Do you think Zales is too "cheap" for an engagement ring? ?

Question

Is going to a store that's less "known" and not found in malls better?

Zales has always gotten that cheap or cheesy description, but I've never been so I don't know.

I'm looking for an engagement ring - just a band of diamonds (not a single diamond). Any suggestions of stores (I'm in Boston).

Thanks!!

Answer 1

Money should have nothing to do with the engagement, the ring is just a symbol, you can get a freaking cubic zirconia on a silver band and slip it on that finger and it will still mean the same thing! you can even get engaged without a ring! huh ohhhhhh! yea i said it

so it doesn't matter, how much it is or where its from as long as it was put there with love and the intention to spend the rest of your life with that special someone by your side.

and no i dont think Zales is cheap per se, i would label it as affordable, because god forbid you dont actually go into debt over a ring!

ADD: That is a beautiful ring and as long as you're happy with it then it doesnt matter where it came from.

Answer 2

If you love the ring it does not mater what store it comes from. Look in Zales.  

Answer 3

There is something wrong with Zales, that ring although pretty is overpriced c**p diamonds, look at the clarity rating on them I1-I2 they will be full of what we call frozen spit, white inclusions, and pepper, black inclusions. And it is $1200!

Here is one for about the same price but the diamonds are way nicer and worth about twice as much.

http://www.seaofdiamonds.com/item.asp?in...

Answer 4

Just make sure you check the quality of the diamonds.  I was not impressed by the quality at Zales because we did look there for an engagement ring.  The sales people in the store were not very knowlegeable as well and very pushy to sell once the clerk noticed my fiance's Rolex.

My fiance purchased my ring from Ben Bridge jewelers.  They know what they were talking about when it comes to diamonds.  They offer an awesome protection guarantee and are very personable.  

Answer 5

I've never heard that about Zales.  Hun people get rings from Wal-Mart & Target these days.  Zales sounds just fine to me.

Answer 6

There is nothing wrong with going to Zales or any other store in the mall to get the ring.

Answer 7

Oh man, NO!!!  I LOVE Zales.  That's where we found my wedding band and I absolutely love it.  PLUS, Zales has a great lifetime warranty.  They replace broken or missing diamonds, re-dip white gold jewelry that's turned/turning back to yellow gold, oh man... it's a great warranty.  And you only have to pay once.. it's great. I LOVE Zales.  It's where I want my husband to buy all my jewelry! :-D  There's nothing cheap about it.  They've got wonderful things.

Answer 8

That ring is beautiful. I do not think that Zales is too "Cheap" of a store. I think that the ring is really nice that if that's what you want and can afford, then get it. It doesn't matter where it is from.

Answer 9

We don't have Zales where I live (but I know the store), but if you want a diamond ring then a diamond is a diamond and I don't think it matters where you get it. The thing about a large chain like Zales is that they don't custom make their rings; they make a whole bunch of the same setting to keep costs down. A mom'n'pop jeweler will make one ring at a time by hand, and that's more expensive. So it really depends on what you want and what you're willing/able to pay for.

EDIT: *Gorgeous* ring, by the way! I love baguette cut stones and eternity rings are so pretty. If you love it, go for it!

Answer 10

It doesnt matter where you go or what people think of where you go, if you find the ring that you want then get it.

My husband bought my engagement ring, and both our wedding rings together at Friedmans Jewelers and I love them. They arent the most expensive, but they are mine and they are exactly what I like. And thats all that matters, no one else has to wear them but me.

Shop around, you'll soon find exactly what you're looking for and if its in your price range then go for it. It doesnt matter which store you get it from.

Answer 11

I don’t like the mall jewelry stores in general. The selection has never impressed me. I’ve never had good service at one and the employees don’t really seem all that knowledgeable. I am also under the impression that they get paid on commission, and that makes me uncomfortable. I’ve seen those places run a guy’s credit and then steer him to the most expensive ring he can afford.

And the biggest problem in my book is that they have to ship off your jewelry to have it serviced. They sometimes lose it and it can take quite a bit of time to get it back. Don’t assume those places are the least expensive either. Shop around and I’ll bet you’ll find they aren’t.

