The ring is holding me back from getting engaged. Please help me find a way to be creative within the bounds of social expectation, or else help me get over my hangups.
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posted by anonymous
on Apr 3, 2012 -
79 answers
I have this bracelet with diamonds that was inherited to me. Can you tell me circa when was it made?
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posted by anonymous
on Apr 5, 2011 -
10 answers
Jewelry filter: my wife wants some diamond stud earrings for Christmas, but we're both pretty disgusted by the traditional diamond trade. What's a good source of high quality man-made (synthetic) diamond jewelry?
posted by wmeredith
on Nov 21, 2010 -
9 answers
Every few
years I read a story about someone who can make artificial diamonds absurdly cheaply. Then I don't hear anything more, and I eventually notice that diamonds are not in fact absurdly cheap. What's going on? Are these stories just hype, or do the manufacturers just reach an eventual accommodation with De Beers?
posted by Joe in Australia
on Sep 27, 2010 -
30 answers
What styles of engagement ring would match with this unusual bezel set diamond wedding band?
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posted by mintchip
on Aug 5, 2010 -
8 answers
I want to buy my wife diamond earrings. You are not my wife, of course, but assuming you were, would you value the size or the quality of the diamonds more?
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posted by anonymous
on Apr 27, 2010 -
53 answers
Know of any jewelers that carry Canadian diamond wedding bands in North Jersey or Manhattan? I need a wedding band (getting married in 2 weeks!), and my fiancé doesn't want an African diamond after watching Blood Diamond. I'd like someone I can deal with in person rather than a website.
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posted by exhilaration
on Sep 18, 2009 -
11 answers
Diamond Heist Filter: I'm writing a crime story and I could use some technical info so things sound realistic -- do you know gems or security systems or African languages?
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posted by xz
on May 6, 2009 -
18 answers
I recently inherited a large diamond in a "miner's cut," which is somewhat square and has an old-fashioned look to it. I want to get it set into a ring, but am not sure what kind of setting would be best for this cut of diamond. Can anyone help?
posted by plinsky
on Mar 12, 2009 -
7 answers
Which do you prefer, round or princess cut diamonds? Why? What are the pros/cons to each?
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posted by jwfree
on Sep 29, 2008 -
30 answers
Buying an engagement ring. Advice wanted on a) Estate Jewelry: recommendations on how to buy & not get ripped off. b) Make-your-own-ring workshops: how to get a good used diamond. c) recommendations for both of the above in the LA / SoCal area.
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posted by lalochezia
on Mar 30, 2008 -
5 answers
Help me find a quality, non-diamond engagement ring that wont plunge me deeper into debt.
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posted by kyleg
on Jan 5, 2008 -
30 answers
Why do jewelers always insist of giving prices read from a calculator screen and not from the price tag of the piece I'm looking at?
Do they give different people different prices? Or is it a way of accounting for fluctuating prices of gold or gems from week to week?
posted by ab5000
on Nov 19, 2007 -
16 answers
What are the best books about the South African diamond industry during the mid-to-late 19th century?
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posted by stammer
on Jun 27, 2007 -
4 answers
Please help my sister and me liberate ourselves (in a wise way) from a bitter, albeit shiny, inheritance
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posted by killerinsideme
on Aug 16, 2006 -
8 answers
I was wondering if anybody has any knowledge of Canadian Diamond Traders Inc.
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posted by ashbury
on Mar 7, 2006 -
4 answers
I need a bunch of evidence/information to educate a friend about the diamond industry; why it is a monopoly, how it has fueled civil wars in African nations, the current state of diamond mining, etc. I thought there was also a famous photojournalist (Salgado?) who took photos of a diamond mine in Africa as well. Can anyone help me gather information on why diamonds should not be purchased? Thank you in advance.
posted by gen
on Feb 20, 2006 -
15 answers
Jewelry design? Suppose, for the sake of conversation, I'd like to know about key designers and what makes for "good" jewelry.
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posted by mikeh
on Dec 2, 2005 -
5 answers
I have a diamond appraised at around $200 from a jeweler - and of course a pawn shop doesn't give a fair deal. How/where do you sell a diamond? I'm in Chicago if that helps.
posted by agregoli
on Jul 11, 2005 -
4 answers
I am fairly well resolved to do what must be done to turn my girlfriend into my fiance. One thing is delaying this: I'd like to get an engagement ring without enriching the diamond monopoly (she and I are both on the same page about this). What's to know about substitute/faux/synthetic gemstones? Are they worth it? What would make a good ring given this unorthodox constraint? Any and all suggestions much appreciated!
posted by cleetus
on Jul 14, 2004 -
32 answers
There's already been a question on AskMe about engagement ring advice, but I'm looking for something a little different. My buddy just spent $10,000 on an engagement ring because his fiance is feeling the pressure of being a brand new attorney in NYC and wanting to look the part. He didn't want to, but he did it anyway, cause her family was giving her the "If he loves you, he'd spend the money" spiel and it was really getting to her.
What could he have done at that point? She's a great girl, just a little prone to doing what her family wants her to do, so "RUN" isn't an appropriate response. Also, what is an appropriate price? $10,000 is about two months salary, but it seems extreme.
Google's not really any help....strangers who I've interacted with (ala MeFites) are significantly better than strangers I have not (ala some random webpage).
posted by taumeson
on May 24, 2004 -
84 answers
