Clueless dude here, need help finding a diamond ring!

[newringguy]

As the title states, I'm a pretty clueless dude here completely new to diamond shopping.

I am looking to propose within the next couple months and to be honest didn't think diamonds were hard to shop for. I've done a lot of research over the past few days, and boy, was I wrong.

I'm looking for a diamond preferably larger than .8 of a carat (would prefer around 1). Hopefully if I'm lucky, one that isn't yellow or super cloudy. Over the past few days I've been searching sites (retail stores, Bluenile, James Allen, Brilliance, B2C) and to be honest I just think it would be better asking experienced people for help. (Early easter egg hunt anyone )

I'm leaning towards this from Zales: https://www.zales.com/1-ct-diamond-solitaire-engagement-ring-14k-white-gold/p/V-19416460

Some of the reviews obviously don't look too great, but I'm finding it hard to find something even close to comparable. My budget is probably around $1500, that ring ends up being around $1300 after discount codes etc... I'm aware that I can probably purchase a very similar ring from Wal-Mart or elsewhere for a bit cheaper, but I'm wanting to stick to an actual Jewelry store. Let's be real, who wants to be proposed to with a ring from Wal-Mart?

I've looked into price-matching a diamond at Bluenile and James Allen, but couldn't really get anything to work out close to that. Both have also the option to send in loose diamonds to be put on their settings. Because of this I actually looked at some diamonds on eBay (but they seemed way too good to be true with some $500 or less for 1ct).

I know I can obviously just go to a lower carat and probably should for this budget, but I would prefer not to! I've been saying this to the Bluenile and James Allen reps for days. I would much rather purchase the 1ct one above from Zales, than go down to one say .60ct.

Basically, any suggestions or ideas are welcomed. Just looking to find a somewhat decent diamond at around a carat, without spending a fortune!

 

[OoohShiny]

Welcome to the forum

Blunt response time - you won't get a good 0.8ct+ stone for $1.5k.

You should look at Man Made Diamonds if you want to hit that sort of size with that sort of budget (and we'd need to discuss that in the Lab Grown Diamonds section of the forum), but we can help you find options

I think it fair to say that most people on here would strongly advise against Zales and other stores - their diamonds are not cut well and therefore perform poorly.

Would you rather a smaller stone that throws off bright white light and coloured fire from edge to edge, or one that looks like frozen spit and barely sparkles but hits 0.8ct?

Don't forget - it is usually only us men who are obsessed with size and you can always upgrade a ring later in life when you have more money.


Have you asked the intended recipient what they want? Shape? Colour? Size? Clarity? Metal for the ring? Halo or solitaire? Whether secondhand/pre-loved is an option? Whether a diamond has to be mined or could be Lab Grown?

Don't assume they will automatically want something massive that performs a bit 'meh' when there are smaller but better performing options!


If you are really wanting size/spread, consider cushions - they can face up larger for a carat weight than a round.

 

[Kaycee2018]

I'll no expert, but all I can say is please, please, please don't buy from Zales. Or Kay. Or Jared. Or any of those chain/mall stores. As @OoohShiny suggested, consider lab created/man made, consider going a bit smaller in ct weight, consider a different shape, etc. But please don't waste your money at those stores. You have other options and will definitely get a better diamond, better setting and better customer service than you would with one of those stores. GL

 

[elizat]

Hi, so with a $1500 budget, you are going to have to compromise a bit. I think you can get something that you would be proud to give, but please don't buy the Zales ring. It would be much better to buy a smaller well cut stone and upgrade it. That stone is ungraded, you have no idea what you are actually getting. It's not going to be pretty. It may fit the on paper specs you want but it's not a good use of money. It's overpriced for what you are actually getting.

Would you consider pre-owned? You can stretch your budget that way. And you can make reasonable offers.

