[PeteSB75]

I bought about a year and a half ago. I have the advantage of working in midtown Manhattan, so just took a walk down to the diamond district on 47th St, going to a jeweler that several friends at work recommended. Between the price I got on the stone and what I paid for the setting, I saved quite a bit of money(probably 20% less) off what the same ring would have cost me at blue nile.

If you are going for a diamond, do yourself and your future wife a favor and buy the best color you can afford, you can sacrifice a bit in clarity and just get the size/cut you want to pay for, but don't sacrifice color. if you haven't already, ask your girlfriend what cut stone she wants. If it's a pear or other less-in-demand cut, you can get a larger stone for the same money. But either way, you want to look at the stones you are considering in person and not set. Tell them you only want D-F color, and look at the stones. For me, one of them popped. It had more inclusions than most of the others, but the depth/length/width was such that it just sparkled more. She loved the stone, and the platinum setting.

Ken, if you feel like taking a trip down to the city for a couple of days, I can introduce you to the jeweler I used. You will likely need to meet with him a few times, first to discuss what you are looking for, then to inspect stones - probably a day or two later, and finally to pick up the ring.

Btw, most jewelers will not set a ladies ring in paladium. They will do white gold or platinum, but you might have to hunt for one that will do paladium.