Hi,
I started looking for a pear shaped engagement ring a month ago. My "original" budget was $5,000.00. After doing my research, I realised I simply could not settle for anything lower than a G, VS2, 1.0 carat. So, I knew the diamond was going to be at least $4500.00.
I found that the best priced diamonds are at dirtcheapdiamonds.com.
I found that the best website is bluenile.com.
I did not buy online because I wanted to be able to shake hands with my Jeweler. Also, my girlfriend made it known she would not be pleased to tell people we got it online. Somewhat trivial, but I respected her feelings. It IS her ring afterall.
I ended up buying from a jeweler in Chicago, James & Sons. Their pricing was spot on. The two disadvantages I found with going with a store is that there is a lack of diamonds to choose from (pear shaped) and that I have to pay sales tax. I know there are ways around sales tax, but I didn't feel right cheating the system, but the .08% additional did make it sting a bit. I reccomend James & Sons to other Chicagoans.
I ended up with a F, VS2, Pear Shaped Diamond with a nice platinum ring with .25 carat baguettes for $5975 + tax. So, I went about $1,500 over budget, but I have no regrets about that. $1,500 in the long run won't affect us at all. I read that a women looks at her ring over a million times in her lifetime... boy... I knew I had to get something she liked! She picked out this design a while back. Good choice for her I think.
Here it is:

I started looking for a pear shaped engagement ring a month ago. My "original" budget was $5,000.00. After doing my research, I realised I simply could not settle for anything lower than a G, VS2, 1.0 carat. So, I knew the diamond was going to be at least $4500.00.
I found that the best priced diamonds are at dirtcheapdiamonds.com.
I found that the best website is bluenile.com.
I did not buy online because I wanted to be able to shake hands with my Jeweler. Also, my girlfriend made it known she would not be pleased to tell people we got it online. Somewhat trivial, but I respected her feelings. It IS her ring afterall.
I ended up buying from a jeweler in Chicago, James & Sons. Their pricing was spot on. The two disadvantages I found with going with a store is that there is a lack of diamonds to choose from (pear shaped) and that I have to pay sales tax. I know there are ways around sales tax, but I didn't feel right cheating the system, but the .08% additional did make it sting a bit. I reccomend James & Sons to other Chicagoans.
I ended up with a F, VS2, Pear Shaped Diamond with a nice platinum ring with .25 carat baguettes for $5975 + tax. So, I went about $1,500 over budget, but I have no regrets about that. $1,500 in the long run won't affect us at all. I read that a women looks at her ring over a million times in her lifetime... boy... I knew I had to get something she liked! She picked out this design a while back. Good choice for her I think.

Here it is:
