Did I get what I actually paid for???

[PaulMG]

Season''s Greetings....
I recently shopped my local mall on Black Friday for what I thought would be some great deals on a modest diamond right hand ring. My profession deals explicitly in the field of sales, but I am unaware of the markup/profit margin of jewelry. Anyways, I expected to be able to find some decent buys as I comparatively shopped from store to store. I basically wanted a 1 CT T.W. Diamond White Gold ring. Stores such as Zales, Whitehall, Belden, and even the Sears Jewelery Dept., had many of the same models, all with different prices and quality stones. Finally, I made it to Gordon''s Jewelers, a sister company of Zales. The manager told me that it was considerably slow and that he was willing to make a deal for me. He showed me a 5 stone band of what he told me was 1CT TW (seem to be all the same size, so .20 ea.) It was tagged at $1955, and after all his song and dance, got my price down to $835. Now, it is a beautiful ring, and it was nicer than the others I was looking at, but after looking at my receipt and diamond bonds, there is not really an accurate description of what I purchased. All it says is " 1-ROW RD DIA BD ". No mention of clarity, color, carat, etc. So I called Gordon''s 24/7 Customer Service. I tell them all about this, how I can''t find any mention of the ring on their website, or anything that even resembles it, and they say that they can''t help me, but would transfer me to someone who could give me all the info I need. So I get transferred and of course am disconnected, and then I can''t get a hold of anyone at all. It is Sunday night, after normal hours, so who knows.
How can I be sure that I:
A) Received what I was told I was getting w/o an accurate description
B) Did not get totally hosed on the price of the ring
C) Will be ultimately satisfied with what I purchased for my girlfriend?

Thanks for your help.
Any info would be much appreciated

 

[Skippy123]

Welcome to Pricescope!
Well, you would need to get an appraisal to find out the grading of the stones. If you don't have a certificate there is no way to find out other than an appraisal.

I guess you have to decide if you like the ring; can you return it if she does not like it? The vendors on this site sell the top cut so one of the vendors could make a similar ring of exceptional quality.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Date: 11/25/2007 9:30:29 PM
Author:PaulMG
Season''s Greetings....
I recently shopped my local mall on Black Friday for what I thought would be some great deals on a modest diamond right hand ring. My profession deals explicitly in the field of sales, but I am unaware of the markup/profit margin of jewelry. Anyways, I expected to be able to find some decent buys as I comparatively shopped from store to store. I basically wanted a 1 CT T.W. Diamond White Gold ring. Stores such as Zales, Whitehall, Belden, and even the Sears Jewelery Dept., had many of the same models, all with different prices and quality stones. Finally, I made it to Gordon''s Jewelers, a sister company of Zales. The manager told me that it was considerably slow and that he was willing to make a deal for me. He showed me a 5 stone band of what he told me was 1CT TW (seem to be all the same size, so .20 ea.) It was tagged at $1955, and after all his song and dance, got my price down to $835. Now, it is a beautiful ring, and it was nicer than the others I was looking at, but after looking at my receipt and diamond bonds, there is not really an accurate description of what I purchased. All it says is '' 1-ROW RD DIA BD ''. No mention of clarity, color, carat, etc. So I called Gordon''s 24/7 Customer Service. I tell them all about this, how I can''t find any mention of the ring on their website, or anything that even resembles it, and they say that they can''t help me, but would transfer me to someone who could give me all the info I need. So I get transferred and of course am disconnected, and then I can''t get a hold of anyone at all. It is Sunday night, after normal hours, so who knows.
How can I be sure that I:
A) Received what I was told I was getting w/o an accurate description
B) Did not get totally hosed on the price of the ring
C) Will be ultimately satisfied with what I purchased for my girlfriend?

Thanks for your help.
Any info would be much appreciated

A, B) Get an independent appraisal

C) Do not buy at a mall store. Stones are probably poor quality.

 

[PaulMG]

I do like the ring, however it''s not what I exactly was set out for. I''m not sure if I was just caught up in what seemed to be like a good deal. Yes, I can return it for full refund for 30 days, exchange for 90 days, can trade up in the future, etc.

