This Cartier offer in 14K White Gold is delicate (scroll down to see it here), and beautiful by any standard! But it’s also overpriced, in my opinion. And I think I back up that opinion with the facts, below.
This is one of those rings which are so relatively inexpensive, it may be an ok deal to simply go for the name brand, Cartier.
On the other hand, the Cartier offer doesn’t tell us of any color grade or any clarity grade (at least, that I could find on the product page anywhere). And that, for me, is a red flag. For me, it’s even a dealbreaker.
Why would I buy any diamond at this price point without knowing exactly what the color and clarity grades are? I wouldn’t. Full stop. What if the clarity is poor? Virtually any inclusion (flaw) in an Emerald cut diamond will clearly show up, even under casual observation.
On the other hand, the James Allen offer tells you exact clarity and color grades. (And they are fabulous, as you’ll see.) Even better, you can examine your precisely chosen diamond gemstone at James Allen — the very one you will receive!
That means you know if there are any flaws in it. (And you can choose one which is virtually flawless.)
Let’s look at the blow by blow comparison.
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The Cartier offer: $3,350.
See the ring live at Cartier, unless it’s discontinued.
This price comparison is part of a larger tree of price comparisons of stunning white gold engagement rings that I like.
The James Allen MUCH better price of $1,505 (on a GIA-certified, likely better diamond ring)
I say it’s a “likely” better ring because the specifications are so excellent, whereas the specs on the Cartier diamond are a mystery, so far as I can find with much searching.
Specs compared directly
Carats
The Cartier is 0.18 carats. The James Allen diamond is 0.30, which is quite a big larger. That can be important at such tiny sizes.
Clarity
Cartier diamond in this ring is of mysterious Clarity: They don’t tell us, so far as I could find, on the product page. TOTAL MYSTERY?
James Allen diamond example is IF-Clarity: That’s exceptional!
The Clarity of the James Allen diamond in this example is of IF, or “Internally Flawless” clarity. That’s extremely good clarity. Does the Cartier diamond you may happen to get when you order that ring equal or surpass that toweringly high clarity score? I doubt it. (Remember, you can’t choose your specific diamond in this offer at Cartier … you just get what you get, and you don’t pitch a fit).
Certification
But even better, the James Allen diamond is certified by the GIA.
As for the Cartier diamond … I could not find that this specific diamond ring has a certification. I’ve personally been unable to confirm that on the product page. Maybe I missed something, but I think I didn’t.
In any case, it’s a red flag to me that I would even have to search for certification information.
Notice how James Allen (and other merchants) make the certification glaringly obvious, because it’s important. No certification means no deal, for anyone with any experience shopping for diamonds. Without a certification you can’t really know exactly what you’re getting.
Color (Note that the perfectly colorless grade is “D”. There are no such grades as A, B, or C.)
The Cartier diamond color in this offering is a mystery. I couldn’t find any information about that on the product page.
The James Allen diamond in this example has the Color E.
That’s highly exceptional and desirable, especially for an Emerald cut, which is designed to maximize depth and color.
The E is almost flawless. Does the diamond you may happen to get in the Cartier offer reach or surpass that? I have my doubts. Unfortunately, you can’t choose your specific diamond at Cartier, the way you can at James Allen. So you’ll never know until after you buy it receive it, then read any certificate that may come with it, and finally examine it for yourself…. all after you’ve purchased it. (Whereas, at James Allen, you can do all of that pretty much instantly, right now, as you look at any diamond you’re interested in there.)
How to get the James Allen deal
At James Allen, you don’t just add a ring to cart and check out. It’s slightly more complex. And much better in price and selection. It’s much more interesting (and gives you more control and choice).
Here’s how to do it:
- You choose a setting (the metal ring, which in some cases comes with accent diamonds).
- Then you choose a loose diamond to add to it.
But it’s not as hard as it may seem. In fact it’s easy.
At least, it’s easy if you have someone walking you through it for the first time.
Here’s exactly how to get these deals (or very similar deals) at James Allen:
1. Select this 14K white gold setting. (It’s available on the same page in 14K, 18K as well, also in yellow gold and rose gold, or even in Platinum. Just choose them from the drop down on the setting product page.)
2. For the diamond, go to these pre-set James Allen diamond search results and select a diamond from the first 2 or 3 diamonds in the list.
(James Allen diamonds are unique, so I can’t send you straight to a specific diamond. It would sell out quickly. But there are many many others in the inventory. The price will be close to what you see here.
Also, of course the inventory is always changing, so you may see slightly different prices when you search.)
3. Add the setting and the diamond to your cart and check out.
Conclusion: This Cartier diamond ring is not the best deal, in my humble opinion. You can save about $1,500 dollars based on my shopping technique above — and get a certified, likely better spec’d diamond ring.
It’s uncanny isn’t it it? That the James Allen ring likely has a better diamond, certainly a bigger one and certainly an almost flawless diamond … but it’s almost exactly half the price!
I get the feeling it was meant to be.
What will you use the extra $1,500 for?
Enjoy!
