Is this a good deal - 1/4 carat fracture-filled diamond ring?

Question

I found a 1/4 carat fracture filled diamond solitaire ring in a plain setting for $100. Is this a pretty good deal? I really don't want to spend more than that on a ring - I just can't justify spending more than that on a piece of jewelry - I think it's crazy that some of these rings cost $500 plus dollars, even up to $4000 or $5000! That's nuts - I'd never spend more than $100 on a piece of jewelry - I just can't justify that, even $100 is a little high to me for something so small ( I'm not broke, I just like to be smart with my money and spending a ton of cash on a hunk of rock and metal doesn't sound like a wise investment to me).

Anyways, does that sound like a good deal for an engagement ring for her?

She's not materialistic, but I know that she does like nice things. One good thing about the fracture filled is that it's eye-clean b/c they took out the imperfections and it's also very inexpensive. What are your thoughts? Any suggestions? Thanks for your time. :)

Answer 1

If you are set on only spending $100 then I guess that's the best option for your price range.  If you and your pontential fiance have discussed marriage, then talking it over with her may be an option.  My fiance proposed at the beginning of July and because we had discussed engagement rings, he knew he would be justified in buying a less expensive ring for me. We are both college students and money is hard to come by, plus, I somewhat agree with you on spending outrageous amounts of money on a ring.

If you truly think the ring is beautiful and a legitimate good deal, I would say buy it.  Jewelry doesn't signify the depth of your love for her and if she's not a materialistic person and knows how much you love her, the price of the ring shouldn't be an issue.

Answer 2

With a gift, it's the thought that counts...your thought for the woman you wish to spend the rest of your life with is "what's the cheapest possible thing I can get my hands on"??? You're some catch, buddy.

No, it isn't a good deal. It's trash at any price. She'd be better off getting a good quality wedding ring only if that's all you can muster.

You spend what on a car that will last 10 years at most. The engagement ring (if it isn't junk) will be worn every day for the remainder of her life.

Answer 3

Visible imprefections will be the whispering of choice among your family members and friends.

Let's face it. some peple are catty, even if she doesn't care, people will be rude and comment how cheap and crappy the ring is. A friend of mine was devastated when she received a miniscule crappy ring when her fiance could handsomely afford something better.

If that's all that you can afford, so bet. But if you can find something more suitable to declare your ever lasting love and propose, then reconsider. $100 on a fractured ring is not wise, the ring is not worth anything if the gem is cracked. She may be dissapointed and no one wants ugly, cheap, broken stuff.

Good luck

PS/ I'm sure that you X-BOX costs more than that.

Answer 4

nope

Answer 5

Fracture filled diamonds are made for people who want better clarity at a lower price, which sounds like what you're looking for. However, GIA scientists have concluded that "prolonged exposure - or numerous short exposures - to commonly employed cleaning methods may sometimes damage filling substances."  In addition, it was determined that "repolishing of jewelry and repair procedures involving direct exposure to heat (such as re-tipping of prongs) may damage and partially remove the filler from such treated diamonds." So if you do get the ring, be very careful how it is cleaned and if it is repaired make sure you let them know about the glass in it.

As for a good deal, I'd say not really. You could probably get an unfilled diamond for about $300 and it would have a far greater value (as a gem). In fact, you can get a nice 1/4 carat pear-shaped diamond without fillers at WalMart for only $169.  A fracture-filled diamond would not fall under MY idea of "nice things", it's costume jewelry.

Some other ideas:

- Look at antique stores for better values on real diamonds.

- See a private jeweler and get a real diamond in a nice setting in your price range.

- Get her a birthstone or other gem ring she would like instead of a diamond.

- Save more money and get a nice IGA certified diamond instead.

Good luck!

