Jeweler

[Misky1951]

I'm going to propose to a wonderful woman in the near future. Never thought this would happen at this stage of life. But that's another story.

It's been a very long time since I shopped for rings. Not sure I'm comfortable going online.

Any suggestions on local jewelers?

[dewilson58]

Congrats!!!


Coast to Coast...............hands down.

Coast To Coast | Your Leader in Jewelry and Coins in Central Florida. (https://coasttocoastjewelryandcoin.com/)

[retiredguy123]

The only store that I would ever buy expensive jewelry from is Costco. Not that you would return a ring, but Costco will refund your money at any time, even years later. Local jewelers will never refund your money for any reason. They may offer "store credit" if you make a return within 2 or 3 weeks. Also, I would trust Costco for honesty. A few years ago, I helped a friend buy an expensive ring, and I learned how dishonest some local jewelers are. Some of them will try to cheat the State and Federal governments by arranging the sale to avoid paying sales tax and income tax. One "reputable" jeweler asked my friend to pay cash, and to provide an out-of-state address so they could send an empty box to it to trick Florida into thinking it was an out-of-state sale. Costco sells a lot of high end jewelry, they are honest, and their return policy provides peace of mind.

[LuvtheVillages]

A huge topic in the jewelry industry right now is lab grown diamonds vs mined diamonds.

Lab grown are cheaper to buy, but the question is whether they will hold resale value.

Others say it is impossible, even for a jeweler, to tell the difference.

Do some research!

[retiredguy123]

A huge topic in the jewelry industry right now is lab grown diamonds vs mined diamonds.

Lab grown are cheaper to buy, but the question is whether they will hold resale value.

Others say it is impossible, even for a jeweler, to tell the difference.

Do some research!
I don't think any jewelry will hold resale value.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

I don't think any jewelry will hold resale value.

My engagement ring and my mother's engagement ring have both increased in value. Mom's increased significantly. Mom's cost dad around $800 (eight hundred), in the 1950's. I just inherited it and had to have it appraised for the insurer. It's now valued at $12,500 (twelve thousand five hundred).

[retiredguy123]

My engagement ring and my mother's engagement ring have both increased in value. Mom's increased significantly. Mom's cost dad around $800 (eight hundred), in the 1950's. I just inherited it and had to have it appraised for the insurer. It's now valued at $12,500 (twelve thousand five hundred).
Comparing an insurance appraisal to resale value is apples and oranges. Some "appraisers" will guarantee to appraise for at least double the actual value. Resale value is what a buyer will actually pay. Also, a dollar in the 1950's has inflated to 12 dollars today.

[Rango]

I don't think any jewelry will hold resale value.
You are correct

[Angelhug52]

"At this stage of life", much joy. Now if it is not her first ring... might want to have a conversation with her as to what she would like? Young girls might like surprises. You certainly can surprise her with something special when you ask for her commitment. But might be best to shop together? Much joy wished to you both. Agree Costco is great.

[Sandy and Ed]

"At this stage of life", much joy. Now if it is not her first ring... might want to have a conversation with her as to what she would like? Young girls might like surprises. You certainly can surprise her with something special when you ask for her commitment. But might be best to shop together? Much joy wished to you both. Agree Costco is great.
…..and you may find that your young miss may find a more practical way to spend that money and decide she would be more satisfied by a simple, elegant but less expensive ring. A new bedroom suite perhaps?

[Sandancer]

Gold In Art-Not cheap, but excellent quality.. They will design anything you want plus they have tons of in-stock pieces. Good Luck-Have a Happy Life!:

[jacksonla]

I'm going to propose to a wonderful woman in the near future. Never thought this would happen at this stage of life. But that's another story.

It's been a very long time since I shopped for rings. Not sure I'm comfortable going online.

Any suggestions on local jewelers?

First off Congratulations! Last month I went to Bob's Coin and Jewelry and was extremely happy with their service. My diamond engagement ring was stolen by TSA Orlando International, and I wanted to replicate it. Merideth took extra time to help me select the perfect natural stone and a setting that looked much like my original ring. They gave me the GIA rating for the stone which I highly recommend you also get. I'm sure that if you purchase a ring and your future wife is not perfectly happy they would exchange it.

