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Need some help! Scared of getting ripped off!

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bigmarcus

Rough_Rock
Joined
Nov 9, 2008
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Hello All,

Well the time has come in my life where its time to take the next step. I've been looking at engagement rings with my girlfriend for about a month now and we finally found some rings we like.

We found a diamond at Zales that really caught our eye and my girlfriend absolutely loves it. But it's from Zales, how good is Zales? Is their Celebration Diamond overpriced? Below is the exact diamond that we have our eye on. Its Zales special (Celebration Diamond) it has 102 facets. We are interested in the round cut. The sales lady who we spoke to said this diamond will cost $6,700.

http://celebrationdiamond.com/

Now for the swank we are looking at a ring that Tacori sells. Now the price of Tacori rings are out of my league. But I was wondering if anyone knows of anything similar. Or recommend anything. Below is the swank we are looking at.

http://www.tacori.com/mm5/zoom.html?active_ad_category=rings&active_ad_filename=scarf_large.jpg

This is all new to me, and I'm afraid I will be ripped off. SO if anyone here could point me in the right direction it would be much appreciated.

Thanks again!
 
You will get ripped off at Zales...did you really like the extra facets? Or was it just what they were selling you on?
 
Welcome to pricescope!

If you are looking for a round brilliant diamond (RB), then yes, the Zales celebration stone is more than the average RB of similar color and clarity. The 102 facets is more than the the tradition RB, so if it is that particular look you like, it''s only available in other branded diamonds.

Cut is the most important factor in a diamond''s appearance. Generally, Zales diamonds aren''t well cut. I would recommend reading some of the tutorials available under the ''knowledge'' tab above and looking at ideal cut RB diamonds in person. Once you have an idea of what color, clarity and number of facets you prefer, we may be able to find you a beautiful diamond that won''t break your budget.

Good luck!

ps, Overstock.com sells Tacori settings with CZ centers, though I don''t know if they''re much cheaper than regular Tacori settings. This one for $1750 is similar.
 
Well I don''t know much about diamonds but it was catchy compared to others I was looking at. My budget is around 11-12k what should I be looking at exactly?
 
I am sure the ring was lovely but don''t go to Zales.
 
Hi!
I didn''t check out the diamond, but I would recommend staying away from B&M stores (brick and mortor).
I would check out whiteflash.com for diamonds. Their ACA diamond is amazing, and will knock the socks off the zales stone. If your gf loves the extra facet stones, check out goodoldgold.com They have the star129, which also has 129 facets.

I would recommend going with an eyeclean SI1 or SI2 clairity stone.
I would recommend a color I or even a J color stone because they will face up white in a ideal cut stone.
If your gf loves tocori, have whiteflash custom make a piece similar for a fraction of the price.

Those are JMO. Also, what size is the 6700.00 zales diamond? keep in mind that online vendors offer trade up policies as well, and are probably MORE HONEST than a B&M.

Here are a few

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-1467009.htm


http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-78273.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-1466967.htm


Those are a few in a similar price range. A good cut stone won''t be as yellow as a poor cut stone of the same color.

Whiteflash does amazing custom work. If you went with a lower color diamond in about a carat, (not sure what your setting budget is though)
You can get the setting she loves custom made, or even the tocori itself!

Here is the star129. I''m sure jonathan has more if you want a larger size, and went down in color and clairty in your budget
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/2429/
 
It probably looked better because it was better cut than the other stones they sell. The proportions an optical symmetry of the stone will define how much it sparkles. With a budget of over 10, you can surely get a much better cut, unbranded stone that will be more lovely than the Zales Celebration. I would recommend going to Tiffany or Cartier to look at well cut stones. If those diamonds are as pretty to you as the celebration diamond, then it's the difference in th quality of the cut, not the extra facets that caught your eye.

11-12K will buy a very nice ideal cut RB that will knock the socks off of the stuff they sell at zales.


ETA: If it were me, I would do this setting or something similar with a stone like this one from GOG.
 
WOW! I want to thank you all for responding so quickly. You all have been giving me such great information. Keep it coming.

You know how everyone has someone in the family that has a connection or a friend of a friend? Well I have none of those! Thanks again
 
Date: 11/9/2008 10:23:54 PM
Author: bigmarcus
WOW! I want to thank you all for responding so quickly. You all have been giving me such great information. Keep it coming.


You know how everyone has someone in the family that has a connection or a friend of a friend? Well I have none of those! Thanks again
Click to expand...

you might think it''s a bad thing that you don''t have a friend of a friend, but we have seen SO SO many people get ripped off by a friend of a friend that really, you are lucky.
2.gif
 
When my bf and I originally decided to get engaged, we went immediately to the mall--first stop--Helzberg Diamonds. I found a ring that I thought was beautiful and it sparkled and shined like crazy! It was from their signature Radiant Star. Their Radiant Star collection includes rounds and cushions, boasting of 145 facets. I had my eye, and even put a down payment on a 1.40 cushion. The complete ring cost $8,999.99, and thats before taxes and after they scam you into buying "insurance" At the time, I didn''t know much about diamonds--diamonds were diamonds and all one needed to know was shape and carat weight--how wrong I was. After much research and lurking on pricescope--I realized that what I thought was my "dream ring" was completely overpriced. I can''t believe we were nearly going to spend $10,000 dollars on an I1, 145-faceted diamond with a HUGE carbon spot. The facets did a great job of hiding the carbon spot when quickly glancing at the ring, but once under close inspection--yeah--it was bad! The large number of facets are simply for marketing--it sounds cool and better! Once I saw a well cut RB, I realized just how unnecessary those extra facets really are. AND...once you get a nice diamond education from Pricescope and go back to a mall jewelery store you''ll realize you know more than they do...its kinda funny and sad...or at least you will be able to spot the poor quality and overpriced merchandise.

