Concerns about buying a Vera Wang ring at Zales

[Noxzer]

My girlfriend has fallen in love with this ring http://www.zales.com/product/index.jsp?productId=12131360#

It fits everything she wants in a ring and, while she likes other rings that we've seen, she keeps going back to this one.

However, I can't help but feel I'd be paying more just because of the Vera Wang name and the store. I don't know much about diamonds, only what I've been able to read in the short time I've been looking. The red flag that jumps out at me from this is the SI2 - I1 listing for clarity. Granted, the halo is fairly good at masking the clarity (as opposed to a solitary) so I think that C is my lowest priority at the moment.

Does anyone have advice? Is this one of those moments where I just suck it up and get it because she likes it or is there other options in this situation? I haven't been able to find one that looks quite like it and I'm a bit nervous browsing online diamond sellers. At least with Zales I don't feel like I would get scammed (maybe just shafted a bit on the price).

 

[SB621]

I'm going to put this very bluntly. Under no circumstance would I spend 6k for a .75ct I1 diamond in a very very badly made halo. I don't care if Vera Wang came to my ceremony and officated.

Halo's are extremely popular right now so you DO have many options:
1-If this is the ring she loves then pick out a diamond from online vendor. People on this board can do amazing things if you give them a budget and it will be the best bang for your buck. Then have the ring custom made. It will be a much higher quality piece at less costs.

2- Look at some of the PS vendors who offer halos and see if she likes any of them better. If you are on a budget then IDJ (Gabriel and Co) are popular and have similar halos style to the VW. I would also look at Engagment Rings Direct (ERD) and Whiteflash (WF).

If you post your budget then wonders can happen on this board. Just saying....

Goodluck with whatever you decide. FWIW's I have a halo and absolutly adore it. I think they are timeless and classic so your GF obviously has some good taste!

 

[Noxzer]

I'm going to put this very bluntly. Under no circumstance would I spend 6k for a .75ct I1 diamond in a very very badly made halo. I don't care if Vera Wang came to my ceremony and officated.

This is exactly what I was expecting. Thank you for the advice, I'll check out those places.

I would like to stay around $3000 - $4000 price range ($5k is possible if it's amazing). She likes a cushion cut, white gold, a single halo, and she likes a sleek band with diamonds on it so that you can't see any plain metal on the band when viewed from the top. She also tends to like the bands that split near the stone (like in the example), but the split does not necessarily need to twist like it does in that one.

Any advice based on those specifications would be much appreciated.

 

[Niel]

I'm going to put this very bluntly. Under no circumstance would I spend 6k for a .75ct I1 diamond in a very very badly made halo. I don't care if Vera Wang came to my ceremony and officated.

This is exactly what I was expecting. Thank you for the advice, I'll check out those places.

I would like to stay around $3000 - $4000 price range ($5k is possible if it's amazing). She likes a cushion cut, white gold, a single halo, and she likes a sleek band with diamonds on it so that you can't see any plain metal on the band when viewed from the top. She also tends to like the bands that split near the stone (like in the example), but the split does not necessarily need to twist like it does in that one.

Any advice based on those specifications would be much appreciated.

this ?
http://www.ritani.com/engagement-rings/french-set-halo-diamond--v--band-engagement-ring-with-surprise-diamonds-in-14kt-white-gold/10615


a reputable online retailer will not screw you, definitely not as much a Zales is trying to with that ring.

 

[SB621]

I'm going to put this very bluntly. Under no circumstance would I spend 6k for a .75ct I1 diamond in a very very badly made halo. I don't care if Vera Wang came to my ceremony and officated.

This is exactly what I was expecting. Thank you for the advice, I'll check out those places.

I would like to stay around $3000 - $4000 price range ($5k is possible if it's amazing). She likes a cushion cut, white gold, a single halo, and she likes a sleek band with diamonds on it so that you can't see any plain metal on the band when viewed from the top. She also tends to like the bands that split near the stone (like in the example), but the split does not necessarily need to twist like it does in that one.

Any advice based on those specifications would be much appreciated.

In the example picture I believe it was a RB diamond in a cushion halo. If you stick with that- or do a round halo I think that would be best as they face up larger then a cushion cut at the same carat weight. RB's are also a bit more budget friendly in my opinion.

