B&M Setting w/ Online Diamond - Advise Please!

[souvlaki99]

I found an ideal setting at a local Brick and Mortar store, a very intricate, beautiful one that I cannot seem to find anything that even remotely matches or catches my attention. Additionally, diamond prices/selections online are tough to beat. So I feel like I am being pulled in two different directions.

My question(s) is/are the following:

How would you proceed in this situation? I hear many stores will not mount a diamond that has not been purchased from them. Is this true? Abazias.com seems to have quite competitive prices on diamonds. Please let me know if anyone has had a similar situation and how they went about it.

Thanks.

 

[Lorelei]

Welcome to PS!

I would probably ask Abazias first actually if they would use your setting if you purchased the diamond from them, if not then ask the B&M. I know some PSers have done this in the past so it isn't unheard of. I don't know if there are any hard and fast rules, but it depends on the company policies etc.

 

[denverappraiser]

Most stores are more than happy to set a stone you’ve previously owned or that you bought elsewhere into a mounting that they are supplying although a few seem to not want this kind of business. Ask them directly. Rest assured that you are not the first person to come in with this question. If they don’t want your business, shop elsewhere. This is a pretty competitive business.

It’s a little harder to find a setter who will assemble a piece where they didn’t sell either the mounting or the diamond but even this is possible and you may be able to buy both pieces separately and have them assembled by a 3rd party setter but don’t plan on this until you’ve got a setter lined up. You don''t want to end up with a mounting that no one will agree to work with.

In all cases like this, ask the setter specifically who is taking the breakage risk during the setting process. With most jobs the risk is low but it’s not zero and there are quite a few who do not include this insurance component in their setting fees unless they sold the diamond.

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA
Professional Jewelry Appraisals in Denver

 

[souvlaki99]

Thank you for the replies. Has anyone experienced this similar situation personally?

 

[cadmia]

Yes, I bought my setting locally and sent it to WhiteFlash. They were wonderful and I received the complete ring last week.

They worked with me to send the setting properly to their store, confirmed receipt and everything. Of course I was nervous sending my setting out, but the process worked flawlessly.

I would not hesitate to work with WhiteFlash again.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Sure, bought a diamond from Good Old Gold and bought a setting locally. People do it all the time.

 

[souvlaki99]

Date: 9/24/2007 4:51:44 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006
Sure, bought a diamond from Good Old Gold and bought a setting locally. People do it all the time.

Diamondseeker......Did you end up getting it set locally or did GOG do it for you?

 

[frugaljoe]

I never would have considered that this could be a problem. I''ll contact my intended local jeweler tomorrow.

Thanks for the head''s up.