So what''s my point? Don''t go to mall jewelry stores--you will waste your money. If you are on a budget, which most of us are when shopping for an engagement ring--you can get more for your money online. The thought of making such a huge purchase online is a bit scarey at first, but everyone here will always do their best to offer sound advice. I am sure someone can maybe help you out with gettng something similar to Tacori designs, but for a reasonable price for your budget.

GOOD LUCK!
9.gif
 
Ditto, knowledge is the best friend to have when diamond shopping. Start here!
 
Date: 11/9/2008 10:25:39 PM
Author: neatfreak
Date: 11/9/2008 10:23:54 PM

Author: bigmarcus

WOW! I want to thank you all for responding so quickly. You all have been giving me such great information. Keep it coming.



You know how everyone has someone in the family that has a connection or a friend of a friend? Well I have none of those! Thanks again
Click to expand...


you might think it''s a bad thing that you don''t have a friend of a friend, but we have seen SO SO many people get ripped off by a friend of a friend that really, you are lucky.
2.gif
Click to expand...

What he said.

I had a similar budget and also had a friend of a friend thing available. I am soo happy I bought mine online.
 
Neatfreak said it best - count your lucky stars that you don''t have a friend of a friend. I have heard more horror stories than success stories. We didn''t go to a friend of a friend and think we ended up in a better spot.
 
If I was you, I would steer clear of Zales, and probably most of those mall stores. The quality just isn''t there!! We saw that for ourselves a couple weeks ago.

Hubby and I were browsing jewelry stores, looking for halo rings for me to try on and get an idea of what I want. Oh my! We went to Zales, Helzberg,Ostermans,Kays,Gordons and a slew of other B&M stores. (we were in and around Mall of America). The lighting makes the diamonds look pretty good, UNTIL you take a closer look. Almost everything we were shown in any of the stores was I-1 or worse. When I asked for a ring with VS quality stones, I was usually told they didn''t have them. The only certifications the rings had was IGI, and some didn''t even have that. The extra facets and the bright lights make them sparkle, but if you look between the sparkle, there were black carbon specks all in those rings. You can bet they do not look nearly as good once you get the ring out of the store. Probably would have very little sparkle, and a grayish color. And the markup on those rings was huge.

You would do so much better finding a stone at Whiteflash, GOG or one of the other reputable companies that are mentioned on here. Then have a setting custom made and I bet your fiance would be thrilled with her ring. Good luck!!
9.gif
 
Hey All,

After browsing the forums for several days now I have gotten some great information. A sponsor of Pricescope is http://www.goodoldgold.com/ I have heard a lot of good things about them. After browsing their website I realized they are 7 miles from my home! Lucky Me
41.gif
I really would like to go with the Tacori setting that I posted in my first post. What is everyones opinion on http://www.goodoldgold.com/ anyone ever use them? Do you think they would be the right place to purchase the Tacori setting from?
 
Date: 11/10/2008 8:42:02 PM
Author: bigmarcus
Hey All,


After browsing the forums for several days now I have gotten some great information. A sponsor of Pricescope is http://www.goodoldgold.com/ I have heard a lot of good things about them. After browsing their website I realized they are 7 miles from my home! Lucky Me
41.gif
I really would like to go with the Tacori setting that I posted in my first post. What is everyones opinion on http://www.goodoldgold.com/ anyone ever use them? Do you think they would be the right place to purchase the Tacori setting from?
Click to expand...

They are really great and have very good prices. What a lucky duck that you are only 7 miles from them!
 
Not only does GOG have a great rep here on PS, you will get a wonderful diamond education there as well.

Run, don''t walk, to GOG before you make a purchase! I think you''ll find everything you''re looking for in a well cut diamond.
 
you couldn''t be in better hands than Goodoldgold. they have an excellent reputation here and are Tacori dealers to boot so it''s a win/win for you all around and you have the added bonus of being local to them too
36.gif
 
So I think I found my diamond. I made the trip to Good old Gold today and found a diamond thats perfect and in my budget.

http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/4832/

What do you guys think of the price? I''ve been compairing the prices on other online retailers and it looks like it doesnt get much better.

I''m also going with the Ticari setting. That I posted in my first post. I will be going back at the end of the week for the final price.
 
Date: 11/15/2008 4:55:40 PM
Author: bigmarcus
So I think I found my diamond. I made the trip to Good old Gold today and found a diamond thats perfect and in my budget.

http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/4832/

What do you guys think of the price? I''ve been compairing the prices on other online retailers and it looks like it doesnt get much better.

I''m also going with the Ticari setting. That I posted in my first post. I will be going back at the end of the week for the final price.
Click to expand...

I think it looks great. That being said, you may want to reserve it before a lurker gobbles up your diamond!
 
It''s a gorgeous diamond! Lucky you living so close to GOG! I''d snatch that beauty up.
1.gif
 
Date: 11/15/2008 4:55:40 PM
Author: bigmarcus
So I think I found my diamond. I made the trip to Good old Gold today and found a diamond thats perfect and in my budget.

http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/4832/

What do you guys think of the price? I''ve been compairing the prices on other online retailers and it looks like it doesnt get much better.

I''m also going with the Ticari setting. That I posted in my first post. I will be going back at the end of the week for the final price.
Click to expand...
WOW you''re doing just great!

Put a hold on that puppy so it doesn''t get taken by someone else. Then, start dealing with the setting.

Easy peasy, right? She''s going to LOVE it.

LS
 
Its lovely, but its Sat night and I don''t see it reserved? Did you find something else? Don''t let someone steal it from you!
 
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