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jngs123

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jan 2, 2017
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Im not sure is im posting this in the right place, but i need help. Me and my husband are looking to do a 5 year vow renewal this coming May. The rings we exchanged on our wedding day cost a couple hundred from Jcpenny. Now we are looking to upgrade. Weve fell in love with a few rings from zales. I want to see if there is anything out there similar that I could compare it to or any advice in regards to if this is a decent purchase. Here are the links : https://m.zales.com/diamond-past-present-future-engagement-ring-10k-gold/product.jsp?productId=80570966

https://m.zales.com/mens-diamond-comfort-fit-anniversary-band-10k-gold/product.jsp?productId=63349396

https://m.zales.com/diamond-channel-band-14k-gold/product.jsp?productId=4077653
 
Congratulations on your 5 year renewal!

Have you seen these rings in person? We dont usually recommend mall jewelry stores due to the quality of the stones and workmanship.
There is nothing we can recommend that is similar but some vendors do have pre-set rings that you can take a look at.

You'll have to cut and paste this link in a new window to get it to come up correctly...
http://www.bluenile.com/engagement-rings/preset/all?track=NavPresetEngRings

or you can go for something like these with a plain wedding band to go with them
https://www.jamesallen.com/fine-jewelry/royal-halo/platinum-royal-halo-princess-and-pave-engagement-ring-item-41205
https://www.jamesallen.com/fine-jewelry/royal-halo/platinum-royal-halo-classic-cushion-shape-engagement-ring-item-41201

Or an almost 3/4 stone like this in a simple setting with a plain wedding band. This stone is GIA graded.
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.70-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2294932
Simple setting choices (come in yellow gold)
https://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/14k-white-gold-2mm-knife-edge-solitaire-engagement-ring-item-7115
https://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/14k-white-gold-presentation-solitaire-six-prong-item-7990

Simple wedding band to go with last two settings
https://www.jamesallen.com/default3.aspx?InternalUrl=/wedding-rings/womens-classic/14k-white-gold-2mm-knife-edge-women%27s-wedding-ring-item-7031

If you were willing to look at pre-loved or second hand we could probaby find you something very nice in your budget.
 
 
What other informatiom should I ask for? Thankyou greatly for your help. I really liked the first link you sent. Ot looked similar to the ring I picked.
 
Thankyou! Jamesallen would be a better place to look at? Im open to preloved options!
 
ac117|1483397057|4111667 said:
Please don't go to Zales! Their diamonds are super crappy and overpriced. You'd be much better served letting us help you find something that will sparkle.

For example...
https://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/halo/14k-yellow-gold-pave-halo-and-shank-diamond-engagement-ring-round-center-item-6801
https://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/three-stone/14k-yellow-gold-three-stone-micro-pave-diamond-engagement-ring-item-50621
With...
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.47-carat-j-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2272624
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.45-carat-j-color-vs1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-2253798

You could get $100 off with a JA referral code and you can ask them for a PS discount.
Click to expand...


Great options! I really do have my hear set on the 3 stones rather than just one centered diamond
Im not really sure what its called. Il take a look at JamesAllen to see if there is anything else that stand out.
 
Zales is just going to give you a random diamond. The product details state that the stone is between I-J color and the clarity is I2 which is pretty awful. The color is no biggie especially if you're going with a yellow gold but the clarity?! :shock: Take a look this info on clarity:

https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/diamond-clarity


Check out this I1
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...t-e-color-i1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-808403

or this one
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...-h-color-i1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2152527

If you post your budget, we can help you find a nice stone and setting of better quality. That said, i have several rings from Zales, a small diamond band and my husbands wedding band. But i wouldn't buy an engagement ring there.
 
Hi Jngs :)

To give you an idea re the quality of stones Zales uses - most reputable stores don't even sell stones that low in clarity. Also - the color is their estimation - not the estimation of an independent grader. These grades are notoriously over-rated. So in essence - the stones in this Zales ring would be utter crap and would give you no sparkle at all.

Here's something I think you might like:

http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-ring/vintage-three-stone-engagement-ring-14k-white-gold_42401?elem=img&track=product

Here's an example of this setting with a .45ct center stone:



The stone in the photo, which is reflected in the price of $2063, is an internally flawless stone - which is a waste of money in my opinion. I found a beautifully cut .47ct I SI1 stone which, wire price, is $802. Added to the setting, the grand total would be $1652. You'd get WAY more sparkle than the one you're looking at with Zales, and better finger coverage due to the different style.

