It's almost the end of March now and so that means (at least according to my plan) I am 9 months away from my defense. I haven't set a date or done my last seminar or had my last committee meeting but all of that will come over the course of the next 9 months. It had better come.....

Anyway, this means that my quest for my right hand diamond ring has begun. Since I'm not getting married, or buying a condo, or doing anything major after I graduate, my money isn't tied up somewhere. The conservative me says I should probably save it for something else, something that is more meaningful but then I remember how many years I have shaved off my life from doing this degree, and dammit, I deserve to blow 5G in any way that I please.

I have looked at the normal retailers and some online places. I present below my choices from Birks and Tiffany's. Online stores like bluenile.com, ice.com, and diamond.com are lower in price, but so is the grade of diamond. Unless, I'm getting a custom engagement or wedding ring/earrings/pendants, I'm pretty much stuck with the designs they have and they're just not as nice. The pictures don't come in any particular order. I welcome any suggestions on these or others you may have seen elsewhere.

My budget is 5G before taxes and I want a ring that is bold and must not resemble a wedding band or engagement ring by any stretch of anyone's imagination. FYI, Tiffany prices are in USD.