A bit non traditional but a fancy color diamond..made by a well respected vendor. Diamonds by Lauren- this will be a good quality piece. Don't look at the carat weight. Look at the mm spread of the stone and setting. It's good finger coverage.

https://loupetroop.com/listings/rin...vs-marquise-ring-dbl-diamonds-by-lauren;28296

A bit above your budget slightly but a beautiful option that also has good coverage and is antique- personally I think antique stones and settings are romantic.

https://loupetroop.com/listings/rin...ut-ruby-halo-european-diamond-ring-engagement

What about a sapphire antique ring?

https://loupetroop.com/listings/rings/art-deco-sapphire-diamond-halo

Or a lovely yellow sapphire?

https://loupetroop.com/listings/rin...amazing-1-dot-37ct-yellow-sapphire-ring;28134

Or here is another option that will be nicer quality that's a solitaire:

https://loupetroop.com/listings/rin...rose-ring-with-egl-52-e-slash-si1-sz-5-dot-25

Your other option which isn't allowed on this board, but in the fashion jewelry section is moissanite. You can get the size you want in a much nicer looking stone.

Or, a lab grown diamond. But that's the lab grown forum. Are you open to either?

 

[lydial]

Have you considered non-rounds? The prices tend to be lower per carat.

If your intended is open to vintage rings, you may be able to find something more substantial looking that is bright and shiny and really cool too.

If you buy a dark cloudy diamond from the mall, the intended recipient may just want to replace it after staring at it for a while. There are recent threads on here where a gentleman was shopping and found a cool emerald cut vintage ring of 0.7 ct that knocked his fiance’s socks off for under 2k. Look around on eBay and Etsy. Here are a few examples. NOTE: always buy with a return period, always have a local jeweler look at it and confirm authenticity and no damage. You also may want to see if your local “brick and mortar” stores sell pre-loved e-rings.

I saw this “cluster” ring hanging out on a gem website:

https://www.litnon.com/index.php?page=viewgem&id=11367

Does she like blue?

https://www.etsy.com/listing/685092...gement-ring-old?ref=shop_home_active_21&frs=1

Here is a vintage solitaire in a neat setting:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/621325...solitaire?ref=shop_home_active_51&pro=1&frs=1

I like this one (obviously, look at my ring style...):

https://www.etsy.com/listing/666099...418087a0ffed5d8d4c1cd99539b9b:666099428&frs=1

Here is a bling-er one:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/649526...f=sr_gallery-1-6&organic_search_click=1&frs=1

I think you get my point. Maybe you need to consider the pre-loved option.

 

[FearlessSmile]

Welcome to the forum

Blunt response time - you won't get a good 0.8ct+ stone for $1.5k.

You should look at Man Made Diamonds if you want to hit that sort of size with that sort of budget (and we'd need to discuss that in the Lab Grown Diamonds section of the forum), but we can help you find options

I think it fair to say that most people on here would strongly advise against Zales and other stores - their diamonds are not cut well and therefore perform poorly.

Would you rather a smaller stone that throws off bright white light and coloured fire from edge to edge, or one that looks like frozen spit and barely sparkles but hits 0.8ct?

Don't forget - it is usually only us men who are obsessed with size and you can always upgrade a ring later in life when you have more money.


Have you asked the intended recipient what they want? Shape? Colour? Size? Clarity? Metal for the ring? Halo or solitaire? Whether secondhand/pre-loved is an option? Whether a diamond has to be mined or could be Lab Grown?

Don't assume they will automatically want something massive that performs a bit 'meh' when there are smaller but better performing options!


If you are really wanting size/spread, consider cushions - they can face up larger for a carat weight than a round.

Definitely cut is KING! - this is the area you shouldn’t compromise on as it greatly impacts the sparkle and fire of the diamond.

Have you seen some carat sizes to compare? If you’re happy to drop carat size to buy a decent cut diamond you will get more bang for your buck!

Most chain stores stock mediocre diamonds which is why the price seems good. Usually the diamonds are cut poorly to retain more weight in the diamond so it will sell for more.

