In the Market for Engagement Ring.. Is this a Good Deal?

[jhern87]

So I'm in the market for an engagement ring and after hours and hours of research I still don't feel comfortable that I'm getting a good deal. I found this ring on Zales.com and I like it but want to get some advice from some other people before I do anything.

http://www.zales.com/diamond-split-shank-bridal-set-14k-white-gold/product.jsp?productId=3862970

After the discount it's about $2,450

--
Also, if anyone just has any other suggestions of places to look I'd greatly appreciate the guidance. I have checked out a few other websites, this ring just appealed to me. Thanks for checking out my post!

 

[Dancing Fire]

No, very low quality stones. Zales always looking for more "suckers"..

 

[jhern87]

No, very low quality stones. Zales always looking for more "suckers"..

Care to point me in the right direction?

 

[RockyRacoon]

No, very low quality stones. Zales always looking for more "suckers"..

Care to point me in the right direction?

What is your budget?

What did you like about the Zales setting?

 

[Dancing Fire]

No, very low quality stones. Zales always looking for more "suckers"..

Care to point me in the right direction?

Here is couple of nice 1/2ct stones...
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.510-g-si1-round-diamond-ags-104069381049#!prettyPhoto[gallery2]/1/

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.505-g-si1-round-diamond-ags-104071852036#!prettyPhoto[gallery2]/2/

 

[jhern87]

preferably under 3k. I think I like a larger center stone. Some of the other ones that I was looking at were 3 stone settings. I also like the bridal sets too.

 

[jhern87]

No, very low quality stones. Zales always looking for more "suckers"..

Care to point me in the right direction?

Here is couple of nice 1/2ct stones...
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.510-g-si1-round-diamond-ags-104069381049#!prettyPhoto[gallery2]/1/

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.505-g-si1-round-diamond-ags-104071852036#!prettyPhoto[gallery2]/2/

Geez, I'm assuming I'm going to have to compromise a little on the stone quality to have a decent carat size. I was hoping to have a bigger stone than that.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

The center stone in the Zales ring was also 1/2 ct. Gabriel and Co is a good setting company for you as it is better quality but not terribly expensive. There are a lot to look through.

https://eshop.gabrielny.com/products-bridal/sortby-GF/display-Normal/attMetal-W0-W4-W8/attStoneHeadshape-RD/perpage-96/page-1

If you find a setting there, we can try to find you a diamond at Good Old Gold or they can call one in. I think you need to stick with I-J color and SI1 for this to have any possibility of working, but it is going to have to be around a half carat because that is what the Zales diamond was and it wasn't even good quality.

You might could get to this size if you could find a setting for around $1000.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/ecommerce/0-65ct-j-si1-superior-round-hearts-and-arrows-diamond.html

But he can call in an excellent cut stone that might run less than this one as well.

 

[lioness]

Preloved, and you get the bands to boot: http://www.jewelsbygrace.com/rings/estate-modern/1-31tcw-round-brilliant-diamond-wedding-set-est-to-be-h-si2#.VPKiPPnF-So

 

[tmot14]

Please stay away from mall sales, the quality is usually not very good or you will vastly overpay. This A Cut Above option might also be a good option and would leave $1k for a setting: http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3327394.htm

If you're concerned about size, Whiteflash, GoG and Brian Gavin offer lifetime trade up policies in case you decide to upgrade in a few years. Good luck with your search!

 

[tmot14]

This setting looks similar to the one you posted: http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/diamond-settings/allegro-in-d-diamond-engagement-ring-159.htm

 

[Jamiegems]

albeit that you could have sales order you a good diamond, most of the diamonds in their stores display cases are dreadful.

 

[mrs-b]

Hi jhern87

Diamondseeker posted about that the center stone in the ring you were looking at is also Half a carat and I just wanted to elaborate on that in case it wasn't clear.

When stores like Zales give carat weight of a ring, they include all side stones and any diamond bits and pieces included in the ring. So although it says '1 1/4 ct' on the write up - it also says '1/2 carat center stone'.

You could start again with a stone and then look for a setting - but the Jewels By Grace setting posted by Lioness is a smashingly good deal.

Alternately, you could go with a company like Blue Nile and get excellent bang for your buck. I always suggest Blue Nile for stones for people on a strict budget; they have no storefront and don't offer a lot of paperwork (they DO give GIA certificates), which keeps prices way down, comparatively. I've done a lot of business with them over many years, and recommend them highly.

So, say you were to go that route....

When I was looking, I stayed away from SI2 stones because of the high possibility of inclusions, then I looked in the I-J range, which is what the Zales ring had. (BTW, I dont think the Zales center stone was GIA graded, so it's color could be far lower than the states I-J.)

Anyway, I found this:

http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-ring/diamond-details/LD05490492

It's .8 of a carat, an I SI 1, and its stats are VERY good. I ran it through the Holloway cut adviser, which is a first port of call tool we use to test a stone's statistics to see if they might be worth buying - and this stone came in at Excellent in every light return category and scored a 1 (your goal with the HCA is to stay under 2). So, given that it's $2369 (wire price) I think this would be a spanking good deal!

