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Looking for diamond engagement ring, low budget

F

F1aReD

Rough_Rock
Joined
Dec 21, 2011
Messages
1
Hi,

I am currently looking for a diamond engagement ring and need some help and advice. My girlfriend (soon to be fiance) has narrowed it down to a 3 stone, white gold, with diamonds on the side of the band.

That has been narrowed down to atleast 1 tcw or possibly more. We've been to a few jewlery stores, mostly in the mall. We've also been to Macy's many times, and they seem to have the best deals. They currently have a 1 1/2 carat 3 stone diamond ring for $1,669 which is a STEAL! However, I'm concerned about Macys quality, as some of the reviews stated the diamonds have fallen out before, and all of these diamonds I've looked at in the mall seem to be kind of cloudy, and the Macy's one has some black in it.

After doing some online research, I decided to check out a small jewelry store here in town, and there diamonds are very beautiful, SI2 and G in color, they look 100% better than the mall stores. I have no idea what the Color or Clarity of the mall ones was, and it seems Macys and the others have a different grading system which I don't understand.

I don't know what I should do, My girlfriend loves the ring at Macy's, it's heavy, but I'm afraid of it's quality. The local jeweler's ring is $3,400, and I only have a budget of $2,000, maybe somewhat more.

Is it possible to get an SI1, SI2, or SI3, and good color, 3 stone, atleast a carat, for under $3,000? I read online that you can try and negotiate the price of a ring, is this true? And should the diamonds in a ring be certified? (Local store says they are not cert.)

Sorry for the long post, hopefully someone can give me some advice!

Thanks for any and all help!
 
What shape? And are vintage/pre-owned rings okay?

Both ovals and pears "face up larger" for the ct wt, generally - meaning that you get stones that look bigger than what you'd guess based on the carat weight, compared to other shapes (princesses, rounds, step cuts, etc.)
Setting - http://idjewelryonline.com/product_info.php?cPath=22_28&products_id=11268&cType=ER
18k w/ 0.6ctw F/G VS pear sides, $1250 (they'll do 14k as well)
Diamond - http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/E-SI2-Premium-Cut-Oval-Diamond-1260099.asp
this oval looks really pretty, 0.7 GIA E SI2 $1280 - request ASET if interested and ask if it's clean to your standards.

But there are some other concerns and costs with buying stone and setting from different vendors that you'll have to take care of if you go this route. To make things easier I'd call IDJ and see what they can do for you - tell them you're from Pricescope and what you're looking for. They've found uncerted stones for PSers before as well.
 
i think that compared to what you've seen at macy's and your local jeweler, the option i'm about to provide while seemingly of "lower" quality, will actually be better. remember with uncerted stones there's no telling what they are actually showing you and his G SI2 might really be I (which still faces up white) I1. plus there's no mention of the cut of the stones, so here goes:

setting (there is a pricescope coupon for 10% off PS10) $1192.50 http://www.b2cjewels.com/Diamond-Accent-Settings/Channel-Bezel-Set-Ring-18K-White-Gold-%285-8-cttw%29-2356-1.aspx

diamond
0.45 I SI2 $730 http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1407379.asp
0.44 I I1 $540 http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-I1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1437422.asp

that comes in under $2000, which you mentioned was your original budget (although i know you asked for options under $3000)
 
PLEASE don't buy any jewelery from Macy or department store. the quality of those diamonds are HORRIBLE.. I went to look for a pair of studs and I can just see all those gray dots all over in the studs and that's the best you get.
There is a reason they are cheap... but not, they are not even a good deal!
 
I'm still a newbie but I just wanted to wholeheartedly agree with the post above mine. I actually found this website because I had bought some diamond stud earrings at Macy's. I was okay with them, I thought that they sparkled okay but the more I read online, the more I found out about their really poor quality. I ended up buying a pair from Blue Nile and picked out the diamonds I wanted, all for about the same price that I had paid Macy's! Thank goodness that I had not worn them yet. By the way, the difference between the Blue Nile diamonds and the Macys ones was INSANE. A huge huge difference. I could not believe it.

