Been looking at engagement rings and currently have a .92 carat, H-color, VS-1 on layaway at a local mom and pop jewelry store in The Woodlands. I visited Robbins Brothers yesterday in downtown Houston by the Galleria (any body have any experience/advice on this place?) and they were throwing all sorts of diamonds at me to look at. Some that were significantly bigger than what I have on layaway and at a lower price point (example: 1.18 carat, H-color, i-1 clarity). I really don't know what I'm looking for, whether the inclusions are that huge of a deal and that I should go for a larger carat and lower clarity or whether I should lower the color for a larger carat, etc. Also, my buddy recently got engaged and swears by James Allen, the online store, and says there is no reason to buy in-store due to markup and I'm not getting the most out of my money. I can see where he's coming from but I am a creature of habit and like to see the product before I buy it despite their "magnified pictures" online.
Girls want bigger. You cannot see a minor inclusion unless under magnification. I'm telling you, get the biggest good looking stone you can that is within your budget. Your lady wants to show off how big her rock is, not make excuses for its' lack of size by sheepishly telling her friends that it is awesome quality.
Get a guide on the imperfections. Get one that is invisible or barely visible to the naked eye. I don't remember what category that is but no one will loop the diamond on your wife's hand. Color is important so get a high grade there. That's very visible. Finally, pick a size, such as 1 carat or 1.5 carat (whatever it may be) and buy a diamond just under that size. That's where the value is. So if you want a 1 carat ring, buy a .98 not a 1.02. There are lots of diamond wholesalers in Houston. Find a couple and see what they can do for you. They have much better prices than fancy jewelry stores. As long as its Gia certified, you know you're comparing apples and apples. Only buy certified by Gia or the other european one but Gia preferred. Do lots of homework and look at lots of diamonds. You can buy the setting separately if you need. I spent months looking before buying to make sure I wasn't getting ripped off. Make offers, negotiate, and don't let your gf fall in love with one or you will lose your ass Have fun.
Good thing is that she isn't coming to look at them with me. She could careless the diamond because she knows how nit-picky I am and will love whatever I pick out.
Long story short, I bought my wife's at a pawn shop. Back then they weren't computerized like today and I got a much better deal than I think you would probably get now. That said, still look at pawn shops. There are some very good deals to be had. You can always get a new setting for it, you are looking for the stone. Tirk, does this surprise you?
get a synthetic diamond and never tell her. i dont mean a fake diamond that isnt chemically a diamond, i mean the kind made in a lab.
WRONG! The first thing I did when I was engaged was got that sucker appraised. When you do that, for insurance reasons, they tell you every flaw in the diamond. So, WE WILL KNOW! Buying a engagement ring from a pawn shop is terrible. OP..this is someone you love, right. She will be wearing that ring for the rest of her life. Make sure the quality and clarity is perfect. Size at least a carrot. Size does matter. Oh and pear shape diamonds are the worse. They get caught on everything.