EDIT- sorry just saw you want a cushion cut diamond. Cushions can be harder to purchase as the facet patterns vary. They also face up smaller. How would you still feel about doing an RB diamond in a cushion halo?

So for 3-5k what is more important to you. The halo or the diamond? Do you want to stick close to a certain carat weight? Would you say, go down a bit in color (as long as she is not color sensative) for a larger diamond? Or do you want a smaller higher color diamond.

Here are the Gabriel and Co halos: http://idjewelryonline.com/index.php?cPath=95_100

This looks really close to your inspiration ring; http://idjewelryonline.com/index.php?cPath=95_100
IDJ offers a PS discount. I believe WF and ERD do as well.

But like I said I would look at the other settings from other vendors and see what they have to offer.

 

[VRBeauty]

Gabriel & Co. also has similar styles. ID Jewelry sells this line, and could help you find a great center diamond to go in the setting too!


http://idjewelryonline.com/product_info.php?cPath=42_133&products_id=14223&cType=ER

http://idjewelryonline.com/product_info.php?cPath=42_133&products_id=14225&cType=ER

BeverlyK has a nice split shank:http://www.goodoldgold.com/setting/Bev-R1184/

My very favorite - if the two of you might be open to a used ring - is the first ring on this page. It's a departure from her inspiration ring in that there's no halo, but it does have a split shank and strings of diamonds wrapping the center stone:

http://jewelsbyericagrace.com/antique_vintage_and_reproduction_rings_page_3

 

[Noxzer]

In the example picture I believe it was a RB diamond in a cushion halo. If you stick with that- or do a round halo I think that would be best as they face up larger then a cushion cut at the same carat weight. RB's are also a bit more budget friendly in my opinion.

EDIT- sorry just saw you want a cushion cut diamond. Cushions can be harder to purchase as the facet patterns vary. They also face up smaller. How would you still feel about doing an RB diamond in a cushion halo?

So for 3-5k what is more important to you. The halo or the diamond? Do you want to stick close to a certain carat weight? Would you say, go down a bit in color (as long as she is not color sensative) for a larger diamond? Or do you want a smaller higher color diamond.

Here are the Gabriel and Co halos: http://idjewelryonline.com/index.php?cPath=95_100

This looks really close to your inspiration ring; http://idjewelryonline.com/index.php?cPath=95_100
IDJ offers a PS discount. I believe WF and ERD do as well.

But like I said I would look at the other settings from other vendors and see what they have to offer.

I know she's quite attached to the cushion cut, although perhaps a RB cut in a cushion halo would still give a cushion cut appearance (although now that I think about it when she sees a ring she likes with a RB she says "I wish that were cushion").

In terms of the budget, I think I would expect to spend slightly more for the center although maybe I shouldn't. With a halo, it seems that the band provides just as much of the sparkle as the center stone (that's part of the reason she loves halos, she really wants to maximize the sparkle for the dollar).

For carat, I would like to aim for .75 but if I can go higher within budget without sacrificing a ton of quality, that would obviously be ok. I'm aiming for about a SI1-SI2 clarity (since that should not impact unmagnified appearance) and G-I color. I'm not sure I could find a 1 carat with those criteria for my budget.

I'll take a look at those halos you linked. All this help is much appreciated.

 

[Niel]

If she is happy with that vera wang one, then i suggest a round in a cushion halo. It lets you go lower in color, makes the stone face up larger than normal cushions, and are likes SB said, easier to find... personally id ask about getting that ritani cushion halo to fit a round (ive seen them do it with other setting so id bet they could) and then inquire more about this stone (get the GIA cert and the angles from it) and that would for sure fit your 4k budget

http://www.ritani.com/diamonds/round-diamond-0-70-Carat-J-color-AGSL-certified/D-Z195SR


OR, maybe this might fit the bill?

http://www.diamondsbylauren.com/index.php/jewelry/halo-diamond-ring-75-jvs1-gia-daussi-cushion-in-split-shank-halo-medium-blue-r3349


ETA posted at the same time

 

[Noxzer]

If she is happy with that vera wang one, then i suggest a round in a cushion halo. It lets you go lower in color, makes the stone face up larger than normal cushions, and are likes SB said, easier to find... personally id ask about getting that ritani cushion halo to fit a round (ive seen them do it with other setting so id bet they could) and then inquire more about this stone (get the GIA cert and the angles from it) and that would for sure fit your 4k budget

http://www.ritani.com/diamonds/round-diamond-0-70-Carat-J-color-AGSL-certified/D-Z195SR


OR, maybe this might fit the bill?

http://www.diamondsbylauren.com/index.php/jewelry/halo-diamond-ring-75-jvs1-gia-daussi-cushion-in-split-shank-halo-medium-blue-r3349


ETA posted at the same time

That last one looks very close, although she tends to like them more square shaped and less rectangular shaped (if that makes sense).

