompong on Dec 11, 2007 20:11:18 GMT 8
anthrax76: Lucky you the stone was clear or else...hehe rocky: That was a cool setup and 50% would be irresistable! However, I'm more inclined to the one with the element of surprise. I think that would add more of the whole engagement thing in my scenario. maxbuwaya: I think I'll get one for my self instead! Haha! fullspeed: Thanks for the lead brad! Could you tell me (or PM me) that price range of their rings?
|
|
|
Post by anthrax76 on Dec 12, 2007 10:36:30 GMT 8
ompong, PM noodletown boys. Gadgets live near that area.
|
|
|
Post by wcoastbo on Jan 3, 2008 8:43:34 GMT 8
when comparing diamonds don't sacrifice color and clarity, just to get a bigger size (carat weight). a rock that's 1.2 carats is not necessarily better than one that's 0.95 carats, especially if the bigger stone has more imperfections and not as bright as the smaller one. I'd rather buy a smaller diamond that's perfect and a more brilliant color than a bigger diamond that has flaws and dull in color.
invest or borrow a 10X loupe and do some research on the internet.
|
|
|
Post by gadgets88 on Jan 3, 2008 8:56:26 GMT 8
I second Bo's advice.
Buying diamonds is very much like buying your audio and video equipments.
Go for clarity, not size.
|
|
|
Post by g.b.b on Jan 3, 2008 8:59:43 GMT 8
but girls always say "size matters" hehehe it originally came from them *yari
|
|
Julia
XC Rider
S P A N K!
Posts: 131
|
Post by Julia on Jan 3, 2008 19:58:57 GMT 8
ompongif you want to check out ongpin, make sure you have somebody who really knows jewelries. I tried going there last year to buy white golds for myself, had a great find for only 4,000. when i got home, my friends checked it out and its only silver. di ko na nakita yung girl. hate what happened to me... the bulacan jewelries, are these good buys?ü
|
|
|
Post by Lui-G on Jan 3, 2008 20:10:03 GMT 8
Hi Ompong,
My mom works in a reputable jewelry shop located at the 2/f of the Glorietta 1 (I think), named, Alahas. There you can find pretty neat choices for engagement ring and even wedding bands you and your fiancee would surely love. Quality is at its best. You can even have customized ones too.
HTH
|
|
kukai
Free Rider
Posts: 325
|
Post by kukai on Feb 14, 2008 13:05:25 GMT 8
Ompong, what is your budget? I can refer you to my alahera (jeweler) she has good pieces and can present rings that fit your budget. their jewelry factory (if i may call it that) is in Bulacan... PM me of interested. Happy shopping... may i recommend princess cut or heart shaped diamonds
|
|
|
Post by enzo on Feb 14, 2008 13:27:46 GMT 8
Ompong, what is your budget? I can refer you to my alahera (jeweler) she has good pieces and can present rings that fit your budget. their jewelry factory (if i may call it that) is in Bulacan... PM me of interested. Happy shopping... may i recommend princess cut or heart shaped diamonds You can buy from makers in Meycayauan. the gold is spot on. I mean the karat. if they say 18, it's 18K. Wow!! This is sweet!!! I never experienced giving my ex-gf an engagement ring, even our wedding rings were given as gifts from Dubai. That was even before I came here. My sister-in-law who was working at Duty Free(Dubai) sent the rings as wedding gifts. I never experienced getting down on my knees, proposing. Most of the times my relationship ends coz the ladies got tired of waiting for my proposal. So every 3 years, I buy us wedding bands. the first pair is in white and the second is in yellow. Our first wedding rings are in tri color. The last I bought her is a half eternity from Tiffany and Co in white with 5 small diamonds. Though I didnt propose to her, I always say these line everytime I give her a ring " I'd marry you again and again"
|
|
|
Post by Ben Dover on Feb 14, 2008 13:34:59 GMT 8
btw, why it's called engagement ring?...engaged in what? it must be a pretty nice activity. (j/k)
|
|
|
Post by kulot_salot on Feb 14, 2008 13:37:16 GMT 8
Ompong, what is your budget? I can refer you to my alahera (jeweler) she has good pieces and can present rings that fit your budget. their jewelry factory (if i may call it that) is in Bulacan... PM me of interested. Happy shopping... may i recommend princess cut or heart shaped diamonds You can buy from makers in Meycayauan. the gold is spot on. I mean the karat. if they say 18, it's 18K. Wow!! This is sweet!!! I never experienced giving my ex-gf an engagement ring, even our wedding rings were given as gifts from Dubai. That was even before I came here. My sister-in-law who was working at Duty Free(Dubai) sent the rings as wedding gifts. I never experienced getting down on my knees, proposing. Most of the times my relationship ends coz the ladies got tired of waiting for my proposal. So every 3 years, I buy us wedding bands. the first pair is in white and the second is in yellow. Our first wedding rings are in tri color. The last I bought her is a half eternity from Tiffany and Co in white with 5 small diamonds. Though I didnt propose to her, I always say these line everytime I give her a ring " I'd marry you again and again" eh paano yung line na... "i'd marry you if i weren't married yet..." heheheheh.... ;D ;D ;D ;D happy valentine's Da Man! may we get lucky today more than anyone else here! hehehehe....
