Best online wedding band vendor?

[kal2021]

I have been considering buying my band from Tiffany (either the large Legacy or the medium sized 7-stone shared prong), but wanted to inquire about buying a similar band through an online vendor instead to save some $$. Some of the reasons I want to go with Tiffany is to be sure of the quality, to have a brick and mortar store to take it into for cleaning and repairs if need be (though I would hope it wouldn't need repairs at their prices!), and really just for piece of mind that I got what I paid for (though I guess you could always question that).

I was hoping to hear from people who have bought their wedding bands online (could be a place like Blue Nile who is only online, or BGD who actually has a store, right?) regarding the following concerns I have:

1. Have you had any issues as far as stones falling out? If so, is it a pain to have to mail it in or do you take to a local jeweler?
2. Is the quality of the craftsmanship and diamonds up to par?
3. Do you just take it to local jewelers for cleaning?

Which online vendor do you think makes the BEST wedding bands (Whiteflash, BGD, Leon, Blue Nile, etc?)? Has anyone seen similar bands to the ones I mentioned liking at Tiffany done really well from an online vendor? Just trying to determine if spending the extra money to buy from Tiffany's is worth it.

TIA for your help!

 

[Gypsy]

I think the reason you aren't getting responses if because there is no "best" hands down for everything. It really depends on the item you want.

If you want a designer brand that is as good or better than Tiffany you can look on Pearlmans Jewelers to see if anything appeals to you. A lot of designers are very exclusive and lauded. Like Bridget Durnell.

If you want something with Pave many would chose Leon Mege without a second thought. Maytal Hannah and Durnell also top that list. As does Ocean Pearlman.

If you want something vintage you can look at Singlestone, Lang's Jewelery, or Jewels by Erica Grace.

If you want a piece of handmade art there's Van Craeynest.

Then there are a ton of other vendors as well, that aren't as specialised and can do many different styles and do them well. An example of a vendor that does this is Brian Gavin Diamonds. I just got a band from them myself and it's easily on par with Tiffany. And so is the pendant I purchased from them almost two years ago.

High Perfomance Diamonds has a nice bench and also carries Vatche. Vatche, Ritani and Verragio are also carried by Good Old Gold.

I have a Scott kay pave band that takes a licking and keeps on ticking.

As for losing diamonds and mailing... if you get a designer setting like Scott Kay for example, you can take it in for repair at any local authorized dealer. So there is no pain at all.

If you get a setting from one of the more specialized vendors, usually there is a manufacturers warranty on their pieces for a certain length of time, and if you have an issue in that time frame they will overnight it in for repair. Not a real pain at all. You will void the warranty by having someone else work on it.

It just depends on what you ultimately decide on.

I suggest just looking around on Pricescope, on the websites I've listed, on the websites other's mention and see what strikes your fancy then ask questions about the particular vendor/piece you are interested in. Losing stones can happy with any piece, Tiffany, Cartier or Walmart. It's how the company handles the issue is what sets them apart. And of course, how often it happens.

Here's a link to my band to get you started. I'm very happy with it. [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-bgd-aurora-1-2-eternity-is-ready-and-on-the-way.154113/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-bgd-aurora-1-2-eternity-is-ready-and-on-the-way.154113/[/URL]


ETA: As for cleaning. Many PSers clean at home, but yes most any jeweler will do a cleaning for you for free, while you browse. I go in an browse or drop something off for polishing or rhodium plating and I just take it all off... earrings, pendant, engagement ring, wedding band, right hand ring. And just have them go at it.

 

[kal2021]

Wow, gypsy, thank you so much for the thorough and thoughtful response! I will definitely do as you suggested.

How often do you get your platinum jewelry polished to keep it nice and shiny?

 

[Gypsy]

I probably *should* get my pieces done every 6 months. I have a halo with a plain shank so, and all my other pieces are half eternity, so the there is plenty of metal to get scratched up. But I don't mind the patina platinum gets so I usually just get it done once a year or so. I'm lazy.

But my engagement ring and my wedding band are both WAY over due for a polish. So I will likely be dropping them off sometime in the next month.

Can't wait to see what you decide on! Good luck!