Find your diamond
Find your jewelry
shape
carat
color
clarity

Zales Celebration Fire - 0.96 CT, F,SI2 or 1.11 CT, G, SI2

Status
Not open for further replies. Please create a new topic or request for this thread to be opened.
S

suman31

Rough_Rock
Joined
Dec 3, 2012
Messages
8
Hi All,

My wife and I had gone to Zales on Friday and saw this wonderful 1.11 CT, G, SI2, 10 hearts and 10 arrows, 72 facets, celebration fire diamond from Zales. We loved it. I was about to buy it, but then something told me I got to do my research.
The whole of sat and sun I researched on diamonds. Came to the conclusion with a 15% discount and 0% APR for 12 months, it was a good balance of convinience and price. They quoted me $7200 with setting before taxes. $7660 after sales tax.
A diamond from Lumera that scored 1.2 on HCA, with thesame specs (but only8 H&A) was costing me $7100 if I included 14K setting, and some other fees that I would have incurred to get that much money together. Obviously, I would not have had to pay sales tax if I bought online.

I called them up Sunday evening and I told them I was coming on Monday. The sales person told me the same piece is still in their store, so I could come and buy it. I just got back from the store disappointed, as what they showed me now was a 0.96 CT, F (higher than the previous one), SI2, celebration fire with 72 facets for exactly the same price. As this 15% discount promotion was only till wednesday to lock in the price I bought the diamond. The sales person promised me that I could return the ring if I she could not find one with more than 1 CT in the next 1 month or so. 100 day return policy is on it so I am covered.

OK, now he questions,

1. I really wanted my wife to wear more than 1 CT, a diamond with a width of 6.45 mm or higher, which was the case with the 1.11 CT diamond ring. The 0.96 CT diamond is only 6.35 mm. I can probably give up on this desire if the other questions came out to be postive from you guys.
2. Which would be more expensive in the market if I appraised it? considering the 0.96 CT has F rating compared to 1.11 CT has G rating.
3. Is it worth paying $7200 for any of these two rings?
4. Should I return this ring and just get a 8 H&A excellent cut ring from an online store? How much difference does 8 H&A and 10 H&A make?
5. Anyone has any feedback on Celebration fire from zales? Any kind of experience about celebration collection in general is also good to know..

Thanks!!!
 
Re: Zales Celebration Fire - 0.96 CT, F,SI2 or 1.11 CT, G, S

I just did a search on the PS virtual inventory above for 1 to 1.2 carat, F or G, SI2 clarity diamonds, GIA or AGS certification only (these labs are stricter whereas EGL, which most mall stores tend to use, are much softer in grading so an EGL F SI2 could very well be an H I1 in real life, which would be much cheaper). The average price is about $4.5k, with some excellent cut diamonds with great HCA scores in that price range. Moreover most PS vendors give a bank wire discount, so your cost would be slightly lower than $4.5k.

Given the amount Zales is charging you ($7.6k total), you can save $3k and use that money for a very nice custom made setting. IMO given the price they are charging you for the diamond and setting it is somewhat overpriced.

As for 10 versus 8 H&A, personally I prefer the 8 because it produces larger flashes of light whereas because of the smaller but more facets in the 10 H&A, there's more smaller pinpoint flashes of light return. So it depends on what your eye prefers.
 
Re: Zales Celebration Fire - 0.96 CT, F,SI2 or 1.11 CT, G, S

One carat diamond should face up at 6.5 mm. An eye visible difference is .2mm. I think you are find with either stone in terms of spread.

That said, I wouldn't want either of those. I'd prefer a GIA Ex/Ex over both those or an AGS 0.

I would go this diamond:
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.027-h-vs2-round-diamond-ags-bl-104061006007
with this setting: http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/six-prong-solitaire-14k-white-gold-5351w14

Read this thread, pay attention to the comments about the BGD Blue Line: [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/likelihood-of-finding-a-signature-super-ideal-diamond.174235/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/likelihood-of-finding-a-signature-super-ideal-diamond.174235/[/URL]
 
Re: Zales Celebration Fire - 0.96 CT, F,SI2 or 1.11 CT, G, S

If you want a 'special cut' round: http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9950/ 6,800. It's a J but it will face up really well, and that will give you more room for a slightly nicer setting.
 
Re: Zales Celebration Fire - 0.96 CT, F,SI2 or 1.11 CT, G, S

Alexiszoe|1354591612|3321916 said:
I just did a search on the PS virtual inventory above for 1 to 1.2 carat, F or G, SI2 clarity diamonds, GIA or AGS certification only (these labs are stricter whereas EGL, which most mall stores tend to use, are much softer in grading so an EGL F SI2 could very well be an H I1 in real life, which would be much cheaper). The average price is about $4.5k, with some excellent cut diamonds with great HCA scores in that price range. Moreover most PS vendors give a bank wire discount, so your cost would be slightly lower than $4.5k.

Given the amount Zales is charging you ($7.6k total), you can save $3k and use that money for a very nice custom made setting. IMO given the price they are charging you for the diamond and setting it is somewhat overpriced.

As for 10 versus 8 H&A, personally I prefer the 8 because it produces larger flashes of light whereas because of the smaller but more facets in the 10 H&A, there's more smaller pinpoint flashes of light return. So it depends on what your eye prefers.
Click to expand...


I looked. Can you point out a 1.2 ct for $4,500. With those specks. I could not find any thing. I am in the market and I would buy it right now.
 