|
|
kukai
Free Rider
Posts: 325
|
Post by kukai on Feb 14, 2008 13:43:06 GMT 8
Ben Dover i found this for you: "In Western tradition, an engagement ring is a ring worn by a woman on her left-hand ring finger indicating her engagement to be married. In other countries, such as Poland, it is customary for the ring to be worn on the right-hand. By modern convention, the ring is usually presented as a betrothal gift by a man to his prospective bride while or directly after she accepts his marriage proposal. It represents a formal agreement to future marriage." I found this in - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engagement_ringHTH
|
|
|
Post by marcs on Feb 14, 2008 13:54:33 GMT 8
Just some trivia . . . The diamond as an engagement ring came into fasion only around the turn of the century (around the 1900s). Before then, pretty much any precious stone was used as an engagement ring. But thanks to the aggressive marketing campaign of the De Beers company such as A Diamond is Forever and A Diamond is a Girl's Bestfriend (which, is one of the more influential ad campaigns of the century I think) the diamond became the standard stone for an engagement ring. It's not really a tradition that goes back to time imemorial, but rather a splendin marketing campaign by a big diamond company. Also, De Beers pretty much has the monopoly in the diamond market. Net, though just as rare as any other precious stones, consumers have this notion that diamonds are more rare, because of control of supply, and of course, the lack of a 2nd hand market, because, well, a diamond is forever. So now guys have to spend twice their monthly salary (this is the standard agreed range) to propose marriage. INFO from howstuffworks.com Try as I might to convince her that it's just a clever marketing ploy, I still provided the standard engagement ring though. So what if I had to forego a new Yeti 575, Sta Cruz Heckler, etc hahahaha. Take note, she will compare that ring with her friends, so make sure you have an idea if they have had engagement rings as well. It's better if she has small fingers so the rock will actually look bigger even if it's only 0.5 carats. Going for a flatter rock also gives the illusion of larger size. Some rocks with invisible flaws (meaning invisible to the naked eye) would also be more affordable and still look good, unless of course she has it checked with an expert A good quality half carat diamond would probably sell now between 50-70k I think. Then a simple wedding would set you back half a million . . . And no, i don't agree to looking for the engagement ring together, coz it has to be surprise. It has to be something you looked for, and know it will look good on her because you already know her so well (heck, why propose if not right?). It means you went out and are prepared to give her your best. It means you will have an easier time asking for a VISA when you are already married Goodluck with that!
|
|
|
Post by enzo on Feb 14, 2008 14:06:52 GMT 8
You can buy from makers in Meycayauan. the gold is spot on. I mean the karat. if they say 18, it's 18K. Wow!! This is sweet!!! I never experienced giving my ex-gf an engagement ring, even our wedding rings were given as gifts from Dubai. That was even before I came here. My sister-in-law who was working at Duty Free(Dubai) sent the rings as wedding gifts. I never experienced getting down on my knees, proposing. Most of the times my relationship ends coz the ladies got tired of waiting for my proposal. So every 3 years, I buy us wedding bands. the first pair is in white and the second is in yellow. Our first wedding rings are in tri color. The last I bought her is a half eternity from Tiffany and Co in white with 5 small diamonds. Though I didnt propose to her, I always say these line everytime I give her a ring " I'd marry you again and again" eh paano yung line na... "i'd marry you if i weren't married yet..." heheheheh.... ;D ;D ;D ;D happy valentine's Da Man! may we get lucky today more than anyone else here! hehehehe.... ;D ;D ;D ;D ;What if she says. " If you convert, you are allowed to have four wives"
|
|
|
Post by Ben Dover on Feb 14, 2008 14:12:24 GMT 8
oh! Lord forgive me...i thought once accepted you are now free to engage. LOL ;D thanks a lot kukai.
