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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Fast Learner" data-source="post: 483870" data-attributes="member: 649">I agree, don't take her shopping, just casually ask about it or ask her friends.I agree, it's deBeers that started (and largely maintains) the whole thing. Unfortunately they were extremely successful, so the fact that greedy (add long string of nasty adjectives here) merchants started it doesn't mean it's not something your bride-to-be will both love and, probably, expect.Great place to get a good deal: Costco. They guarantee that their jewelry, including their diamonds, will appraise for at least twice what they charge. In the case of the beautiful diamond I custom ordered from them (gave them the specs via email and they came back with the gem a week later), I had it appraised twice by GIA-certified appraisers. One appraised it at 210% of what I paid and the other at 220%, both in addition to the GIA-certified appraisal that came with it at 205%.(Understand what that means, mind you: it's not uncommon to only be able to sell a piece of jewelry for half its appraisal if you're not super-patient in finding a buyer, but at least we'd get our money back out of it rather than losing a ton selling it back.)Yes, diamonds are overpriced, artificially inflated, etc., but if you're going to buy one, make it worthwhile.</blockquote>