Before you start your search for that perfect diamond engagement ring, you must learn how to judge a good diamond from a bad diamond. This will ensure that you get the best diamond deal that your pocketbook can afford. At the end of this article, there is a list of diamond engagement ring stores that you might like to explore.
Diamonds in diamond engagement rings are judged on a sliding scale for clarity. The clearer the diamond, the better it will sparkle and retain value. All diamonds in diamond engagement rings have tiny blemishes or flaws that were formed into the diamond by Mother Nature. Your trick is to find the diamond engagement ring that has the least flaws.
F-IF = Diamonds that are Flawless or Internally Flawless. These are the best.
VVS1-VVS2 = Diamonds have tiny flaws that are not visible to the naked eye.
VS1-VS2= Diamonds have tiny flaws not visible to the naked eye.
SI1-SI2 = Slightly Included, or slightly flawed diamonds.
I1 = Inclusions, or flaws, that can be seen by the naked eye. Most I1 sparkle nicely.
I2 = Lower grade than I1.
I3 = Lowest grade diamonds.
Click Here for more information and pictures explaining grading from Superbcert Diamond Education.
As you can see from the diamond grading chart above, you should always try to find a diamond graded for clarity at I1 or above when searching for a diamond engagement ring.
Your diamonds in a diamond engagement ring also has a color scale that goes through the letters of the alphabet from D to Z. D= a clear diamond. Z= a very yellow color of diamond. If you want a clear color of diamond you must get one with a GIA color rating between D and I. After the letter I rating, your eye can see a visual yellow discoloration on the diamond that deepens on the scale towards the letter Z rating.
For the best diamonds in diamond engagement rings, you need I1 or above on the GIA flaw scale, and letter I or lower on the GIA color scale.
Now, you’re ready to go find a diamond engagement ring style that you like. Engagement rings come in every diamond engagement ring style, shape, or theme that you can imagine. Window shop, or click around the internet to see diamond engagement ring styles, shapes, and themes that may appeal to you.
Zales Jewelers is an example of a national chain of jewelry stores. There are many brand named chain-stores just like Zales out there. We see their ads on television, in our newspapers, hear about them on the radio, and they all share one common thread: they spend money on advertising so that we know who they are. Their prices may sound enticing in those glittery ads, but think about it. Who pays for that advertising?
Brand name jewelry stores are not always the best buy on diamond engagement rings. Sometimes, the smaller stores have better quality and better prices because they do not spend the same kind of money in advertising to bring in volume sales. While your brand name store can boast that they have ads, the smaller stores often give better quality, price, and service.
Examples: (Click underlines to see diamond engagement rings or stores.)
Zalesclaims that you save up to 70% by shopping online. Zales item 16926875 1/2 CT. T.W. Princess Cut Diamond Engagement Ring in 14K White Gold with Diamond Accents. This ring is originally 999.99, on sale this week for 899.99. It is listed as GIA color H-I and GIA Clarity I1.
Zales 16926875description: “This 14K white gold ring features one princess cut diamond center stone in a 4-prong setting with tapered baguette diamond accents in a channel setting.” This ring is listed as 1/2ct. overall weight in diamonds, with a disclaimer that it might be less weight than claimed.
At the bottom of the Zales ad, they explain that getting the diamond engagement ring sized takes 2-days. Shipping is by method chosen at check-out. During the sale period only, you can have free Fedex overnight shipping.
Bottom line: Zales item: 16926875 is 1/2caret (or less). Zales ring, if bought on sale, is 899.99. You will need two days for them to size the diamond engagement ring, and then overnight shipping is free because this is a sale.
4-A Wedding Supply & Wholesale is a very small wholesale store at an auction site, with a larger jewelry store at: 8 Track Store & So Much More! – A web-site that has over 200,000 items inside, with a very large jewelry department. How this works is that the owner is on contract with a wholesale jewelry supplier. This owner is running 2 stores. One fancy store with higher prices, and one not fancy store with bargains.
Many large stores today are running their inventory at bargain prices through auction sites (or in smaller buildings) to go along with their parent-store sales. People have heard that they can go to auction sites for bargains, so dealers take their inventory to these sites priced as bargains to supplement sales. Don’t be afraid to check for qualified jewelry stores on auction sites. Ask questions before buying. Do they have another store? Is this the cheapest price?
4-A Store and 8 Track Store has a diamond engagement ring that looks almost identical to Zales ring above. Item 64919:5003 The difference is that they give you exact information, and are not hiding behind sales or gimmicks: 0.38 caret total weights. Metal weight at: 2.49 grams. Comes with velvet box, polishing rag, certificate of authenticity, meets all US Gold Standard Guides. GIA color: H-I. GIA clarity: I1. At the 4-A bargain store every day price is 899.99, always free overnight shipping. The ad says that this ring comes in size 6; the other sizes are sold out.
Below are some more choices of beautiful diamond engagement rings under 1,000 dollars. These diamond engagement rings may, or may not, be the best prices and quality available online today. However, I am featuring a few different stores so that you can start comparing different establishments for yourself while searching for that perfect diamond engagement ring for your sweetie.