|
|
|
Post by enzo on Feb 14, 2008 14:14:16 GMT 8
Just some trivia . . . The diamond as an engagement ring came into fasion only around the turn of the century (around the 1900s). Before then, pretty much any precious stone was used as an engagement ring. But thanks to the aggressive marketing campaign of the De Beers company such as A Diamond is Forever and A Diamond is a Girl's Bestfriend (which, is one of the more influential ad campaigns of the century I think) the diamond became the standard stone for an engagement ring. It's not really a tradition that goes back to time imemorial, but rather a splendin marketing campaign by a big diamond company. Also, De Beers pretty much has the monopoly in the diamond market. Net, though just as rare as any other precious stones, consumers have this notion that diamonds are more rare, because of control of supply, and of course, the lack of a 2nd hand market, because, well, a diamond is forever. So now guys have to spend twice their monthly salary (this is the standard agreed range) to propose marriage. INFO from howstuffworks.com Try as I might to convince her that it's just a clever marketing ploy, I still provided the standard engagement ring though. So what if I had to forego a new Yeti 575, Sta Cruz Heckler, etc hahahaha. Take note, she will compare that ring with her friends, so make sure you have an idea if they have had engagement rings as well. It's better if she has small fingers so the rock will actually look bigger even if it's only 0.5 carats. Going for a flatter rock also gives the illusion of larger size. Some rocks with invisible flaws (meaning invisible to the naked eye) would also be more affordable and still look good, unless of course she has it checked with an expert A good quality half carat diamond would probably sell now between 50-70k I think. Then a simple wedding would set you back half a million . . . And no, i don't agree to looking for the engagement ring together, coz it has to be surprise. It has to be something you looked for, and know it will look good on her because you already know her so well (heck, why propose if not right?). It means you went out and are prepared to give her your best. It means you will have an easier time asking for a VISA when you are already married Goodluck with that! That is so true Marcs, The salesman even said to me that a diamond takes millions of years to make or form blah blahs. I said all things even the sand and the air we breathe has been here since in some form or another. He doesnt know Im a salesman too. De beers got the monopoly but if you walk around the gold shop here and ask quietly, discretely for some "loose diamonds" the price is 30% cheaper. They are certified by the same shop and you must bring a gemologist/alahera friend with you. I have a friend who helps us and even put to shame the salesmen around the gold shops here.
|
|
|
Post by Ben Dover on Feb 14, 2008 14:20:26 GMT 8
anyone seen the movie blood diamond? quite ironic noh?
|
|
|
Post by enzo on Feb 14, 2008 14:31:01 GMT 8
Saw it Tolits, and sad to say it is true.
those are the "loose" diamonds.
|
|
|
Post by Ben Dover on Feb 14, 2008 14:53:20 GMT 8
|
|
|
Post by marcs on Feb 15, 2008 9:41:06 GMT 8
it's tough when there's tremendous pressue to follow tradition. Honestly, for me, I wouldn't buy a diamond at all because of this realization. But it's tradition, and I followed it nevertheless.
OT also, after the engagement, then there's the tradition on weddings, how it has to be done so and so, this and that, all ballooning to a half a million cost even before day 1 of your married life. I really will not understand why you need to spend so much for one day on so many people you don't really know intimately. And it's because of, again . . . tradition.
Don't get me wrong, it is a very very very special day, and if you have a lot of spare cash then go ahead and spend on it. I just wish we'd move into a more intimate setup, where only very close friends, close family are there to wish you well, and to help you get started on your married life. I've seen too many couples who even take out loans just to have the 'dream' wedding. I just wished more and more women were practical, and not wishing to be a princess on her wedding day. I just wished more and more extended families would understand if they are not invited to their third cousin's twice removed wedding because it's meant to be a social gathering . . .
|
|