Re: Zales Celebration Fire - 0.96 CT, F,SI2 or 1.11 CT, G, S

mdmc|1354593562|3321946 said:
Alexiszoe|1354591612|3321916 said:
I just did a search on the PS virtual inventory above for 1 to 1.2 carat, F or G, SI2 clarity diamonds, GIA or AGS certification only (these labs are stricter whereas EGL, which most mall stores tend to use, are much softer in grading so an EGL F SI2 could very well be an H I1 in real life, which would be much cheaper). The average price is about $4.5k, with some excellent cut diamonds with great HCA scores in that price range. Moreover most PS vendors give a bank wire discount, so your cost would be slightly lower than $4.5k.

Given the amount Zales is charging you ($7.6k total), you can save $3k and use that money for a very nice custom made setting. IMO given the price they are charging you for the diamond and setting it is somewhat overpriced.

As for 10 versus 8 H&A, personally I prefer the 8 because it produces larger flashes of light whereas because of the smaller but more facets in the 10 H&A, there's more smaller pinpoint flashes of light return. So it depends on what your eye prefers.
Click to expand...


I looked. Can you point out a 1.2 ct for $4,500. With those specks. I could not find any thing. I am in the market and I would buy it right now.
Click to expand...

I did not say 1.2 only, the figure given is based on the average for the range of 1 to 1.2 carats, F to G, SI2 when I did the search.

To OP,

Gypsy provided some really good choices. Some other options to consider:

Diamond 1, GIA 1.00 carat, G, SI2, HCA of 1.3,
http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-3362385-1.00-carat-Round-diamond-G-color-SI2-Clarity.aspx?sku=3362385&utm_source=pricescope.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pricescope.com

Diamond 2, GIA 1.00 carat, G, SI2, HCA of 1.5, this diamond has a bit more spread (the PS price is $4466 but when I went to the vendor's website it was listed for slightly higher)
http://www.eternitybyyoni.com/diamond_detail.php?id=817739&ref=pricescope

Not sure if both are eye clean, best to call the vendor and ask them to call it in and check.
 
Re: Zales Celebration Fire - 0.96 CT, F,SI2 or 1.11 CT, G, S

Yes I found plenty of 1ct but I was hard pressed to find a 1.2 ct.
 
Re: Zales Celebration Fire - 0.96 CT, F,SI2 or 1.11 CT, G, S

Please compare dimensions, not carat weight. The ones I posted at 1 carat are larger than your 1.11 carat.
 
Re: Zales Celebration Fire - 0.96 CT, F,SI2 or 1.11 CT, G, S

Hi All,

Brilliant responses! very very helpful... Thanks Gypsy, Alexiszoe, and nielseel!
I am going through all the links and posts one by one.
I will have a detailed response soon.
I never told you guys my budget, I think it can help me get better advice from you folks, I have a budget of $9000, can go a bit higher but has to make sense though.
I am not really stuck up on the setting for some reason as I think we will change the setting in India when we go back for good next year. Diamonds are very expensive in India and most of the stores are cheats. And the yellow gold settings in India have much more variety and my wife wants the diamond on yellow gold. So that brings me to another questions, do some diamonds look better on yellow than white? if yes what are the factors that play?

Thanks!!
 
Re: Zales Celebration Fire - 0.96 CT, F,SI2 or 1.11 CT, G, S

"Better on yellow gold" is more of a personal preference. I like two things in yellow gold - icy white diamonds that really pop, and warm diamonds that kind of blend. I'm guessing you're going for the first look, especially if you are from/will live in India. I'd just stick to G or H color (in an ideal cut, they'll both look super white). If you're going to change the setting, you may want to propose with just a basic yellow gold solitaire.
 
Re: Zales Celebration Fire - 0.96 CT, F,SI2 or 1.11 CT, G, S

ask if it is eye clean from the top and the sides from 6"
you wouldnt need to get any other certs.
good choice :)

ETA is your budget for the diamond + temp setting or for diamond temp setting AND the one you get in india??
 
Re: Zales Celebration Fire - 0.96 CT, F,SI2 or 1.11 CT, G, S

suman31|1354651372|3322399 said:
Hi All,

After reading all the responses, I have decided that I will go with something like this diamond (BG signature cut - link below) and a 14K gold solitaire setting. I will get it re-set in India next year or so.

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.022-g-si2-round-diamond-ags-104061594005

Please provide feedback... Should I ask for any other certificates for more information?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

It will come with the AGS cert, all you need :)

I think it's an excellent choice, a great balance of color and clarity for the budget. It will be phenomenal!
 
Re: Zales Celebration Fire - 0.96 CT, F,SI2 or 1.11 CT, G, S

Thanks! i wlll make sure about that before i buy..
My budget is for diamond + temp setting only.
I would love the savings if this is a good diamond..
 
Re: Zales Celebration Fire - 0.96 CT, F,SI2 or 1.11 CT, G, S

suman31|1354671442|3322728 said:
Thanks! i wlll make sure about that before i buy..
My budget is for diamond + temp setting only.
I would love the savings if this is a good diamond..
Click to expand...

looks good but again i would make sure its eyeclean from the side and the front from close range
 
Re: Zales Celebration Fire - 0.96 CT, F,SI2 or 1.11 CT, G, S

Im not an exert so I dont know if a feather is a good inclusion or one to avoid, but I would ask BG to put that on hold for you if you havent yet. That way no lurker snatches it up while you are deciding. :errrr:
 
Re: Zales Celebration Fire - 0.96 CT, F,SI2 or 1.11 CT, G, S

Here is a star diamond on JA. If you liked the optics of the celebration diamond you might like the stars optics.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1397338.asp

Settings:
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/18k-white-gold-pave-teardrop-engagement-ring-17872w.html

Here is a video comparing the optics of a star 129

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsmK4XixFqg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HoOyAolv8xc
 
Status
Not open for further replies. Please create a new topic or request for this thread to be opened.
GET 3 FREE HCA RESULTS JOIN THE FORUM. ASK FOR HELP
Jewelry Blog
PriceScope-Concierge-Ad
Find prime cuts.
Top