Jared offers this ring for $1,299.99. Is that a good deal? Hardly. I show you how to get an objectively better diamond ring for $1,075.
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Jared’s offer: $1,300
This ring is Jared item number 161305406.
You can see it live at Jared, until or unless it sells out.
James Allen offers a ring with the same or better diamond specs for $1,075
Yet again, James Allen has the better deal. You save $225.
Plus, you get a much better diamond.
- H-Color instead of I-Color.
- SI1-Clarity instead of the awful I2-Clarity
How to get the James Allen deal
At James allen, you select a ring, which comes with accent diamonds in this case. Then you select a center diamond.
It may seem intimidating at first.
It’s easy when you know how or have someone walking you through it for the first time. Here’s how to get this deal (or a very similar deal) at James Allen:
1. Select this 14K white gold setting for $1,490.
2. For an earth-mined diamond matching the Jared 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.)
The specs on the diamonds in this price compare, quickly explained
Diamond Certificate
Jared: No certificate. That’s a deal breaker, absolutely, for a diamond ring this expensive. You deserve to know the objective facts about the diamond you’re buying. Only a certificate can provide that.
The specs listed on a website aren’t necessarily trustworthy. Who graded it? What were their qualifications? Did they have a conflict of interest?
A certificate from a diamond grading lab such as the GIA, IGI, or AGS answers all those question. A trained gemologist graded the diamond without bias.
James Allen: This diamond has a GIA certificate.
Shape
Each diamond here is a Princess Cut
Carats
Each diamond in this comparison is 1/2 carat.
Clarity
The Jared diamond is of I2-Clarity. In my opinion, that’s pretty bad clarity. Do not buy. Ever.
The James Allen diamond I compare with is SI1-Clarity, which is two grades better. It’s still a little questionable. But at James Allen you can see real 3D images of any diamond, so you’ll know where and how bad the inclusions (flaws) are, before you buy.
Color
The color of the Jared diamond is I-Color.
The color of the diamond from James Allen in this price compare is H-Color.
Cut Quality
Cut quality isn’t graded for Princess shaped diamonds. But you can still judge it for yourself, by looking at the proportions of the diamonds, and the symmetries. (But you have to be able to see them! And you can see images of diamonds, from every angle, only at James Allen, not at Jared.)
Right, the pic you see of the diamond at Jared? That’s not a real image of the actual diamond you’re buying. But you knew that. The cool thing is, at James Allen, you can see the exact diamond you are buying.
Conclusion: This Jared 1/2-carat diamond engagement ring is not a good deal. James Allen has a much better deal, as shown in the hard numbers and screen shots on this page.
You won’t be super happy with the Jared diamond. It’s not even certified. Which means, it’s just possible that the color and clarity listed might actually be worse than listed. Without a 3rd-party diamond certificated, it’s in the realm of possibility, to say the least.
The James Allen offer wins 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.
