[vonsmog]

If you want to save money, first look on how to tell a good one from a bad one. Check the three "C's" Cut, color and clarity. Buy a loop and learn what to look for. Once you know what to look for, head out to antique shops and buy a diamond in something else for about 1/4 of the price. Just make sure the setting is not covering any chips. When I had my antique shop I would deal in diamonds every week and would pay pennies on the dollar what the jewelers would charge. I gave my wife a ring for her 50th B-day with three diamonds of about 1 3/4 carats and I figure I have less than a $1500 into it. And that is with $350 into the new setting for the diamonds. Everyone who sees it gives her complements on it. The stones came from one ring, a stickpin and one earring.