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In looking online, the quality of Macy's diamond rings don't seem that good overall. The clarity rating seems to be I2-I3 for a LOT of them & on the scale, it states to basically, "stay away from". One such site of many out there has this explanation:
Now I don't have to have the clearest & the brightest, but I want to get something of good quality for the hard-earned money that's going to be spent. I see a ring at a good price, which I'm still willing to see in-person, but just to see, so I don't think I'll actually get it.
Also, what other department stores or jewelry stores have good quality diamonds for the money? TIA.
The only chain I'd trust for diamonds is Costco. No personal experience but others have said they have good quality for the money and the ones on display sure look pretty.
In addition to clarity, I look at cut. If the shape is too flat, it will look bigger from the top but the diamond won't sparkle because light passes through it instead f reflecting around inside it. The angles of the cuts have to be just right.
The 3 diamonds I've bought in my life- two side diamonds for my engagement ring (he bought the center stone, an imperial topaz) and a side diamond when I remounted 2 diamonds from family rings, came from BlueNile.com. I HIGHLY recommend them. They show you a selection of diamonds based on your criteria, with prices. They will also mount them in the setting of your choice but you can buy only the stone if you want. At the very least, their selection tool gives you a good idea of the price trade-off for various sizes and variations in the 4 Cs.
And, if this is for an engagement ring- when my niece's fiance proposed he just gave her the diamond and they picked out a setting she liked. I loved that idea. Unless the setting is festooned with a lot of diamonds or is platinum, it's not a major part of the cost, so you'll be able to keep the cost within your budget but still make sure she loves the ring itself.
In looking online, the quality of Macy's diamond rings don't seem that good overall. The clarity rating seems to be I2-I3 for a LOT of them & on the scale, it states to basically, "stay away from". One such site of many out there has this explanation:
Now I don't have to have the clearest & the brightest, but I want to get something of good quality for the hard-earned money that's going to be spent. I see a ring at a good price, which I'm still willing to see in-person, but just to see, so I don't think I'll actually get it.
Also, what other department stores or jewelry stores have good quality diamonds for the money? TIA.
Do yourself a huge favor and check out the “jewelry district” in downtown LA. Google it for stores and directions. When you buy from places like Macy’s... you’re paying in part for the name.
Don't waste your time or money shopping for diamonds at a department store. Someone mentioned the jewelry district in DT LA as an option. If you don't want to go there, you can also buy online from sites like Bluenile. They are very reputable and you can select from many quality stones that meet your criteria and budget. They offer fast shipping as well.
Yes, I have still wanted to go to Costco to look around & thank you for the jewelry District suggestion. In these COVID times, I'm trying to avoid normalyl crowded places, so I'll see when I can get around to them.
Regarding BlueNile, I've read good things about them. But I just hate buying something that I haven't seen in-person yet. However, there is an actual Blue Nile B&M (brick & mortar) store about 45 min away in a mall I've been to so I know exaclty where it is. They must have added that there after I last visited the mall.
And I know they say to never buy from the mall jewelry stores, but I was wondering if department stores were any different.
Last edited by Forever Blue; 01-18-2021 at 04:58 PM..
Department stores are NOT the place to buy quality jewelry! I know for a fact that they spent a day/days marking UP the jewelry they already had in stock.
I understand your reluctance to buy sight unseen - in that case, go to Tiffany's. They are over-priced - yes - but at least you can see what a quality item looks like. Then buy it online.
You should set a budget first - and understand it's a compromise. As others have stated - once you realize what "makes up" a high-quality diamond - then you'll realize that big ones are very - very - expensive. No "mass market" seller (Like Macys) has anything approaching the quality of Blue Nile, at any price. They are over-priced for what they DO have - the same diamond at Macys will be less at Brian Gavin.
While you can't "see" it - their virtual technology is amazing.
Costco is actually a unicorn in this area, so worth a look, for sure.
In looking online, the quality of Macy's diamond rings don't seem that good overall. The clarity rating seems to be I2-I3 for a LOT of them & on the scale, it states to basically, "stay away from". One such site of many out there has this explanation:
Now I don't have to have the clearest & the brightest, but I want to get something of good quality for the hard-earned money that's going to be spent. I see a ring at a good price, which I'm still willing to see in-person, but just to see, so I don't think I'll actually get it.
Also, what other department stores or jewelry stores have good quality diamonds for the money? TIA.
In looking online, the quality of Macy's diamond rings don't seem that good overall. The clarity rating seems to be I2-I3 for a LOT of them & on the scale, it states to basically, "stay away from". One such site of many out there has this explanation:
Now I don't have to have the clearest & the brightest, but I want to get something of good quality for the hard-earned money that's going to be spent. I see a ring at a good price, which I'm still willing to see in-person, but just to see, so I don't think I'll actually get it.
Also, what other department stores or jewelry stores have good quality diamonds for the money? TIA.
Precious stones are more valuable and rare. Diamonds are cheap and way overpriced.
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