Quick and Easy Buying Guide
Carat weight: 1 carat = 200 milligrams = 6.5 mm diameter. Doubling weight doesn't double diameter.
Diamond clarity: FL/IF/VVS/VS = super expensive, near perfect. SI = best value if you can check a photo for obvious inclusions (defects).
Color: D-G = colorless, expensive, only if you have money to burn. H-J = best value. Can go lower in gold metal settings than white metal.
Cut: Better cut ratings let more light into a diamond, making it sparkle more. Very important property, don't skimp here.
Set a budget and minimum cut (Premium). Go J color for gold and I/H for white metals. Go searching for SI1/SI2 clarity diamonds at James Allen. Pick a diamond with small/no inclusions. Choose a ring setting and buy it risk-free (60-day returns).
Ultra Diamonds
Ultra Diamonds is a large United States retailer with a focus on offering good value jewellery. For example, they heavily discount their closeout items by up to 80%.
Sponsored Links
They have 165 stores in 33 States which means they are accessible to the vast majority of the United States population.
They carry a range of designers such as Peter Lam and collections such as Oro Bello and Park Avenue.
Their emphasis on value means that there are some astoundingly priced diamond rings in their itinerary. For example, a two carat certified Solitaire ring comes in at $8679. And that is set in an 18 carat white gold ring. That's quite an incredible price although I'd recommend finding out for your specific ring what the diamond characteristics are, which are not listed on the website.
They have a generous return policy – you can return a ring within 30 days for a full refund without having to give a reason, which is more generous than some other diamond stores. You will have to pay a small fee for restocking.