Having explored in great depth the way to purchase a good diamond for a reasonable cost (everything from weekends away in Antwerp, to hiring diamond 'guides') we finally settled with Quality Diamonds. We were convinced there was too much scope for being ripped off but our fears melted away when we saw the stone for ourselves. It was inscribed with almost invisible laser etching for identification to match the diamond with the certificate so we knew that we held in our hands what we had bought, and the option to view the diamond before fully committing the other 50% of the cost with a promise of a full refund if we weren't happy, gave us further assurances. The stone was beautiful and well priced. We would definitely go this route again in future.