BAH! Well today has been a rollercoaster and it's barely 1pm, here. SO and I saw a gorgeous ring we both loved and it was in our price range ($100), but before we went for it we wanted to make sure it was a gold setting, not silver, because 1) I made a thread earlier asking for advice on silver and came away from it decidedly against silver. And 2) it can give me a reaction.
So this morning I was circling around the internet, looking at places like Zales and a couple local stores, to see if they had anything close to our budget (less than $300) and was sorely disappointed.
I called up Sears customer service to find out the answer: gold or silver. The customer service rep said it was white gold. SCORE.
So I went to the store to see if they had it in stock there. They didn't, but when the woman looked up the item number she told me something awful: That customer service LIED to me, that the ring was really sterling silver, NOT white gold like I was told.
The manager and I got to talking and it came up that silver and nickel give me a bad rash on my finger and she told me that anything less than 14k gold is likely to give me a reaction, that her skin does the same thing. When she saw how utterly disappointed I was, she said I could probably get away with a white gold 10k, if I'm really careful about wearing it, etc. Sure, fine. Whatever.
So we started looking around the cases for other rings that were 14k to take a look and see what their prices were... but we couldn't find a single thing that wasn't that wasn't silver with gold plating under $5k. Even the manager was surprised and frustrated.
Angry, I went home and started looking more fervently for budget-friendly rings that I could like, and I am getting a horrible taste in my mouth from it. I have found NOTHING in our budget that looks even remotely like an engagement ring.
I am just so frustrated with everything right now that I honestly don't even care about rings anymore. I told him I'd rather just get engaged without a ring, at this point.
Thanks for reading my vent... if you can relate, feel free to chime in lol.
I too have nickel allergies and was told I probably need 18K gold or higher to not react to it. When I was looking I found some beautiful engagement rings on etsy that were very affordable. If you post a pic of the kind of ring you are looking for the bees might ba able to help you find something.
@Omgbunnies: What kind of style are you looking for? I bet some frugal bees can help you.
What kind of ring are you looking for? I've been looking for rings also, and it's pretty damn near impossible to find anything that is over 10k gold for under $150. I saw a bunch of nice looking rings on some websites, and then upon reading the details... always silver. Gold is just too expensive right now at $1600 oz. I just dont think it'll be possible to find 14k+ for that price. :( Have you tried second hand shops? How about Chinatown shops? They usually sell 24k rings (usually just bands with engraving details) for much less than American shops.
@Eckle: That would be great! Here's a pic of the one we fell in love with but turned out to be silver:
I'm in love with blue stones. I also loved the almost Halo affect the twist has. It just seems very classy.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-2-carat-Diamond-Solitaire-14k-White-Gold-/321026521998?pt=Diamond_Solitaire_Rings&hash=item4abeabfb8e
The problem with eBay and Etsy etc. is they don't offer payment plans or store cards... SO needs to be able to make payments (yes, even on $300... love doesn't care about money :/ ) but those are some lovely places. I don't mean to sound ungrateful for the advice. However we may try secondhand stores, I hadn't thought of that before.
How about this pretty ring? 
That's less than $300 for a gold ring, and a blue stone. Does he have a credit card? That's a "payment plan" in itself.
@StuporDuck: Same thought. A credit card would still count as a payment plan...
@Omgbunnies: Heads up, anything on consignment will require payment up front-no payment plans. We just learned that the heartcrushing way :(
@StuporDuck: That's true, he does have a card. And it's for $500, which is more than the $300 we were thinking. Not interest-free though, lol. But yes, thanks for reminding me!! Feeling less hopeless now lol.
Keep the ideas coming! That is a pretty ring but pears aren't really up my alley. Hunting around etsy and ebay.. and I may email this one pawn shop nearby to see if they have anything even remotely in our budget, period.
I know this is a bit more but you could check the price on black friday/cyber monday http://www.kohls.com/product/prd-1238966/10k-white-gold-37-ct-tw-blue-diamond-ring.jsp
@jpalm13: 
GORGEOUS I LOVE IT. Oooomg yes, I will definitely see if they have a black friday sale for that!
Edit: he even has a Kohls card! That's awesome! Thank you!!!
Well, let me know what is up your alley. I'll keep hunting!
Definitely do keep Cyber Monday in mind. You will find a million billion pieces of jewelry on sale-- this is the season for it, so you're looking at a good time. Don't fret! (Yes, I said "fret")
I can totally relate to the budget issues. You may still want to look on etsy because some of the sellers do offer payment plans. That's actually what my FI and I are doing. Many of the sellers are understanding and may be able to work something out with you.
@StuporDuck: :P thanks. The crazy is starting to feel like it's subsiding. I liiike rounds and squares, and multi-stone to look like either. I do not like trillions, emeralds, marquis, or anything... not round or square, ha.
14k gold at $85.00 http://www.ebay.com/itm/14k-Solid-Gold-Flower-Ring-with-Natural-Round-Sapphire-/281025747945?pt=US_Fine_Rings&hash=item416e709be9
It's going to be pretty hard to get a gold ring with a stone for under $300. A plain solitare setting is $185 on BlueNile, and I would guess that will be the cheapest you will be able to find new.
If you go with estate jewelry or colored gemstones (sapphire for example) you might be able to get something within your budget.
14k gold for $129
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-14k-Sapphire-and-Diamond-Cluster-Ring-/300816745582?pt=US_Fine_Rings&hash=item460a13446e
@Omgbunnies: have you thought of using a non-tradisonal metal? Maybe the seller's on etsy have something for you. I have seen some seller's do payment plans. check this link is someone's payment plan. If you message the retailer your situation I am sure someone will MAKE you something beautiful
@Sapphire-Dreamer: That payment plan thing is really cool! Do many etsy sellers offer that, or is it hit or miss?
