Price of a diamond doesnt mean its a very good diamond.... a small 1 ct diamond can cost 10g's because of its "perfection" and cut.... while you can get a 3ct for $500....lol There are a couple of organizations that evaluate diamonds and give them a grade... almost all good diamonds have been evaluated by these organizations and give a certificate of the evaluation... the better the grade, the higher the price of course.... the last place to buy a diamond is in the mall...lol You cant really see the diamond once its set on the ring itself... Also, the best way to buy a diamond is buying the diamond alone without it being already set...meaning on the ring itself... that way you can look at the diamond alone... you can easily see the color, clarity, cut, etc... and compare it with other diamonds of the same grade.... the grade is very important but when you decide what price range you can afford, you will have an idea what grade and size you can afford... that way, you can compare the same grades of diamonds... the jewelry district is a good place to shop because they have alot of loose diamonds... you can easily compare them in the light.... sometimes you may compare 2 diamonds of the same grade and size, but one will look cloudy, yellow, not very sparkly, etc... probably means its not the graded diamond that the certificate says it is.... in the end... your eye should make the ultimate decision which diamond is the best... not the certificate or grade.... when you turn it in the light, and all you see is bling bling....lol Last but not least... once you have chosen a diamond, whatever you do, dont take your eyes off the diamond until its in your hands... as though it is easily switched for a less quality diamond when your not looking....sneaky mofo's in the jewelry district... not that I would know though... never been there before...LOL SAZZZZ! :roll:
P.S. Paying 3 months of your salary for an engagement ring is nonsense... as some may say its what your supposed to spend on it.... lol