Need help buying a engagment ring. GHI cert?

[EMT760]

Hi all,

I went looking for a engagement ring for that special someone today. I tried Mom and Pop stores and Kay jewelers, daniels.

I've settled on a 1/2 carat round solitaire type white gold band, I was just wondering if anyones ever heard of GHI labs? The ring I was looking at had a diamond of 0.51 carat, color grade of E and clarity grade of SI2. This appeared to be a nice ring. Not sure if its worth the 1,999.00 USD its being sold as? I'd be financing this.


I did find a GIA certified diamond stone 0.51 color grade of G and SI1. For around the same price, the clarity and brillance of that seemed much more shiney. Thoughts? They do not offer financing.

My friends dad always told me about GIA, I'm actually next to their headquarters here in Carlsbad, CA.

 

[Tophat1]

Here's a diamond that meets your budget but with incredible specs and should have tons of fire:

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3328802.htm

With a whiteflash a cut above, you can be sure you are getting a super ideal cut

 

[Vogue]

Mom and Pop shops can be great once you learn about diamonds (which I'm assuming is why you're here) and can distinguish the good from the bad. Avoid mall jewelers (Kay, Zales, etc.) for jewelry you care about and want to be of high quality--like an engagement ring. You will almost certainly be overcharged for a subpar product and they will rarely give reports from reputable labs like GIA or AGS. Online vendors like Whiteflash, James Allen, Good Old Gold, etc., are probably your best bet for quality at a reasonable price. These vendors are known for selling loose stones, but they are more than happy to take the stone of your choice and put it into one of their settings. They also sell pre-made pieces.

Poke around PS to educate yourself on what's good and what's not, find some stones you like, and bring them here for feedback! Or have a look at the recommendations you are sure to get in this thread

 

[rockysalamander]

This one is slightly bigger, but I like it quite a bit.
http://highperformancediamonds.com/shop/diamonds/HPD8000/?shop=yes

This one is a little smaller, but much less in price. Note that it is a J color -- but that may or may not be a deal breaker.
http://highperformancediamonds.com/shop/j/HPD8856/?shop=yes