Blue Nile sells settings also and will set your stone. This is a nice, well priced option which would give some side bling, while keeping your budget down:

http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-ring/petite-milgrain-diamond-engagement-ring-14k-white-gold_42042?elem=img&track=product

All up, this ring would cost you $3069, whichis pretty close to your stated budget. It would also be a very good quality ring with both size and performance.

Hope this helps!

ETA This ring also has a matching wedding band. What put together, the combination is approaching the sort of look you liked in the Zales ring:

http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-ring-white-gold_21211?track=MatchingBands&elem=img

 

[tyty333]

Here is an option...ask if it's eye-clean.
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.71-carat-j-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-373896

With one of these settings...
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/14k-white-gold-cross-over-trellis-pave-diamond-split-shank-engagement-ring-item-50126
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/18k-white-gold-double-claw-prong-0.16ct-pave-set-diamond-engagement-ring-item-22644
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/18k-white-gold-single-claw-prong-pave-set-surprise-diamond-engagement-ring-item-22643
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/vintage/vintage-inspired-open-row-pave-diamond-engagement-ring-item-49486

They have lots of setting to choose from around $1k or so. If you click on a setting, underneath the main picture they will show
rings made up with different size center stones so you can see what it will look like with a .70ish stone.

All these options being pointed out to you are higher quality settings and well cut stones compared to Zales.

Edit - if you want to move up to H-I colored stones, one of these may work for you.
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/?CaratFrom=0.61&CaratTo=15.00&Color=I,H,G,F,D,E&Clarity=SI1,VS2&Cut=Ideal,Excellent&PriceFrom=200&PriceTo=2000&Sort=Carat%20asc,%20DefaultOrder&TabSelected=3&advancedParameter=pn&showAdvanced=show&DiamondID=354663,367475,453282&Polish=&Symmetry=&Lab=&Flour=&DepthFrom=60.0&DepthTo=62.3&TableFrom=54.1&TableTo=58.3

 

[tyty333]

Here are some nice Gabriel settings (diamondseeker suggested these)...a Halo might give the diamond a little more oomph.

https://eshop.gabrielny.com/product/ER7494W44JJ
https://eshop.gabrielny.com/product/ER7808W44JJ
https://eshop.gabrielny.com/product/ER9522W44JJ something a little more like the zales setting
https://eshop.gabrielny.com/product/ER9337W44JJ
https://eshop.gabrielny.com/product/ER11721R4W44JJ

Lots more to choose from

 

[jhern87]

THANK YOU EVERYONE! I greatly appreciate all of the advice.

I'm playing around with different options from the advice you all have provided me. I think the main reason I want surrounding diamonds is because I fear for what I can afford, one main stone won't be, well, very impressive looking. I'll probably go look at some rings in person and see what I like the look of and then order something online.

Once again, thank you all for your time!

 

[RockyRacoon]

THANK YOU EVERYONE! I greatly appreciate all of the advice.

I'm playing around with different options from the advice you all have provided me. I think the main reason I want surrounding diamonds is because I fear for what I can afford, one main stone won't be, well, very impressive looking. I'll probably go look at some rings in person and see what I like the look of and then order something online.

Once again, thank you all for your time!

After your look around, let us know what you decide you like and we'll see if we can find you something smart within your budget.

Enjoy learning!

 

[jhern87]

THANK YOU EVERYONE! I greatly appreciate all of the advice.

I'm playing around with different options from the advice you all have provided me. I think the main reason I want surrounding diamonds is because I fear for what I can afford, one main stone won't be, well, very impressive looking. I'll probably go look at some rings in person and see what I like the look of and then order something online.

Once again, thank you all for your time!

After your look around, let us know what you decide you like and we'll see if we can find you something smart within your budget.

Enjoy learning!

will do!

 

[jhern87]

Okay, so I used that Blue Nile diamond mentioned above and just changed the setting. Here's what I have.

http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-ring/review

I really liked the 3 stone arrangements but I'm not exactly sure how big the side-stones would need to be.. Any thoughts on what sizes would look alright? Is it worth reducing the center stone for a couple side-stones (instead of the one I have above)? Choices, choices..

 

[jhern87]

I was thinking something like this setting if I were going to do a 3-stone...

http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-three-stone-ring/three-stone-petite-pav-trellis-diamond-engagement-ring_51792?elem=img&track=product

 

[heididdl]

Please stay away from mall sales, the quality is usually not very good or you will vastly overpay. This A Cut Above option might also be a good option and would leave $1k for a setting: http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3327394.htm

If you're concerned about size, Whiteflash, GoG and Brian Gavin offer lifetime trade up policies in case you decide to upgrade in a few years. Good luck with your search!

ditto....although 80% of the USA diamons are sold at sears, Zales and JC Penny the stones as well as the Customer service or the knowledge of the staff is that they are not really diamond knowledgeable

The information you get here is the best there is and this community can find a wonderful ring for you in your budget.