B&M store surprised me

[Nick210]

Found the exact ring I was looking for at my local B&M store for about $700 cheaper than I could find at any recommended online store. I attached a picture but it didn't come out as great as I hoped but you get the idea. My biggest issue is their stone selection. He brought out 2 stones around a ct a piece but they were both modified. .95ct G VS2 $4500 and a 1ct H SI2 $3500 I asked if he had any modern cut's and he seemed confused. Now I don't know whether or not to buy my stone online or try to find another one at his store. They have a large selection but no reports online. http://configuratorsnew.barmakian.com/configurator/var/apps/engagementring/

Help????
Also said would take 6 weeks to make... FML
Online estimated 4 weeks.

I got a quote from GOG for $2200 for this Bev K http://www.beverleyk.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=1185&x=11&y=6 with a bezel rather prongs. I'm all about a good deal, but also want the quality.

 

[SB621]

So I'm confused what shape of diamond are you looking for?

Just be looking at the 1 picture I prefer the Beverly K version. It looks much nicer then the one you posted. However, if you want to save the $700 can you buy your diamond online (probably save on taxes) and then have your local guy set it into this setting.

And I wouldn't buy a diamond at a chain store unless it came with a good report.

EDIT- and to just add i'm not surprised the sales person wasn't very helpful. They are trained in the 4 C's and probably don't know much more then that. So if you used step cut or modern cut without being clear they might not have understood. I had someone the other say say my cushion was a lovely modern oval cut

 

[Nick210]

Ahh my apologies. I'm looking for a cushion. I asked him how much it would be to set a stone if I bought it elsewhere and he said around $100 which seemed cheap.

I like the fact they have 3 stores and if there's any damage or maintenance that needs to be done, they can do it all in house rather than send it away. I'm going to ask him about their upgrade policy and what not.

 

[jmarshall]

Show GOG that there is an advertised price that is lower and ask if they would match it.

 

[ChristineRose]

When you say the exact ring, do you mean the exact same model number in the same brand, or do you mean a similar ring in the style you like? There are many, many factors that go into the price of a setting and you may not be comparing apples to apples.

Also, some stores will not sell you a setting without a stone, unless you also pay some sort of fee on top of the listed price. They make money on the diamonds and lose money on the settings. It's just a way of impressing people as two diamonds that look identical to the naked eye can vary greatly in price. Are the stones graded at all? If the stones have no reports, you should assume that they would not be graded as G/VS2 H/SI2 by GIA. They seem pretty expensive once you start imagining what their GIA grades are.

 

[Nick210]

Very similar style. The one at the B&M store is not a designer where as the Beverly K one is. I don't really know the difference between a designer ring and a non designer, I can only assume the designer has a higher quality to it. I believe they were graded but he did not show me the report.

 

[UberClaire]

If you didn't see a report from GIA or AGS, those grades they gave you are meaningless.

 

[ChristineRose]

You can certainly go cheaper than Beverly K. The small diamonds will not be top quality and the workmanship may be cheaper. It's all a tradeoff of course.

I would start with the main stone though. Find a place you like that will sell you a properly graded main stone you like at a price you can live with and ask them about less expensive settings and why you should or shouldn't consider them. Any jeweler should have access to a range of settings, although they may try to talk you out of it.