Hello all,
I am about to take the plunge for a 1.0-1.25 ct round brilliant (excellent cut, likely WF ACA) engagement ring. I''ve been lurking quietly for the past 2 months, and have learned tremendously from the PS community (big thanks to all). I''ve visited many many local stores to look at diamonds in person and to gauge whether I want to do the purchase locally or online. I''ve even been in preliminary discussions with the high-respected Mark Morrell to design the setting. All this research/work just to keep everything within my budget (although it has been pretty fun and at times even entertaining in a sadistic way).
In the end I''m likely going to buy my diamond online, most probably from Whiteflash. One question I have is what is the average markup for local jewelers vs. online vendors (like WF or GOG)? The PS community has convinced me that I can find the best cut diamond online (and likely save a little bit on taxes as well), but is there truly a bigger discount? In many of the local B&M stores I''ve visited, the excellent- to very-good cut GIA and AGS diamonds I''ve looked at (granted none are truly WF ACA diamonds) are NOT that much more expensive to what I find in WF and GOG (within couple hundred $$). Am I wrong?
Again, I thank everyone for their priceless insights and education. Once the ring is created I''ll post it for everyone to see.
I am about to take the plunge for a 1.0-1.25 ct round brilliant (excellent cut, likely WF ACA) engagement ring. I''ve been lurking quietly for the past 2 months, and have learned tremendously from the PS community (big thanks to all). I''ve visited many many local stores to look at diamonds in person and to gauge whether I want to do the purchase locally or online. I''ve even been in preliminary discussions with the high-respected Mark Morrell to design the setting. All this research/work just to keep everything within my budget (although it has been pretty fun and at times even entertaining in a sadistic way).
In the end I''m likely going to buy my diamond online, most probably from Whiteflash. One question I have is what is the average markup for local jewelers vs. online vendors (like WF or GOG)? The PS community has convinced me that I can find the best cut diamond online (and likely save a little bit on taxes as well), but is there truly a bigger discount? In many of the local B&M stores I''ve visited, the excellent- to very-good cut GIA and AGS diamonds I''ve looked at (granted none are truly WF ACA diamonds) are NOT that much more expensive to what I find in WF and GOG (within couple hundred $$). Am I wrong?
Again, I thank everyone for their priceless insights and education. Once the ring is created I''ll post it for everyone to see.