The process of buying a diamond ring

Date: 1/27/2007 6:28:06 PM
Author:bloodparasites
Hey guys,

I'm planning on buying my diamond online.
I've done a lot of research (still have a bit more to do, of course) and I'm getting ready to pull the trigger.
I wanted to run this by you guys first. I think I know the 'correct' process, please correct me if I'm wrong:
1. Research, research, research.
2. Figure out exactly which diamond (4 C's, depth, table, etc) and ring I (actually, she) want. (Make sure that the ring will fit the diamond and has a matching wedding band as well).
3. Figure out the market price for the specific diamond.
4. Find a local independent appraiser.
5. Shop around and purchase the diamond with the ring (but not have the diamond mounted).
6. Have the seller ship it to the appraiser.
7. Have the diamond appraised within the refund time.
8. Have the diamond and ring shipped back to the seller and mounted by the seller.
9. Get the diamond shipped to me.
10. Verify that it is the same diamond, no damage. (How do I do this part?)

Is this correct? Is there a better/safer way to do this than how I think I'm supposed to?

I'm planning on buying a diamond within the following specs:
carat: 1.30 - 1.34
color: G - H
clarity: vs2 - si1
cut: round
table: 55-58
depth: 60-62
culet: none/pointed
girdle thickness: Medium or Slightly Thick
symmetry: Very Good, Excellent
polish: Very Good
flourescense: some/none

The ring will be:
platinum/palladium, 6 prongs, tiffany style, half rounded band

My g/f has a 4.5 ring size.

My budget is up to $9k. I'm thinking about going with abazias.com cuz they got very good prices and seem to have good feedback. It seems like a diamond with these specs run the gamut from $5k to $8k.
I'm not interested in super high clarity or super clear. I think VS2 - SI1 is good enough and won't wreck the brilliance of the diamond. And I don't think she would care about that stuff.

What do you guys think? Anything I'm forgetting?

Thanks.

Date: 1/28/2007 12:17:29 AM
Author: kcoursolle

As far as number 10 goes on the list, you can send it back to the appraiser to do an 'updated appraisal,' usually this costs substantially less (mine was $20), and he just checks the stone to compare it to the certification and make sure it is indeed the same stone. Then he looks at it under a microscope to check for damage to the stone and structural integrity of the setting.