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 11/25/2007 9:56:23 PM
Author: PaulMG
I do like the ring, however it''s not what I exactly was set out for. I''m not sure if I was just caught up in what seemed to be like a good deal. Yes, I can return it for full refund for 30 days, exchange for 90 days, can trade up in the future, etc.

Unfortunately, you probably could have gotten a better deal and much better cut stones NOT buying from Mall Jewelry stores. I highly suggest returning the ring, and then spend some time on this site learning about diamonds. There is a lot to know but one HUGE HUGE thing is NEVER EVER buy at a mall store because either you will get hosed, the diamonds will be poor quality, or most likely both!

 

[cinnamon013]

The price sounds ok for a ring like this from a mall jewelry store. You''d pay almost $2800 from someone like Facets for platinum or $2250 from WF for white gold. These prices are both for rings with 5 stones, 1ctw. If you are looking for a ring of better quality, I think I''d return it simply because the "idea" of a cheap ring and cheap quality might bug you down the road. Spend up and get a lovely one.

Here are links for the beautiful stones that WF and Facets offer:

http://www.whiteflash.com/golden-wardrobe/Gold_Details.aspx?ItemCode=WF-AP115-25&CategID=10

http://www.thefacetscollection.com/item.cfm?item_id=2602

Are you trying to find something in the $800 range?

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 11/25/2007 11:39:02 PM
Author: cinnamon013
The price sounds ok for a ring like this from a mall jewelry store. You''d pay almost $2800 from someone like Facets for platinum or $2250 from WF for white gold. These prices are both for rings with 5 stones, 1ctw. If you are looking for a ring of better quality, I think I''d return it simply because the ''idea'' of a cheap ring and cheap quality might bug you down the road. Spend up and get a lovely one.


Here are links for the beautiful stones that WF and Facets offer:


http://www.whiteflash.com/golden-wardrobe/Gold_Details.aspx?ItemCode=WF-AP115-25&CategID=10


http://www.thefacetscollection.com/item.cfm?item_id=2602


Are you trying to find something in the $800 range?

Yeah...comparing these rings to one like Paul likely got is like comparing apples to meteorites. The ones from WF and Facets are all ideally cut stones, with good color and good clarity. Likely, if the OP bought something with the same cut, clarity, and color from a PS vendor as the one he got at the mall, it would be a lot less than $800...

With NO mention of cut, clarity, or color I''d bet if you have that baby appraised they are all I1 stones, with a poor cut, and J-ish color.

 

[PaulMG]

Yes, $800 is what I am hoping to spend.
Since the original post, I have gone to 3 jewelry stores. The 1st told me that they won''t do it because they don''t want to get in the middle of me and the seller, the second told me that they only do it for anything other than insurance purposes, and the 3rd was more like a pawn shop. They took a quick look at it with the jeweler''s scope thing, (sorry I am a novice) and the hand measuring tool that "pinches" the crown of the stones. He told me that they are 20 pt stones, (5 of them) and that he would sell it 2nd hand for $400. He said from what he saw the diamonds weren''t that great. This to me was a very informal look, obviously just taking a look at it and not appraising it. I found these 3 places in my local city from going to Yahoo! Business Directory and searching for Diamond Appraisals. Obviously not updated or accurate info. How can I find a place that will actually appraise this ring? And when the appraisal is done, will they tell me the color and clarity of the stones? Lastly, say the appraisal comes back just as NeatFreak says, poor quality, color, etc. How can a PS Vendor set me up with something comparable to the quality for a price that is actually more respectable??!?! THANKS FOR THE COMMENTS AND INFO. I AM LEARNING QUITE A BIT FROM THIS SITE AND POSTERS.

 

[Regular Guy]

Paul,

For appraisers...upper right under resources...here.

To ask what might be obvious...I think you said you called into the national number for Gordons...but...can't you just go to reach your manager again who worked your initial deal? To begin with?

I did do a quick look for vendor options here yesterday. Not sure you'll find what you want...if it looks like what you have...for $800. But...I'll agree vendor resources here in the main are better than at the mall.

 

[lyra]

Date: 11/25/2007 9:56:23 PM
Author: PaulMG
I do like the ring, however it''s not what I exactly was set out for. I''m not sure if I was just caught up in what seemed to be like a good deal. Yes, I can return it for full refund for 30 days, exchange for 90 days, can trade up in the future, etc.

