decision buying radiant online or instore

[gtrs]

I picked out an engagement ring that meets all her qualifications and she wants a radiant diamond as the center stone. I was ready to buy the ring plus stone in the store but held off and looked online, I knew it was going to be cheaper from the overhead costs but didn't expect as big of price difference. The 0.9 ct, E, SI2 was ~$4,000 in the store and just quickly looking online the same spec'd stone is ~$2,300.
I understand that a lot can be said for seeing the stone in person and you can't base anything off the numbers especially with a fancy cut such as a radiant.
But now seeing the "value" I can get online, I'm having a hard time justifying paying such an inflated price/excited that I could get a nicer diamond for my money.
Reading on this forum seems like JamesAllen might have a viable solution because I can see the picture of the diamond before buying (although not sure I know enough about diamonds to be a good judge anyway) compared to a place such a bluenile.
Two I thought looked nice:
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/D-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Radiant-Diamond-1465304.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/E-VS1-Excellent-Cut-Radiant-Diamond-1489361.asp
I'm on a bit of a timeline...I am hoping to propose in a week. Any input or other suggestions on would be greatly appreciated, thanks in advance!

 

[GirlyGirl]

Could you negotiate the store's price?

 

[webdiva]

I looked at radiants prior to looking into cushions and then getting my Princess of Hearts - so I can share my experience.

1. Radiants always look dazzling in jewelry store lights - because of the cut. Even if they're crappy. Unless you get an ASET (look it up in the knowledge section), you don't know the true light performance. In addition, the ability to take it home and view it in all the lighting situations you run through in a day is invaluable. I ordered a cushion that had the radiant "Crushed ice" look online and it looked beautiful in 80% of the areas I'm in daily. Then it looked not so great in 20% - and that's when I'm home in the evening and have the time to look at my sparkly ring. You can't buy fancy shapes by the numbers, like round brilliants, unfortunately. You need an ASET and to see it in person. Definitely go with someone with a return policy.

2. Radiants hide flaws well because of the tiny little sparkles, so you can look at "eye clean" lower clarities. Unless you are super color sensitive like I am, you can also drop to about a G or H before you see color.

3. Stick to AGS/GIA certified.

4. JA's "ideal" cut is their own designation - or rather that of their wholesalers. They likely haven't seen the stone and just put a ballpark grade on it. When the nice PS folks here have picked out three contenders, you can have the JA gemologist do an ASET and give you a review of the stone.

 

[Christina...]

radiants are difficult and like webdiva said, they can't be bought by the numbers. I've read discussions were sometimes even ASETs aren't reliable. I don't have any radiant buying experience, but if I were shopping for one, I would contact DBL.

http://www.diamondsbylauren.com/index.php

I would also only purchase stone graded by AGS or GIA. Labs like EGL are notorious for soft and inconsistent grading.