[lawgolfer]

I'm going to propose to a wonderful woman in the near future. Never thought this would happen at this stage of life. But that's another story.

It's been a very long time since I shopped for rings. Not sure I'm comfortable going online.

Any suggestions on local jewelers?

The price of diamonds, both man-made and natural has crashed. There is no difference between man-made and natural and there is no test at any level below a top-drawer physics lab that can tell the difference, and, perhaps, not even then.

What broke the floodgates is that the diamond "grading" companies agreed to examine and grade man-made stones as to color, clarity, and karat. The last hold-out of the grading services was GIA, which is considered the gold standard in the industry.

With the certainty of quality grading, the mass retailers, Zales etc., began carrying products with man-made stones. Prices tumbled. You can now buy an unset, quality, 1 karat diamond, online, for $1200. Retail jewelers, who are used to markups of 300% (the reason they can have 50% off sales) are in serious trouble as, while the %'s remain the same, their total revenue has crashed.

Check out websites such as Brilliance to learn what you can buy. If you don't know your ring size, buy a set of ring gauges from Amazon for $15 or less. If you insist on buying from a "bricks and sticks" store, go to Blue Nile at the large mall in Orlando. You'll pay, roughly, 40-50% more than an online store, but will have the comfort of dealing face-to-face with the retailer. Likewise, you can't go wrong with Costco, although the style of the rings from which you can select will be very limited.

[Nell57]

Do talk to your love and choose the ring together. She’s the one wearing it.
At my age I have beautiful rings that were gifts from my husband, I inherited , or I bought myself. If I were ever to be gifted with another ring, I wouldn’t want a diamond. There are some other stones I don’t have.
Talk to her. Find out what is important to her.

[MandoMan]

I'm going to propose to a wonderful woman in the near future. Never thought this would happen at this stage of life. But that's another story.

It's been a very long time since I shopped for rings. Not sure I'm comfortable going online.

Any suggestions on local jewelers?

Get her ring size, then buy her a ring with a high quality zirconium stone and spend the rest of the money on a nice European river cruise. That’s a much better waste of money than an engagement ring.

Also, I hesitate to say this, but have you met her? I visited with an old friend yesterday, and she told me about scammers she has met on Match. One she researched and turned in was expelled from Match as a scammer even as we talked. I’ve heard that a lot of these fake people are handled from a shop in Ghana. If you are dating online in The Villages, bear in mind that those of us who are real people tend to look our age. The beautiful women and handsome men who claim to live here are in many cases fake. One tip off is a profile where English isn’t used correctly. Look in the mirror. Be honest. If the person is much better looking than you, and you send a message, and the person starts trying to develop a conversation with you or asks to switch to emails, you may be being scammed. If the person doesn’t respond, that might be because the person doesn’t think you are a good target for a scam.

My friend had been messaging and talking with a supposed businessman and philanthropist from Gainesville for two months! They hadn’t met yet. Then he sent her an ad for a charity he runs to make donations to UNICEF. He suggested she might want to make a donation. She knows a lot about fund-raising, and she actually called UNIFEF and confirmed that the supposed charity had never contributed anything at all. Then she researched the company that made the web site for this charity and discovered that making these fake web sites is what it does, all the time. There ARE lots of Villagers on these sites, but be careful.

[phojo]

Bob’s coin & jewelry in the shopping center across from Walmart on 441. Family owned & operated.

[Patents111]

May I suggest looking for a gem and jewelry show- great selection, great prices and fun to shop together.

[airstreamingypsy]

Are you sure she wants an engagement ring? I wouldn't, I suspect lots of women these days wouldn't.

[Karmanng]

i'm going to propose to a wonderful woman in the near future. Never thought this would happen at this stage of life. But that's another story.

It's been a very long time since i shopped for rings. Not sure i'm comfortable going online.

Any suggestions on local jewelers?

costco

[Karmanng]

A huge topic in the jewelry industry right now is lab grown diamonds vs mined diamonds.

Lab grown are cheaper to buy, but the question is whether they will hold resale value.

Others say it is impossible, even for a jeweler, to tell the difference.

Do some research!

