B&M vs online: My setting dilemma

[marmi04]

Hi all, looking for some advice from the forum. Here''s my dilemma:

I''ve looked at a number of B&M stores, and came across a particular setting that I''m very fond of. It works particularly well with square cuts, which is why I''ve been focusing on radiants, asschers, etc. Unfortunately, this is a B&M store, so my stone pool is smaller to choose from, costs are higher, and most importantly, I don''t have stone analysis tools such as ASET and idealscope available to me.

Online, the stone analysis tools are excellent (GOG, etc). However, the setting selections just haven''t been cutting it for me (no pun intended), and I can''t see them in person. To me, the setting is important as well.

Lastly, I''ve read that it is not advised to have the stone purchased and set by different vendors, for a variety of reasons. Does the forum agree?

Thanks for any and all input here.

Mike

 

[Brown.Eyed.Girl]

Date: 7/6/2009 7:54:15 PM
Author:marmi04
Hi all, looking for some advice from the forum. Here''s my dilemma:


I''ve looked at a number of B&M stores, and came across a particular setting that I''m very fond of. It works particularly well with square cuts, which is why I''ve been focusing on radiants, asschers, etc. Unfortunately, this is a B&M store, so my stone pool is smaller to choose from, costs are higher, and most importantly, I don''t have stone analysis tools such as ASET and idealscope available to me.


Online, the stone analysis tools are excellent (GOG, etc). However, the setting selections just haven''t been cutting it for me (no pun intended), and I can''t see them in person. To me, the setting is important as well.


Lastly, I''ve read that it is not advised to have the stone purchased and set by different vendors, for a variety of reasons. Does the forum agree?


Thanks for any and all input here.


Mike

On that last point, it''s certainly easier if you purchase the stone and setting from the same place, but it''s also fairly common around here to buy your diamond at one place and have it sent elsewhere to be set. What kind of setting are you thinking of? Maybe it''s something you could get custom done by Whiteflash or Brian Gavin or Leon Mege if you can''t find it outside the B&M?

 

[oneandahalfrock]

It''s fine to buy the stone and setting separate, but be sure in insure your diamond if anything happens.
Do you know who makes the setting and what the model is that you like? You''d be surprised what you can find with just a little more info
Much luck!

 

[Ellen]

GOG will accept most settings from other jewelers to have one of their stones set in. Can you get a picture of the setting to show GOG? (so they can ok it)

 

[denverappraiser]

As mentioned above, it’s not so unusual to buy the stone and the setting from different places but there are a few difficulties to watch out for:

First, not all settings will accommodate every stone. Especially with princess cuts, the shape of the stone can affect the required placement of the prongs and some mountings are more agreeable than others to modification. If you’re going to buy a stone online and have it set locally, make sure the setter has the opportunity to inspect the stone and the mounting together to confirm that the project will work while you are still within your return period on the stone. You would hate to buy a stone only to find out later that it won’t work in the mounting you have in mind. The same applies in reverse. If you’re going to buy a mounting locally and have it set by someone far away, make sure that they have the mounting in hand to make sure it works before they do any actual work on the piece and that you’ve got the right to return the piece for a refund if there’s a problem.

Also be aware that defects in either the mounting or the stone and craftsmanship problems with the setter tend to become your problem after the fact, especially if it takes a while for you to notice. The setter can point at the mounting as defective, the mounting manufacturer can point the setter as inept etc. This is a lot easier to navigate if the diamond, the mounting and the labor all come from the same source. If that's not possible, make sure that the setter has the opportunity to approve or reject both the diamond before beginning and the mounting and then use an independent appraiser to inspect the finished piece to approve all 3 elements.

Second, not all setters will assume breakage liability for stones that you didn’t buy from them. In fact, most won’t. Naturally diamond dealers won’t assume the risk for work done by someone else and won’t take a return if sonemone else breaks it. Talk to your setter and make sure you understand the risks and who is taking responsibility for them. (note: in most cases the risk is low but it's not zero)

Third, many manufacturers and jeweler have a warranty or tradeup program on the pieces they sell that may be affected by having the center stone set and/or having the ring sized by someone other than them or one of their authorized dealers. If the warranty is important to you, read the fine print and ask about how it might be affected if an outside jeweler sets the stone.

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

 

[Todd Gray]

Date: 7/7/2009 11:40:35 AM
Author: denverappraiser
As mentioned above, it’s not so unusual to buy the stone and the setting from different places but there are a few difficulties to watch out for:

First, not all settings will accommodate every stone. Especially with princess cuts, the shape of the stone can affect the required placement of the prongs and some mountings are more agreeable than others to modification. If you’re going to buy a stone online and have it set locally, make sure the setter has the opportunity to inspect the stone and the mounting together to confirm that the project will work while you are still within your return period on the stone. You would hate to buy a stone only to find out later that it won’t work in the mounting you have in mind. The same applies in reverse. If you’re going to buy a mounting locally and have it set by someone far away, make sure that they have the mounting in hand to make sure it works before they do any actual work on the piece and that you’ve got the right to return the piece for a refund if there’s a problem.

Also be aware that defects in either the mounting or the stone and craftsmanship problems with the setter tend to become your problem after the fact, especially if it takes a while for you to notice. The setter can point at the mounting as defective, the mounting manufacturer can point the setter as inept etc. This is a lot easier to navigate if the diamond, the mounting and the labor all come from the same source. If that''s not possible, make sure that the setter has the opportunity to approve or reject both the diamond before beginning and the mounting and then use an independent appraiser to inspect the finished piece to approve all 3 elements.

Second, not all setters will assume breakage liability for stones that you didn’t buy from them. In fact, most won’t. Naturally diamond dealers won’t assume the risk for work done by someone else and won’t take a return if sonemone else breaks it. Talk to your setter and make sure you understand the risks and who is taking responsibility for them. (note: in most cases the risk is low but it''s not zero)

Third, many manufacturers and jeweler have a warranty or tradeup program on the pieces they sell that may be affected by having the center stone set and/or having the ring sized by someone other than them or one of their authorized dealers. If the warranty is important to you, read the fine print and ask about how it might be affected if an outside jeweler sets the stone.

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

DITTO That! Well said Neil, that saved me a whole lot of typing!

 

[bright&shiny]

Hello - we visited GOG a month ago to go mining We had the same concern, but found many more settings in the store than online. Talk to them re: what you want to see and I''ll bet they have something for you to consider. Good luck!

 

[hopelesslylost]

I had the same dilemma. I found a setting that called to me and a diamond that called to me from two different sources. I had the setting shipped to GOG for placement with the diamond. They can also custom the ring for you, but it turned out to be too expensive for me to have mine custom made. I felt more comfortable with GOG setting the stone so I wouldn''t have to worry about it in transit.

 

[tallchickbarbara]

Hi Mike,

Should you decide to purchase the setting locally and ship it to the online vendor to set, I''d recommend you purchase the diamond from a vendor that doesn''t outsource their repair or setting work (in other words - be sure that it''s done in-house). Ask, too, if they would mind taking a photo of your mounting when it arrives to them, and one before it is shipped back out to you so that you may have a before and after visual for your own records.

That being said, I believe I speak on behalf of quite a few of the PS vendors here when I say that your situation is a rather common occurrence and that most of us would gladly set the diamond into a mounting you''ve pre-purchased if one wasn''t available that suited you.

Good luck in the hunt!