Zales: Item #: 15548340 “1/2 CT. T.W. Diamond Three Stone Past Present Future Ring in 14K White Gold” GIA color = H-I / GIA clarity = I1, I2. Orig. 859.00 Sale: 499.99. Free overnight shipping only on sale items + 2 day sizing + 2-day packing time.
Zales: Item #: 16648438 “Diamond Flower Three Stone Ring in 10K Gold” 1/4ct. GIA color= not listed. GIA clarity = not listed. Orig. 289.00. Sale: 199.99. 2-day sizing. Free overnight shipping only on sale items. + 2 day sizing + 2 day packing time.
Zales: Item #: 17110255 “1/2 CT. T.W. Princess Cut Diamond Three Stone Ring in 14K White Gold” 1/2ct. (or less). GIA color= I-J . GIA clarity = I2-I3. Price: 859.00. 2-day sizing. Shipping by method selected at check-out.
Zales: Item #: 17027012 “1/2 CT. T.W. Diamond Five Stone Band in 14K White Gold” 1/2ct. GIA color= I-J. GIA clarity = I2. Orig. 859.00. Sale: 599.99. 2-day sizing. Free overnight shipping only on sale items. + 2 day sizing + 2 day packing time.
Zales: Item #: 16641649 “5/8 CT. T.W. Diamond Engagement Ring in 14K Two-Tone Gold with Baguette and Round Diamond Accents” 5/8ct. total weight. Center stone 1/3ct. (or less) GIA color= H-I. GIA clarity = I1- I2. Orig. 1429.00. Sale: 999.99. 2-day sizing. Free overnight shipping only on sale items. + 2 day sizing + 2 day packing time.
Gordon’s Jewelers ITEM #: 17452038 “1/2 CT. T.W. Marquise Diamond Bypass Ring in 14K Two-Tone Gold” (A very pretty ring!) 1/2ct. total weight. (or less) GIA color= I –J. GIA clarity = I1- I2. Orig. 999.99. Sale: 699.99. Shipping determined at checkout + 2 day sizing + 2 day packing time. Free Fedex 3-day shipping with orders over 100.00.
Kay Jewelers Item #: 150866604 “14K White Gold 1/2 Carat Diamond Solitaire” 1/2ct. total weight. (or less) GIA color= H-I. GIA clarity = I1- I2. Price: 999.99. Shipping UPS determined at checkout + 5 day sizing time.
4-A Wedding Supply & Wholesale Item # 64058:60169: 14k white gold diamond engagement ring. 34 diamond setting. Total diamond weight .38ct. . Total metal weight 6.37 grams. GIA color = H-I. GIA clarity = S1-I1. Velvet box, polishing cloth, certificate authenticity included. Ring comes in size 6. Your jeweler can size. Normal store price: 1269.75. Your Price: 779.99. Free overnight shipping. Store suggests that you email if you want other styles listed.
4-A Wedding Supply & Wholesale Item # 60317:208612: 14k white gold chevron shape diamond engagement ring. 9 diamond setting. Total diamond weight .0.25ct. . Total metal weight 2.16 grams. GIA color = H-I. GIA clarity = S1-I1. Velvet box, polishing cloth, certificate authenticity included. Ring comes in size 6. Your jeweler can size. Normal store price: 725.89. Your Price: 479.99. Free overnight shipping. Store suggests that you email if you want other styles listed.
4-A Wedding Supply & Wholesale Item # J4253DBA4W: 61 Black & White diamonds band. 14k white gold. Total diamond weight .0.53ct. . GIA color = H-I. GIA clarity = S1-I1. Velvet box, polishing cloth, certificate authenticity included. Ring comes in size 6, 6.5, or 7. Your jeweler can size. Normal store price: 1004.49. Your Price: 589.99. Free overnight shipping. Store suggests that you email if you want other styles listed.
Sea Of Diamonds Item # 114-1252: “14k Yellow Gold, Princess Diamond Engagement Solitaire Ring “Total diamond weight .0.12ct. Princess cut. GIA color = H-I. GIA clarity = VS. Retail value: 700.00. Store Price: 245.00. Comes in all sizes, you choose size from a chart. Free insured shipping. This site has a nice selection of diamond engagement rings to browse for styles.
Glimmer Rocks Item #3000531: “14k White Gold 0.25 Ct Princess Diamond Pre-set Classic Solitaire Diamond Engagement Ring” Total diamond weight: .25ct. Princess Cut. GIA color= H-I. GIA clarity = S1-1 to S1-2. Available in sizes 3-9. Comes with free shipping, free gift packing, and 30-day returns. Price: 440.00. This store has many pages of rings graduating up in quality and price. Very informative visually about stones and settings available.
Gold Mine Item # RH016-65YGB: “14kt Yellow Gold Diamond Engagement Ring Wedding Set (0.50ctw) Nine princess cut diamonds sit atop baguettes in this lovely set. 9 princess cut diamonds come together to present the illusion of a much larger stone. Baguette diamonds line the top of the engagement ring. A matching baguette diamond band completes the set.” GIA color = I. GIA clarity = SI2. Free shipping on orders over 100.00. Discount available for signing-up for newsletter. Retail price: 907.50. Store price: 459.73.
Excel Diamonds (New York Diamond District). This web site has lots of diamond and mounting information, as well as diamond engagement rings for sale.