Okay, how about telling us what you set out for, or what style of ring you were looking for? People here can help you find something to fit your budget, or give you different ideas to choose from. Good luck, at least you have the refund in place for now.

 

[cinnamon013]

Date: 11/26/2007 12:02:30 PM
Author: PaulMG
Yes, $800 is what I am hoping to spend.
Since the original post, I have gone to 3 jewelry stores. The 1st told me that they won''t do it because they don''t want to get in the middle of me and the seller, the second told me that they only do it for anything other than insurance purposes, and the 3rd was more like a pawn shop. They took a quick look at it with the jeweler''s scope thing, (sorry I am a novice) and the hand measuring tool that ''pinches'' the crown of the stones. He told me that they are 20 pt stones, (5 of them) and that he would sell it 2nd hand for $400. He said from what he saw the diamonds weren''t that great. This to me was a very informal look, obviously just taking a look at it and not appraising it. I found these 3 places in my local city from going to Yahoo! Business Directory and searching for Diamond Appraisals. Obviously not updated or accurate info. How can I find a place that will actually appraise this ring? And when the appraisal is done, will they tell me the color and clarity of the stones? Lastly, say the appraisal comes back just as NeatFreak says, poor quality, color, etc. How can a PS Vendor set me up with something comparable to the quality for a price that is actually more respectable??!?! THANKS FOR THE COMMENTS AND INFO. I AM LEARNING QUITE A BIT FROM THIS SITE AND POSTERS.

Stones will be smaller and there may be more than 5, but these are items of beauty:

http://www.thefacetscollection.com/item.cfm?item_id=1938 9 stones, .6ctw, nice bar set option
http://www.thefacetscollection.com/search.cfm?item_category=FDW&style_number_id=37 any of these.
http://www.thefacetscollection.com/search.cfm?item_category=FEB&style_number_id=11 or these
http://www.whiteflash.com/golden-wardrobe/Gold_Details.aspx?ItemCode=WF-AP115-25&CategID=10 5 stone .25 white gold option is $785. This would make each stone .05, much smaller than the one you have. These are ideal cut melee though.
http://www.whiteflash.com/golden-wardrobe/Gold_Details.aspx?ItemCode=WF-AP1157Pt-35&CategID=10 7 stone .35 white gold option is $900. Same melee size of .05 as above, ideal cut.

What about something like this?
http://www.whiteflash.com/golden-wardrobe/Gold_Details.aspx?ItemCode=WF-4006&CategID=10 different than what you purchased, but pretty. You indicated this is for a right hand ring, so this might work if you don''t think it is too modern of a style.

 

[PaulMG]

Date: 11/26/2007 12:58:10 PM
Author: cinnamon013

Date: 11/26/2007 12:02:30 PM

Author: PaulMG

Yes, $800 is what I am hoping to spend.

Since the original post, I have gone to 3 jewelry stores. The 1st told me that they won''t do it because they don''t want to get in the middle of me and the seller, the second told me that they only do it for anything other than insurance purposes, and the 3rd was more like a pawn shop. They took a quick look at it with the jeweler''s scope thing, (sorry I am a novice) and the hand measuring tool that ''pinches'' the crown of the stones. He told me that they are 20 pt stones, (5 of them) and that he would sell it 2nd hand for $400. He said from what he saw the diamonds weren''t that great. This to me was a very informal look, obviously just taking a look at it and not appraising it. I found these 3 places in my local city from going to Yahoo! Business Directory and searching for Diamond Appraisals. Obviously not updated or accurate info. How can I find a place that will actually appraise this ring? And when the appraisal is done, will they tell me the color and clarity of the stones? Lastly, say the appraisal comes back just as NeatFreak says, poor quality, color, etc. How can a PS Vendor set me up with something comparable to the quality for a price that is actually more respectable??!?! THANKS FOR THE COMMENTS AND INFO. I AM LEARNING QUITE A BIT FROM THIS SITE AND POSTERS.

