Originally Posted by Lucem Ferre

I could be cute if I wanted to be, I just choose not to because you wouldn't be able to handle yourself.

Originally Posted by Vanilla

I think if she is relaxed and simple styled, by her the middle one. Personally I am a crazy over the top person who wants a huge big diamond ring like this:

Originally Posted by Conan

Your boyfriend must be broke.

Originally Posted by Vanilla

Lol he is. But only because I like going to the best restaurants. And before anyone calls me a gold digger, I always offer to pay but he's arab and finds the thought of a woman/girlfriend paying and insult. I find it hard because aside from the fat rock I want in the future, I feel best paying my own way.

Originally Posted by Conan

Eh, my attitude is pay and if she wants to pay then split. I'll usually try to trick her into letting me pay the bill though

Originally Posted by Fal

Platinum is definitely a harder metal and more durable than gold. The advantages over white gold come with negatives. It will get scratched and the only way to get those scratches out is to buff it (ie, take off layer by layer until it's down to the level of the scratch which, if she's a stickler for the perfect look, could make her ring very slender before she dies which would mean a replacement shank ... guess how much out of pocket you'd be then - hint, it's lots) whereas with white gold when you have the rhodium replated the shallow scratches (not the big ones) will tend to get plugged a little and become less noticeable. Plate wearing also happens more quickly dependent on skin acidity and whether or not she takes them off when she washes her hands or uses chemicals. If you were to go for 18 carat white gold instead it would probably still wear in a couple of decades time and need the shank replaced (because it's soft and will rub against the wedding ring, but this will happen with all rings whatever the case) and if you go for 9ct she'll haet u for being what she'll see as cheap (although invariably it doesn't make that much difference once she has the thing on her finger).

As for platinum being whiter, yes it is a lighter shade of silver. You'll only really notice a difference between the two if the stone is set into a yellow gold basket which, you'll notice from the website, the vast vast majority of rings will have the basket made out of a white metal (I forget if it'll be white gold or platinum, though obviously if it's a platinum ring it'll definitely be a platinum basket) which means the difference is largely negligible. The main of the sparkle will come from the amount of light you can get around the stone - it looks like all the rings on that website have a similar, very attractive floating setting which will get loads of light in to show it off. If you want more light go for a four claw setting, if you want more safety go for a six claw. It'll only make a difference if a claw gets caught (usually when putting clothes on or something silly like that) and given a good yank and pull out of place or snapped off. Which is very, very unlikely to happen. For obvious reasons the more claws you have the less jeopardy the stone will be in if something like this happens. Personally, if I were buying a ring with the sort of money you're looking at spending I'd probably go for a four claw because the risk is really low.

To sum it up, if you have the money to sink into platinum then go for it. If it's on the border of your budget don't be ashamed of choosing 18ct gold instead. Whatever you do go for, divorce her before it needs maintenance.

Originally Posted by Vanilla

I think if she is relaxed and simple styled, by her the middle one. Personally I am a crazy over the top person who wants a huge big diamond ring like this:

Originally Posted by dreadnaught

It really shouldn't matter to her, the fact that you're kind enough to give her a ring should be good enough.

Originally Posted by Freebase Dali

I gave an engagement ring to a girl once...


She cheated on my while I was in Iraq, and I got the ring back all scratched up and demolished.

If I ever decide to think about marrying again, I'm going with twisty ties from bread bags for a ring.
If she still wants to marry after that, I'll know it's real.

Originally Posted by Goodgirl81

last one... but if she is a laid back chick you may want to get an emerald cut.