Also stick to GIA or AGS certified diamonds as these are the most recognised and accurate

 

[elizat]

Not a solitaire, but nice coverage and will be nicer quality:

https://ivyandrose.com/products/1ct...engagement-ring-midcentury-white-gold-5-stone

Solitaire in an illusion setting in budget. Very pretty.

https://ivyandrose.com/products/0-6...ge-diamond-engagement-ring-brushed-white-gold

 

[Ss52]

Hi cluelessdude,

Great finds above! I vote for the incredible ruby halo diamond. What a beauty!


Here’s an eBay choice https://www.ebay.com/itm/950-Platin...969223?hash=item3fbf182107:g:SrgAAOSwfN5a5N0K

 

[Snowdrop13]

What does the future fiancé want? Would she consider a different style, maybe a band with diamonds?

I agree with the posters above, a smaller, well cut stone will look much nicer than a larger poorly cut one- there will be more sparkle!

 

[tyty333]

Unfortunately, $1500 wont get you anywhere close to a decent 1 carat diamond. I think most of us on Pricescope would rather go smaller with
excellent/ideal cut so she has something beautiful to stare at.

So...these are going to be smaller than you want but will be nice stones.
This is an Hearts on Fire AGS000 stone (impressive)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/18K-Yellow...rentrq:0c7946a616a0aad379290d9efff46bdb|iid:1

You would need to ask if this is eye-clean...1.07 ctw
https://www.ebay.com/itm/James-Alle...034142?hash=item3b26ae665e:g:wfQAAOSwq2xcLnNH

This is over your budget but its a lot of bling for the $
https://www.ebay.com/itm/James-Alle...riorityMailPaddedFlatRateEnvelope!32934!US!-1

 

[lovedogs]

Going to just add my voice of agreement to what others have said. DO NOT buy from Zales/Kay/the mall. You will get a crappy stone that doesn't perform well and you'll essentially be throwing money in the toilet. Any of the options above will be significantly bwtter. Or go for a man made option for now (if your fiance is ok with it). But don't waste money on mall stones.

 

[lovedogs]

Ps. For quality on a budget (and assuming man made is out of the question), I'd look for pre-loved, ivy and Rose/my diamond zone (links above), or call ID Jewelry in NY. All are great optukns for finding something nice with a strict $$ limit

 

[kb1gra]

IF, and only IF, you think your fiance would be okay with a low color stone...I would see what Jon at Good Old Gold could do for a vintagey type stuller setting for this stone and get pretty close to your $1500 budget.

https://www.augustvintageinc.net/co...vs2-august-vintage-cushion-brilliant-74171133

Good size, AGS0 performance, and something a little different. A K is not that low in color for a vintage cut stone.

 

[lovedogs]

IF, and only IF, you think your fiance would be okay with a low color stone...I would see what Jon at Good Old Gold could do for a vintagey type stuller setting for this stone and get pretty close to your $1500 budget.

https://www.augustvintageinc.net/co...vs2-august-vintage-cushion-brilliant-74171133

Good size, AGS0 performance, and something a little different. A K is not that low in color for a vintage cut stone.

Agreed! But my worry with cushions is rhey already face up small. If OP goes for anything non round, it should be one that looks big for the weight (oval, marquis).

 

[kb1gra]

Agreed! But my worry with cushions is rhey already face up small. If OP goes for anything non round, it should be one that looks big for the weight (oval, marquis).

In this case because it's a K/VS2 he's getting a quite sizeable stone. This one is almost 5.3mm, whereas an AGS000 stone is going to be around .40ct and 4.8mm for a $1200 budget leaving $300 for a setting.

 

[lovedogs]

In this case because it's a K/VS2 he's getting a quite sizeable stone. This one is almost 5.3mm, whereas an AGS000 stone is going to be around .40ct and 4.8mm for a $1200 budget leaving $300 for a setting.

agreed--just wanted to give the general FYI about cushions facing up smaller than rounds. I think this is a nice option if OPs fiance to be is ok with antique cuts and warmer colors and doesn't want preloved choices.

