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Helzeberg Diamond Masterpiece 1 1/2 ct. tw. Waste of cash?

M

mrfishman

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jun 7, 2013
Messages
2
This is my first post here, possibly the only thread I will create.
My girlfriend wants a ring. The ring.

http://www.helzberg.com/product/masterpiece+diamond+engagement+ring+1767341.do?sortby=ourPicks

She likes the setting and I haven't been able to find one exactly like it elsewhere. I have run all over the place like a nut as I am a cheap individual by nature. Center stone is slightly over 50 points, I think .58ct? GIA cert regarding the center stone. 1 1/2 total.

I remember it was slightly included though not to the naked eye and almost impossible to see via scope. Two slight inclusions from what I could see. The extra facets would draw your eyes away from any issues with the center stone. Cut is good, and not too deep.
Its not a ring to look at just the center stone, attention gets drawn all over instead.

Girlfriend liked it because of all the extra sparkle on the sides, the halo around the 1/2 ct center stone is tight making the center stone appear larger than it really is.

I am wanting to know from individuals in this forum, am I buying a ring that is worth at least $3,000 from Helzeberg?
I am not sure of their markups, but I believe the actual retail value of the ring to be about $4,000
I always overpay for everything, because my girlfriend is crazy. I love her anyways.

Any ideas?

-Mr.Fishman
 
Re: Helzeberg Diamond Masterpiece 1 1/2 ct. tw. Waste of cas

I personally would not buy a ring where the setting "drew attention away" from any possible issue with the center stone.
 
Re: Helzeberg Diamond Masterpiece 1 1/2 ct. tw. Waste of cas

I agree I think Helzeberg puts the emphasis on the setting to draw attention from the stone. tell us your budget let us help you find an ideal stone with color and clarity and setting to make hers eyes pop but stay within your budget.

On their web site they are very vague about the ring. It sais that a AGS certificate accompanies the ring but it states no details on the center stone
 
Re: Helzeberg Diamond Masterpiece 1 1/2 ct. tw. Waste of cas

I wouldn't pay 6k for a tiny center with inclusions that you (assuming you're new to diamonds) wouldn't normally be able to find if it were even an SI1 clean stone....I'd really look some where else. I would highly recommend you paying 6k for the largest stone you can get from one of our vendors and putting in a solitaire for the time being. Maybe as a wedding gift or anniversary present you upgrade the setting and let her choose.
 
Re: Helzeberg Diamond Masterpiece 1 1/2 ct. tw. Waste of cas

For her, she is very crazy about the setting. She loves things that glitter.
That is what is making it tough to not get her the ring.

$6,000 is my budget, though I can go a bit over.

I checked website bluenile, a friend suggested looking there but the settings weren't too pleasing in my opinion. :^(

-G
 
Re: Helzeberg Diamond Masterpiece 1 1/2 ct. tw. Waste of cas

These 3-sided pave settings increase the total carat weight, so you can say you have a 1.5 ctw ring, even though the center is not even half of the total!

Most women here would rather have a larger center, and a simpler pave ring. For 6000 you should be able to do something like .8-.9 cts in a nice setting. http://gabrielny.com/engaged/style/ER6526PT4JJ
 
Re: Helzeberg Diamond Masterpiece 1 1/2 ct. tw. Waste of cas

mrfishman|1370636329|3461114 said:
For her, she is very crazy about the setting. She loves things that glitter.
That is what is making it tough to not get her the ring.

$6,000 is my budget, though I can go a bit over.

I checked website bluenile, a friend suggested looking there but the settings weren't too pleasing in my opinion. :^(

-G
Click to expand...

I am the biggest (IMO) glitter fan and believe me, it's better to have a bigger, cleaner and better cut stone that to have a more "sparkly" in terms of additional tiny stones, poorly cut ring. Plus, it's a very romantic thing to have her pic out her own setting later on....Bigger, awesome cut diamond is definitely the better route (again, IMO).

Here's what I've found and others will find things for you too:

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.905-i-vs1-round-diamond-ags-c-104061766051#!prettyPhoto[gallery2]/4/
 
Re: Helzeberg Diamond Masterpiece 1 1/2 ct. tw. Waste of cas

Your GF seems to be more about the setting. Gabriel of New York has lots of nice settings with lots of sparkle. Find one she likes
then put a nice well cut stone in it with the money that's left.
 
Re: Helzeberg Diamond Masterpiece 1 1/2 ct. tw. Waste of cas

For $6000, you could get in the ballpark of a .75 or .8ct that is a much nicer diamond and still get a halo setting.

Talk her out of that setting because it's 3-sided pave, and those diamonds on the "front" or "back" edge of the ring will either chew up any wedding band(s) worn next to them, or they will loosen and fall out of the wbs.

