Bridal Set Recommendations

[GeorgiaGuy]

I have been looking at a bridal set from Zales. I know, I know...Zales is a bad word on this site. My girlfriend loves this set. I am not experienced with buying rings but my google search has led me to this site. Is this set from Zales worth getting or does anyone have a recommendation of a similar set? It is in my price range but I am uncertain of buying anything from Zales based off of online reviews. We went in the store recently and my girlfriend fell in love with this set and I am reminded constantly on how much she loves it. I just want to be sure that I don't get cheated and give my future wife a great ring.

http://www.zales.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11324018

 

[Deactivated member 42515]

Can I ask, what is your budget, for diamond and setting?

 

[GeorgiaGuy]

$4k is where I would like to stay within for price.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Well, you usually get what you pay for, and that set is probably not the best quality, particularly considering a .75 ct. diamond can cost almost as much as that set if it is high quality. There are plenty of nice quality setting options that would be better, plus we can help you find a better center stone. But it is going to cost more than $3999. That center stone is said to be H-I color and I1-I2 clarity, which is terrible clarity and who knows what the cut of the stone is.

Here is an example of an ideal cut diamond at .75 cts.:

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2813906.htm ($2825 with pricescope wire discount)

Example of halo settings:

http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/diamond-settings/amphora-diamond-engagement-ring-1039.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/diamond-settings/grace-diamond-engagement-ring-by-vatche-256.htm

As you can see, if you add a couple thousand for a setting, you are going to be above the price of the Zales set, but you could always wait and buy the wedding band later. Rarely are rings sold together as a set anywhere else.

In order to get higher quality and stay within $4000, you'd likely need to go down in diamond size. But there's no way I'd ever recommend that set from Zales.

 

[madelise]

I'm so glad you came here instead of marching straight to Zales.

Look at that link's details. The center diamond is .75ct, and is a G-H I1-I2! That I1-I2 probably is filled with boogies and what not.. and who knows what grade cut it has!

Hopefully the amazing hunters of PS can chime in… but I'd start by calling Yekutiel at ID Jewelry in New York, to see what he can make within budget. He has been the miracle worker and go-to guy when PS-ers are on a strict budget!

whoops I sent this in a little too late

 

[tyty333]

Here are a few that are similar. IDJewelry can get these for you and probably find a nice stone for you too.

http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/style/ER6872W44JJ
http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/style/ER7252W44JJ
http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/style/ER8266W44JJ

Edit...oh dang...just checked my math and I'm a grand off so the below info was way off...sorry!
With an $1800 setting you should be able to find a .80ish G/H eye-clean stone to go in and still be in budget. If you
want bigger you can drop down to an I/J (probably still wont get you to a carat though).