 

[JPie]

I'm going to join the chorus of "Don't buy from a mall jeweler!" I was looking at my friend's Kay Jewelers ring the other weekend and her diamond resembled a piece of frozen spit. There was a massive inclusion right in the middle and it was definitely visible without a loupe.

 

[kmoro]

Wow I’m just trying to imagine what the quality of that Zales one carat diamond when the retail price for the ring is $1,999. No further details about the diamond on the site. Zales has another 1 carat ring for $3,999 - that one says the diamond is “certified” and “J, I2” ... ummmm so say that certificate is from EGL and it’s really an L, I3 ... for $3,999 ..... what the heck is the $1,999, a large industrial diamond? A broken diamond that was glued back together? Treated maybe? Where do they even find diamonds that they can sell that cheap?

I don’t know about your fiancée, but if it was me, I would be infinitely unhappy with a piece of crap 1 carat. If you look at the forum on show me the bling, diamonds under 1 carat, you’ll see that a beautifully cut smaller diamond is still something to treasure.

A quick look at JA suggests that you could get a nice 0.4 or so for $1,500 if you want to get something new. If you get one from a vendor with a great upgrade policy ... actually at $1,500, you may be ok with 2x original cost upgrade policy ... but if you got an upgrade policy of some kind ... then you can buy a gorgeous smaller diamond now and work your way to a super-ideal 1 carat.

Just my two cents. ...

 

[tkyasx78]

Please do not spend your hard earned money on the zales “white ball of spit”

It makes my heart hurt!
Talk to your fiancé and if 1500 is the budget stick with a clean diamond from a place that has an upgrade policy ( NOT ZALES, Jared or the mail stores!)

There are vendors who will allow trade ups as time goes on even if you are only spending 1$ more. Buy the stone loose and require a GIA or AGS certificate and then you will get your money worth.

Fwiw, 1ct white balls of spit go for under 500 on eBay. This zales ring is not going to look like that picture.

 

[farrahlyn]

ok, so lets compare to something you'll relate to. Cars? Say you have a set budget for a new vehicle. You have a couple choices. (1)You can get slightly used crossover suv with a lot of extras, perfect paint job, gorgeous leather interior, 20k miles on it or (2) you can get a full size SUV, same mileage but man, someone wrecked it and its got some serious issues. There's some aftermarket parts on it, paint job is just bad, really doesn't shine even when freshly washed and waxed, the interior is leather but somehow it just looks shoddy plus it's missing all the bells and whistles. But it is just way cheaper than the first option.

Which would you pick? Which car do you want to drive, to look at inside and out every day? Which would your intended prefer? Does she absolutely have an SUV or will the crossover work? The first car is a smaller diamond that is cut beautifully, very pleasing to the eye and the second car is the zales stone, cheap but doesn't sparkle a whole lot, visible inclusions.

Many women are ok with a smaller stone that sparkles like mad. Do some digging and find out what SHE prefers. There are a lot of options for a smaller budget but you need to really figure out what you want to give on.

Is pre-owned an option?
Does it have to be a round stone? Fancy shaped stones like oval and marquise tend to look bigger
What is her color threshold? Is a near colorless stone ok with her?
What is the absolute smallest size she would be ok with?

 

[sledge]

Doing some quick searches I can find some GIA 3x stones around 0.70 carats, in the J/K color range and SI1+ clarity for around $1700 or less. Some would have ideal proportions, some are pushing the ideal range.

It'd cost around $300 or so for a plain solitaire similar to the one at Zale's.

Your ask is pretty tough. I'm with the camp that says quality over size. Period.