Then you can have her look at the Gabriel settings. ;-)
 
Re: Helzeberg Diamond Masterpiece 1 1/2 ct. tw. Waste of cas

heres one i like
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.96-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-223819

Thats a good deal because its really close to a ct without having to PAY for a ct ;)

With the remaining budget you could get a halo, or a solitaire with that 3 sided detail she liked

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/halo/14k-white-gold-pave-halo-and-shank-diamond-engagement-ring-round-center-item-6800

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/halo/14k-white-gold-pave-halo-and-twisted-shank-solitaire-item-6879

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/14k-white-gold-rounded-pave-engagement-solitaire-item-8116



or lots of other ones that you could get for 6k, plus if you pay by wire and ask for a pricescope discount, that stone would be a little cheaper than listed. :D
 
Re: Helzeberg Diamond Masterpiece 1 1/2 ct. tw. Waste of cas

If that's what she likes, you should get her what she likes. Helzberg is not know for low markups though, and maybe you can get something like the same style from another dealer for less. I haven't seen one I would consider comparable for less though. I don't believe Gabriel NY has a single three-sided pave ring in their collection. I'm hardly an expert though, and maybe others can do better. I would start by looking a promising vendor and asking them whether they can find something similar.

Here's one from Simon G which is reasonably close and comes in different center stone shapes and sizes:

http://www.genesisdiamonds.net/simon-g-mr1904-engagement-ring.html

$3,740 for that, leaves $2,260 for an excellent center stone, and you've at least got something well cut.
 
Re: Helzeberg Diamond Masterpiece 1 1/2 ct. tw. Waste of cas

I don't like the Helzberg ring. For that budget, you can definitely get something that doesn't look so ungainly but retains the same general design concepts. You can get her something glittery all over that's a heck of a lot prettier. I mean, no offense, but that Helzberg ring is fugly.The prongs for the pave are gigantic and the pieces look sort of mashed together with no thought as to how they actually coordinate.

Here is a Gabriel & Co one that is pretty similar but a much more coherent style:
https://www.gabrielny.com/amavida/style/ER7133W83JJ
That would leave you 3k for the rock, and you can get around a .7 H Si1/Si2 for that.
Definitely better than the Helzberg.
 
Re: Helzeberg Diamond Masterpiece 1 1/2 ct. tw. Waste of cas

distracts, that is pretty impressive shopping! a good 'swap' for the first suggestion if the OP wants to go that route.
The rings look very, very similar.

(but perhaps he should discuss these ideas with his gf before he goes ahead with any changes to her plan, so as not to get in trouble).
 
Re: Helzeberg Diamond Masterpiece 1 1/2 ct. tw. Waste of cas

The setting has too much going on for the size of the center stone. Do you live somewhere where you don't have a lot of jewelry stores to look around at? Perhaps you can look online together or show her pricescope and all the beauties on here.
 
Re: Helzeberg Diamond Masterpiece 1 1/2 ct. tw. Waste of cas

what i was thinking, if you bought her just that plain halo from james allen, for her wedding bands you could buy 2 diamond bands for either side. that way you get the same look, and dont have put half your budget into a blingy setting, plus, that way you dont have diamonds on the side of the halo scratching a wedding bands.
 
Re: Helzeberg Diamond Masterpiece 1 1/2 ct. tw. Waste of cas

Hi,
I'm not a fan of that ring...it looks a bit busy and the side stones look vunerable, however, that said, I'm not the one picking out the ring. Your girlfriend showed you exactly what she likes and wants and it will be confusing to her if you go and buy something completely deifferent. If you don't buy that ring, be sure to find something that looks similar. You can find a great cut center diamond, possibly larger w/a similar center stone... Do that if you don't buy the Helzberg one. Don't go an entirely different route.
 
Re: Helzeberg Diamond Masterpiece 1 1/2 ct. tw. Waste of cas

distracts|1370671257|3461387 said:
I don't like the Helzberg ring. For that budget, you can definitely get something that doesn't look so ungainly but retains the same general design concepts. You can get her something glittery all over that's a heck of a lot prettier. I mean, no offense, but that Helzberg ring is fugly.The prongs for the pave are gigantic and the pieces look sort of mashed together with no thought as to how they actually coordinate.

Here is a Gabriel & Co one that is pretty similar but a much more coherent style:
https://www.gabrielny.com/amavida/style/ER7133W83JJ
That would leave you 3k for the rock, and you can get around a .7 H Si1/Si2 for that.
Definitely better than the Helzberg.
Click to expand...

As far as I can tell that ring is hard-sized for a 1 ct, which would put him well over budget. It doesn't look customizable at all, but they might customize it down to a .7 carat, but then he probably wouldn't have enough money left over for a .7 carat stone.

Here's a Stuller which is fairly close and comes in .5/.75/1 carat flavors:

http://www.stuller.com/products/67803/2975822/?groupId=103501

This catalog gives the price as $2,805-$2,879 MSRP. Personally I'd get a knockout .5 carat center stone for 2K and keep the extra $1,000.
 