Here's the stone I found for you; it's with Blue Nile, same as the setting, so you could have them set together. Free shipping also, and tax free unless you're in CA or NY. Nice ring.

bn_3_stone_a.jpg

bn_diamond_a.jpg
 
jngs123 said:
Is it because Zales just has poor quality?
Click to expand...

While the quality isn't good, the bigger issue is that Zales isn't giving you a good deal:

The color, clarity, size, and cut of diamonds are graded and certified by some reputable organizations (like GIA and AGS) and many not-reputable organizations (like IGI). Zales uses IGI. So a "G" color grade from IGI may be graded as an H, I, or J by GIA. So if you are paying for a supposedly "G" diamond but actually getting a "J" diamond, then you aren't getting your money's worth. The color and clarity of diamonds have a huge impact on the price, so you are getting majorly screwed. The diamonds that PS readers recommend will almost always be GIA or AGS.

What most people want from a diamond for it to look big and sparkle. The looking big is pretty easy to figure out based on measurements, but don't use the weight (the number of carats): 'deep' diamonds have higher carats but don't look as big when viewed in a ring. Zales will offer diamonds that are deep so you are paying for a diamond that doesn't look as big. PS readers can suggest diamonds that look as big as possible without sacrificing sparkle.

The diamond's sparkle is based on how much light is reflected, which depends on the angles of facets within the diamond. Zales often offers diamonds that don't have very good angles, so they don't sparkle very much or they don't sparkle in an appealing way. The vendors that PS recommend are better at offering diamonds that have better sparkle. Surprisingly, a diamond's price is not greatly influenced by the light reflection: you can often find a diamond with great sparkle that is cheaper than one with poor sparkle!

When you look closely at the diamonds at Zales you will often see that the diamond isn't crystal-clear. With your naked eye you might see it has black spots or be cloudy. Some people are okay with that, but most prefer to not have visible "defects" if they are going to stare at the diamond for years. Other defects are not easily visible but make the diamond at risk of breaking. Many of the diamonds at Zales are risky or unclear, but they also have more clear diamonds with a much higher price (way more than you can find elsewhere). Either way, you won't get satisfaction. PS readers look for diamonds that are not visibly unclear, and have expertise to avoid diamonds that are risky.
 
farrahlyn|1483454227|4111856 said:
Zales is just going to give you a random diamond. The product details state that the stone is between I-J color and the clarity is I2 which is pretty awful. The color is no biggie especially if you're going with a yellow gold but the clarity?! :shock: Take a look this info on clarity:

https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/diamond-clarity


Check out this I1
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...t-e-color-i1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-808403

or this one
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...-h-color-i1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2152527

If you post your budget, we can help you find a nice stone and setting of better quality. That said, i have several rings from Zales, a small diamond band and my husbands wedding band. But i wouldn't buy an engagement ring there.
Click to expand...


Oh wow! Thanks for the information. That is simply awful! Our budget for all 3 rings (engagment ring plus band, his band) is 5000. Ots not mich from what I can see, but its whats realistic for us.
 
mrs-b|1483457294|4111868 said:
Hi Jngs :)

To give you an idea re the quality of stones Zales uses - most reputable stores don't even sell stones that low in clarity. Also - the color is their estimation - not the estimation of an independent grader. These grades are notoriously over-rated. So in essence - the stones in this Zales ring would be utter crap and would give you no sparkle at all.

Here's something I think you might like:

http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-ring/vintage-three-stone-engagement-ring-14k-white-gold_42401?elem=img&track=product

Here's an example of this setting with a .45ct center stone:



The stone in the photo, which is reflected in the price of $2063, is an internally flawless stone - which is a waste of money in my opinion. I found a beautifully cut .47ct I SI1 stone which, wire price, is $802. Added to the setting, the grand total would be $1652. You'd get WAY more sparkle than the one you're looking at with Zales, and better finger coverage due to the different style.

Here's the stone I found for you; it's with Blue Nile, same as the setting, so you could have them set together. Free shipping also, and tax free unless you're in CA or NY. Nice ring.
Click to expand...


You all have been amazing! I jhave learned so much and I really appreciate the help. To clear up a little confusion on my behalf, Id order the diamond and the ring separately from Blue Nile? For some reason, none of the bluenile links work, it just takes me to the homepage for that site.
 
miraj|1483459101|4111878 said:
jngs123 said:
Is it because Zales just has poor quality?
Click to expand...