Answer 6

Wow.  Sorry but you sound like a cheap @$$, and I feel so sorry for your future wife.  My husband thought like you and didn't think I was worth proposing to or giving a ring to, and I resent the jerk for it to this day, 5 years after we've been married and he still doesn't think enough of me to give me an engagement or wedding ring.  My advice for your fiance would be to run and run quickly.  If you don't think that she's worth spending more than $100 for on a ring, what's it going to be like when she wants to buy herself some new clothes because her jeans or shirts are wearing out - jeans cost at least $30 a pair you know!  And what's it going to be like when you have a baby and have to buy a crib - it's at least $150 for a good crib, for a hunk of wood you know, but oh I suppose your BABY wouldn't even be worth that, huh?  What kind of a jerk are you?  Don't you realize what an engaement ring represents?  It represents your love for her - that she is yours, and yours alone!  That you love her. That you care about her - the purity of the diamond represents the purity of your love for her, and the circle of the ring represents that just like a circle has no beginning and no end, neither does your love for her.  

The engagement ring is something that she is going to wear for the rest of her life - something that she should love to look at and be proud to wear - something that represents your love for her - something that she is going to hand down to her kids and grandkids.  It's something that her friends and family are going to want to oooh and aaah over.  

You do not sound like you are ready to get married.  

A hunk of rock and metal?  Is that what it is to you?  Then I suppose that all she is to you is t i t s  and a double s, huh?  

Can someone please please tell me why ALL men are such jerks????!!!???

Besides, fracture filled diamonds BREAK. If it ever needs to be repaired, if it gets too hot during the repair process, it could break.  It wouldn't even be worth fixing.  THat is awful.

Answer 7

I certainly would never pay more than $100 bucks for fracture filled.  You do know that the material they use to fill the fractures can come out with age and then you have a cracked piece of c**p.

I'm sorry, but in this case you get what you pay for!

I would never do that to someone you love.  No, you don't have to break the bank, but you also do not have to go so cheap and give her a piece of junk.

Consider moissanite.  It's as hard as a diamond and the color and clarity are brilliant.  It's a far better alternative.  You do not need to break the bank for that either.

Answer 8

Fracture filled 1/4 ct for $100? Sure its a good deal, for a crappy ring!  Sounds pretty bad! I understand you are worried about spending the money on a "hunk of rock and metal", but thats just what you are doing if you get this ring.

Even $100, but suppose she hits it of something, or for some reason something happens to the stone and it gets even more messed up. Then you still have to pay more to fix it, or replace it.  

You said she likes niche things, so go the extra mile to make her happy. There are rings out there for $200, $300, $400 as well.

You get what you pay for!

Answer 9

If you want to spend $100 on a ring then thats your priority but on the other hand I wouldnt call other people "nuts" for spending more.

Of course an engagement ring is a symbol of the love you have for one another but you also have to be smart about what your buying (just like anything you buy). Its an investment piece...something you will have for the rest of your life.

If your only willing to spend $100 on a diamond ring then thats what your going to get...1/4 cut fracture filled diamond. You get what you pay for.

Good Luck!

Answer 10

You can't justify $500 for a ring that your wife is supposed to wear for the rest of her life and is supposed to symbolize you two on the road to marriage? Are you serious?  $500 is actually fairly cheap - never mind $100.  I had an ex (a generous ex) buy a ring for me just b/c I liked it to wear on a daily basis for $500 from Tiffany.  And that was just a ring I could wear out - not a wedding ring!

Buddy, you are gonna get a c**p *** ring for $100.  Why don't you just spend $1 and get her one out of a machine - I'm sure they are probably pretty interchangeable!

Answer 11

I just wouldn't buy that type of diamond.

For that price, you can get a regular diamond - and even look at sets for close to 200 for both the engagement and wedding band.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000N62HIO/ref=...

http://www.amazon.com/12-ct-Round-Diamon...

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.d...

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.d...

http://www.blair.com/webapp/wcs/stores/s...

Answer 12

Does she have a favorite gemstone?  I would buy a nice blue topaz or similar for that price rather than a very poor quality diamond.  My sister has a gorgeous blue topaz - the look is modern and sophisticated.  It is set with tiny diamonds and looks antique.  There are more options to consider than just a fracture-filled diamond.

Answer 13

I would avoid the fracture-filled diamonds.  As another poster mentioned, they are in the same classification as costume jewelry because they can't hold up to regular daily wear.  Check with a local jewelry store to see if they can help you find a nice ring within a reasonable budget.  It will fare better over the years than costume jewelry.

