Shop at home and save???

[Army_of_One]

I just have one thing to say.........I was in Zales today and I would NOT buy a diamond from them. I am looking for a new diamond ring for my better half for xmas. First I went to the Jewelry place at Gibsons....I asked the guy if their diamonds were GIA certified. He told me no but if I paid extra they could be. He said his own guy certified them and GIA cert was overrated..?..? I then went to Zales. I told the lady what kind of diamond I was looking for and basically she told me MOST of the diamonds they carried was I1 (Included on the clarity scale) which is crap. I have found diamonds of much higher quality elsewhere for about 1/2 of what Zales is peddling their crap for and this place won't even sell I1 (included) diamonds because they don't reccommend them. The lady at Zales was trying her best to sell me one...grrrrrrrrrrr All I have to say is if you are going to Zales to buy a diamond...do your homework and buyer beware!!! So much for saving money by shopping at home.

[Outofdodge]

Originally Posted by Army_of_One

All I have to say is if you are going to Zales to buy a diamond...do your homework and buyer beware!!! So much for saving money by shopping at home.

FWIW, I bought my wife's anniversary and valentine's jewelry at a Jeweler in downtown Garden City who's name escapes me right now or at Barrier's in Wichita. The first piece of jewelry I ever bought for her was a 1/2 carat diamond pendant at a Zales in Pensacola FL for our second anniversary. She still had it but next to the stuff I bought in subsequent anniversaries it stands out like a yellow sore thumb.

[K C Muffin]

hubby buys mine from a high school friend of his in his hometown near Pittsburgh (PA). He also says Zales is crap, along with most of the other retail chains. If you can find a jeweler that's not a chain, they usually know their stuff -

[Made in the USA]

K-Martin, at the Gibson's mall, has always done a good job for me. Talk to Mark, he will shoot you straight as to diamond quality.

[Army_of_One]

Originally Posted by Made in the USA

K-Martin, at the Gibson's mall, has always done a good job for me. Talk to Mark, he will shoot you straight as to diamond quality.

I literally RAN out of this store....lol. The older guy that helped me tried to expain that GIA certified diamonds was a sham and that was just a way for jewelers to make more money. He said their diamonds are certified by "THEIR" gemologist. I talked to a couple of reputable diamond dealers in Kansas City over the phone and they said that was totally wrong that GIA is the standard accepted by jewelers.

[TexKan]

Most old jewlers don't buy into the certification thing. The feller ya talked to I promise ya knows his diamonds if it's the guy I'm thinkin of. Organized certifications always raise the price.......... why not market it? I bought a very old (from the 1800's) diamond one time that was what they were calling man made - what they meant was it was hand cut - no machines. It was a diamond thru and thru but didn't have the glitz of the machine cut diamoonds. Being an idiot - I didn't keep it............ sure wish I had! It's all about looks but looks don't always mean a quality product. Course the Mrs and most us female types don't care so long as it hold the shine, shows the color, and doesn't milk over.............

[Bubba]

I sent you a PM Army, let me know what you think.

[Made in the USA]

Sometimes "certifications" just increase the cost. As an example, "Certified Angus" literally means $2.00 more per pound!!

[HeddaLettuce]

Certified Angus" literally means $2.00 more per pound!!

LOL - if that ain't the truth! We sell primarily "black" cattle - they have Angus in them, but are not pure Angus by any stretch of the imagination. I have seen many a load go off to the "Certified Angus" pack - whatever....we get the same price on our end no matter what.

[TexKan]

That's why I only buy Nolan Ryans beef in the "sell quick" case - take it home and grill it up! Still it's a high priced piece of beef........