Hi all -
I'm a new user, looking to buy a diamond engagement ring for the first time. I've looked at the resources on this site and elsewhere on the Internet and am trying to figure out best next steps out of what seems like a ton of information. A few questions:
1. What's the general opinion of Blue Nile? It's been recommended to me but then I see that it sells one carat diamonds for around $10k, which seems (to my limited knowledge but after looking around) to be on the high side since other places mention 1 carat diamonds (admittedly without listing the color/clarit) for much less. These are generally G/H color and VS1/VS2 clarity. Is that the going price for that sort of diamond? I have a budget of about $10k. What could I get for that price? For $7k?
2. My fiancee was married before and mentioned her previous ring was 2 carats. That may be out of my budget and she doesn't need/want/care for another one that big, but what can I do within my budget to get her something nice? Should I focus on a really nice cut/color or try to strike a balance of size and cut?
3. Any other sites besides Blue Nile you'd recommend?
4. I live near the Diamond District in NYC but have heard that's a great place to get overcharged if you don't have a connection. True/false? Is it worth my time to go look there at street level or am I just asking for trouble?
Any other tips for someone who's trying to educate himself, would like to get something soon and would like something nice but doesn't need to be super-amazing?
Thanks in advance for any help and sorry for what I'm sure are basic questions. I have a sense of some of the answers from Internet research but it's helpful to get real live people responding, too!
Okapi
I'm a new user, looking to buy a diamond engagement ring for the first time. I've looked at the resources on this site and elsewhere on the Internet and am trying to figure out best next steps out of what seems like a ton of information. A few questions:
1. What's the general opinion of Blue Nile? It's been recommended to me but then I see that it sells one carat diamonds for around $10k, which seems (to my limited knowledge but after looking around) to be on the high side since other places mention 1 carat diamonds (admittedly without listing the color/clarit) for much less. These are generally G/H color and VS1/VS2 clarity. Is that the going price for that sort of diamond? I have a budget of about $10k. What could I get for that price? For $7k?
2. My fiancee was married before and mentioned her previous ring was 2 carats. That may be out of my budget and she doesn't need/want/care for another one that big, but what can I do within my budget to get her something nice? Should I focus on a really nice cut/color or try to strike a balance of size and cut?
3. Any other sites besides Blue Nile you'd recommend?
4. I live near the Diamond District in NYC but have heard that's a great place to get overcharged if you don't have a connection. True/false? Is it worth my time to go look there at street level or am I just asking for trouble?
Any other tips for someone who's trying to educate himself, would like to get something soon and would like something nice but doesn't need to be super-amazing?
Thanks in advance for any help and sorry for what I'm sure are basic questions. I have a sense of some of the answers from Internet research but it's helpful to get real live people responding, too!
Okapi