Also, keep in mind that you don't need an engagement ring to propose.  Is there another type of jewelry that she might like better and will work with your budget?  Or perhaps she won't want a ring at all?

Best wishes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 14

VERY BAD IDEA.  You have to understand that women (even the ones who are not materialistic) look at this differently.  If you give her a fracture-filled diamond, she is either going to think that you're a cheapskate or that your love for her is not sincere.  That's why you don't buy a cubic zirconia as an engagement ring.  If you're going to ask a woman to marry you the engagement ring needs to have a diamond, and not a damaged one that has been fixed.

Trust me on this one -- you REALLY need to re-think your position.  Your girl may not be big on stuff, but she's going to believe that you think she's "not worth it" if you don't buy her a decent engagement ring.  You don't have to buy her a huge rock, and you certainly don't have to go by that stupid guideline of two months' pay, but if you can't find it in your heart to stump up at least $500.00 for an engagement ring you ARE a cheapskate.  

P.S.:  It doesn't get any better from here -- women like jewelry, and I can chisel it in stone for you that she'll eventually want something down the line like diamond earrings, a gold chain to hang a charm on, a pearl necklace, or something like that.  You're not going to get anything your wife will like for $100.00 EVER.

Answer 15

Sorry, jewelry is one thing that there isn't much room to 'skimp' on. If you buy cheap, you're getting cheap, and you'll be paying repair or replacement costs very soon.

So, yes, I suppose it is a good deal for what you're getting, you're getting a poor quality ring for a low cost, but I would highly recommend you not buy it!

Answer 16

You are thinking of marrying this woman.  You don't want to start your lives together with a fractured diamond ring.   Rings are made of precious metal and stone because those items are treasured and when proposing we are supposed to indicate to the person we are hoping to marry that they are precious to us.  I hate to break it to you but diamond rings (excluding the celebrity $1million plus price tag) can be well upwards of $4000 or $5000.  There is nothing on earth however that says you have to use a diamond ring to propose.  If you don't want to spend more than a couple hundred dollars (this should still be a nice piece- do not even think of getting one of those $29.99 jewelry store specials that they have from time to time), use a different stone.  You probably want to avoid emerald and pearl beacuse they will not stand up well to cleaning and daily wear.  Each stone symbolizes different things.  You could easily get a ring made with both of your birthstones (set like a past present future ring) for a few hundred dollars.  Have you asked her about her expectations?  Many women will not tell you how much they really care about this but her feelings could be pretty bruised and she may or may not tell you.  You should spend more than $100 hands down.  This is not the time to be this cheap.  Buy her a quality piece of jewelry.  Unfortunately usually with jewelry price is a direct reflection of quality.  You may try taking her ring browsing (pretend like you're looking for a gift for your mother or aunt if you need to) and notice (or talk to a salesperson beforehand and have them steer you in that direction) the rings.  THIS IS NOT THE TIME TO TALK ABOUT PRICE...PERIOD.  WITH HER.  WITH THE SALESPERSON.  UNDER YOUR BREATH...NOT IN THE CAR ON THE WAY HOMEE OR THE NEXT DAY OR THE NEXT WEEK! You will look like a jerk. Just sit back and watch her look.  See what she wants to try on.  Have the salesperson ask her questions (how big is she thinking, does it need to be a diamond, etc that you pre-plan with her).  You may be able to gauge what she is actually thinking. Please don't think she is overly materialistic if this matters to her.  The ring you are thinking of is a nightmare.  You will make her cry.  She's probably too nice to do this in front of you but it will embarass her.  You could always get a ring in nice metal set with a cubic zirconia in it with the intention of replacing it with a diamond when you are in a better financial situation. This would cost you between $100-$200 right now.  As long as she knows this up front I don't think there's anything wrong with it.  Just look at diamonds in advance in that size, cut etc and make sure you won't freak out.  Then makes payments $100 at a time. You may try antique stores too.  It will take some looking but you can find a beautiful piece that is completely unique.  If you need help looking, feel free to email me and I will help you look on ebay and stuff. It's an investment in your future wife's happiness and faith in your feelings for her.  That is always a wise investment.  Do not buy the ring you have been thinking of.  Please?