Looking at the Zale's site, it says J color but gives no other specs. I'm certain it's probably an IGI or EGL certified stone (if certified at all) so the color is questionable at best. Cut quality won't be there either. I know you are saying you don't want a Walmart ring, but I think you are failing to recognize this particular version is essentially the same thing. I don't mean that hurtful, just you need to know before you spend your money.

Have you reached out to Yeukitel at ID Jewelry yet? He is great at finding stones to meet impossible budgets. Tell him you are on Pricescope and want PS quality. You may not get certified but at least you will have a trusted expert guiding you to a performer. Plus they have in-house scopes, etc so they can take images, etc to provide confirmation of light performance.

Hands down, I think this is your best option.

https://idjewelry.com/

 

[Austina]

Looking at some of the photos posted by reviewers, I have to say, they look pretty dire.

 

[MaisOuiMadame]

Hi, so with a $1500 budget, you are going to have to compromise a bit. I think you can get something that you would be proud to give, but please don't buy the Zales ring. It would be much better to buy a smaller well cut stone and upgrade it. That stone is ungraded, you have no idea what you are actually getting. It's not going to be pretty. It may fit the on paper specs you want but it's not a good use of money. It's overpriced for what you are actually getting.

Would you consider pre-owned? You can stretch your budget that way. And you can make reasonable offers.

A bit non traditional but a fancy color diamond..made by a well respected vendor. Diamonds by Lauren- this will be a good quality piece. Don't look at the carat weight. Look at the mm spread of the stone and setting. It's good finger coverage.

https://loupetroop.com/listings/rin...vs-marquise-ring-dbl-diamonds-by-lauren;28296

A bit above your budget slightly but a beautiful option that also has good coverage and is antique- personally I think antique stones and settings are romantic.

https://loupetroop.com/listings/rin...ut-ruby-halo-european-diamond-ring-engagement

What about a sapphire antique ring?

https://loupetroop.com/listings/rings/art-deco-sapphire-diamond-halo

Or a lovely yellow sapphire?

https://loupetroop.com/listings/rin...amazing-1-dot-37ct-yellow-sapphire-ring;28134

Or here is another option that will be nicer quality that's a solitaire:

https://loupetroop.com/listings/rin...rose-ring-with-egl-52-e-slash-si1-sz-5-dot-25

Your other option which isn't allowed on this board, but in the fashion jewelry section is moissanite. You can get the size you want in a much nicer looking stone.

Or, a lab grown diamond. But that's the lab grown forum. Are you open to either?

Great finds!!!!!!! You rock

 

[Ss52]

Looking at some of the photos posted by reviewers, I have to say, they look pretty dire.

Perhaps you could spend a couple of hours and find something less “dire” for the OP who came here looking for help. Very few can afford a 4.56.

 

[Austina]

I don’t need to @Ss52, he’s got plenty of great suggestions already!

 

[lovedogs]

Perhaps you could spend a couple of hours and find something less “dire” for the OP who came here looking for help. Very few can afford a 4.56.

What?? There have been tons of suggestions already given to OP. No one is trying to argue that OP needs to make his budget massive--we are simply advising that he not allow himself to buy a terrible diamond from Zales/Kay/mall stores.

 

[Ss52]

To be more direct, some people have spent a lot of time finding items within budget for cluelessdude. To call any of them “dire” was ungracious to him and to us.

 

[JPie]

To be more direct, some people have spent a lot of time finding items within budget for cluelessdude. To call any of them “dire” was ungracious to him and to us.

I think Austina was referring to the reviewers on the Zale’s site. A lot of them posted photos of the ring that OP is considering.

 

[natasha-cupcake]

Please OP, listen to the advice here. My husband proposed with a hideous one carat diamond. He wasn't being cheap, he was just..., well, clueless! I would have greatly preferred a smaller, well cut diamond. I have one now, and I wouldn't go back to that ugly piece of crap for anything.

 

[lydial]

The “dire” poster may have meant the Zales stones? As he/she was commenting on “reviewers”, Maybe?