Question:

Can anyone point me to a good web resource for the protocol for purchasing an engagement ring.  I’ve started doing some initial looking, and I’ve found a fair amount of info about the 4-C’s and all, but I don’t know what is expected in the actual purchase.  One store indicated both an insured price and an actual price (not sale).  Are these prices carved in stone, or is it expected that I will haggle with the sales people, or what. Thanks in advance, -Mike Mike Conner

Response:

Conner) writes: Are these prices carved in stone, or is it expected that I will haggle with the sales people, or what.

You should always ask for their "best price" and then negotiate.  Do you pay sticker price for a car?  a house?  furniture?  Some people do, but I happen not to be one of those people.  For some people, haggling or bargaining is very uncomfortable.  I actually did the negotiating for my ring and our house because my husband didn’t even know that you *don’t* have to pay the asking price! FWIW, I was told by many that if you have to sacrifice anything re: the 4 C’s, choose color over clarity and clarity over size.  For example, if you see a 1 C, SI2, J color diamond and a .5C VS2 F one for about the same price, go for the latter choice.  The clarity and the color will make it look bigger. And about the "insured" ring.  I’m not sure what that means, but if it’s just an insurance policy, then you may be better off using your own homeowner’s or renter’s insurance.  You may have to have it specially written in, depending on the ring’s worth, but it’s worth checking on.  Your insurance co. will give you a free quote on how much it will change your premium.  Some jewelers have a warrantee on their rings, such as "bring it in every 4-6 months for a cleaning and a prong check and we’ll replace the stone should you lose it."  Ask if this is what s/he means by "insured."   My best advice to you:  Research research research.  And always ask the jeweler if there is anything you don’t understand.  S/He will be glad you are well-informed when you do make a puchase instead of becoming dissatisfied later on with the price or quality. koa Madison, AL

Response:

: Can anyone point me to a good web resource for the protocol : for purchasing an engagement ring.  I’ve started doing some : initial looking, and I’ve found a fair amount of info about : the 4-C’s and all, but I don’t know what is expected in the : actual purchase.  One store indicated both an insured price : and an actual price (not sale).  Are these prices carved in : stone, or is it expected that I will haggle with the sales : people, or what. www.theknot.com goto the guy’s section, and you should find it…or search for diamond and it will lead you to a section about fred cuellar who wrote a book "how to buy a diamond"  i recommend buying the book. it has lists in the back of how much you should expect to spend on diamonds up to 10 carats.  i also recommend a non-chain jeweler.  you can usually negotiate, and they usually have a lower mark up price in my experience.  (in our case where we owned the setting, we paid cash for the diamond, and they put it in for free, also the diamond was about 150$ cheaper than at the mall)  i’m guessing the insured price is the quote they give you for the insurance company.  we got our diamond on sale, and the setting on sale at another store, so they basically added about 500$ to the insurance quote, because that’s how much they figure it would cost to replace it.  depending where you are, you may or may not be able to haggle.  make sure to get recommendations for jewelers, or check with the bbb in your town before spending lots and lots of money with someone you dont know anything about.  and finally, if you can, pay with a credit card.  that way if something is wrong, they usually handle it. hth, amy

Response:

You should always ask for their "best price" and then negotiate.  Do you pay sticker price for a car?  a house?  furniture?  Some people do, but I happen not to be one of those people.  For some people, haggling or bargaining is very uncomfortable.  I actually did the negotiating for my ring and our house because my husband didn’t even know that you *don’t* have to pay the asking price!

The problem with haggling is a lot of people put their prices up because they expect so many people to knock them down.  My parents came to visit recently and stayed in a hotel that in a tourist guide had been quoted at

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