WAY OT: Engagement rings, Exploiting my personal life, yet again. Options

[ninefourteener]

Ok folks...... you're not gonna believe this one.

Been single over 3 years now.... Definately did my fair share of "experiencing" all the options out there. Been with my current g/f for 11 months.

My longest relationship in my life (excluding my miserable first marriage) was only 4 months.

I think I made this decision last week. I found out that I have "advanced degenerative arthritis" in my right hip, and at age 29, I have almost no cartillage left in my right hip. Anyway..... my g/f took care of me for over 2 days when I couldn't walk. She cried when my pain got bad, and basically stopped her life entirely to help me.

Oh yea.... and she LOVES the 914 (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif)

Can't think of anyone I'd rather spend the rest of my life with. She graduates from college in a few weeks, and will be a high-school history teacher. I want to pop the question on her graduation day.

QUESTION: Anyone recommend a good place to find an engagement ring? I'll need to finance it, so it'll have to be a reputable store that has a credit program.

..... Shaking in anticipation of the comments about to come--LOL

[Qarl]

My cousin was able to buy a diamond in San Francisco at the Diamond exchange where all the imported diamonds are graded/sorted and purchased wholesale.

It's underground in some unmarked location full of dozens of armed guards. There are rooms and rooms of diamonds being graded and sorted by Asian women.

He was able to go and "pick" a diamond from one of the rooms. It was then graded and priced out wholesale.

He said it was a truly unique experience.

For me. personally, I went to a private jeweler and found a nice loose diamond. The jeweler happend to be a neighbor of my future in-laws. I made a few phone calls and got the diamond at cost.

Look for those types of connections too!

I love helping people find diamonds...

It's also important to learn the 4 Cs.... she'll be excited to learn that you are so educated and informed on what she has on her hand...