Amazon’s Create Your Own Ring store allows you to learn about engagement rings, certified loose diamonds, and more. Additionally, they have a ‘Create Your Own Ring’ tool that helps you customize and build the perfect engagement ring in three simple steps.

First, you’ll save money. Because of their lower overhead (they don’t need fancy display cases and velvet-cushioned seating), they can sell the same ring as a conventional jeweler, for about a third less than their price.

Second, they’ve got no commissions to make, so there’s no pressure to make a decision; instead, they educate and guide, and let customers choose at their leisure.

Third, because all of their diamonds are graded by highly-trained gemologists and come with a certificate, you can be confident the diamonds measure up to their stated qualities. And because Amazon’s diamonds are certified conflict-free in accordance with the Kimberly Process, you can buy with a clear conscience.

Finally, when you buy from Amazon – a name you’ve come to trust for other online purchases – you know the ring will be covered by Amazon’s proven returns policy.

Try it yourself to see how simple it is to use the ‘Create Your Own Ring‘ tool (even if you’re just practicing).

Open up Amazon’s Create Your Own Ring page, and the first thing you’ll encounter is a set of sliding bars to help you narrow your choices and select your diamond. Start by picking your diamond shape. Then you can further refine your search by adjusting the sliders to set a range for price, carat weight, cut, color, and clarity. You can click “see results” at any point in the process to view all the diamonds that match your criteria.

Once you’ve found and selected the diamond you want, you will move on to choose the setting. Here, you can narrow your choices to a particular style of setting or a specific metal type. The images will show you how your diamond will look mounted in the setting.

After you’ve chosen the setting that appeals to you, all that remains is to select the ring size, and then – you’re ready to order.

Will you buy your engagement ring on Amazon? If so, share your experience with the rest of us!

• Tiffany Diamond Earrings

The ol’ song says that diamonds are a girl’s best friend. I believe that the entire diamond industry is a racket, and I can’t wait for synthetic diamonds to sweep in and drive prices down. I’m sure our female faves will still lust after the real thing. Nobody’s going to ask you if the diamonds are artificial or not, and if they even have to ask – they can’t see the difference, anyway! We’re not talking about cubic zirconia here. The man-made diamond trade is long overdue for men in love with women in love with diamonds.

Ponzi sang happy birthday to herself this morning. Of course, she does that every morning – but she really means it every year on August 1st. I was using our new digital megastore to search for diamond earrings. I found a few that I really liked – and from that list, I went seeking a local Tiffany’s store. She’s wanted diamond earrings from the dawn of time, ya know.

They’re not gigantic, but Ponzi’s now the proud owner of a pair of diamond earrings from Tiffany’s. They really sparkle, man. Great cut, great clarity, great color – and “great” won’t begin to describe the bill we’re going to see from the credit card company at the end of the month. Oy!

• Happy Birthday Video
• Trophy Cupcakes for My Birthday
• Create Your Own Diamond Engagement Ring
• Birthdays are Better on the Internet
• I Got My Birthday Present Early
• My Birthday