I looked at those and they are very nice

[KendallW]

Lots of information here...Im a retail jeweler for 42 years, and working toward retirement and a village home owner. Here is my advise. Buy from a local independent jeweler who has a great reputation and awesome online reviews. Do not buy from a chain store of any kind! Diamonds are not investments they are gifts of love..many diamonds come with certificates and many are accurate and many are not so don't shop based on that Information. As I call them, God made diamonds or natural from mother nature have dropped in price about 20 to 30 % over the last year due to the lab grown becoming a popular option. My guess they will drop some more. Debeers is for sale that should be a indication of things to come. We have always offered lab grown as an option and sell them 20 to 1 over natural and to every age group. Impossible to tell the difference between natural and lab created without the proper equipment. You will find these all over the place when it comes to pricing. These should be easily 50 to 60 % less than comparable natural diamond prices.So shop several great local independent jewelers. They can educate you.They are here for you.Please support local businesses. Good luck and congratulations!

[Karmanng]

My engagement ring and my mother's engagement ring have both increased in value. Mom's increased significantly. Mom's cost dad around $800 (eight hundred), in the 1950's. I just inherited it and had to have it appraised for the insurer. It's now valued at $12,500 (twelve thousand five hundred).

BUT if you go to sell it you will be lucky to get 500 my mom had her ring appraised at 15,000 I wanted to sell it but they only offered me $500 and in Chicago her last apprasial was that hi price I opted to make it into a pendant and it is absolutely georgous

[Robojo]

I'm going to propose to a wonderful woman in the near future. Never thought this would happen at this stage of life. But that's another story.

It's been a very long time since I shopped for rings. Not sure I'm comfortable going online.

Any suggestions on local jewelers?

Congrats!

Never buy a diamond already in a setting. Bring an eyeloop (mine is 10x) and some white velvet and they will bring out the good rocks.

I hope she says yes :)

[stevesliders]

Bobs jewelery and coin behind McDonald in Summerfield.

[Barkriver]

I'm going to propose to a wonderful woman in the near future. Never thought this would happen at this stage of life. But that's another story.

It's been a very long time since I shopped for rings. Not sure I'm comfortable going online.

Any suggestions on local jewelers?

There is a modest jewelry shop called Coast to Coast located in the small plaza that also houses Gio's Deli on 301. I have always found them to have exemplary customer service and fair prices. Check them out.

[cjky2k]

Congrats!!!


Coast to Coast...............hands down.

Coast To Coast | Your Leader in Jewelry and Coins in Central Florida. (https://coasttocoastjewelryandcoin.com/)

100% Coast to Coast. Don’t see what you want? They will make a custom ring for you.

[MaryMS]

I e had very good service from Jewelry Design in Lady Lake. They have real jewelers who can create what you are looking for.

[jswirs]

I'm going to propose to a wonderful woman in the near future. Never thought this would happen at this stage of life. But that's another story.

It's been a very long time since I shopped for rings. Not sure I'm comfortable going online.

Any suggestions on local jewelers?

Just want to say congratulations. Same thing happened to me as well, in my early 70's. I had no problem shopping on line, for whatever that is worth. ENJOY!

[Dilligas]

My engagement ring and my mother's engagement ring have both increased in value. Mom's increased significantly. Mom's cost dad around $800 (eight hundred), in the 1950's. I just inherited it and had to have it appraised for the insurer. It's now valued at $12,500 (twelve thousand five hundred).
Remember.....appraisals are for insurance, not necessarily resale. The price you get, is the estimate if you wanted to buy it now.....not the price to sell it now.

[Freehiker]

Get her ring size, then buy her a ring with a high quality zirconium stone and spend the rest of the money on a nice European river cruise. That’s a much better waste of money than an engagement ring.

Also, I hesitate to say this, but have you met her? I visited with an old friend yesterday, and she told me about scammers she has met on Match. One she researched and turned in was expelled from Match as a scammer even as we talked. I’ve heard that a lot of these fake people are handled from a shop in Ghana. If you are dating online in The Villages, bear in mind that those of us who are real people tend to look our age. The beautiful women and handsome men who claim to live here are in many cases fake. One tip off is a profile where English isn’t used correctly. Look in the mirror. Be honest. If the person is much better looking than you, and you send a message, and the person starts trying to develop a conversation with you or asks to switch to emails, you may be being scammed. If the person doesn’t respond, that might be because the person doesn’t think you are a good target for a scam.

