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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Tom Cashel" data-source="post: 485106" data-attributes="member: 321">I just bought one for my (now) fiancee.You should not believe the hype about how much you're "supposed" to spend, avoid the mall stores like the overpriced plague that they are, and do a Google search for "diamonds" and learn all you can about the four Cs (carat, clarity, cut, color).  When you think you know it all, read a few more pages.  Diamond salesmen are like used car salesmen--when they put the hard sell on you it helps to know the facts.<img src="http://www.diamond-guide.com/Diamond_Education/images/diam.gif" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " data-size="" style="" />Keep in mind that for 5K you can get a big diamond that's not so clear or colorless, or a smaller, more clear, better-cut diamond.  The best thing is to figure out which C (or Cs) are most important to you, and shop for them.Don't let the salesperson tell you what you want!And make sure you get a GIA (Gemological Institute of America) cerificate with your stone.  Don't settle for an EGL cert (European Gemological Laboratories); I was told that these are pretty much worthless in the States (I'm assuming you're in the states!).Talk to your girlfriend about it in terms of, "If you were to get an engagement ring, what would you want?"  Then surprise her with the time, the place, and the actual ring.You can also save money by buying a loose stone and having it set into a ring purchased separately.  The mall stores will  try to sell you the whole (overpriced) package.Good luck, Mooby!</blockquote>

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