Is this a quality ring?

[kcw983]

Hello, I am a complete newbie when it comes to engagement rings, but the time has come to pop the question and I want everything to be perfect. My girlfriend has picked out this ring as the main one she likes.




http://www.fredmeyerjewelers.com/Products/EngagementWedding-FMJ/EW_ShopByCategory-FMJ/EW_SBC_Ladies-FMJ/EW_SBC_L_EngagementRings-FMJ/EW_SBC_L_ER_WhiteGold-FMJ/EW_SBC_L_ER_WG_Round-FMJ/997718(FMJBase).aspx



Is this a quality ring?

Would having an online company replicate the ring bring a higher quality and better price? I was thinking about looking into this. If so, are there any reliable online companies you guys would recommend?

What would you change about this ring to make it better while still watching the price? Possibly go with platinum over white gold, clearity, color, setting, etc.??

Thanks for all the help and info

 

[disneybride]

Honestly, from my limited experience not at all. The price is actually laughable. There isn''t even enough information on the page to determine how good of a center stone it is...but the I1 I color alone would be a dealbreaker for me. You have a lot of options if your budget is in that price range. I would email a picture of it to [email protected] to see what their custom work would cost for it...if anything the diamond quality from them would be worlds apart from that in the link you just posted. HTH and good luck!!

 

[zerj]

I''d agree. The I1 clarity sounds really scary especially if your buying without seeing how included the diamond is.

I''d read up on clarity here as a start:
http://diamonds.pricescope.com/clarity.asp


I find any store that is offering a complete finished ring usually is a bit lacking when it comes to the details on the included diamonds. Lacking information I would tend to assume the worst. Six thousand dollars is an awful lot of money for a single sentance description.

 

[neatfreak]

Unfortunately it is very overpriced AND poor quality. Not to say that I1 diamonds can''t be gorgeous, because occasionally they can, and I diamonds certainly can, but the price alone is enough to stay away.

And the most important C is CUT! Cut is what will give a diamond sparkle or what will make it look like frozen spit. It says nothing about the cut of the stone, and any certificate it comes with is no better than Joe down the street writing down what he thinks the specs of the diamond are.

As someone mentioned above, try Whiteflash. I am sure they can get something just like it but MUCH better quality and for less $.

 

[neatfreak]

How about this stone:

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-636625.htm

With this setting:

http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Diamond-Settings/-Flush-Fit--Diamond-Ring_1063.htm

Cheaper, WAYYYY nicer stone quality, and better clarity, and really, better color too because it is an AGS stone, which means the grading is super reliable. So even though this is a J, it will be MUCH MUCH whiter than Fred M's "I" stone. And this stone is as ideal cut as they come!

Not to mention the fact that this setting is so much nicer, finer, and will have MUCH better stones in it.

 

[orbaya]

I can''t speak for quality of the setting because I''m not familiar with this store, but I definitely think you could do better on the center stone.

I like the general idea of the ring, but seems very "boxy" and there is a lot of metal on both sides of the channel set diamonds. I think that this takes away from the sidestones as well as the center diamond. You want a setting that will highlight the diamond, and at least in these pictures, that isn''t happening.

If you could find a ring that has a thinner channel, it would be gorgeous!

 

[Diamond*Dana]

Date: 5/13/2008 9:07:01 PM
Author: orbaya
I can't speak for quality of the setting because I'm not familiar with this store, but I definitely think you could do better on the center stone.

Fred Meyer is a chain store, I believe they are grouped in with Littman, Barclay and Fox jewelers...mostly in malls.
That being said, I agree that you could do way better with one of the PS vendors online.

 

[Kaleigh]

Nope, you can do a lot better. Give us your budget and let''s go from there.... I1 clarity is going to show lots of inclusions, lots of carbon spots most likely. This jeweler isn''t one that is going for the best CUT. So skip them, stick around and learn from PS.....Read the tutorials here on CUT in the mean time..

 

[kcw983]

Thank you all. I have spent some time tonight reading up on the ratings for the stones. My budget is $5,000-$6,000 for the ring.

As you all have said, I think I can do better for that price. She likes the thick band like the picture shows. Does anyone have a sample pic of a thinner channel that I might be able to show her. (I am not exactly sure what that would look like) She likes the thicker band than the setting you posted neatfreak. (even though I really like that one)

Also, I want to send the pic and info to whiteflash to see what they can do. What info do I need to send to them in the email to get the ball rolling?

 

[Kaleigh]

I''d check out WF''s website, www.whiteflash.com Look at their settings, and give them a call, ask for Lesley. I have worked with her, she''s patient, and knows her stuff. You have a healthy budget, so you''ll get a great stone, and an awesome setting...

Another site to check out, and have bought from them as well is www.goodoldgold.com Ask for Jonathon or Sarah. They are great to work with as well.


Good luck!!