My friend had been messaging and talking with a supposed businessman and philanthropist from Gainesville for two months! They hadn’t met yet. Then he sent her an ad for a charity he runs to make donations to UNICEF. He suggested she might want to make a donation. She knows a lot about fund-raising, and she actually called UNIFEF and confirmed that the supposed charity had never contributed anything at all. Then she researched the company that made the web site for this charity and discovered that making these fake web sites is what it does, all the time. There ARE lots of Villagers on these sites, but be careful.

Uhhh….

[Freehiker]

Buy her a lab grown (it’s the same thing), save thousands and move on.

It is indistinguishable from a “natural” diamond without the aid of specialized equipment.

[dewilson58]

Why do people get diamonds for engagement?

A diamond's purity and sparkle have now become symbols of the depth of two people's commitment to each other in practically all corners of the world.

What do fake diamonds represent??

Honey, I love you..................here is a fake diamond.

:pepper2:

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Remember.....appraisals are for insurance, not necessarily resale. The price you get, is the estimate if you wanted to buy it now.....not the price to sell it now.

Yes I know. My dad BOUGHT it in the New York Diamond District in the late 1950's for $800 of 1950's dollars. If he - or anyone else - were to BUY the same ring today, it'd set him/them back $12,500 of today's dollars. Point being, the statement "jewelry doesn't increase in value" is incorrect. It's an absolute statement, which isn't absolutely true.

As for the OP: I personally suggest not looking for a diamond at all. Try an emerald or garnet instead. They're prettier.

[Velvet]

Get her ring size, then buy her a ring with a high quality zirconium stone and spend the rest of the money on a nice European river cruise. That’s a much better waste of money than an engagement ring.

Also, I hesitate to say this, but have you met her? I visited with an old friend yesterday, and she told me about scammers she has met on Match. One she researched and turned in was expelled from Match as a scammer even as we talked. I’ve heard that a lot of these fake people are handled from a shop in Ghana. If you are dating online in The Villages, bear in mind that those of us who are real people tend to look our age. The beautiful women and handsome men who claim to live here are in many cases fake. One tip off is a profile where English isn’t used correctly. Look in the mirror. Be honest. If the person is much better looking than you, and you send a message, and the person starts trying to develop a conversation with you or asks to switch to emails, you may be being scammed. If the person doesn’t respond, that might be because the person doesn’t think you are a good target for a scam.

My friend had been messaging and talking with a supposed businessman and philanthropist from Gainesville for two months! They hadn’t met yet. Then he sent her an ad for a charity he runs to make donations to UNICEF. He suggested she might want to make a donation. She knows a lot about fund-raising, and she actually called UNIFEF and confirmed that the supposed charity had never contributed anything at all. Then she researched the company that made the web site for this charity and discovered that making these fake web sites is what it does, all the time. There ARE lots of Villagers on these sites, but be careful.

Only if you expect a zirconium wife. Not a good idea. But I agree that you find out as much as possible about your lady. A person out of your league is very likely a user or a scam artist. If she passes all your checks etc talk to her and find out what she values and let that and your budget be your guide. I was lucky, my husband said he’d get me any ring I wanted any price from anywhere. But he was like that in everything not just rings, and even wore the ring I got for him (red enamel yellow gold with diamonds by Wellendorff) although he never wore any jewelry at all usually.

[Stu from NYC]

Comparing an insurance appraisal to resale value is apples and oranges. Some "appraisers" will guarantee to appraise for at least double the actual value. Resale value is what a buyer will actually pay. Also, a dollar in the 1950's has inflated to 12 dollars today.

It seems to me an appraisal is worthless if noone will pay that much for the item

[Stu from NYC]

Why do people get diamonds for engagement?

A diamond's purity and sparkle have now become symbols of the depth of two people's commitment to each other in practically all corners of the world.

What do fake diamonds represent??

Honey, I love you..................here is a fake diamond.

