Buying a ring in NYC

[ldahut]

Hi, I need help...

I decided to propose to my sweetheart. Now, I am on a limited budget but I want to be able to get her the best ring i could possibly afford.

All i have is a secure credit card with a limit of $300 . Not much help!

I went to Zales today and they actually, to my surprise approved me for there store credit card for a limit of $2000. But from what I hear here they are not a good place to get an e-ring from. So my big question is where is a good place I can I get the best ring for value and they also have to offer a store credit card ?

I hear a lot of good stuff on the store Good Old Gold , do they offer a store credit card ?

I need a store around the NYC area as I live in Brooklyn..

Thanks so much,

Leo

 

[midgirl]

What''s the rush?


I say work for 6 months and save as much as that as possible. maybe you could get together $700-1000and buy something. I wouldn''t go $2,000 into debt for an e-ring if i only had $300 of credit. Do you have a way to pay that $2,000 back regularily? If so then maybe, but I wouldn''t do it! I would wait and save!

 

[thunkpad]

One other option. $200 would get you a beautiful white gold solitaire setting such as this from Adiamor for $199 here.

Or this 18K six prong setting from White Flash for $180 here.

Plenty of other settings in that price range elsewhere too. Once you have the setting you could have it set with a cubic zirconia for the proposal then save up for the real diamond later. My ex's parents got engaged with a silver and glass ring which her mum still has tucked away (it did get replaced with the real thing when her dad could afford it a few years later). There's something very sweet and romantic about that I think.

 

[ldahut]

I do I want to get her a dimond and I will be able to pay it back....anyone knows where I can do so at a good store that also offers a store credit card ?

 

[ladykemma]

Date: 4/9/2006 1:09:19 AM
Author:ldahut

Hi, I need help...

I decided to propose to my sweetheart. Now, I am on a limited budget but I want to be able to get her the best ring i could possibly afford.

All i have is a secure credit card with a limit of $300 . Not much help!

I went to Zales today and they actually, to my surprise approved me for there store credit card for a limit of $2000. But from what I hear here they are not a good place to get an e-ring from. So my big question is where is a good place I can I get the best ring for value and they also have to offer a store credit card ?

I hear a lot of good stuff on the store Good Old Gold , do they offer a store credit card ?

I need a store around the NYC area as I live in Brooklyn..

Thanks so much,

Leo

go back to the zales and sit down in the chair. Now ask about their layaway plan.

Now ask to see their 1/3 carat "zales signature collection" with the certificate. The certificate will be an IGI laboratory with stone's dimensions on it. It will say "excellent" on the upper right hand corner.

They will produce a hij colored ideal cut stone 1/3 carat in an extraordinary setting 18k yellow gold with a platinum head. It will be about $850 dollars. make sure it is purdy and eye clean. Put in in layaway for however many months you need.

absolutely do not use their card it is 25% interest- usury. do noit go into debt for luxury items.

edited to add: make sure the IGI number engraved on the piece is the number on the card. the clerks get the pieces mixed up. read the tutorial before you go so you know what the dimensions should be. I own this piece as a pendant and am very happy with it. you don't need a viewer you can see the arrows with your eyes. sharp and distinct.

 

[Modified Brilliant]

Idahut,

Lay away is a great option. No need to put yourself in debt. Don''t pressure yourself. Maybe save a little more before you decide.
Good luck!

www.metrojewelryappraisers.com

 

[ladykemma]

i also would be delighted with a promise ring or a pawn shop ring, cleaned up and reset.

 

[f0rbidden]

you can also contact angeldiamond in Manhatten
they''re online at www.angeldiamond.com

they don''t have a store credit card, but they DO have a layaway program that might work for you.

 

[moon river]

I''d take Ladykemma''s advice to heart. She can sniff out a diamond deal from a mile away. She has come across some deals of a lifetime. I know she has had some good luck with mall stores.

 

[ldahut]

i bought today the e-ring...

I got a GIA certified ring at the mall from "Helzberg Diamonds"

Shape and Cutting style : Round Brilliant
Measurements : 4.36-4.39 * 2.71 mm
Weight : 0.32
Proportions
Depth : 61.9%
Table : 60%
Gridle : Medium to slightly thick, Faceted
Clut : None
Finsh
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Very Good
Clarity Grade : SI2
Characteristics: Crystal
Color Grade: E
Fluorescence: Faint
Comments: None

What you think ?
b.t.w I paid for it $1300 , it''s a solitaire

 

[ladykemma]

can you post a picture?
yellow gold, white gold or platinum?

when you peer into the the depth of the stone do you see a wagon wheel with a circle? then do you see little arrows on the end of the spokes? is it dark in the center?

is it pretty? price is about right. i have several well cut stones from helzberg, so i have confidence in them. my pawn shop pear and my wrap are helzberg pieces.

i have also seen some real junk at helzberg too.

pictures!