All of my fine jewelry comes from the Shane Company. They are a small chain. Their prices are competitive, and the service is impeccable. They don’t pay their salespeople commission, so they’re treat you equally well whether you’re coming in for a cleaning, buying a $500 or a $50,000 ring. And they do all of their service on site. My items never leave the store for resizing or repairs, and those services are completed in a few days. Sometimes even the same day. And this is why I don’t even consider going elsewhere. Unfortunately, they're not in your market yet. :-(

www.shaneco.com  

Answer 12

Since when does the store matter? It's the love behind the ring that counts not the box it comes in. Shop around until you find the right ring and ignore the name on the outside of the stores.

Answer 13

Diamonds are diamonds no matter if you go to JCPenneys or Tiffany's.  Nobody is going to look at your ring and say "ohh man, I'm sorry you shop at Zales dont you?"

Although I will note that you should look for diamonds that are guaranteed not to come from the "blood diamond" areas.

Answer 14

I found that the quality of the diamonds at the mall jewelers was not as good as the quality of the diamonds we got at the discount jewelers on Jewelers' Row. Does Boston have a Jewelers' Row? I know New York and Philly do. They are great. You can get your ring totally customized and you hand pick the diamond and the setting and you know exactly what you are getting. You often wind up paying less than you would at a Zales or a mall jeweler. Good luck.

Answer 15

I have a friend whose rings came from a pawn shop.

It isn't about the expense...it is about the sentiment.

Answer 16

I really like the ring. Zales is a very good jewelry store. I have shopped there before for several people and no one ever complained. I wear jewelery from there as well.  Is there a Kay Jewelers in Boston? They are really good also.

Answer 17

It's not the cost of the ring or the store it came from, but rather the caring and love that goes into it that makes it special.

Answer 18

People put way too much emphasis on a ring.  It is a symbol and a piece of jewellery.  Don't allow yourself to get caught up in the nonsense.

Zales is as good a place as any.

Answer 19

Mine came from Montgomery Wards (like Sears or JCPenney)... Zales is a national chain with a fairly good reputation - a lot of the quality depends on how much you spend - better materials cost more..  you may check the zales outlets for specials.  Oh - for a band w/more than diamonds look for an anniversary band.

Best of luck

Answer 20

It doesn't take much to study the quality of diamonds. You basically want the best diamond you can get for the money you spend. Zales just often doesn't have diamonds that are as "colorless" and "clear" as some local stores. You can research diamonds on the Internet and find out some basic facts before shopping at different stores.  

Answer 21

Zales isn't cheap? They have a nice selection and you can also try Jared if they have any stores there.

Answer 22

I was so happy when my fiance asked me to marry him I did not care where the ring was from.

Answer 23

The ring matters. Not where you got it. If it's an 18 carat band with a 12 carat diamond, what difference does it make where it came from? That's silly!  

Answer 24

No, there is nothing wrong with going to Zales. A friend of mine use to work there and has told me that they don't have super high quality large diamonds, but I think if you are looking for a band with smaller diamonds their quality is just fine.

Answer 25

The importance of the ring is the meaning and what it means to you and your intended.  NOT the cost whether it cost allot or not it is a representation  of your LOVE between to two of you and the promise that you and he will LOVE each other.  So Don't get up into all the material things.  They are nice however they are not every thing.

Answer 26

no there is notrhing wrong with zales

Answer 27

go to local jewelery store, "family owned"

they tend to be less expensive

I've found a few nice pieces at Zales

don't be ashamed to use them though

Answer 28

Zales won't be "cheap", if anything you will pay too much at Zales for what you will get.  I think the reason people look "down" on it is because chain stores in malls are kind of a rip-off.  The mark-ups on the jewelry are ridiculous.  You could pay the same price at a smaller, privately owned jewelry store and get much better quality.

Before you go to any jewelry store learn about diamonds and the quality ratings so you know what you are buy and what you should be paying.

Here are some links:

http://www.diamondpriceguru.com/shopping...

http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-and-jewe...

Good Luck!