While the quality isn't good, the bigger issue is that Zales isn't giving you a good deal:

The color, clarity, size, and cut of diamonds are graded and certified by some reputable organizations (like GIA and AGS) and many not-reputable organizations (like IGI). Zales uses IGI. So a "G" color grade from IGI may be graded as an H, I, or J by GIA. So if you are paying for a supposedly "G" diamond but actually getting a "J" diamond, then you aren't getting your money's worth. The color and clarity of diamonds have a huge impact on the price, so you are getting majorly screwed. The diamonds that PS readers recommend will almost always be GIA or AGS.

What most people want from a diamond for it to look big and sparkle. The looking big is pretty easy to figure out based on measurements, but don't use the weight (the number of carats): 'deep' diamonds have higher carats but don't look as big when viewed in a ring. Zales will offer diamonds that are deep so you are paying for a diamond that doesn't look as big. PS readers can suggest diamonds that look as big as possible without sacrificing sparkle.

The diamond's sparkle is based on how much light is reflected, which depends on the angles of facets within the diamond. Zales often offers diamonds that don't have very good angles, so they don't sparkle very much or they don't sparkle in an appealing way. The vendors that PS recommend are better at offering diamonds that have better sparkle. Surprisingly, a diamond's price is not greatly influenced by the light reflection: you can often find a diamond with great sparkle that is cheaper than one with poor sparkle!

When you look closely at the diamonds at Zales you will often see that the diamond isn't crystal-clear. With your naked eye you might see it has black spots or be cloudy. Some people are okay with that, but most prefer to not have visible "defects" if they are going to stare at the diamond for years. Other defects are not easily visible but make the diamond at risk of breaking. Many of the diamonds at Zales are risky or unclear, but they also have more clear diamonds with a much higher price (way more than you can find elsewhere). Either way, you won't get satisfaction. PS readers look for diamonds that are not visibly unclear, and have expertise to avoid diamonds that are risky.
Click to expand...


aah! Thank you for explaining that to me very clearly. I understand the workers at Zales are there to make sales, but its so awful that we never even discussed any otf this, no specs were given. Now I know what to look for so that I can avoid being ripped off. I dont want anything too flashy or with too high of a setting. Prayfully il find something with help from you all! Thank you again for your amazing explanation!
 
Yes, you'd order them separately. Instead of hitting the link, go to the home page (www.Bluenile.com). In the top right corner is a search box (it has a little picture of a magnifying glass next to it). To see the specs for the diamond, enter the stock number - which is on the link I added: LD07520527 (LD stands for 'loose diamond' and the rest is the number of the stone.) Do the same thing again with the words 'Three stone milgrain halo diamond engagement ring' and a picture of the ring setting will come up. Click on that and you'll go to the setting. And if in doubt, call Blue Nile and speak to a sales person; they're very nice. :)

I think this would check all your boxes and save you some $$ to boot. Good luck!


jngs123|1483466619|4111916 said:
mrs-b|1483457294|4111868 said:
Hi Jngs :)

To give you an idea re the quality of stones Zales uses - most reputable stores don't even sell stones that low in clarity. Also - the color is their estimation - not the estimation of an independent grader. These grades are notoriously over-rated. So in essence - the stones in this Zales ring would be utter crap and would give you no sparkle at all.

Here's something I think you might like:

http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-ring/vintage-three-stone-engagement-ring-14k-white-gold_42401?elem=img&track=product

Here's an example of this setting with a .45ct center stone:



The stone in the photo, which is reflected in the price of $2063, is an internally flawless stone - which is a waste of money in my opinion. I found a beautifully cut .47ct I SI1 stone which, wire price, is $802. Added to the setting, the grand total would be $1652. You'd get WAY more sparkle than the one you're looking at with Zales, and better finger coverage due to the different style.

Here's the stone I found for you; it's with Blue Nile, same as the setting, so you could have them set together. Free shipping also, and tax free unless you're in CA or NY. Nice ring.
Click to expand...


You all have been amazing! I jhave learned so much and I really appreciate the help. To clear up a little confusion on my behalf, Id order the diamond and the ring separately from Blue Nile? For some reason, none of the bluenile links work, it just takes me to the homepage for that site.
Click to expand...
 
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