Clarity confusion

[butterflyblue]

I have a question: I went into Zales and saw a 1/2 CT channel set round and baguette wedding band it was very white and sparkling. I asked the color and clarity and the sales lady told me H--I I1. This was one of the nicest bands I have seen in a while, and though I don''t usually buy from the "Mall" stores I was really tempted by this one. The price is $499. is that a bad ring to purchase? I didn''t see any inculsions by my eye but then again, the stones are small.

Thank you!

 

[Steel]

Date: 9/21/2009 1:58:33 PM
Author:butterflyblue
I have a question: I went into Zales and saw a 1/2 CT channel set round and baguette wedding band it was very white and sparkling. I asked the color and clarity and the sales lady told me H--I I1. This was one of the nicest bands I have seen in a while, and though I don't usually buy from the 'Mall' stores I was really tempted by this one. The price is $499. is that a bad ring to purchase? I didn't see any inculsions by my eye but then again, the stones are small.

Thank you!

I see you are a member here since '05 and if you have been around here for that long you know that jewellery is personal. No purchase is a 'bad' purchase to the 'right' customer.

When I was looking for my 1st wedding anniversary present I wanted a full eternity and got one from a jeweller in Birmingham. It is a 4 prong slightly included and not quite colourless band and I love it.

If I had known about ps and BGD, WF, SP etc I would have got a 'better' band but I love it all the same.

So....

500 quid is not a lot of money to spend on a 1/2 ct band and you have the convenience of shopping locally - if you love it then compare the bands instore to choose the best one and buy it! But if you want quality then look at some PS vendors. They will more than likely give you higher quality stones and setting for not much more money.

 

[butterflyblue]

You''re absolutely right! Thank you so much!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

You know, everything looks good in jewelry store lighting, but once a ring gets a little dirty and is out in regular lighting, I think you''d see a quality difference. The stones may not be very well cut, either. Just remember that you usually get what you pay for, and sometimes less!

 

[jstarfireb]

See if you can take a look at it outside of jewelry store lighting, and then decide for yourself...

 

[Black Jade]

Date: 9/21/2009 1:58:33 PM
Author:butterflyblue
I have a question: I went into Zales and saw a 1/2 CT channel set round and baguette wedding band it was very white and sparkling. I asked the color and clarity and the sales lady told me H--I I1. This was one of the nicest bands I have seen in a while, and though I don''t usually buy from the ''Mall'' stores I was really tempted by this one. The price is $499. is that a bad ring to purchase? I didn''t see any inculsions by my eye but then again, the stones are small.

Thank you!

It most likely is not H/I color really. It may or may not be I1. (May be like I2) Certainly the store lights are helping with the sparkle. BUT the price sounds very right. so long as you know it''s probably not what its represented to be, and you have a good return policy so that you can return it in 10 or so days without a proble m if you get it home and find you hate in other lights,o r upon closer inspection I see no problem in picking this up. I1 often doesn ''t look bad in smaller stones, like for a band.
It all depends on what satisfies you.
You could look at it with a loupe to see what issues there, also, and if you don''t have one of those eve n with a magnifyi ng glass.
You are not goi g to get 1/2 carat ba nd for that price at a p''scope vendor, though there is THIS

http://www.e-weddingbands.com/store/product36131.html

at e-weddingbands.com for $100 more. I''ve ordered from e-weddingbands.com before and it will be beautiful and they have a great return policy.

Also, be aware that at many jewelry stores, 1/2 carat can actually have as few as .40 carat of stones.

Would you be against shopping at a pawn shop? For $500 two weeke ds ago I found a platinum princess 5 stone with .60 ctw diamonds (which I put on layaway, so no photo) and there are lots of deals at pawn shops in general right now. I would shop at one with a good return policy, so you can check it out and have it appraised, but its rather astonishing what you can find, if you''re not against ''used'' diamonds.

 

[butterflyblue]

Thank you Black Jade for the inspiration! I am going to check out that link, they seem to have a lot of really nice bands and it definately is worth the extra money to be 100% sure on what your getting.

Thanks again!