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Should an engagement ring’s diamond be certified?
cksparker asked:
I have researched the topic as I am considering proposing to my girlfriend and everything I read says that I should get a certified diamond. However, my family thinks that I should get a non-certified diamond engagement ring because they are much cheaper. I come from a middle class family and am unsure if I should get a certified (and smaller) diamond or and uncertified diamond ring…
I have researched the topic as I am considering proposing to my girlfriend and everything I read says that I should get a certified diamond. However, my family thinks that I should get a non-certified diamond engagement ring because they are much cheaper. I come from a middle class family and am unsure if I should get a certified (and smaller) diamond or and uncertified diamond ring…
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4. August 2008 at 11:07 am :
no, why are you greedy
6. August 2008 at 10:59 pm :
diamonds are a girls best friend the bigger the better
7. August 2008 at 2:32 am :
not really, but depends how much ur paying for it, if alot yes
8. August 2008 at 6:06 pm :
Already thinking about the divorce?
11. August 2008 at 6:39 am :
Doesn’t matter if it is certified.
Just get it appraised.
11. August 2008 at 11:24 pm :
No! Get cubic circonium, and DONT tell her!
14. August 2008 at 8:42 pm :
well if the ring was given to you by your fiance (hopefully)
and that person is cheap, check it. else dont. and hope they dont suck
16. August 2008 at 6:17 pm :
Depends on what you plan on spending. My guy got me a ring that was almost $5k, so he got a certified diamond. But, that was what was really important to him (not so much to me, just so long as I got a ring, it was fine!). If it’s important to you, then yes you should.
Good luck!
19. August 2008 at 1:09 pm :
Save the certification for your wedding, or in the future for your kids. Just go for the affordable, live within the borders of your status…
22. August 2008 at 6:13 am :
Never heard of anyone getting a certified diamond for thier wedding.
But I supose some people are doing it.
My opinon is don’t waste your money.
22. August 2008 at 7:54 pm :
Most certifications are merely the opinion of a salesclerk. Without certification, and control of the market, DeBeers would be bankrupt.
Diamonds have no real value, except as an abrasive or in drill bits, easily bested with titanium, carborundum, new super abrasives, and other treatments.
It is the thought that counts, symbolized by the monetary sacrifice you made.
23. August 2008 at 2:58 pm :
If you were considering a diamond as an investment or part of a collection, then yes, I would say something that is certified will hold its value better over time.
But for an engagement ring, and something that your gal will be wearing from day to day, a good quality diamond that is not certified is probably sufficient. You may still want to get it properly appraised and insured, just in case.
25. August 2008 at 4:59 am :
Talk to your girlfriend and determine what she likes or wants in a ring. I assumed that I would get my future wife the largest diamond I could afford and when we went to look at diamonds - this was done while I was shopping for a new watch on the sly - she explained she did not want an over-sized diamond. She preferred a smaller marquis cut with side-lights of smaller diamonds. This saved me cash and her the embarrassment of not wearing the ring she’d be happiest with.
We’ve been married for eighteen years and on our fifteenth anniversary we had her diamond remounted with a more stylish base that she worked to design with the jeweler, including birthstones for the two kids.
Make certain that not only is she happy with the ring - but that you are as well. I have too many friends that overspent on the ring and came to hate it with every little fight they ever had. Good luck.
26. August 2008 at 9:44 am :
OK…. i’m the one preaching about how stupid the movie Blood diamond made people when it came to buying (or not buying) diamonds for that matter.
Get the certification. Yeah, its a little more expensive. but it guarentees the quality of the stone, and where the stone came from! If you do not get a certified diamond, you run a MUCH greater risk of gettin yourself a blood diamond. Although not AS common, they do still exsists.
