Wholesale Diamond Engagement Ring, Best Place To Buy Diamond Engagement Ring?

Q: Before anyone attempts to dissuade me from buying a diamond, I must tell you that I am intent on doing so, for my girlfriend's sake. I'd like to purchase about a 1 carat diamond, for about $2,000. What type of specifications should I expect the diamond to have in this price range? Color, clarity, etc. I guess I'm referring to the rating system. Also, where's the best place to purchase one? I'm somewhat skeptical of jewelers.

A:I don't know the answers to your questions, but that last statement intrigues me. Wouldn't you normally go to a pharmacy to fill a prescription, a shoe store for a pair of shoes, a men's clothing store for a new suit? If you're getting engaged, presumably you'll be getting married - are you going to rent your suit at a golf course or at an establishment that rents formal wear? If you don't trust jewelers, who would you trust to sell you diamond ring? A grocer maybe, or some guy wearing a trenchcoat with a hat pulled low on his face who speaks in a low voice and deals only in cash? Tell us what you're looking for, and we can help. I know where a few trenchcoat guys hang out, for instance. Also a few jewelers. Find yourself a good "real" privately owned Jewelry Store. Stay far away from the Mall stores such as Kay or JB Robinson. They sell junk, and are more interested in their Credit Plans than selling good jewelry. We just went through this with my youngest son. A 40 minute drive saved them $100+ and resulted in a much better ring, solid setting, larger stones, and no high pressure sales. This was not a very expensive ring either, nothing like $2k. The lady from Zales called our house 3 times in an hour trying to get them to come back in. All that really depends on where you buy it. You might want to Google for directions on how to assess the color, cut, clarity, etc. to arm yourself with some information before you go shopping. I've heard it is better to purchase a good-quality diamond smaller diamond than a lesser quality larger

diamond. They have a point. Size is one thing, but IMO, color, clarity and color affect its overall appearance and its brilliance. Bigger may not always be better, especially if it means less "sparkle factor". DH got me a diamond ring, his choice. I would've been equally happy with a beautiful garnet, sapphire, emerald (birthstone), jade, amethyst, whatever he decided. But for reasons I can understand, he decided to go for the "traditional" choice. I do not remember how many carats it is, but it is certainly less than one, and no less beautiful for its size. I do not think I would want a very large ring, but then, I've never been into wearing jewelry. YMMV. :)