Oh wow! Helzberg offers a $3,299 diamond ring marked down from $3,999? Looks like a savings of $700, right? Not so fast. I show you how to get a certified, objectively better diamond ring for as low as $1,660.
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The Helzberg offer: $3,299.99.
The SKU for this ring at Helzberg is 2320918.
See the ring live at Helzberg, unless it’s discontinued.
The James Allen MUCH better price of as low as $1,660 (on an IGI-certified, objectively better diamond ring)
Earth-created for $2,040:
Lab-created for $1,660:
Specs compared directly
Carats
Each of these diamonds — the Helzberg, the James Allen earth-created, and the lab-created one — are 1 carat.
Clarity
Helzberg diamond in this ring is I2-Clarity:
That’s not great clarity for this price, as you can see from the chart:
James Allen earth-created diamond example is SI2-Clarity:
That’s significantly better clarity. And also, it’s the clarity of a single diamond.
Even better, it’s certified by the IGI. So you know what you’re getting.
James Allen lab-created diamond is SI1-Clarity.
Color (Note that the perfectly colorless grade is “D”. There are no such grades as A, B, or C.)
Helzberg diamonds’ color in this ring is, at best, Color “H” (It’s listed as being H-I, which means it’s either H or I color. H is the best so we’ll compare based on that.
The James Allen earth-created diamond in this example also has the Color G.
That is a full grade better, at least.
The James Allen lab-created diamond in this example if the Color E.
That’s a stupendously good color. It’s only one grade short of “D,” which is perfect. (There is no A, B, or C grade of color.)
How to get the James Allen deals
At James Allen, you don’t just add a ring to cart and check out. It’s slightly more complex. At the same time, it’s much more interesting (and gives you more control and choice).
Instead, you do this:
- 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. For even greater savings, click the “Lab-Created Diamonds” filter. (Use my pre-set James Allen Lab-Created Diamonds search results.)
4. Add the setting and the diamond to your cart and check out.
Conclusion: This Helzberg diamond ring is not a good deal, in my opinion. You can save over a thousand dollars and get a certified, much better diamond ring.
No one can blame you for thinking you were saving $700, when you saw the Helzberg ring marked down. But there generally are NOT any true markdowns in diamond engagement rings.
You can almost always get a better price by savvy shopping at James Allen. (Yes I’m an affiliate. But that’s like saying ‘I’m an affiliate of Amazon.’ Everyone who blogs about jewelry is a James Allen affiliate.)
Why?
It’s because they have the best prices, the most transparency, and the best inventory. They also have stellar customer service.
It’s easy to get great deals on better diamond jewelry — for less money! Here’s how:
- Scroll up to the section on “How to Get the James Allen Deals.”
- Follow the easy directions there.
- Feel 100% confident that you bought the best diamond for the money
How to search this site to save up to tens of thousands of dollars at trusted diamond retailers, vs most any Costco, Kay, Jared, or Zales ring you’re considering
Search and save. You could save enough for a new compact car. Or a honeymoon. Or several expensive dinner dates. Or that guitar you’ve been wanting.
Read this very short note on how easy it is.