 

[indecisive]

You can use the tool above and enter the stats in "Pricescope my diamond". I only found one similar.

Carat Color Clarity Depth Tbl Lab Gdl Cul Sym Pol Flr Measurements Price Source
0.33 E SI2 62.2% 55% AGS thn-med ex ex 4.43x4.46-2.77 $629*


Do you have access to crown and pavilion angles?

 

[indecisive]

I also found this one at Whiteflash
Price: $465
Report: AGS
Shape: Round Ideal Cut
Carat: 0.310
Color: F
Clarity: SI2
Depth: 59.3
Table: 57.2
Crown Angle: 33.8
Crown %: 14.5
Pavilion Angle: 40.5
Pavilion %: 42.5
Girdle: Thin to Medium
Polish: Very Good
Symmetry: Excellent
Culet: Pointed
Fluorescence: Negligible
Measurements: 4.43-4.45X2.63

http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-1948545.htm

 

[Dancing Fire]

Date: 4/9/2006 6:21:25 PM
Author: ldahut

i bought today the e-ring...

I got a GIA certified ring at the mall from 'Helzberg Diamonds'

Shape and Cutting style : Round Brilliant
Measurements : 4.36-4.39 * 2.71 mm
Weight : 0.32


Proportions
Depth : 61.9%
Table : 60%
Gridle : Medium to slightly thick, Faceted
Clut : None


Finsh
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Very Good
Clarity Grade : SI2
Characteristics: Crystal
Color Grade: E
Fluorescence: Faint
Comments: None



What you think ?
b.t.w I paid for it $1300 , it's a solitaire

sounds like a little high to me.

 

[thunkpad]

If it's just a simple non-platinum solitaire setting then that does seem a little high. Do you mind me asking how you did pay for it in the end?

And is the stone eye clean? Eye clean SI2s are great value finds but not always that common.

Obviously at a mall you can see for yourself but if you did buy from somewhere like Whiteflash they would be able to tell honestly you which of their SI1 or 2 stones were eye-clean.

Also, with a well cut third of a carat stone you can go much lower than an E and still get a super white diamond - that would help you go bigger or save some $$$.

Lastly - if you're happy with the price you paid and you have a stone that 'speaks' to you then ignore all of the above. If not though, consider returning the ring you've bought and have a look around online and see what else you can find.


As an example you could get the gorgeous six-prong Whiteflash setting above in 18K white gold together with one of their Expert Selection 1/3 carat diamonds such as this 0.31 VS2 I one for a total of $645 (or $690 if you go with 18K yellow gold).

Or for $1316 you could get the same setting with this half carat 0.52 SI1 H Expert Selection diamond ($1361 with 18K yellow gold).

Going platinum adds $270 to the white gold price.

Buying from somewhere like Whiteflash you'd also have a lifetime upgade option.

Food for thought

 

[asscherisme]

I'm also not a big fan of buying on credit, but to answer your question, I believe blue nile does financing on purchases over $750 and I think you are far better off with them than zales. I just looked over there and for $1,500 or less you could buy a H color, S1 or VS2, 1/2 carat, ideal cut ring in a simple yellow or white gold solitaire setting. 1/2 carat is a very respectable size, escpecially in a nice H color (near colorless) and ideal or very good cut.

Please don't buy from Zales!!

I think you paid a bit much, can you return the ring?

I found on blue nile, .35, E color, SI1, Ideal cut, GIA certified, $768. Plus the solitaire setting in either white or yellow is $225.

 

[thunkpad]

Blue Nile seems a good bet. Whiteflash unfortunately don''t offer credit.

Blue Nile offer either 3 months "same as cash" with no charges if you have paid in full by the end of the 3 months or up to 5 years'' credit at between 9.99 and 27.99% depending on "creditworthiness".

Details here: http://www.bluenile.com/services_channel.asp?track=59

 

[Dancing Fire]

Date: 4/10/2006 1:01:55 PM
Author: thunkpad
Blue Nile seems a good bet. Whiteflash unfortunately don''t offer credit.

Blue Nile offer either 3 months ''same as cash'' with no charges if you have paid in full by the end of the 3 months or up to 5 years'' credit at between 9.99 and 27.99% depending on ''creditworthiness''.

Details here: http://www.bluenile.com/services_channel.asp?track=59

my loan shark charge less than 27.99%

 

[moon river]

DF you''re a nut.

 

[Dancing Fire]

Date: 4/10/2006 9:12:42 PM
Author: moon river
DF you''re a nut.

moon river

thanks, been call worst.

 

[Kaleigh]

Date: 4/10/2006 11:37:13 PM
Author: Dancing Fire

Date: 4/10/2006 9:12:42 PM
Author: moon river
DF you''re a nut.

moon river

thanks, been call worst.

But we love him!!! Can''t imagine PS without him. I love his rules especially!!!