Any ideas about getting a good quality engagement ring for a good price?

Price doesn't matter so much as style. Most important is to pick a ring your girlfriend will love to wear. Take your cues from jewelry she already owns, or if she has a friend or sister who can keep a secret, ask them to help you figure out what she'd like. A girl that likes plain jewelry wouldn't necessarily go for an ornate ring. Also, her jewelry will give you ideas on what metal to select. Does she wear yellow gold or silver (white gold, platinum, etc.) Pick something that will go with what she has. If you go with white gold and she really wants platinum, it can always be reset later when you have more money. Spend more money on the stone than the setting for now. Buy the best quality diamond that you can afford. Once you get up over a carat, the price goes up significantly, but it's hard for the average person to tell the difference between 1 carat and .9 carats, and a .9 carat diamond will be less expensive. Don't go for a huge rock with lots of inclusions or lousy color. Go for a smaller, more perfect diamond instead. Avoid the chain stores if possible, and shop at a local jewelry store - you'll get better service and the sales staff is more likely to be knowledgeable about the diamonds they're selling. Pick a loose stone, then have it set. You want the opportunity to pick your own stone whenever possible. Get this book: How To Buy A Diamond: Insider Secrets For Getting Your Money's Worth, 5th Edition by Fred Cuellar. It is THE best guide to buy a diamond and I highly recommend it.

My fiance bought my ring at www.adiamore.com. You can choose a loose diamond, that way the cost can literally be as much or as little as you desire. As for "does price matter" - I usually say that is a proportionate thing. If you buy her a $100 ring, and then go buy yourself a $2000 television, she's gonna be disappointed. At the same time, I was firm with my fiance about not going into debt over a ring. Starting off a life together is hard enough without having to worry about trying to pay off the credit card that you charged that beautiful ring to. I'd recommend having an open talk with her about finances, and what she believes is worth splurging on. Maybe a big stone is more important to her than having a platinum setting. Or perhaps she going to inherit a 2 carat diamond from her grandmother, so she would rather spend the money on a setting that can hold that large of a diamond, but just purchase a smaller diamond for now. Every situation is unique. That being said, you're only going to propose once (hopefully), so do it right! Good luck!

First of all, for a mature woman, price matters not. The ring is symbolic, and she just wants you to ask the question! Don't believe the stuff about the ring having to cost one or two months' salary - that's just marketing hype. Do some looking around, and see what you can afford comfortably - don't go into debt over a ring. The average price of a ring is $600-800, but you can get TOTALLY BEAUTIFUL rings for $100 and up - yes, real diamonds and real gold, nice traditional styles. Good luck, dude!

okay people are going to cringe when they read this buy walmart actually has some really really nice rings at some of the best prices I have seen around... the keepsake diamond that they market is comparable to just about any high end diamond I've seen!!

Zales. It's where I found the one I liked. Knowing my boyfriend (now fiance) could not afford a really expensive one, and I didn't want a huge one. I looked at different retailers online. Went to the actual store to look at in person. Told him what I liked. I am now wearing it! Good prices, esp. if you hit a sale. Overstock.com is another possibility.

Try online at a reputable site like bluenile.com. Learn about the 4 C's Go for a simple solitaire ring. Round brilliant is the most popular shape. I spent months looking and found online to be the best deal, I made sure it was certified, and made sure to take it to a jeweler to confirm it.