Calling all jewelry and/or online shopping experts!

[BerksCountyDave]

So my fiance wants a black diamond ring for Christmas this year. No one around here has them, so I have to shop online. How do I tell I'm getting something decent (jewelry experts) and how do I tell that a website is legitimate? (Online shopping experts)

[WVBob]

Go to diamond.com. They have some nice bling at a good price. My wife sends me there a lot and she thinks they have good prices.

[BIGSHOVEL]

kRANICH'S.COM

Brad

[BerksCountyDave]

For example, folks look at this.

Here's this ring, a 1.55 carat black diamond solitaire for $379:
http://www.belljewels.com/Engagement...ment_Ring.html

And on a different site, a 1.5 carat black diamond solitaire for $557:
http://www.mysolitaire.com/jewelry/j...x?item_id=3843

Why the price difference?

[knight0334]

Black diamond? I got some coal in my basement I can sell ya cheap.

[Michele]

I have a friend that is a true jewelry hound. She buys very expensive, I MEAN EXPENSIVE, quality jewelry at MSN shopping.

[Michele]

For example, folks look at this.

Here's this ring, a 1.55 carat black diamond solitaire for $379:
http://www.belljewels.com/Engagement...ment_Ring.html

And on a different site, a 1.5 carat black diamond solitaire for $557:
http://www.mysolitaire.com/jewelry/j...x?item_id=3843

Why the price difference?

Clarity...

[jb12string]

Have you tried some of the local, for lack of a better term, mom an pop, jewlers, They tend to be more custom than the stores in the mall

[BerksCountyDave]

Have you tried some of the local, for lack of a better term, mom an pop, jewlers, They tend to be more custom than the stores in the mall

Yep, been to every jeweler around. Haven't seen a single black diamond ring.

[Dredly]

For example, folks look at this.

Here's this ring, a 1.55 carat black diamond solitaire for $379:
http://www.belljewels.com/Engagement...ment_Ring.html

And on a different site, a 1.5 carat black diamond solitaire for $557:
http://www.mysolitaire.com/jewelry/j...x?item_id=3843

Why the price difference?

I don't know if a black diamond is the same as a regular one but the difference in price isn't always the size, its normally the quality. for example the engagement ring I got for my wife has a relatively small stone (.55 carat I think?) but its flawless unless viewed under a 10x microscope and then it only has extremly minor blemishes.

For the price I paid I could have gotten 1 1/2 carat diamond of my lower quality or a 1 carat of "acceptable" quality but you could see the blemishes with the naked eye.