Man, this is just like buying a damn car or a house. *I'm surfing http://www.diamondgrading.com/ -- an excellent site -- to learn more about pricing and what to expect. *I know what shape she wants (a round, solitary stone) and .85 to 1 carat seems to be the size. *Now I have to determine on what I can and can't compromise -- I don't want a cheap stone but I don't want to have to sell my car either.

I did a little comparison shopping a month ago. *Color and cut stood out to me much more than clarity. *In fact, I'd say that I'll consider color first, then cut, then clarity. *But, after reading Diamond Grading's tutorial on reading a certificate, it sounds even more complicated!

My mother swears by Blue Nile

She has spent a lot there and they are very nice/cheap/professional.

It aint easy. I'm in the market, as well.

I've been trying to go through the same crash course. Put the shoe on the other foot, though... it's similar to her picking out a bike for you.

Good luck!

My advice: Save your money.

-nhfirefighter13

First off, congrats ER! I bought a big diamond last year too.

You might consider calling Borshiem's in Omaha, one of the nation's largest jewlery stores. Alot of celebs and VIPs shop there due to the quality they offer in product line. It's Warren Buffet's place, fyi.

But mere mortals can find alot of good information and reasonably priced stuff there as well. If you do call, ask for Scott Caniglia. He's an old friend, approves all the sales, and will no doubt take some time to help you out, if only to offer buying advice.

Getting hurt when shopping diamonds is a precariously easy thing to do if you're not well armed with information. Good luck!

Borshiem's FAQ Page

Another approach.....forget all that marketing hype about the C's...its for suckers....

Go to a decent shop, buy a generic ring, but put it on layaway....take the SO to the shop to see it one day....

While you are in the shop, something will catch her eye....act dumb, but pay close attention....then go back and buy it later.....

Its a win-win....she gets to pick what she wants, but its still a big suprise....

I got mine from litman's...here is the link

LINK

thats the one I got..well, there are way more on there, and they walk you though it all! make sure you get a certified one

Check out costco if you have one in your area,or costco.com.

I was actually proposed with a Ring Pop (inside joke). *But actually he had gotten a small solitare and then took me shopping for the ring that we both thought fit who we were and what I wanted.

Worked out perfect! *The ring we ended up choosing was mispriced as a smaller ct. ring and gave it to us for that price..woo hoo


Congrats!!!

Are you getting anything material out of the deal?

Zirconium !!!!!!!!!!! Then buy a 600RR!!!!

Get her one of these! *These are much cooler, with the Elven inscription and all.

Quote 'One Ring to rule them all, One ring to find them. One ring to bring them all, and in the darkness bind them

Congrat's! Here's a decent site on buying diamonds Link

@ SoCal

Clarity depends on the cut of the diamond from what I'm told. I bought my fiancee a emerald cut diamond, and since you can see straight through it, it needed to be closer to flawless when looking through it. Color is important because the less color...the more bling Cut and carat are up to your preference and budget.
The one I ended up going with was a little over .5 carat emerald cut center with 6 baggettes and 4 princess cuts. It puts ear to ear smiles on her face every time she looks at it I'll try and post a pic of it later. Good luck ER and congrats!