 

[Niel]

If she is happy with that vera wang one, then i suggest a round in a cushion halo. It lets you go lower in color, makes the stone face up larger than normal cushions, and are likes SB said, easier to find... personally id ask about getting that ritani cushion halo to fit a round (ive seen them do it with other setting so id bet they could) and then inquire more about this stone (get the GIA cert and the angles from it) and that would for sure fit your 4k budget

http://www.ritani.com/diamonds/round-diamond-0-70-Carat-J-color-AGSL-certified/D-Z195SR


OR, maybe this might fit the bill?

http://www.diamondsbylauren.com/index.php/jewelry/halo-diamond-ring-75-jvs1-gia-daussi-cushion-in-split-shank-halo-medium-blue-r3349


ETA posted at the same time

That last one looks very close, although she tends to like them more square shaped and less rectangular shaped (if that makes sense).

yes that does, but keep in mind with how shallow that stone is, it faces up huge for a cushion! i wonder where you could find more of those, they might be just the thing to look into

 

[vintagelover229]

Check out Gab. and co for setting options

http://goodoldgold.com/engagementrings/index.php

And check out these stones

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10425/

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10732/

I like this setting
http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/style/ER10929W44JJ

This has the "twist" to it
http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/style/ER5705W44JJ

This is nice also
http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/style/ER6084W44JJ

So is this
http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/style/ER7714W44JJ

Another nice one
http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/style/ER8733W44JJ

Keep in mind these can be modified as well to fit a cushion shape.

Also check out the e-rings under 5k thread
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/show-me-your-e-rings-under-5k.184135/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/show-me-your-e-rings-under-5k.184135/[/URL]

 

[february2003bride]

A woman on another ring site has that ring. From her pictures, it's gorgeous. However, she's had two stones fall out and each time, Zales has to send it back, its taken 3 weeks, and she hasn't even had the ring that long. I strongly suggest buying something that's similar but not from Zales.

 

[nicoleanne]

I love that first Gabriel setting vintagelover posted. With an AVC... yum!

 

[Noxzer]

Thank you for all the help. I found a setting I really like from Gabriel & Co, but it looks like I need to set up an appointment and can't order their products online. This also means I would need to find a center stone from somewhere else? I'm not sure exactly how this process of picking a stone and setting separately works.

 

[Niel]

Thank you for all the help. I found a setting I really like from Gabriel & Co, but it looks like I need to set up an appointment and can't order their products online. This also means I would need to find a center stone from somewhere else? I'm not sure exactly how this process of picking a stone and setting separately works.

No you don't have to make an appointment exactly. That brand is sold by a company called idjewelry. They are actually really great with budgets. I would contact them. Say in there you're a price scope member looking for (insert what you are here) for as close to (budget) as possible, can you help?

I think I'd ask them to avoid the "crushed ice look as those don't perform as well, but in general do you know if she like bigger faceted old style cushions or newer ones?

 

[Noxzer]

Thank you for all the help. I found a setting I really like from Gabriel & Co, but it looks like I need to set up an appointment and can't order their products online. This also means I would need to find a center stone from somewhere else? I'm not sure exactly how this process of picking a stone and setting separately works.

No you don't have to make an appointment exactly. That brand is sold by a company called idjewelry. They are actually really great with budgets. I would contact them. Say in there you're a price scope member looking for (insert what you are here) for as close to (budget) as possible, can you help?

I think I'd ask them to avoid the "crushed ice look as those don't perform as well, but in general do you know if she like bigger faceted old style cushions or newer ones?

Hm, ok maybe their site is just having issues. I found the one I liked on idjewelery, but it was in a Gabriel & Co page embedded in the site and no way to actually "check out." The only option was to make an appointment.