For 175
http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-ROUND-BLUE-SAPPHIRE-WHITE-GOLD-FILIGREE-RING-/150950460818?pt=US_Fine_Rings&hash=item2325593d92
What about http://www.jewelsforme.com/?
Here are some examples: (let me know if links don't work)
They also have lots of different stones and rings in your budget. There's one a little bit like what you posted upthread but is $449-but it seems like all they work with is 14K white gold. You could even get a lab-made alexandrite, which is a pretty nifty stone.
Pretty blue topaz
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Round-Cut-Sky-Blue-Topaz-and-Diamond-Gemstone-Ring-In-14K-White-Gold-/121016207782?pt=US_Fine_Rings&hash=item1c2d20c9a6
@monkeyinasuit: Oh man! The lab alexandrite is the perfect color! I'm finding a bunch in there I love.. I share.
And even though it's marquis, I really actually like it quite a bit:
How do you feel about celtic knots ($82.14)? http://www.etsy.com/listing/106994116/blue-sapphire-love-knot-ring-in-14-karat?ref=sr_gallery_21&ga_search_query=white+gold+and+sapphire+ring&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=ZZ&ga_min=0&ga_max=200&ga_search_type=all&ga_facet=white+gold+and+sapphire+ring
I'm going to keep looking for you.
@ScottishMrs: Very pretty! But I feel like I'd have to identify as Irish or Scottish to pull it off, is that weird? Lol.
@Omgbunnies: Yay! I hope it works out and you get something from there to show off to us all. Quickly, if you read in the FAQ section they are saying it's solid 14K gold, not plated. If you run a search on the company it seems some bees have ordered from them.
It makes sense. I wasn't sure what sort of heritage you had though.
@ScottishMrs: Technically I have both, but I don't identify with either of them :)
@monkeyinasuit: We may be on to something! SO said to email him links to every ring I like on JewelsForMe, and he'd take care of the rest! WAHAA! I quite liked JFM because it DOES say SOLID GOLD in the FAQ! Yes! WOOHOO!
Have you tried ice.com?
10k gold, $195
10k, $235
14k, $275
Not sure if you like any of these but I looove that site
(Yay first post!)
@Scoot14: Ha! Welcome to the Bee! Thank you for that link, I will check 'em out :)
@Omgbunnies: Very welcome! I thought it was super pretty! I love the blue diamonds. I bet it has a really nice gallery, too!
Wow, how frustrating. If I were you I'd probably take a break from the ring search, just a short one, to kinda get my mojo back about it. Bees have posted some beautiful rings in this thread already... I know your perfect ring is out there!
I dont want to make this more stressful for you than it is already, but if you have a nickel allergy you might have to go with yellow gold or bite the bullet and get sterling silver. Even with 18k white gold, many people with nickel allergies will react. I have two friends that recently got engaged and they no longer can wear their qhite gold rings and have to get them reset in platinum. Cost wise, platinum isnt an option for you, but you might want to look into palladium (but i think that will also be out of your budget).
@Omgbunnies: I really liked this etsy seller, here's a link to their blue/purple stone page some of them are in your budget
http://www.etsy.com/shop/EESilverStudio?section_id=10932385&page=1
@Eckle: *drool*
I gotta say, Bless the Bee. I would've been an angry frustrated mess if it hadn't been for everyone of you in this thread :) I think I have enough ideas now and I'm going to go eat a brownie and sit back and relax. I sent a bunch of links to the SO so now I'm just going to focus on other things and chill. :D
http://www.moissaniteco.com/round-moissanite-petite-tiffany-solitaire-ring-p-12741.html $375 for the 1/2 carat equivalant
http://www.moissaniteco.com/split-shank-solitaire-moissanite-ring-p-10676.html $415 with the 1/2 carat equivalant
http://www.helzberg.com/product/aquamarine+ring+1920176.do?sortby=bestSellers $179 on sale
http://www.helzberg.com/category/jewelry/rings/colored+gem+rings.do?c=2456.2458.2581&gender=Women&ProductType=Ring&price=Under+%24100|%24100+-+%24199|%24200+-+%24399&metaltype=Gold&pp=36&sortby=bestSellers most on this page are under $300
http://www.etsy.com/shop/GalaxyGems?section_id=10198120&order=price_asc&page=3-they have a bunch in white gold for under $500 depending on what you want....
http://www.jcpenney.com/dotcom/jewelry-watches/fine-jewelry/rings/cat.jump?id=cat100240086&deptId=dept20000020&N=745&Ns=PLH&Nf=PR 0 450&Nao=24&pN=2
all under $500....keep your head up things are out there.....
walmart has 3 pages dedicated to wedding and engagement all under $500 in white gold,most 14kt, and thats just that section, they then have their regular rings, and gemstone rings, and the quality of the diamonds based on stats is actually the same if not a little better than some major retailers like zales or kays, and look gorgeous in person....keepsake a brand of theirs has some kickass pretty rings.....so maybe go by your local wally world....also most of their rings come with diamond certificates...
theres alot of options....what ive found...is search for right hand rings, promise rings, and things like that, once you hit the engagement/wedding section on any site the price automatically increases.....also alot of places have smart value rings, pre-owned rings (i know alot of stigma may come on this site with that suggestion, but look at how many people upgrade and their ring goes back to where they bought it from), pawn shops....theres a ton.....also if there are any mom and pop jewlery stores nearby check em out....a lot of them are really good with helping get something in your range even if they dont have it in stock, and they can help with payment plans, you can message me if you want/need more ideas....there is alot out there you just gotta get creative....
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