:pepper2:

Because females have been brainwashed by the diamond industry that you must have a diamond nothing else is good enough.

Plenty of guys go into debt buying a ring they cannot afford. Than both suffer down the road.

Cant wait to see how I will be attacked for this.

[Velvet]

Because females have been brainwashed by the diamond industry that you must have a diamond nothing else is good enough.

Plenty of guys go into debt buying a ring they cannot afford. Than both suffer down the road.

Cant wait to see how I will be attacked for this.

Just wondering, if you can’t afford a diamond, how can you afford a wife? (And the same is true for the other gender.) At this time diamond rings represent a symbol of commitment - there are probably other ways of showing it too. This is just convenient and public and an easily recognizable way.

[AMB444]

As for the OP: I personally suggest not looking for a diamond at all. Try an emerald or garnet instead. They're prettier.

Oh I agree completely!! But emeralds and garnets have inclusions which can make them more unstable than a diamond and may not be a good idea for everyday wear.

Sapphires might be a better idea for everyday wear. With fewer inclusions they can be more durable.

[AMB444]

Because females have been brainwashed by the diamond industry that you must have a diamond nothing else is good enough.

Plenty of guys go into debt buying a ring they cannot afford. Than both suffer down the road.

Cant wait to see how I will be attacked for this.
A diamond ring is the indication that a woman is married. So this is handy if a women likes it to be known how to be approached (or not) by a man who would like to know her relationship status.

[Stu from NYC]

Just wondering, if you can’t afford a diamond, how can you afford a wife? (And the same is true for the other gender.) At this time diamond rings represent a symbol of commitment - there are probably other ways of showing it too. This is just convenient and public and an easily recognizable way.

My son in law got engaged 15 years ago and was told by folks he new that it was proper to spend 3 months salary on diamond.

He could afford it but what about the guys who go deeply in debt and when married the wife gets to help pay for the ring.

Why is a diamond the ring of choice? Because Debeers said it was?

[Velvet]

My son in law got engaged 15 years ago and was told by folks he new that it was proper to spend 3 months salary on diamond.

He could afford it but what about the guys who go deeply in debt and when married the wife gets to help pay for the ring.

Why is a diamond the ring of choice? Because Debeers said it was?

At the moment diamond is “traditional”. We used Wellendorff because it was traditional in my husband’s family for generations (and with European royalty).

And the wife gets the man and the ring and his debt and his kids and to look after the whole family by herself, if the need should arise.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Because females have been brainwashed by the diamond industry that you must have a diamond nothing else is good enough.

Plenty of guys go into debt buying a ring they cannot afford. Than both suffer down the road.

Cant wait to see how I will be attacked for this.

Brainwashed by the male-dominated diamond industry.

Meanwhile, I (a female) recommended an emerald or garnet to the OP, because I (a female) don't need the male-dominated diamond industry to dictate what I must and must not have.

Hubby bought me a diamond when we got engaged - because HE (a male) was brainwashed by the male-dominated diamond industry into believing that I must have a diamond. But I would've been happy with an emerald. Which I ended up getting anyway on our honeymoon.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

A diamond ring is the indication that a woman is married. So this is handy if a women likes it to be known how to be approached (or not) by a man who would like to know her relationship status.

Er, no. A diamond solitaire on the left ring finger is an indication that a woman is engaged. Not all women wear them. And women who do physical labor as a job often don't even wear their wedding bands to work, because they don't want to damage the ring.

[AMB444]

Why is a diamond the ring of choice? Because Debeers said it was?

Most likely. Before diamonds were popular for engagement rings just a gold (or other metal) band would be exchanged. Originally just the bride would wear a band to signify that she was married.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Just wondering, if you can’t afford a diamond, how can you afford a wife? (And the same is true for the other gender.) At this time diamond rings represent a symbol of commitment - there are probably other ways of showing it too. This is just convenient and public and an easily recognizable way.

Well - there are some people who can afford your choice: a diamond ring, or a downpayment on a house.

[AMB444]

Er, no. A diamond solitaire on the left ring finger is an indication that a woman is engaged. Not all women wear them. And women who do physical labor as a job often don't even wear their wedding bands to work, because they don't want to damage the ring.

Surely you knew what I meant.