I ended up cluing my gf in on this because I know she's very particular and the kind of person who would rather have some say on the ring and just be surprised by the proposal. She liked the idea of a round stone in a cushion-like halo and ended up liking pretty much this set up pictured here.

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

I guess I will attempt to find this on the idjwelery site. I'm guessing you can order the stone in the setting and you get it all in one piece so you don't have to find a jeweler to do it?

Sorry for being such a novice, hopefully I don't have to go through it again.

EDIT: So here it is http://idjewelryonline.com/index.php?cPath=95_100 third row down, in the middle. If you click on it, there's not really a way to "continue" the process.

 

[JulieN]

If she likes that setting (no twist shank, no split shank)

BAM! (just under 5000)

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.90-carat-f-color-vs2-clarity-sku-229869
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/halo/14k-white-gold-pave-halo-and-shank-diamond-engagement-ring-cushion-center-item-17429

This is a very good price for this type of cushion, which usually costs about the same as a round. If you like it please put it on hold ASAP to avoid it getting snatched.

 

[Niel]

If she likes that setting (no twist shank, no split shank)

BAM! (just under 5000)

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.90-carat-f-color-vs2-clarity-sku-229869
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/halo/14k-white-gold-pave-halo-and-shank-diamond-engagement-ring-cushion-center-item-17429

This is a very good price for this type of cushion, which usually costs about the same as a round. If you like it please put it on hold ASAP to avoid it getting snatched.

Oh my gosh I'd snatch this up in a second of I were you! Especially sense she doesn't need a split shank (sounds like based off that g&co she likes)

 

[arkieb1]

If she likes that setting (no twist shank, no split shank)

BAM! (just under 5000)

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.90-carat-f-color-vs2-clarity-sku-229869
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/halo/14k-white-gold-pave-halo-and-shank-diamond-engagement-ring-cushion-center-item-17429

This is a very good price for this type of cushion, which usually costs about the same as a round. If you like it please put it on hold ASAP to avoid it getting snatched.

Ditto, I love this cushion, nice colour, great shape, great clarity, unless she has her heart now set on a round.

 

[SB621]

If she likes that setting (no twist shank, no split shank)

BAM! (just under 5000)

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.90-carat-f-color-vs2-clarity-sku-229869
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/halo/14k-white-gold-pave-halo-and-shank-diamond-engagement-ring-cushion-center-item-17429

This is a very good price for this type of cushion, which usually costs about the same as a round. If you like it please put it on hold ASAP to avoid it getting snatched.

I bow down to you on that cushion! However I"m not a fan of the halo. The airlines and peg prongs really bother me. OP I would get the cushion and have them send to IDJ and set in the Gabriel setting your GF likes. Ask them to claw the prongs. And yes you can do it all at one store, but many others buy the diamond and setting seperately. It is whatever you are comfortable with and who gives the best price that usually makes me decide.

 

[jmarshall]

Good Old Gold also sells gabriel, and I just had a splendid experience with them. Their diamonds are of top quality as well.

 

[whosurdaddy]

That's an amazing cushion!! Someone please get it! This combo is 100000% better than the Zale one, and I am sure she is going to love it!

If she likes that setting (no twist shank, no split shank)

BAM! (just under 5000)

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.90-carat-f-color-vs2-clarity-sku-229869
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/halo/14k-white-gold-pave-halo-and-shank-diamond-engagement-ring-cushion-center-item-17429

This is a very good price for this type of cushion, which usually costs about the same as a round. If you like it please put it on hold ASAP to avoid it getting snatched.

 

[Niel]

So somebody else is looking st that cushion and I suspect they will reserve it, if so how about this, and good old gold sells Gabriel and co so its a one stop shop.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10578/

 

[momhappy]

I wouldn't buy anything from Zales.
You've gotten lots of great options/choices, so best of luck to you.

 

[madelise]

That's an amazing cushion!! Someone please get it! This combo is 100000% better than the Zale one, and I am sure she is going to love it!

If she likes that setting (no twist shank, no split shank)

BAM! (just under 5000)

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.90-carat-f-color-vs2-clarity-sku-229869
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/halo/14k-white-gold-pave-halo-and-shank-diamond-engagement-ring-cushion-center-item-17429

This is a very good price for this type of cushion, which usually costs about the same as a round. If you like it please put it on hold ASAP to avoid it getting snatched.

Damn, I really hope it was you who bought that diamond! It's beautiful!!