engagement ring buying time

[Caution]

I have budgeted for an engagement ring. However there is a problem. My girl wants nothing to do with gemstones (diamonds, sapphires, rubies, emeralds, etc) and hates yellow gold. I want to buy her something special but I don't even know where to begin. I'm hoping some kind person can point me in the direction of a good ring designer/artist who works in non-traditional metals/stone. Any help would be hugely appreciated!

thanks!

[LoneStarLiberal]

1. Moonlight Gemstones in Marfa, Texas

<http://www.wirelessfrontier.net/~ysgwd/munlitgem.htm>

In Marfa, Texas. Paul Graybeal does fantastic work with non-traditional materials.

[Caution]

8. Thanks!

I will check this out as soon as my DNS server allows me to.

[cprise]

2. What about Platinum?

It's expensive, but very nice. I also know someone who got titanium wedding rings (interesting, but not a great choice).

If the objection to gemstones is based on principle, then maybe a certified Canadian diamond or an artificial diamond (or other gem) would be suitable?

[Caution]

5. platinum is a great idea for the band

she just doesn't really like gemstones. not really a principle thing there. I doubt she would like titanium. I'll keep platinum in mind for the band. Thanks :)

[Bozola]

22. The things about platinum....

It dings and scratches like a mild steel does and it's HEAVY. Not a little heavy either. Really heavy. It makes gold seem like balsa wood.

I admit that I've got huge hands and my band is wide. My ring is probably heavier than normal by far, but I find the weight comforting and enjoyable.

It also looks like shiny silver, so it's not a show-off material.

I chose platinum because it makes me think of the K-T boundry (end of the cretaceous) and neutron stars.

[Caution]

23. Cool

I love that a quick question on DU gets thoughtful consideration and responses. I am leaning in the way of platinum at this point.

[maxanne]

3. check out

the stones that are indigenous to your area. I live in northern NH, and there's a lot of tourmaline and amethyst in the area. My daughter is a rock hound, and digs for tourmaline. I'm wearing a lovely dark blue tourmaline on my finger in a simple, antique looking white gold setting.

Something from either your area, or a place she loves would be a really nice gesture.

Good luck - and let us know what you decide!!

[Caution]

6. Not a bad idea on local

I'm in massachusetts and there are certainly some interesting stones. My big problem is finding ring designers who do work of this type but don't charge $15 for a rock attached to a silver setting. While not looking to spend a fortune, I do want to make a statement with the ring, that I spent time thinking about it, looking for it and was willing to pay a little bit more than I should because I wanted to find the perfect ring for her. Thanks!

[Divernan]

4. You're off to a good start cause you found a woman who does not

judge her worth, or your love for her by the size of the diamond on her finger!

[Caution]

7. She's perfect :)

I already know that. I've been with her for 8 years through difficult times and through good times. She's beautiful, intelligent, dedicated, thoughtful, progressive and everything I've ever wanted in a woman. Until now the timing or the circumstances have never been right for a proposal but I'm ready now and I'm pretty sure she is ready. I just want to find that perfect ring for her.

[Boudicea]

9. You two are so lucky - congrats!

nt

[catzies]

10. Estate or vintage jewelry an option?

I think of it as recycled jewelry and the DeBeers cartel doesn't get a thin dime.

[Caution]

16. She tends to dislike this type of stuff

She tends to find most jewelry too gaudy. She's definitely a minimalist when it comes to jewelry and art. (Very into contemporary art).

[Kathy in Cambridge]

31. There are some unique pieces

at a place called Small Treasures in Provincetown, MA. Not only do they sell beautiful vintage pieces, they have some unique settings and rings that aren't gemstones. I got my fifth anniversary ring there, an aquamarine from 1930 set in platinum and surrounded by 2 diamond baguettes. Alpha Omega in Harvard Square has some beautiful jewelry as well.

[Rabrrrrrr]

32. Eschew tradition entirely and get her an engagement painting!

Something you can both enjoy for a long time, and the monmey goes to an individual artist, and not a faceless evil Pat Robertson-owned mine.


Since she isn't the shallow type who demands or expects a gigantic rock on her finger to prove your "love" for her, I bet she's the type that would take an unusual engagement (whatever) quite well.


(And there are some DUers who do contemporary art!)

[Bozola]

11. In Seattle...

My wife and I have been going to the "Gold Mine" in Seattle for years. Exceptional artists, with some truely exceptional stones, metals, and tools. They've done everything from pure gold through titanium, with a lot of complicated mixes in between.

Her ring is 24k gold with a Chrome Tourmaline offset with strips of opals. Very tropical.

Mine is a platinum/iridium alloy ring engraved with with the tread pattern of motorcycle sport tire (a michelin).

