Macy deparment store ring

[Fiancee to be]

Hello all,

I am currently looking for an engagement ring for my girlfriend, whom I can''t wait to marry

, and wanted some advice. I know pretty much exactly what kind of ring she would like, from her not-so-subtle hints. Now she has seen this ring which Macy''s has in stock. She has told me that it is her dream ring, I''ve included a link so you guys can see it...
http://www.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=112473&CategoryID=5888&LinkType=EverGreen

So, I have heard some bad things about department store rings, and I am still going to look at the local places to compare, but I would like your thoughts on the Macy''s ring. Is this a good quality diamond? And have any of you had bad experiences with Macy''s or other department stores? Thanks for any advice.

FTB (just found out that I am supposed to be referred to as the fiance, not fiancee)

 

[sevens one]

Well the color of the stone is listed as I - J which can seem "yellow" to some. The clarity is listed as I- 2. I think that would be a problem- you will probably be able to see the inclusions.

It appears that she wants a princess cut in a platinum solitaire setting. Anyone can make that setting. Keep shopping for a better stone.

 

[Fiancee to be]

Thanks. She has expressed that she wanted a princess cut solitaire with a platinum band. I have read through this site thoroughly and I know much more about diamonds than I used to, but I''m still a beginner. I appreciate your advice about this stone, I did have some misgivings about it. But since she told me it was her dream ring I figured I would check it out.

I''m curious though, if I were to find a ring like this one but with a better quality stone, what price would I be looking at? This one seemed a bit cheap to me.

 

[valeria101]

Date: 11/29/2004 8:50:53 AM
Author: Fiancee to be
I'm curious though, if I were to find a ring like this one but with a better quality stone, what price would I be looking at? This one seemed a bit cheap to me.

Not cheap...not for what that thing is anyway.

You can always check the price quotes over here - the database at pricescope does not "belong" to any one seller, so prices turn out quite realistic.

The setting of the Macy's ring a farely standard. Anyone can get that from a catalog for less than 1k, IMO.

Just to put things into perspective... the 1.5cts, I2 princess would be less than 3k. The clarity grade is quite low - the lowest listed on the database here is SI3 (allot better!) and prices listed for I and J color go between 3k and 4k...
I2 will always have visible inclusions - so many that the brilliance of the diamond is compromised. SI3 is supposed to be just less than eye clean.

Substantially better merchandise fits the respective price: let's say... 1.5cts, I-SI2, decently cut princess in a platinum solitaire comes to mind. However, I would rather keep weight just below 1.5 cts to get more choices - the size of the stone woul likely not change - princess diamons come with very different proportions - so diamnds of the same weight would not have the same size. Be it 1.4 or 1.5cts, the stone would look just as big, although the price difference is quite significant.

Hope this makes sense

 

[pearcrazy]

No, no, no, don't buy an I2!! That diamond will have clearly visible inclusions!! Keep looking for something better!! If you'll post your budget here I'm sure someone can help you find something better. After all she's going to wear it for the rest of her life. I wouldn't want to see an inclusion every time I looked down at my diamond. Perhaps an I2 is suitable for a special occasion piece, but not for such an important piece of jewelry. What good is a large diamond if it's ugly? If you want to get a bigger diamond, then get it set in white gold instead of platinum and you'll have more money to go towards the diamond. You can always upgrade the setting later.

 

[pearcrazy]

Here's a 1.5 carat I SI1 EGL certified stone at DCD that will keep you in your budget at around $4900 http://www.dirtcheapdiamonds.com/diamond_detail.cfm?did=2841083


A similar bow-tie type setting will run you $899 in platinum and $289 in white gold

http://www.dirtcheapdiamonds.com/engagement-detail.cfm?did=307400

 

[treysar]

I agree - don''t go for the Macy''s ring. There are a couple of reasons - 1, an I-2 would cost a lot less than the price they have listed, and it will have black marks, cracks, etc. 2, the stone is probably cut poorly, which means it will look smaller than 1 1/2 carat, and it will be dull.

If you have a $5000 budget you can get a beautiful Princess solitaire. I would stick with 1.25-1.45, with a good cut, H or I color and SI1 clarity. This will knock the pants off of an I-2, and it will still enable you to get a nice sized diamond for that budget.

I saw a few on here for under $5000, and then you could get the solitaire setting and still be at or under budget for a GORGEOUS RING!

Good luck!

 

[Fiancee to be]

Thanks for all the advice guys. Pearcrazy I agree with you, the main reason I am looking at this ring is because she expressed such an interest in it, she even saw it in person and loved it. But I'm sure you guys are right, if she saw it next to one with less inclusions she'd probably change her mind. It was probably the thrill of looking at rings at all

.

I really want this stone to be perfect for her. I am looking for a stone around this size, 1.5 carats but I could go up or down a few tenths. It definitely has to be a platinum band, I know you can upgrade later but I know this is important to her, plus I'd like the band to help the stone sparkle. My budget goes up to around 6 or 7k, although I'm willing to go a little higher to get the perfect rock since I know there are payment plans out there. You guys are great, and any more help is really appreciated.

 

[pearcrazy]

You''re probably not going to find a payment plan with the pricescope vendors here. They have great prices but that''s because they don''t have to add the cost of financing into the diamond price. You''ll find the best price dealing strictly in cash, even using a credit card will add 4% to the price but still may be worth it for the savings over large jewelry store chains. Remember, great financing comes at a hefty price.

 

[pearcrazy]

If you want to add a little extra sparkle, how about a 14k white gold setting with side diamonds like this one for $599
http://www.dirtcheapdiamonds.com/engagement-detail.cfm?did=60041

Here's a similar bow-tie shaped setting to what you are looking at only with side diamonds for $499
http://www.dirtcheapdiamonds.com/engagement-detail.cfm?did=267400


* I usually list from the DCD site since I find them the easiest to use, but do a PS search and you'll find many vendors here who have very similar or the same diamonds and settings listed there.

 

[Fiancee to be]

Thanks again pearcrazy. I didn't know that about credit card purchases, but 4% would be worth it if I found the perfect stone at the right price. I like that setting but I'm pretty positive that she doesn't want any diamonds in the band. I'm not really set on the pinched band, I think thinner bands look more elegant. Thanks for the link to the diamond, looks like it didn't take you long at all to find a better stone for less money, that really opens my eyes.

I'm learning, slowly, but I'm learning.