Well its getting close to time to propose for this diamond noob
I've been doing quite a bit of research and shopping online, and been to two local stores (jareds and Thacker). It seems that the prices I have seen online are quite a bit cheaper than the prices the sales people in the stores have provided. Here is what I am looking for:
Carat: 1-1.3 carat
Cut: Ideal or very good cut (round)
Color: Next important. No color to the naked eye, but thats all i care about
Clarity: Least important to me. I looked at a bunch of stones in person and even under 10x I couldn't notice much on the VS1 and VS2's i looked at.
Setting:
She doesn't want anything other than the one diamond in the setting. On the band she wants it either blank or set with small diamonds. Something like this:
http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-ring/petite-micropave-diamond-ring-platinum_48630
White gold in 14k would be perfect.
Budget: Maximum 7K out the door. Less would be even better!
A guy at one store was trying to sell me on a Pure Grown Diamond, which he said are real diamonds and come with a certification, but made in a lab. He said I would save approximatley 30% and get the same quality stone. I looked at comparable stones under 10x and didn't notice a difference, other than the 'LG XXX" I would like to get some feedback on these vs natural stones.
I am doing my best job to do my homework and make an informed decision, and yall folks here seem to know whats going on. I'd like some third party opinions from folks that aren't trying to sell me something!

I've been doing quite a bit of research and shopping online, and been to two local stores (jareds and Thacker). It seems that the prices I have seen online are quite a bit cheaper than the prices the sales people in the stores have provided. Here is what I am looking for:
Carat: 1-1.3 carat
Cut: Ideal or very good cut (round)
Color: Next important. No color to the naked eye, but thats all i care about
Clarity: Least important to me. I looked at a bunch of stones in person and even under 10x I couldn't notice much on the VS1 and VS2's i looked at.
Setting:
She doesn't want anything other than the one diamond in the setting. On the band she wants it either blank or set with small diamonds. Something like this:
http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-ring/petite-micropave-diamond-ring-platinum_48630
White gold in 14k would be perfect.
Budget: Maximum 7K out the door. Less would be even better!
A guy at one store was trying to sell me on a Pure Grown Diamond, which he said are real diamonds and come with a certification, but made in a lab. He said I would save approximatley 30% and get the same quality stone. I looked at comparable stones under 10x and didn't notice a difference, other than the 'LG XXX" I would like to get some feedback on these vs natural stones.
I am doing my best job to do my homework and make an informed decision, and yall folks here seem to know whats going on. I'd like some third party opinions from folks that aren't trying to sell me something!