Post # 1
Member
14 posts
Newbee
- Wedding: September 2015 - Chataeu Briand
Hi Everyone! I am new to the board. My boyfriend and I are planning on getting engaged next summer and went ring browsing over the weekend. I fell absolutely in love with the Vera Wang Collection at Zales and can’t find myself liking anything else. The ring I fell in love with cost about $7,000. The only thing I wasn’t too happy with is the fact that it cost so much and the center diamond is only .75 carat and it also had an obvious flaw that can be seen with the naked eye. Obviously you are paying more for the name. I could care less for the name and I just really love the style of the ring. Does anyone know if I can have the style made by another jeweler and put at least a 1 carart center diamond?
Post # 3
Member
437 posts
Helper bee
@melly6228: Oh my God, my boyfriend and I fell in love with the Vera Wang collection as well… When I tried them on I realized that they are just too flashy for me, but I did find some other jewelers who will make nice halo settings. They are all local jewelers, so I can’t really help you in that sense… But I would definitely recommend going through a local jeweler or getting a custom-made one, because like you said you really are paying for the name and they’re really not that high in quality!!
Post # 4
Member
5398 posts
Bee Keeper
Can you post a picture of the ring you liked? Or link to it on the zales website? We can try to help you find something similar.
Post # 5
Member
14 posts
Newbee
- Wedding: September 2015 - Chataeu Briand
@BlondeMissMolly: 
This is the one I fell in love with. What I love the most about it is the diamonds on the front of the ring and the center diamond is visible from all sides because it is open all around.
Post # 6
Member
5398 posts
Bee Keeper
@melly6228: I can’t see the picture. Can you copy and post the link to the website?
edit: I can see it now. Hmmm let me think
Post # 7
Member
14 posts
Newbee
- Wedding: September 2015 - Chataeu Briand
@BlondeMissMolly: Here is the top view
Post # 8
Member
14 posts
Newbee
Post # 9
Member
14 posts
Newbee
- Wedding: September 2015 - Chataeu Briand
@kendra389: No, the quality was not that great. It was so sad to see such a flawed diamond on such a gorgeoud piece. And what gets me even more is such a high price for a quarter of a carat in the center. I am not saying that I am stuck on getting a big diamond, but if I am going to spend that amount of money, I would rather put that money on the quality of the diamonds, not the name. Thank you for the advice. 🙂
Post # 10
Member
752 posts
Busy bee
Isn’t it 3/4 of a carat?
My ring looks very similar, is also 3/4 of a carat and was around $7k (I believe). I have a very good quality diamond, so I don’t think Fiance overpaid. Try the Scott Kay line, he has rings very similar to what you posted.
Post # 11
Member
5398 posts
Bee Keeper
Well I think if you want that exact design you will either have to get that ring or have a custom design done. However, if you are ok with something similar (3 stones, pave, milgrain) there are tons of similar designs. Try since1910.com and brands like verragio, Scott Kay, etc as well as whiteflash. You could post on pricescope also, as some of their expert members might have seen something similar!
Post # 12
Member
14 posts
Newbee
- Wedding: September 2015 - Chataeu Briand
@BlondeMissMolly: Thank you for your suggestions. I will definitely check out those brands. 🙂
Post # 13
Member
14 posts
Newbee
- Wedding: September 2015 - Chataeu Briand
@kmarie719: I’m sorry. You are right, it is 3/4 carat. Thank you for your reply. I am really new to all of this so I guess I am not really sure what would be the right price. I am kind of iffy on a lot of things I look at because I am not sure if the price is for the name or the ring. A lot of people have told me to stay away from the stores like Zales because their products will be overpriced so I am not really sure what direction to go.
Post # 14
Member
752 posts
Busy bee
@melly6228: I share the same opinion of Zales as you, higher priced for lower quality. And, if you can visibly see an imperfection on a diamond that’s graded as having no imperfections, it’s definitely a sign to look elsewhere.
Consider shopping local. Fiance got my ring at Jared’s, and we went to a local shop for our bands (and carried Scott Kay, just like Jared’s). The experience at the local shop was much more intimate and personal. It felt like they were really trying to find what we wanted, rather than just trying to sell what they had. They even remembered us when we went back two months later to pick up the rings.
I’ve been to Jared’s a dozen times, seen the same lady 6-7 times, and she has never remember me, not once.
Post # 15
Member
280 posts
Helper bee
Hi! I know this post isn’t completely related, but I was actually looking at getting the same exact ring. I ended up with the ring below because none of the Zales around here had it, and it was slightly out of the price range I wanted (I know it includes the band but we need more time to save for that!)
I have only had it a few weeks so I can’t yet attest to the durability, etc. but I love it and the quality looks great to my untrained eye. To be honest I was looking more for style/sparkle than a perfect quality stone.
My ring is the 1 3/4 CT Three Stone. (Center stone is ¾ CT)
