Thoughts on second hand jewelery

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alexb

alexb

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Dec 6, 2007
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I'm struggling with something right now and I need some opinions.

I've designed and have been saving up for an engagement ring for awhile now. Thing is, I'm still in school and make just about enough to cover my expenses and maybe go out on a couple of nice dates every month. Because of this, the saving up has been slow going.

Now, I've been dating my girlfriend for over there years. I'm ready to pop the question, I just need to buy the ring. Yesterday, I found this guy who just got divorced and wants his old engagement ring out of sight, out of mind. He paid $3,800 for it and is asking $850.

This thing is practically identical to the ring I've been saving up for. If I bought it, would that make me a cheapass, or would it make me economically responsible?
 


nachoninja said:
theoretically she's only going to get 1 engagement ring in her life; don't give her someone elses tainted ring
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co-sign. It's a ring from a divorce, has bad luck.

I say wait a bit, step up your game and make more $, and then buy the ring. I think if you're still in school there's really no rush to get engaged.
 
One day, your fiance/wife is going to find out. Unless she's a numbers-driven robot, she won't like having the artifact of a failed marriage on her finger.

That said, I'm not married and never have been. Nor do I have better insight into the mind of a woman than the average man. So, I seriously don't know what I'm talking about.

To your question, buying the used ring makes you economically responsible. The trick is selling the idea to your lady (or hiding the ring's origin for the rest of your life).
 
If you were buying used jewelery to melt down to make the ring you designed I wouldn't see a problem with it, but if you are just going to buy a used ring to give to her it's probably not such a hot idea.

I also tend to agree with what the Dr just said. You're still in school, what's the rush? Chill out, take it easy, and when you've got the coin get her the phattest ring you can.
 
Keep in mind that jewelry is worth nearly nothing in the long run. It's a fucking stone for fuck's sake.

they'll say it's a "flawless" $4000 ring when in reality it's just another rock on this big old planet.

Do yourself a favor... Buy the biggest solitaire diamond you can afford for under $1000, no matter what the clarity (not yellow, but it doesn't have to be perfect).

She'll love the size and quite frankly, after 4 days wearing it, won't care about the 4 C's, she'll just like that she's engaged and it's a big rock.

Don't fall for the jewelry industry's bullshit, be smart.
 
Guess what, even if you go to the store and buy a brand new ring odds are that the gold was something else; another ring or necklace or other piece of jewelry in its past life. Second hand diamonds are even being used now in rings with greater frequency.

Anyways, all that being said get the guy to give it to you for less. About 12 years ago I tossed my ex's ring into street musicians cup. If he really wants it gone he's give it to you for a song. Offer him a website for it or something.
 
micker said:
Guess what, even if you go to the store and buy a brand new ring odds are that the gold was something else; another ring or necklace or other piece of jewelry in its past life. Second hand diamonds are even being used now in rings with greater frequency.
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That's pretty much how I feel about jewelery.
 
who cares what this guy paid for it - get it appraised first. then offer him $400 - better than he's going to get a pawn shop. i know.
 
bb_wolfe said:
Keep in mind that jewelry is worth nearly nothing in the long run. It's a fucking stone for fuck's sake.

they'll say it's a "flawless" $4000 ring when in reality it's just another rock on this big old planet.

Do yourself a favor... Buy the biggest solitaire diamond you can afford for under $1000, no matter what the clarity (not yellow, but it doesn't have to be perfect).

She'll love the size and quite frankly, after 4 days wearing it, won't care about the 4 C's, she'll just like that she's engaged and it's a big rock.

Don't fall for the jewelry industry's bullshit, be smart.
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This!

My wife went out and bought a big fake rock to put in her wedding ring. She likes it just fine. Nobody knows but her.

Did she buy it because she's cheap? No! She bought it because she's lost her wedding ring 4 times so far since we've been married and I've found it each time after a lot of searching.

She didn't want to be out 4k or so if she lost our wedding rock, so she switched it for a fake one.
 
Dr_Ngo said:
co-sign. It's a ring from a divorce, has bad luck.
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Bad luck? It's a ring for fucks suck.

Alexb, where do you think gold and diamonds come from anyway? And there's nothing pure/spiritual or 'good' in gold or diamonds apart from its perceived value.

However, she most probably wouldn't like it for the gay reasons already mentioned, and so if there's a chance it's going to cause hassle, I wouldn't bother.
 
_poto_ said:
don't get married... problem solved...
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Got to say this is the best, least painful way to live your life. I say go cheap on the ring, the way marriages are theses days, you have a solid chance of not lasting anyways.
 
Just do what I did. I was presented with a similar offer. I purchased a 'divorce' ring for $900 cash and took it with me to a jeweler. I found a ring I liked, rock and all, and offered the divorce ring to the jeweler as partial trade.

I got almost $3k in trade for it in just a few days (good ROI in my book). $3,000 goes a long ways towards a $10,000 ring especially when it only cost me $900.

Disclaimer: My wife knows I did this and could care less as she is happy with the ring I got her.
 
LotsOfZeros said:
Just do what I did. I was presented with a similar offer. I purchased a 'divorce' ring for $900 cash and took it with me to a jeweler. I found a ring I liked, rock and all, and offered the divorce ring to the jeweler as partial trade.

I got almost $3k in trade for it in just a few days (good ROI in my book). $3,000 goes a long ways towards a $10,000 ring especially when it only cost me $900.

Disclaimer: My wife knows I did this and could care less as she is happy with the ring I got her.
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I was just about to advise the same trade up with it or you can can have the ring altered/refashioned making it essentially new.
 
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