Engagement Ring

[unforgiven]

I'm kind of in a small dilemma here, on our last cruise my GF of a long time and we live together and make all major decisions together, spotted a very nice diamond engagement ring in ST.Marteens last year. It was very nice almost 1.5k with a platinum setting for just over $3,000. We've been looking in the states and I can't find anything that I feel looked as good for that price. But I feely admit I'm no diamond expert, so to the point of the question I'm I crazy for even thinking of spending that much when I know very little about the company? She has no concerns about picking the ring out with me, although I would love to surprise her with one she has never seen.

 

We will be going to Cozumel, Grand Cayman, and Aruba if anyone has experience with any good jewelers in any of those ports. As a side note we did by a diamond tennis bracelet the appraised almost $500 more that what we paid, again I know very little about prices of jewelry so this may not be as good as I thought.

 

Any suggestion on this subject would be appreciated.

 

Till the big party in NOLA

RCCL GRANDEUR OF THE SEAS - from New Orleans, 5/1

 

 

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NCL's Norway 5/03

 

 

 

[kkokeefe]

My parents go to Aruba for 3 weeks each year, and they like Sean and Paul Jewelers and Twins. Sean and Paul are twins and own the 3 jewerlry stores. They know my parents by name. We've bought many things from them over the 13 years they've been going to Aruba, and have had things appraise here at a better price. I did a search and it looks like they have a small website, http://www.arubaonline.com/sean/

I also found them on this website http://www.*****.org/cgi_jewelers.htm which is by the caribbean gemological institute. It lists the 3 stores and locations. You could always call them in advance and let them know what you are looking for. Also- they can sell you anything from any of the stores, we were at one, I was looking for diamond earings, and they had bigger ones across the street at the other store- and they had a clerk run them over for us. They are very nice. We've also had them make jewelry to our specifications and design. I highly recommend them. Good Luck!!

[megalyce]

I would suggest "studying up" on your diamond knowledge. Many websites have loads of information on diamonds (differences between cut, clarity, etc.) Also, I would always recommend diamonds that are certified, therefore you know exactly what you are getting.

 

Bottom line: If you both like it and are comfortable with the price, that's all that really matters. My fiance gave me a garbage tie "ring" as a joke prior to our engagement...I still have it in my jewelry box! (But it doesn't compare to my beautiful engagement ring!)

 

Carnival Imagination 4/00

Holland America Veendam 3/03

[lscole]

Don't buy diamonds in Cozumel even if it is a ship recommend store my friend had problems. Since your going to Aruba go to Diamonds International> They have a good reputation and are based out of NYC. If you buy ring there have it appraised when you return home within 30 days of buying it. Put on credit card. If there are any problems you have recourse through the ship and DI. Happy shopping

 

Happy Cruiser

Brillance of the Seas Panama canal Jan2005

Rdiance of the Seas Thanksgiving 2004

Radiance of the Seas Jan 2004

Adventure of the Seas Nov 2003 25 th Anniversary

Enchantment Oct 2002

Rhapsody Alaska Aug 2001

Horizon Bermuda July 2000

Sovereign Jan 1996 and November 1991

Monarch Nov 1993

Majesty Nov 1992

QE2 transatlantic July 1986

Countess March 1986

[unforgiven]

Thanks for all the replies. The only real research I've done on the ring is one the web I've read alot of sites, so not 100%ignorant on the subject.

 

The place we bought ST. Marteens was based out of NY also, I've been looking at web sites the last couple of days to try and judge the most reputable ones to shop at.

 

Till the big party in NOLA

RCCL GRANDEUR OF THE SEAS - from New Orleans, 5/1

 

 

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NCL's Norway 5/03

 

 

 

[Folgy]

unforgiven

 

 

You are very much in love

 

 

 

 

[Guest]

...but why is your screen name unforgiven?

[celtic selke]

Maybe he is a big Clint Eastwood fan.

 

celtic

[cwc9001]

I bought my wife a Diamond in Cozumel at Diamonds Intl in 1999. We paid 3300. for the stone and gold setting. When we got home it appraised for 4500. from our local jeweler. I think we bargined on the gold ring a little bit. Diamonds intl is at most ports and in NY. They also have a website. I agree with the previous posts you can learn alot before you buy. check out websites for Diamond quality info and specific policies of merchants. It pays to shop around.

[unforgiven]

I'll tell you why my screen name is unforgiven if you promise not laugh. Ok here it goes I do like Clint Eastwood but, the real reason is I like the band Metallica and one of their more popular is songs was tiltled "unforgiven". I've used that as a internet screen name for a long time so it has just kinda stuck. Now don't get me wrong here I'm not a tatooed or have long hair or any of that style stuff(although there's nothing wrong with those if you decide to express yourself in that way)

 

Thanks for all the advise I'll keep looking at the net and plan on going to a few local jewerly stores local this weekend. The GF often has said she would like it to come from an island, because she like the idea of having a story behind the ring.

 

Till the big party in NOLA

RCCL GRANDEUR OF THE SEAS - from New Orleans, 5/1

 

 

<IMG SRC= "http://www.cruise-addicts.com/images/topics/rcilogo.gif">

 

NCL's Norway 5/03

 

 

 

[Eeyore2142]

Last week, I got an amazing deal at Landmark in Grand Cayman. Know about diamonds before you go, color and clarity affect the price so much.

[skiiergirl]

I like Kay's in Aruba. They also have a shop in St. Maarten.

 

 

[Guest]

I'm not laughing. Oops! My nose is growing!!

[Lerxst]

I bought my wife a 1.20 emerald cut diamond from www.bluenile.com. I was nervous about buying a diamond online but there is tons of information on the web site and what I really liked about the site was you could compare all different cuts, clarity, color and sizes of all the loose diamonds they have in stock. I just upgraded her ring to a platinum setting and had it appraised a second time. The first time I purchased it at $5990 and it appraised out at $10,200. The jeweler said that was one of the nicest emerald cut diamonds he had ever seen! The second time it appraised out at $11000, again this jeweler said that was a "fantastic diamond" Blue Nile is an excellent web site for information, loose diamonds, and all jewelry. I buy all my jewelry from them now!

 

01/96 Oceanic

03/04 Adventure

[thomasjefferson]

There are at least 5 very reputable diamond dealers on-line who will sell you a fantastic ring at a fantastic price. I bought my fiancee's diamond solitaire in November 2002 from www.goodoldgold.com. Jonathan is incredibly knowledgeable, incredibly honest, incredibly service-oriented -- a class act all the way. His web site is the most informative for learning everything you need to know -- especially why you don't want to buy from people who can't answer the questions you'll have after you learn from Jonathan's web site. My fiancee's ring is STUNNING! I would never again buy a diamond any other way. Email me if you have questions. And best of luck with the proposal. (I have a story there, too, if you're interested.)

 

Bob

robert.mauro@uchsc.edu