Don’t buy that ring at Kay before read this. So you were looking for a good deal on a 1-carat diamond ring at Kay Jewelers, and you came across this one “on sale” for $4,770. Is it really a good deal? ‘Tis not. You can get a better diamond, and a better ring, in this style for $3,035, and even for $1,705. Yes, from a highly reputable retailer. Here’s how.
Quick Links to Contents on This Page
Kay Jewelers’ offer: $4,770


This ring is Kay Jewelers item number 161298409.
You can see it live at Kay, until or unless it sells out.
James Allen offers a ring with the same or better diamond specs for $3,035 (earth-mined) or $1,705 (lab-created).
Earth-mined for $3,035:

Lab-created for $1,705:

Yet again, James Allen has the better deal. You’ll save at least $1,330. And up to $1,330.
How to get the James Allen deals
At James allen, you select a ring, which comes with accent diamonds in this case. Then you select a center diamond. It’s easier than it seems.
At least, it’s easy if you know how or have someone walking you through it for the first time. Here’s how to get these deals (or very similar deals) at James Allen:
1. Select this 14K white gold setting for $1,490.
2. For an earth-mined diamond matching the Kay offer, go to my 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 of course send you straight to a specific diamond. It would sell out quickly.
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 Lab-Created Diamonds search results.)

The specs on the diamonds in this price compare, quickly explained
Diamond Certificate
I recommend not buying a diamond without a certificate from GIA, IGI, or AGS. It’s unclear what lab certifies the diamonds available for the Kay ring.
The James Allen earth-created diamond has a certificate from the IGI.
As does the lab-created diamond from James Allen.
Shape
All three diamond rings in this contest have oval shaped diamonds.
Carats
All three diamonds — Kay’s, and the two I’m using to demonstrate from James Allen — have 1-carat diamonds.
Clarity
The Kay Jewelers diamond is of I1-Clarity. In my opinion, and I think you’ll agree with me after looking at the following illustration, that’s pretty bad clarity.

The James Allen earth-created diamond I chose to compare with is SI1-Clarity, which is two grades better.

The lab-created diamond from James Allen in this comparison is also SI-1 Clarity.
Remember, too, that at James Allen, you can inspect the very diamonds you’re shopping for at James Allen. You can see them via 3D imaging.
Which means you can know that you’re not choosing a diamond that has its appearance ruined by a very unlucky location of an inclusion (flaw). (Always inspect a diamond before you buy it.)
Color
The color of the Kay diamond is I-Color.
The color of the earth-created James Allen diamond is also I-Color.

The color of the lab-created diamond from James Allen in this price compare is H-Color.

Cut Quality
Cut quality isn’t graded for Oval shaped diamonds. But you can still judge it for yourself, by looking at the proportionality of the diamonds, and the symmetry. (But you have to be able to see them! And you can see them only at James Allen, not at Kay.)
Conclusion: This Kay Jewelers 1-carat diamond is not a good deal. James Allen definitely has many better 1-carat deals, as shown in the hard numbers and screen shots on this page.
That’s my opinion. But it’s backed up by hard numbers.
The James Allen offers win again.
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.