Basically all mall jewelry stores are overpriced and really poor quality. I think that the previous posters have offered some great options. Plus, call one of the vendors listed and talk about your budget, see what they can do.
 
First congratulations on your upcoming engagement and THANK you for researching before pulling the trigger. I cringe every time I see a Macy/Kay/Zales/etc commercials on TV (even the new Neal Lane ones-you can see the spots in their ad but since it's "Neal Lane' it *must* be top quality :rolleyes:


With your budget you can actually do A LOT with it. If she wants a 3 stone ring-go for it. Here is one site that I LOVE to shop at-and here is one ring that comes with the band (it's a halo) and is .71 carat center stone. They also have a few 3 stone rings on their site as well

http://www.jewelsbyericagrace.com/antique_vintage_and_reproduction_rings


http://jewelsbyericagrace.smugmug.com/Jewelry/Rings-Antique-diamonds/71ct-center-Transitional-Cut/18182075_MCSP3h#1398658227_rRLQTtr

Another one at 3100.00
http://jewelsbyericagrace.smugmug.com/Jewelry/Rings-Antique-diamonds/100ctw-Modern-Brilliant/20392970_VVnDrV#1613674795_gCTWrb8

This is a pricescopers ring (she upgraded and is selling her old one)
http://www.diamondbistro.com/category/216/Natural-Diamond-Center/listings/24727/See-GIA-cert-and-appraisal!-704-VVS2-F-ring.html

Here is another good site to check out
http://antiqueengagementrings.com/shopping/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=20

If you want unique I love this ring :)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/250956824606?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1920s-OLD-EUROPEAN-CUT-DECO-92CT-PLATINUM-VS2-PIERCED-FILIGREE-DIAMOND-RING-/230715952871?pt=US_Fine_Rings&hash=item35b7be0ee7

I'd request more photos of this one
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-25CT-OLD-EUROPEAN-CUT-DIAMOND-PLATINUM-ENGAGEMENT-RING-/350515844951?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item519c5f5757


3 Stone in yellow gold with old mine cuts
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-50C-DIAMOND-NOUVEAU-ANTIQUE-3-STONE-OLD-MINE-CUT-RING-/150719884151?pt=US_Fine_Rings&hash=item23179aeb77

This is a 3 stone old European cut diamond ring-this one has potential I think :)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Stunning-Edwardian-3-Stone-Old-Cut-Diamond-Ring-set-Platinum-/350502778295?pt=UK_Jewellery_Watches_VintageFineJewellery_CA&hash=item519b97f5b7


http://www.rubylane.com/item/708544-612/until-December-20th-Vintage-3

Another stunner 3 stone ring!
http://www.rubylane.com/item/607400-489/STUNNING-Gorgeous-Vintage-1-05
 
Here are some pre-owned options for you

http://diamondbistro.com/category/2...ngs/18005/Reduced-16-Carat-Platinum-Ring.html

http://idonowidont.com/diamonds/175-ct-wedding-setwhite-gold-and-platinum-wedding-band

I would make sure all of these rings have good return policies and get it checked out by a good jeweler to verify the quality for the price

Given your budget personally I would buy the best center stone I could afford and set it in a simple solitaire setting then upgrade the ring later when you can afford her dream setting. I prefer quality over quantity but that is a personal preference.

You could also do a gemstone setting with a diamond center and sapphire side stones here is an example
http://idonowidont.com/diamonds/diamond-and-sapphire-ring
 
These are all AWESOME options! I have nothing to add, but good luck. You can have a gorgeous ring for your budget!
 
mrssalvo|1324529299|3086618 said:
diamondseeker2006|1324528284|3086610 said:
I'd probably make an offer on this one that farmergal posted because these are AGS ideal cut stones:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-28ctw-SI1-I-18K-AGS-CERTIFIED-Diamond-Engagement-Ring-White-Gold-/220917766975?pt=Diamond_Three_Stone_Rings&hash=item336fb99b3f#ht_3424wt_1139
Click to expand...

I agree!!
Click to expand...

Awesome finds! This one is my pick too! The question is if you can wait until Jan 10 when the seller is back.
 
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