Another Newbie looking for Advice

[shippinguy]

Sorry for the length of my first post.

Thanks to everyone in advance for all of you previous posts on these boards. The past few days I’ve spent reading hundreds of posts has been a great education.

To make a short story long: My g/f and I are in love with a Ritani solitaire setting with .25ct micro pave and I will be looking for a 1-1.25 ct Princess cut for the center stone.

I’ve already begun contacting the 3 Ritani retailers in my area to get an idea of how much/little they will be willing to negotiate on the setting.

I think my mind is made up to look at some stones at these B/M locations but I will go the online route of WF based on what I’ve read on these forums and some other research I’ve done.

I guess what I’m asking for is some advice on what I should do next. Should I now concentrate on getting the stone and keep the setting on the "back burner"? So that when I go with the intention of buying the setting I can negotiate the price of the setting and mounting at that time. I want the ring directly from Ritani (size 4.5) and made for the stone we choose. Strictly asking for a price over the phone two B/M stores have quoted $2000 and $1900 for setting. Bailey Banks and Biddle is $2100, however they are having an annual event in April and the saleswoman said the savings is generally 15% ($1785). I will make this my starting point to negotiate with the other 2 stores.

I guess I really just want to see if anyone who’s been through/going through this out there thinks this is a good plan, a bad one, or if I’m completely missing something.

We’ve spent 3 months and found the right setting and I want to make the centerpiece of this ring just as special.

And I promise to post pics once this is all said and done.

 

[Modified Brilliant]

Hi shippinguy,

Welcome to pricescope! You should first begin your search for the perfect diamond. That is where you will be spending the most amount of $$$.
Once you have acquired the diamond of her dreams...then concentrate on the mounting. Depending upon the princess cut that you choose, there may be some customization of the center head required. If you decide to purchase from BB & B, be aware that during a "one day event" you may encounter a busy store, with a bench jeweler who is trying to fiinish all his work that day. Is their event a one month promotion or a one day restyling event? I'm not picking on BB & B, just curious? You want your fiancee's ring to be "forever." Take your time, choose wisely and spend within your budget. Best of luck.

www.metrojewelryappraisers.com

 

[shippinguy]

The BB&B event is an upcoming month long promotion in April. They have a restyling event later this month, but the saleswoman explained the difference. I just assume that the other two jewelers, which are in the diamond/Jewerly building in my city (Pittsburgh), would be more willing to negotiate than BB&B. But that BB&B price for the mounting is not bad at all.


Thanks so much for the advice.

 

[mrssalvo]

I agree, find your stone first. The BB &B sale sounds like a great way to get a good price on a Ritani. If your girlfriend loves the Ritani, I wouldn''t try to replicate it, it won''t be exactly the same. I''d stick with the real deal