You shoulda wrapped that willy. I bought mine here ten years ago: http://www.dbof.com/about/ They set it, and shipped it to me; sight unseen. When my wife had it appraised, they asked if I was Asian (because apparantly, Asians are the only ones who buy diamonds of that quality). That being said, I learned a valuable lesson. I put too much empahsis on clarity. In fact, with regards to the four C's, I probably ranked them: Clarity, Color, carat weight, cut. YOU should rank them: 1) Carat weight (let's face it........the lady wants a big rock, and once it is set, it's darn hard to see any defects as that rock is swinging around on her finger) 2) Cut (so important as to how a diamond looks) 3) color (although I ranked it as third, don't get TOO crappy of a color) 4) clarity
Actually, I got married almost eleven years ago, and I was engaged for at least a year............and I think I asked for this very same advice on clutchcity.com
OK, thanks. I can see how a chain would rip you off. Don't really understand the tacky bit though. If you know diamonds can't you find something nice anywhere or is this like the difference between Chili's and a fine restaurant?
Isn't this guy one of the most reputable dealer in Houston. TV Johnny lol <iframe width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Lx2FEubF9_Q" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
I went to Jared and some other large chain place to do my research...find settings, get ideas of how they price stuff and get an idea of the differences between how the 4 Cs impact the look. I ended up going to a big "independent" place on jewelers row in Chicago and confirmed everything on the 4Cs thing, because they just took out like 20+ diamonds and had me compare what I thought looked best so i could figure out what Cs were most important. Then I went to 3 or 4 small independent shops on jewelers row and just negotiated with all of them on the rock until i found what felt like was a good diamond at a good value. Then I took the purchased rock to another independent place to have them replicate the setting that I thought she would like. I paid a bit more to go to another place, but this other place was MUCH better at making stuff. All that means is, I didn't have any hook-ups, either, but felt my way around and found something she is very happy with. That was my research methodology, and I felt educated when I finally bought it. Good luck - and congrats
I got lucky because my mother gave me her diamond. I got the setting, which also had diamonds in it from some shady place next to Sharpstown Mall. Scared the crap out of me walking through that place...but I got a good deal on a very nice ring.
This. I knew next to nothing about diamonds until I was recommended this site. Even if you don't end up buying there, you should definitely read up on the "Education" section of their homepage. They also give you some tips on how to discretely measure one's ring size, which came in handy. Great prices. Trustworthy. And they ship internationally too.
Don't do it.. trust this guy here.... but since ive been stupid myself before... ice.com... good deals
I bought one a couple months ago. Don't buy the ring and diamond together at a store, they rip you off. check out whiteflash.com. I got my diamond from them. Go in and talk to them and tell them what you want. Either them, or bluenile.com. I liked whiteflash since they are based in Houston and I could actually go there and see some stuff. They also have rings too. however, i got my ring from zadok (the gf wanted a specific setting).
