Hi everyone! I just started reading the posts on PS and I wish I would have found this site sooner. I am planning to propose to my gf soon (4-6 weeks) and we have been looking at rings. We started looking in the mall and we both liked a 2 ctw three stone pricess cut w/princess side stones in channel setting at Zales. (Center stone is .62.) We both knew very little about diamonds at the time. Anyway, I have spent the last week searching online and a few days ago I saw the ring we had liked at Zales on sale for $2500. However, it is not GIA certified. It is a J, SI1 according to the website. (picture attached) I bought it so that I can see for myself if it looks like a good ring. But after reading the posts on PS, I think I should reconsider. Can I afford a quality 2ctw ring for around $3000 (including ring and setting). I did some searching on BN and I liked a three stone princess cut with pave setting, .91 very good cut, G, SI2 center stone and .46 very good cut, G, SI2 for each side stone, the total was $6500. This is over my budget but do you think it is better to spend the extra money for this ring or stick with my original budget and keep the Zales ring if it looks good? Any advice is much appreciated. This site is like having tons of friends in the diamond industry.
Blue Nile ring http://www.bluenile.com/product_details.asp?oid=5923&page=1&show_all_pages=1&filter_id=1&col=3&row=19&pos=57&set_shape=