When it comes to Diamond Engagement Rings...?

That is quite a size discrepancy. Yes the quality does cost more than quantity but not quite that much of a size difference. About a great 1/2 ct roughly would be a crappy 1.5 ct but a G color is really good, you'd have to go lower than that, shape would make a difference too http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-or-less-ideal-cut-e-color-vvs1-clarity_LD01576828 .50ct E/VVS1 ideal cut round, ex pol/sym, no fluo, med girdle cost 2300 http://www.brilliance.com/diamonds/search/ViewDetails.aspx?id=15105851&styleID=&SN=BSN0000924233 an H/SI3 for 6500, 2.02 ct round http://www.brilliance.com/diamonds/search/ViewDetails.aspx?id=15095403&styleID=&SN=BSN0000892539 1.5ct round, H/I1 cost 2700 http://www.brilliance.com/diamonds/search/ViewDetails.aspx?id=15110807&styleID=&SN=BSN0000862398 2.08ct emerald K/I1 3,494 cost http://www.brilliance.com/diamonds/search/ViewDetails.aspx?id=15090384&styleID=&SN=BSN0000800854 emerald .91 E/VVS2 cost 3200 http://www.brilliance.com/diamonds/search/ViewDetails.aspx?id=15095176&styleID=&SN=BSN0000892311 1.01 ct H/I1 asscher cost 1500 http://www.brilliance.com/diamonds/search/ViewDetails.aspx?id=15102893&styleID=&SN=BSN0000924872 1300, .53ct F/VS1

I'm copy-and-pasting the first part of my answer from a site called http://www.groomgame.com/ and then I'll put a link to the article this site is mentioning, off another site. "A regression analysis of 6,000 diamonds from one reputable retailer (the experiment withheld the retailer's name so it wouldn't be accused of advertsing) resulted in this formula: Diamond Price = Intercept + (Carat x $4,020) – (Clarity x $122) – (Color x $90) – (Cut x $25) Carat is by far this retailer’s largest concern. Carat accounts for more than $4,000 per carat. The remaining Cs—clarity, color, and cut—are significantly less important to this retailer’s pricing. Each change in cut varies the price by $25; each color grade accounts for $90; and each clarity grade changes the price by $122. So, if you were debating downgrading the color or clarity by one grade, but were not certain which to drop, you’d see that a step down in clarity saves you $32 more than a step down in color. While price should not be your only consideration, understanding how the 4C's impact price can help you find the diamond you want on a budget you can afford without wondering if a better priced diamond was hiding somewhere you weren't looking." As several people have already said, it's difficult to compare such different diamonds as the ones in your example. But, if you get to the point where you are trying to comapre two side-by-side, I recommend using a diamond search engine. Plug in the specs (shape, carat weight, color grade, clarity grade, etc.) of any diamond and see what it costs at 10 or so different retailers. Then do the same thing with the second diamond you are considering. Two such diamond search enginges are http://www.diamondpriceguru.com/ and Price Scope.

Quality counts a lot! The 2nd diamond you mentioned with I-1 clarity is terrible. You should not accept anything less than an eye-clean SI-1 clarity diamond. The only way to get an objective report is through GEMEX or Isee2: www.GEMEX.com www.Isee2.com These machines can analyze a diamond's light performance. And that's what the human eye sees! Who cares about the stats and numbers on a piece of paper? It's what the eye sees is what counts. I got my wife's ring at Diamond Brokers of Florida: http://www.dbof.com/ Or you could check out these other online sources: www.WhiteFlash.com www.GoodOldGold.com www.ExcelDiamonds.com www.BlueNile.com Blue Nile's database is good, but they don't provide you with photos or analysis reports (ASET, Isee2, B-scope, etc) of the diamond. I wouldn't go with them for that reason. Happy hunting. * * *

Quality costs more than quantity. Doesn't mean you can't get diamond rings of very high quality for a better price. Online retailer provide high quality diamonds for as much as 30% less than stores do. I recommend checking out www.bluenile.com or http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/ Trust me, quality cost more than quantity, but quality doesn't have to cost as much as you think.