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A dilema and two question from a newbie!

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o0olibelulao0o

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jan 13, 2010
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9
Ok so here is my dilema: My boyfriend was married before, they got divorced and she gave him back the ring... Well he got the ring from Helzberg, and their "upgrade" policy is to either take half the value of the ring toward something new, or double the value and pay the difference... I found a ring that I kind of like from there, but the quality of the diamond isn''t great, and I would need to spend money on custom wedding bands because it''s awkward to fit. I ended up finding a setting (similar to the tiffany legacy) that has a matching wedding band that I LOVE!

Ok my question, what if he purchased a setting online, and to get SOME value back on the old ring, what if he purchased a loose diamond from Helzberg? Do they sell loose diamonds? Has anyone had exerience doing that? I would think you could get a decent 1ct Cushion Cut (do they have cushion cut?) vs1-vs2 (maybe better if affordable, depending on what they give him for the ring) H-I-J color?? Thoughts?

And, if we did this: buy the setting online and buy a loose diamond from Helzberg... Where do you have the diamond mounted? Are there rules? If we had helzberg do it, would they warranty it even though it''s not their setting?
I''m very lost! Help!
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Personally I would take half the value and buy a pendant or something and start fresh at another vendor for my e-ring.
 
Well, he spend ALOT on the first ring set, and money is tight these days, so it''s not exactly in our budget to just start from scratch... And it''s not really getting the most "bang" for our buck if we just start over. And the whole idea is to minimize the out of pocket expense and maximize the use/value of the original purchase.
 
Date: 1/14/2010 2:52:46 PM
Author: o0olibelulao0o
Well, he spend ALOT on the first ring set, and money is tight these days, so it''s not exactly in our budget to just start from scratch... And it''s not really getting the most ''bang'' for our buck if we just start over. And the whole idea is to minimize the out of pocket expense and maximize the use/value of the original purchase.
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Actually it may be getting the most bang for your buck to start over. What I mean is that with the amount of markup and the (usually) lower quality diamonds that Helzberg sells, you are not maximizing dollars through them. If you compare what kind of ring that is twice the cost (or half, whichever) that you could get from them to what spending the same amount of money through a good online retailer would get, you would find there is no comparison. You will get a LOT more bang for your buck shopping elsewhere.

If you want to use the trade-in value from the original ring on a new e-ring, I would reverse your thinking. Find a setting at Helzberg and the loose diamond from a quality vendor and then send the setting to the vendor who has the diamond and have them set it--you would just have to be very sure that the setting was the right size for the diamond.
 
Well we weren''t planning on doubling the value, that would be way too much money and I cannot rationalize spending that much on a ring right now. I was thinking to just take half the value and apply it to a loose diamond, yes it''s a "loss" but it''s already been spent never to be seen again, so lets opt for the least out of pocket expense! And the original issue was that I didn''t love the settings at helzberg, and the one I "like" from there would need a custom wedding band which would also cost an arm and a leg (more out of pocket expense) and the setting is probably already over the "half" mark so that would be MORE out of pocket expense.

I don''t have much problem with Helzberg, I have had good experiences with them... I just don''t like the settings they have right now, it''s not what I love. I think if you told them you wanted a certain cut/color/clarity etc, yea they might mark up the price but it''s technically already paid for as long as it''s half of what they offer for the ring (which I''m sure would be plenty). I''ve found nice diamonds online for under what would be the "half" value so if they marked it up 1-2k it would still be ok.

My questions are: has anyone purchased a loose diamond from helzberg, is it possible? share your story. If we did purchase a setting online and a diamond from helzberg, would they set it? would it be under warranty or no because it wasn''t their setting?
 
What setting do you like at Helzberg/what setting would you put it in if you get a loose diamond there and a setting elsewhere?
 
I like the 1ct helzberg radiant star, but it''s not 100% what I like. I don''t like the band and I don''t like that you can''t fit a wedding band UNDER the halo.

I would like something similar to the Tiffany Legacy, but I found one from a different vendor I just can''t post the info here.
 
