Although this is not a *wedding* question, it IS a ring question, and I’m sure all you brides-to-be and wives will be able to give me an accurate answer

I don’t know much about jewelry… My mom has 1ct. diamonds for each of my siblings and I. She gave me my diamond and I have planned to make a ring out of it for my college graduation. I have gone to many jewelry stores but am hassled every time I go in to buy an expensive setting. As a recent college grad, I don’t have a big budget and want to keep it simple. I have been waiting to make the ring for the last 10 years since my mom told me about it… it has a lot of meaning to me as my father gave her the diamonds when she was my age. I have done some research online and have found some cheaper settings that seem to fit what I am looking for. However, I do not know much about a white gold and what the difference would be between a 10k and 14k white gold setting. I already know that 14k is of course better, but is it THAT much better to spend nearly $300 more? The diamond was appraised a few weeks back and is worth quite a bit of $$ so I keep getting told that I should put it into an overly expensive setting. I figure if down the road I want to put the diamond into something more fancy, I’ll do it then but until then, I want to do something that fits into my budget. Is 10k white gold completely terrible? What are the differences between 10k and 14k white gold? Is it noticeable to somebody who I would show the ring to? The only relatively cheap 14kt white gold setting I found was at Jared’s for $199, however, I do not love-love it. I have found a 10kt. setting that is actually a little bit more, but I really like it. I feel like the people that work at the Jewelery stores are just trying to get the most they can out of me and they won’t let me alone to just look… Suggestions!?
I want to wear it because it is special to me. Plain and Simple! Instead of buying a college grad ring from my university I kept the money for this special ring. It has significant meaning to me–something that my mom felt would be set aside for me for a time that I deserved it most. My 77 year old father gave the diamond it her mother, which holds an even greater significant reason for me want the ring… I do not want it as an engagement ring, plain and simple.

Although this is not a *wedding* question, it IS a ring question, and I’m sure all you brides-to-be and wives will be able to give me an accurate answer

I don’t know much about jewelry… My mom has 1ct. diamonds for each of my siblings and I. She gave me my diamond and I have planned to make a ring out of it for my college graduation. I have gone to many jewelry stores but am hassled every time I go in to buy an expensive setting. As a recent college grad, I don’t have a big budget and want to keep it simple. I have been waiting to make the ring for the last 10 years since my mom told me about it… it has a lot of meaning to me as my father gave her the diamonds when she was my age. I have done some research online and have found some cheaper settings that seem to fit what I am looking for. However, I do not know much about a white gold and what the difference would be between a 10k and 14k white gold setting. I already know that 14k is of course better, but is it THAT much better to spend nearly $300 more? The diamond was appraised a few weeks back and is worth quite a bit of $$ so I keep getting told that I should put it into an overly expensive setting. I figure if down the road I want to put the diamond into something more fancy, I’ll do it then but until then, I want to do something that fits into my budget. Is 10k white gold completely terrible? What are the differences between 10k and 14k white gold? Is it noticeable to somebody who I would show the ring to? The only relatively cheap 14kt white gold setting I found was at Jared’s for $199, however, I do not love-love it. I have found a 10kt. setting that is actually a little bit more, but I really like it. I feel like the people that work at the Jewelery stores are just trying to get the most they can out of me and they won’t let me alone to just look… Suggestions!?
I want to wear it because it is special to me. Plain and Simple! Instead of buying a college grad ring from my university I kept the money for this special ring. It has significant meaning to me–something that my mom felt would be set aside for me for a time that I deserved it most. My 77 year old father gave the diamond it her mother, which holds an even greater significant reason for me want the ring… I do not want it as an engagement ring, plain and simple.