Re: Helzeberg Diamond Masterpiece 1 1/2 ct. tw. Waste of cas

That Stuller looks nice. The center stone gets completely lost in the Helzberg. A .75 ct looks significantly larger than a .50, and not totally different than a 1 ct.
 
Re: Helzeberg Diamond Masterpiece 1 1/2 ct. tw. Waste of cas

ChristineRose|1370714437|3461617 said:
distracts|1370671257|3461387 said:
I don't like the Helzberg ring. For that budget, you can definitely get something that doesn't look so ungainly but retains the same general design concepts. You can get her something glittery all over that's a heck of a lot prettier. I mean, no offense, but that Helzberg ring is fugly.The prongs for the pave are gigantic and the pieces look sort of mashed together with no thought as to how they actually coordinate.

Here is a Gabriel & Co one that is pretty similar but a much more coherent style:
https://www.gabrielny.com/amavida/style/ER7133W83JJ
That would leave you 3k for the rock, and you can get around a .7 H Si1/Si2 for that.
Definitely better than the Helzberg.
Click to expand...

As far as I can tell that ring is hard-sized for a 1 ct, which would put him well over budget. It doesn't look customizable at all, but they might customize it down to a .7 carat, but then he probably wouldn't have enough money left over for a .7 carat stone.

Here's a Stuller which is fairly close and comes in .5/.75/1 carat flavors:

http://www.stuller.com/products/67803/2975822/?groupId=103501

This catalog gives the price as $2,805-$2,879 MSRP. Personally I'd get a knockout .5 carat center stone for 2K and keep the extra $1,000.
Click to expand...

All Gabriel & Co rings are customizable for the size of your center stone. "Nonchangeable head" just means it's not a peg head, so you have to have your center stone before they make the ring. I don't know if they charge extra for that or not, but if so, I have not heard of it. If they do, I doubt it would be very much, as Gabriel & Co is so reasonably priced.

I think OP should call ID Jewelry or Good Old Gold and see if that Gabriel & Co setting can be customized for a .7 carat stone, and how much that would be. If it won't be too much, he may even have enough moolah for an ideal cut .8 carat stone. There weren't any in his range in GOG's inventory, but there were some at JA so I know they exist in his price range.
 
Helzberg diamonds are held to a high standard and guess what you pay for quality and being an owner of a 3 carat Masterpiece diamond, I get more compliments than anything. I have had people beg me to buy it from me. Putting another company down to try to sell from another is just said. You get what you pay for. Helzberg has been around a very long time. They are not "overpriced" and even have a few outlet stores. It would be scary to go to some random place to buy a ring for cheap.
 
Helzberg is better quality than most. They are not overpriced for the quality.
 
@mrfisherman I heartily support your crazy girlfriend and your efforts to get her what she wants even if it is not what most people would choose.

People have given you fabulous advice, which in summary is that you can get a better product for less money. I second the suggestion to run it by her so that she is not disappointed - you will have an easier time convincing her before you buy than after.

Re maul jewelers - speaking in general for future readers - occasionally you might find something nice at a mail jeweler so one solution is to take them up on their return policies, buy the pretty thing (not this ring in this case, talking about other scenarios) and then take it to an independent jeweler for a discussion. The independent jeweler can point out if there are faults with the setting and the stones and offer suggestions about possible better deals. They might try to sell you their own stuff but the competition will give them incentive to point out any bad parts of the maul jewelry piece.

FWIW I once had a diamond from Kay jewelers and very much regret upgrading it.
 
This thread is ten years old. The OP and his girlfriend have long ago chosen their rings and married (or not). Somebody revived it to argue about the quality of the jewelry store in question.
 
lovedogs said:
lolllll the dates of posts are hidden right now (likely an error that's being fixed), so I accidentally responded to someone who clearly wants to support a sub-par jewelry chain
Click to expand...

See? I knew this was gonna happen!
I almost responded, too!
People replying to old, old threads.
I hope it will get corrected soon.
 
Gibbler said:
Helzberg diamonds are held to a high standard and guess what you pay for quality and being an owner of a 3 carat Masterpiece diamond, I get more compliments than anything. I have had people beg me to buy it from me. Putting another company down to try to sell from another is just said. You get what you pay for. Helzberg has been around a very long time. They are not "overpriced" and even have a few outlet stores. It would be scary to go to some random place to buy a ring for cheap.
Click to expand...

Are you a Helzberg sales rep?
 
Helzberg is terrible. I've looked in it a few times and wanted to run away screaming. The merchandize is just awful, and the sales reps I met were a disaster.

I'd rather burn my money than buy anything from that store.

If you are after cheap but decent jewelry, then check out Costco. The quality of Costco diamonds are light years better than Helzberg.
 
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