Okay, how much credit will you have at Heltzberg (e.g. what is the "half of value")
 
I'm not positive, He spent over 10k, but they might give him a hard time (because they want to make money) and at the very least offer 8k, so half the value would be AT LEAST 4k.

Edit: The setting I love is around $1,500, the wedding band is around $600, we would like to keep the total "out of pocket expense" to at most $3500, , including getting it set
 
OMG Pricescope just ate my post, sorry if this is terse
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here''s the thing, Helzberg is expensive and their diamonds aren''t very good. when you start looking at e-rings Heltzberg''s prices are through the roof. You can get something much nicer for a fraction of the cost at pricesope preferred vendor like whiteflash, brain gavin, james allen, id jewelry, good old gold....

If you can swing $3500 out of pocket, I''d just get a super ideal diamond from a PS vendor for about $2500, a legacy-esque setting (there are a lot of places where you can find beautiful ones for less than $1600, sometimes even custom or semi-custom), and use the credit for his wedding band, a temporary wedding band for you, bridesmaids gifts, Christmas presents, and what ever other "fun" jewelry you want, maybe a pendant and diamond studs....not my ering.

Just my 2 cents.

Also, if you do get something with diamonds from them, try to make sure it is GIA cert, that''s probably your best chance at getting a diamond that''s not really ugly once it''s out of the jewelry store lights.
 
I just don''t think I can get a 1ct (or close to it) with the nice specs for $2500, I may be wrong, and I appreciate your input and am thankful for the help!! Those were just rough figures, if we can spend less we definately want to. I can have him look into it.

I''m not looking for "the perfect diamond" (gaaasp! I know, wrong place to be to say that
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) I just want something that looks good to someone looking at it not under a microscope...

I was engaged before with a "good" diamond to most people, knowing only basics about diamonds I can honestly say it was a very pretty diamond from helzberg, it sparkled and it had one very small inclusion that I could only see if I practically held it to my eye... Did he over pay? Yes, but was the diamond pretty and did it make me happy? Yea (the setting was another story!
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) but it did it''s job.
 
Cut is all that matters really when it comes to diamonds, the color and clarity are personal preferences. Nope, you won''t get a 1ct diamond for what you want to spend out of pocket, but if you get a J SI2 you can get pretty big and it will look a heck of a lot better than anything you have likely seen in the past. If you have not seen a super ideal cut diamond it is hard to know what you are missing out on, KWIM?

Anyways, I have not read about anyone buying an e-ring from Helzberg here in my time, a little over 2 years, so I am not sure you will get the type of advice/experiences you are looking for.
 
Find out what size and quality cushions Helzberg will offer you and at what price. Only then can you compare what is will cost to start from scratch or buy from them. Do they even sell stones without a setting. I am guessing they make more money off their settings and don''t give you much choice with the center stone.

You certainly can get your stone and setting from 2 different vendors. You can send the stone to the vendor with the setting and have them set it.

Even though it''s your boyfriend''s 2nd marriage you shouldn''t feel like your ring is a compromise.
 
Date: 1/14/2010 7:34:12 PM
Author: swingirl
Find out what size and quality cushions Helzberg will offer you and at what price. Only then can you compare what is will cost to start from scratch or buy from them. Do they even sell stones without a setting. I am guessing they make more money off their settings and don''t give you much choice with the center stone.

You certainly can get your stone and setting from 2 different vendors. You can send the stone to the vendor with the setting and have them set it.

Even though it''s your boyfriend''s 2nd marriage you shouldn''t feel like your ring is a compromise.
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Thank you for the input. I don''t know if they do sell just loose stones, I guess I can call and ask or send an email. I know you can upgrade to a better/bigger stone in an original setting, so I would assume if you just wanted a stone you could do that too, or get a plain solitaire setting to make them happier lol.

I don''t feel like it''s a compromise at all. I''m just not very materialistic so as long as it looks good and has decent specs I''m fine with it, for me it''s more about the setting... My first engagement ring though pretty, wasn''t AT ALL what I liked. And I would rather save the money now, and put it towards a wedding or honeymoon and then when business is great again we can think about upgrading it if we wanted.

