After months of looking in the store, I finally decided I was going to purchase online (prices and selection). I thought I did my homework, but without the help of Jet, Lorelei, StoneCold and SaraP (and anyone else I forgot!) I would have never got something as amazing as I got, for the price I got it for.
I had already purchased the setting and wedding band from Diamonds International in St Thomas for $900. It was a very thin band, with diamonds going halfway around...exactly what see wanted.
I bought the diamond from JamesAllen.com, who was extremely helpful. I worked with Darrin Grimes, who got me everything I needed for any diamond I asked about within 24 hours. He even had a few days off right before I purchased and he let other people know my situation before he left. It was better service than I got face to face in B&M stores. Now the stats:
1.02 ct - Fiancée wanted a carat. I was originally going to compromise the weight for the color/clarity. It was what she wanted and the members of this board convinced me that doing what she wanted was the best bet.
H color - I NEVER EVEN LOOKED at H color before I came to this message board. I thought it would be yellowish looking. I am still trying to find anything but icy white in the stone. I''ve looked at it from the top, side, bottom, everything and can''t see any color. I don''t know if I got lucky or what but I am so glad I didn''t pay more to go higher. I looked at F, G, and H''s in store and I could see color in the G and H. Why I can''t see color in mine? No idea, but I won''t complain.
VS2 clarity - I was leaning towards the SI1 for price but I found a VS2 in the same price range. Downfall was the inclusion was smack dab in the middle of the table. I spoke with JamesAllen who said there would be no issue. Got the diamond, can''t see a spec on it from the top, side, bottom, etc. Through a loupe it is clearly visible but is the only thing visible through the magnification.
Ideal cut, excellent symmetry, excellent polish - I always wanted an ideal cut, but I didn''t realize that an ideal cut might not be so ideal. The pricescopers led me on the right track and my fiancée has a beautiful, sparkly, fiery or whatever else you want to call it ring. …. Price was $4,300
I went to a local jewelry store that would set the diamond for $135, a little expensive but I wanted to go somewhere I trusted. I set up an appointment and took the hour drive there. When the woman opened the box her first words were, there is no way that diamond is going to fit in that head. They could take the head off, put on a new one etc. but they would not be responsible if the ring broke, the head fell off in the future, etc. The old head was only made for a half carat (the store told me it could fit over a carat, ugh).
After much debate and leaving the store and driving a quarter way of the way home, I ended up going back and buying this...
http://shop.goodoldgold.com/index.cfm/a/catalog.prodshow/vid/45531/catid/265
from the jewelry store for $1,575 after tax. They set the diamond for free of course. It was originally marked $2,350 in the store so I don’t think I did too bad…it just wasn’t money I wanted to spend. It is actually the first setting my fiancée picked out but we decided it was out of our price range.
I ended up proposing that night. We were going away (for work) the next day and I don’t think I would be able to not slip up on the secret. So everything worked out, I got a better diamond than I thought I could afford and an amazing setting. Just spent $1,300 more than planned on the setting (but went under budget by $700 on the diamond)
I’m happy, she’s happy, life’s good! Thanks everyone!
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