Though not cheap, we've spent far less there on both of our complicated custome rings than we would have on one "traditional" (and ugly) engagement ring from a mass market jeweler.

[Caution]

14. Thanks!

The more resources the better. I will check them out as well.

[Coventina]

12. I don't know if it would be possible or not....

But maybe you could get a platinum band where the metal itself is fashioned into a design. What springs to my mind is like a Celtic knot weave (Celtic knots symbolize eternity). Or maybe there is another pattern that she is particularly fond of.

If she really doesn't want a stone, a design in the metal would make it a little more fancy, and personalized.

[Caution]

15. I like that :)

Like the idea...I'll feel her out on that one (always delicate...we;ve known for years we'd be getting married but i still want to maintain the illusion so the actual proposal can be a bit of a surprise).

[maxanne]

17. nice place in

Medford, Ma - www.celticrevival.com - they have some lovely wedding bands.

[Caution]

20. Thanks!

This one is even local! (I'm in Salem, MA)

[pansypoo53219]

13. kudos

for your mate not to have been brainwashed by debeers,
my uncle and aunt have very free looking bands handmade gold. my cousin wears a silver band with a bit of gold and turqoise. maybe an old estat piece-recycling, or find a local jeweler. and ebay had MULTITUDES of loose gemstones. CHEEP!
and if you want one of a kind, rurilated gemstones, opals and other 'opaque' stones are great.

[Solly Mack]

18. The infinity symbol in platinum

or any metal you like...



Found this:

http://www.e-weddingbands.com/store/tiinfinite.html

[Caution]

21. beautiful

i really like that but that's more of the wedding band. I'm gonna bookmark it just for that though! thanks!

[catpower2000]

19. Well, you've got platinum, white gold, or silver as metal options...

Platinum will last the longest, but it's also the most expensive.

Silver is soft (sometimes doesn't hold stones in as well), and tarnishes, requiring regular upkeep. It's very beautiful though.

White gold is sturdy, doesn't tarnish, but doesn't have the beautiful luster of platinum.

Then for nontraditional stones, try something opaque, like jade (they have lavender, white, and red jade as well as the traditional green), moonstone, turquoise, or even opal.

Cat

[Cassandra]

24. I'm a jewelry designer, but I'm in NYC

How about my friend Spence in Boston (Skylight Jewelers) http://cdgjewelers.com/members.cfm?row=58
He does wonderful work and can customize anything. He also has gorgeous semi-precious stones; I defy your fiance not to be charmed by one of them.

[Caution]

27. Yay!

Thanks so much. As for NYC...well that's not too far for me...Private Message me with some info and maybe we could talk. I will look into Spence's work as well.

[Missy Vixen]

25. Gotcha

Hi Caution,

Here's two different options, and you can look at their websites.

Hannigan/Adams made my wedding ring. I get compliments on it daily, and I still love it as much as I did when I received it ten years ago. It is gorgeous, unusual, and one of a kind. Your beautiful fiancee probably wouldn't care for it because it's diamonds and yellow gold, but I know that they work in other metals and stones as well. You can see their work at the following:

http://www.hanniganadams.com

Foxfire Jewelers isn't far from our house, either. Their jewelry is amazing and again, unusual -- she won't see their designs on all of her friends. Their website states that they don't "design at a distance," but there's stuff currently on it that she may really, really like. (I'm thinking the "Four Elements Ring" in white gold may be it.)

http://www.foxfirejewelers.com

Good luck, I know you'll find the perfect ring for your love!

Julie

[Caution]

28. Again thanks to you and to DU in general

Some absolutely great recommendations and at the very least I've been given a starting point.

[northzax]

26. well, there's no website for him

but since you're in MA, check out Brian Faunce in Hyannis, my family has been buying from hom for a while, and he does some spectacular stuff, most without pesky jewels.

[Caution]

29. Thanks for the name

I'm sure ill be able to find some contact info. Everyone has just been so helpful. I appreciate that you have taken the time and effort to help.

[Robb]

30. Just another idea

...to make the whole thing more complicated. :)

My wife's original engagement ring was a teeny diamond on a boring ring. The beauty of it was it cost $600, which was exactly how much money I had at the time (and she knew it).

A few years down the line we took the little stone and mounted it on a ring she chose. It's by far the smallest stone on any ring in her office -- and frankly, I think she takes a little pride in that.

[grasswire]

33. what if.....

....you found the stone yourself? Minimalist jewelry with beautifully grained rocks in pewter settings is sure beautiful.

[MiltonLeBerle]

34. Ruby in a platinum setting.

accompanied with articles about DeBeers stranglehold on the market, and "conflict diamonds"...