His ex was super materialistic and high maintenance so if he hadn''t gotten something huge and sparkly she probably would have said no.
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But thanks for your help. I''ll see if I can get in touch with them... And maybe I could find a diamond I like on whiteflash or something and see if Helzberg could get it. Who knows?! lol I think I''m going to give up and leave it all in my boyfriends hands at this point. He knows what style I like and I don''t really care about much else, I love him and can''t wait to spend the rest of my life with him!

thanks again!
 
Good luck. :)
 
Glad you have a pla n you like, best wishes and congrats on your soon-to-be engagement.
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Date: 1/16/2010 8:42:11 AM
Author: o0olibelulao0o



Date: 1/14/2010 7:34:12 PM
Author: swingirl
Find out what size and quality cushions Helzberg will offer you and at what price. Only then can you compare what is will cost to start from scratch or buy from them. Do they even sell stones without a setting. I am guessing they make more money off their settings and don't give you much choice with the center stone.

You certainly can get your stone and setting from 2 different vendors. You can send the stone to the vendor with the setting and have them set it.

Even though it's your boyfriend's 2nd marriage you shouldn't feel like your ring is a compromise.
Click to expand...
Thank you for the input. I don't know if they do sell just loose stones, I guess I can call and ask or send an email. I know you can upgrade to a better/bigger stone in an original setting, so I would assume if you just wanted a stone you could do that too, or get a plain solitaire setting to make them happier lol.

I don't feel like it's a compromise at all. I'm just not very materialistic so as long as it looks good and has decent specs I'm fine with it, for me it's more about the setting... My first engagement ring though pretty, wasn't AT ALL what I liked. And I would rather save the money now, and put it towards a wedding or honeymoon and then when business is great again we can think about upgrading it if we wanted.

His ex was super materialistic and high maintenance so if he hadn't gotten something huge and sparkly she probably would have said no.
20.gif
But thanks for your help. I'll see if I can get in touch with them... And maybe I could find a diamond I like on whiteflash or something and see if Helzberg could get it. Who knows?! lol I think I'm going to give up and leave it all in my boyfriends hands at this point. He knows what style I like and I don't really care about much else, I love him and can't wait to spend the rest of my life with him!

thanks again!
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SG isn't implying that you are materialistic or that if you purchase from Helzburg you are compromising/settling per se. She is just suggesting that you compare prices with other vendors to ensure that you are getting a decent deal/not getting taking advantage of.
 
haha no I didn''t think she was saying anything negative! :) I just didn''t want it to sound like I was trying to settle for something I didn''t really want because I felt CONFINED to Helzberg. I just think thats the best way to get the most value of the old ring back, but I told him my idea, and I told him that he can do whatever he wants, I trust his judgement and it''s his money, he can spend what he''s comfortable with. :)

I don''t think I''ll get a proposal for another 6 months, but I think it''s always something to keep in the back of his mind. And, he doesn''t want to talk too much about proposing or too many details, I think he really wants it to be a complete surprise... Since both of our first proposals were less than spectacular. (Just goes to show it wasn''t "THE ONE"
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)

Thanks again everyone! I''ll be sure to post pictures when I actually do get a rock! :)
 
If he spent north of $10k is it possible to sell in another way (pearlman''s) and recoup something more than $4k ? - have you confirmed with H''berg how much they REALLY will give you?
 
Date: 1/16/2010 4:02:22 PM
Author: motownmama
If he spent north of $10k is it possible to sell in another way (pearlman''s) and recoup something more than $4k ? - have you confirmed with H''berg how much they REALLY will give you?
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It is possible, he hasn''t talked to Helzberg yet, when he''s ready I''m sure he will, I was just looking into options. If they won''t give him as much as he wants I''m sure he would try to sell it another way... Any suggestions on good places to sell (probably online)?

I''ll look into pearlman''s.
 
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