Also, a certified diamond is easier to insure (i’ve been told, some companies and even renters insurance WONT insure an uncertified diamond) and makes it look like you know what the heck your talkin about when you present her with it. Besides, what you spend on an Appraisal will be about the amount you DIDNT pay for the certification - so either way - you’re gonna pay! Yes… being frugal is good for the longevity of the relationship… there are many points on the engagement ring you can cut corners on (Who said you had to get a diamond?!) but the certified vs non-certified diamond SHOULDNT be one of them.
27. August 2008 at 1:10 am :
Yes. Go to Costco and buy the ring. You’ll get a great quality diamond for a fantastic price, it will come certified and appraised. Plus, with the return policy, you are guaranteed back EVERY PENNY you put into it. Remember- everyone is out to screw you for money, so you’re better off going to a huge company that doesn’ t work off commission. The better question is “should I get my ring insured?” rule of thumb- over 5 grand, probably. As for the certification, it’s better to know what you have than figure out later that you spent way too much on a CZ.
29. August 2008 at 12:08 pm :
First rule: You should think about the family you’re about to start.
There are lots of things you are going to need. Can your love and commitment be measured by the amount of money you spend on the ring? Surely the Beers (international diamond price fixers) would like you to think so. But do they have the best interests of your family at heart, or do you?
Certification… strange story. You can get a bigger stone but they won’t tell you it’s real.
In that case, go for the biggest stone you want to afford.
Reasoning behind this:
Your wife will be showing off this ring and comparing it with all her family and girlfriends. She’ll leave the certification at home. All that counts to them is how big and shiny it is. Your fiancee is not going to impress anyone by stating that there is a wad of paper certifying the grain of salt that’s supposed to be her diamond. It must be big and shiny.
All you need to get is the guarantee that it really is a diamond. Then you have no extra need for a paper. The ring counts. The paper does not.
Extra reason: You’ll never sell this ring. It’s not like you’re going to turn it in when you need a new TV set. You’re buying it to keep it. It has value to YOU and your fiancee. The paper, again, means nothing.
30. August 2008 at 1:59 am :
If you are getting a stone of half a carat or more - especially a one carat - it might be a good idea. You can find certified diamonds for good prices too - as was pointed out above - Costco for one, I am a member of USAA Insurance and they also have a program for jewelery. Many jewelers sell loose stones - this would let you buy the diamond & then let her pick the setting - that way you both get to be pleased with the outcome…
31. August 2008 at 3:06 am :
Here’s my two cents worth….. A non certified diamond is not worth the setting that it’s in. You don’t even know if it IS a diamond. That’s why they are cheaper. You say you have been researching the topic, if so, then you know that you should go the cert. diamond route.
My diamond is not some huge stone, but one of proper size for my finger, it looks big, but not too big. It is not only certified once, but twice. Both GIA and AGS. My husband and I spent several months learning about diamonds, the qualities, and the certification process prior to buying. It is not a perfect stone, but is a VVS2, F, .85, hearts and arrows, round brilliant. I get more compliments on this ring than I could have ever imagined getting. Complete strangers tell me how beautiful it is constantly.
I am not suggesting that you go out and purchase something that is outside your financial limitations, but to take the time to purchase the best that you can for the money that you have available. I will suggest that you visit this website, and see what they have. The pics are of the actual stones, the specs listed are exactly what they are, everything is listed for each individual stone.
The prices are going to be better than what you can find in what the diamond community call the “brick and mortar” or B&M stores. Most jewelry stores mark their items up by as much as 300% in cost. This site has very minimal mark-up and they give you a full guarentee on the stones.
You can also go to and post questions via bulletin board for the experts to answer. There is a wealth of information at both sites, even if you decide to purchase elsewhere, you’re better off by starting here first.
2. September 2008 at 4:26 pm :
Certification may add $100+ to the cost of the diamond. So If you were planing to spend more than a few thousand dollars I would get it certified. If you were spending less than $1000 than I would not.
Usually uncertified diamonds are lesser quality. Also if it is not certified typically the grading of the diamond is just an opinion usually an overly optimistic opinion. GIA is the best known and a reputable certification company.