www.bluenile.co.uk not sure if they have a US equivalent but its really good site and gives you and idea of what you can do - lets you build a ring to your own specifications

overstock.com i didn't get my fiance's ring there though cuz i'm not a cheap bastard... lol jp

she wanted a special one.. aquamarine stone with a diamond on each side... looks great she loves it

 

Originally Posted by freeworld777

www.bluenile.co.uk not sure if they have a US equivalent but its really good site and gives you and idea of what you can do - lets you build a ring to your own specifications

www.bluenile.com

I did this for my wife and the ring is perfect. I can't remember the carat size at all (she really won't care dude), but I didn't have any issues with their website or their help (i apparently ordered different size rings - i ordered a set - and they contacted me before they sent them out).

I've been doing a lot of research on diamonds and rings lately and in the USA at the upper end of your stated budget you should be able to get a 0.74 - 0.8 ct round cut VS1/VS2 clarity, F/E coluour diamond with a decent band. Shop around and don't be afraid to haggle and use one merchant's price as leverage against an other. The margins are huge for these guys and they have a lot of room to bargain.

 

Originally Posted by LeftyC

IMO, the round cuts appear bigger. idk much about diamonds, i just want one, n idc what it looks like

WHOA NELLY.

PS: hi neighbor

Yeah H is prob ok too, I'm shopping around myself at the moment and have a similar budget to yours. I've yet to actually go and see any stones in the flesh, all on-line research, I'm guessing I won't be able to tell the difference when I go the stores so its good to be as informed as possible before going so you don't get ripped off. Certification is your friend.

I guess you have to put some trust in whoever is selling it to you, but I'd check their reputation and maybe see if you can have it checked by a third party. Most reputable jewellers should be reliable enough not to rip you off.

 

Originally Posted by time4badbeat

I'm definitely going with a round center stone and probably pave design for the ring. I think I'm going to go with probably .5 to .7 carat ring. My girl is pretty petite (110lbs) so doubt I need to go overboard on size since I don't want it to look like costume jewelry.

so she's a spinner huh?

cheapest way by far is to go to a diamond wholesaler... also, independent jewelers (people that actually make the jewelry, not just a jewlery store) usually get diamonds at cost, so a ring from there will be much cheaper.

size that is respectable - well, that depends on your girl, obv. some don't want you to spend too much, others want big... if you get a good color, you can forsake a little clarity or vice versa to help you get a little bigger diamond. usually, if it is under a carat it is going to look pretty small. you can always upgrade a diamond later in life when the price isn't as big of an issue, too.

by the way, knowing you are going to propose and get married, your name couldn't be more appropriate!!!

on behalf of the DeBeers family I'd like to say thanks! And BWHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAAHAHAHAHAHA!

 

Originally Posted by heavykiddy

cheapest way by far is to go to a diamond wholesaler... also, independent jewelers (people that actually make the jewelry, not just a jewlery store) usually get diamonds at cost, so a ring from there will be much cheaper.

size that is respectable - well, that depends on your girl, obv. some don't want you to spend too much, others want big... if you get a good color, you can forsake a little clarity or vice versa to help you get a little bigger diamond. usually, if it is under a carat it is going to look pretty small.

I disagree - if she's petite/has small hands, anything over a carat is going to start to look gaudy - .7 is perfectly respectable imo - it also depends on the cut and the band/setting/etc - def agree with going to a local jeweler and check things out before ordering anything online - gl!

 

Originally Posted by time4badbeat

We are going to go to a store this weekend and check out what size diamond looks good on her hand (plz be .5 plz be .5)

TERRIBLE IDEA!!!!

This is coming from a retail jeweler....when you bring her into the store your bill will DOUBLE. A bigger stone ALWAYS looks better than a small one and once she tries on a 1 CT and loves it you are fucked.

Yes, at a certain point they can be too big but I guarantee you she will want a much bigger stone if you take her shopping. Trust me on this one dude. Take her window shopping if you have to do something but the first thing I teach my salespeople regarding engagement ring shoppers is that the best way to make the sale bigger is to let the girl try on some expensive rings.

Good luck.

LOL...thats a bit over the top.....but yeah...if the OP goes into a store looking for 1/2 carats, any 1/2 decent salesperson will show her something thats bigger and its just a no-win situation.

Give your girl some BS about how you want to pick it yourself and surprise her. Or better still, a buddy of mine proposed by telling the girl he wanted to take her shopping for rings when he already had the ring. He proposed at the front door of the store. Went over really well.

If your looking to save some money check out your local pawn shop. Even if You have the diamond taken out and put into a new setting you cold save a shit ton of money.

Late last year I got tired of my wife not wearing her ring becuase it did not fit. We took all of her old rings took them to a jeweler, took the diamonds out and had the jeweler make a ring with the melted gold and diamonds. It was pretty expensive even though we supplied all the material ($1200). Not that this helps the OP, but I think it is a tremendous idea to have the ring personalized. My wife's ring if a rose with a diamond center, two gold leafs with three diamonds on each leaf, and a triple wire band. She now has a one of a kind ring.
I think it would be worth it to seek out a jeweler that can create a ring. If you have an old diamond ring or two that you can use for material you should be able to get an awesome "one of a kind ring" for under 3K.