Stones will be smaller and there may be more than 5, but these are items of beauty:


http://www.thefacetscollection.com/item.cfm?item_id=1938 9 stones, .6ctw, nice bar set option

http://www.thefacetscollection.com/search.cfm?item_category=FDW&style_number_id=37 any of these.

http://www.thefacetscollection.com/search.cfm?item_category=FEB&style_number_id=11 or these

http://www.whiteflash.com/golden-wardrobe/Gold_Details.aspx?ItemCode=WF-AP115-25&CategID=10 5 stone .25 white gold option is $785. This would make each stone .05, much smaller than the one you have. These are ideal cut melee though.

http://www.whiteflash.com/golden-wardrobe/Gold_Details.aspx?ItemCode=WF-AP1157Pt-35&CategID=10 7 stone .35 white gold option is $900. Same melee size of .05 as above, ideal cut.


What about something like this?

http://www.whiteflash.com/golden-wardrobe/Gold_Details.aspx?ItemCode=WF-4006&CategID=10 different than what you purchased, but pretty. You indicated this is for a right hand ring, so this might work if you don''t think it is too modern of a style.

 

[PaulMG]

Sorry for the erroneous post, I am still learning how to reply and include previous quotes. Anyways, This is what I started out looking for: http://www.gordonsjewelers.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2655912&cp=2626153.2633775&fbx=3&cp=2626153&fbn=Metal+Color%7CWhite&f=PAD%2FGender%2FLadies%27&f=PAD%2FStone+Type%2FDiamond&f=PAD%2FStone+Shape%2FRound&f=PAD%2FMetal+Type%2FGold&f=PAD%2FMetal+Color%2FWhite&fbc=1&categoryId=2633775&parentPage=search&searchId=20051888973

I found it at Zales, Gordon''s, and Sears. Many inclusions at Sears, priced at $699, no visible to the eye inclusions at Zales, priced at $799. I wanted Zales to price match the Sears price, and I would have bought it right there and then. But they wouldn''t because it was impossible to prove the 4 C''s were the same. So I continued to shop around at all the other 6 jewelry stores in the mall. When I went back to Gordon''s, the manager started showing me some other stuff to earn my business and to have me stop shopping around--to take me off the market in other words. More visibly appealing, higher ticket prices, larger discounts. After they cleaned it up it really looked beautiful, but again, not exactly what I started out for. Not sure if I was caught up in the deal, or I am really happy with it. My fiance does have a lot of diamond jewelry, but is not very caught up in the clarity, color, cut, etc. She just loves the "fire". I guess I am not sure if I get more of the ''ooooohs and aaaaaahs'' with more total weight, a better cut, higher clarity, better color, etc. I guess if there are no major inclusions to the naked eye, and it has a respectable level of fire and sparkle, it serves the purpose that I set out to accomplish, the WOW factor. It doesn''t necessarily have to be 1 ct t.w.--I just always thought that that is what WOW''s people. I am starting to learn now that that is not always the case. I just don''t know what the best combination of the 4 c''s I can get for the best WOW factor while spending $800 or less.

 

[Dee*Jay]

Wait -- it''s a THREE stone ring you''re looking for? For some reason I thought there were more stones (?).

 

[PaulMG]

I am not set out for any ONE thing in general, per se. I liked that 3 stone ring, and went from there. I would get that one if it had the WOW factor that I wanted. Because the manager at Gordon''s was giving me what seemed to be a great price on a much higher retail priced item, I went with it. I will be posting a picture of it in the next couple of hours.

 

[cinnamon013]

Both 3 stone rings and 5 stone rings can be worn as right hand rings, but are also used for engagement and/or wedding bands. Are you already married and want to give her a right hand ring?

 

[cinnamon013]

There is probably no way you can spend $800 and get a nice three stone ring from any of the PS vendors that would give you ideal cut stones, at least not for you to have 1ctw. The middle stone would likely cost you between $400-700 and that''s before you add the other two stones and the setting.

http://www.jamesallen.com/products/item_66-461.asp This 3 stone from James Allen is .25ctw and is $625. The stones would be small.

http://www.bluenile.com/product_details.asp?oid=5773&catid=138&filter_id=0&nav1=band_channel.asp&page=1&col=2&row=1&pos=2&set_shape= 3 stone from Blue Nile .5ctw for $1200

These diamonds may be similar to the mall quality:
http://www.diamond.com/customer/product_detail.jsp?product=200271990 $695 .5ctw