Buying a Setting Online versus B&M

[ka5ika]

Hi PS,

I''ve been reading here for a while, and learning a lot as I''m preparing to buy an ering for my girlfriend, and one question I have is about the benefits of buying a setting from a local jeweler. It seems to be common based on what I''ve been reading here to buy the diamond online, but have it set with a local jeweler. Are there significant advantages to this?

From what I can gather, having somebody local to go to with any problems with the setting would certainly make sense, but are there other benefits? Better selection? More ability to customize?

FWIW, my girlfriend is looking for something "classic" and "simple", for which it appears that there are great options available from PS merchants (WF, GOG), where I will likely be buying the center stone.

Thanks for all of the knowledge that has been passed along on this site. I am significantly more prepared and confident about making this purchase after spending a few weeks reading threads here.

 

[Regular Guy]

If your relationship with the local jewler is the "right" one, it is, I agree, an ideal solution..involving them, getting some of their good will, feeling entitled to go their for routine maintenance. Hopefully a win-win.

But, on average, I wouldn''t recommend it. Instead, I''d veer towards finding a vendor with both diamond and setting you want, and have them do the package.

Reasons why local vendor deal could have problems:

- They will feel odd for not getting the whole enchilada
- You will feel odd asking them to insure the diamond setting, and they will feel odd telling you they''d rather not
- You may be able to have the stone insured through Jeweler''s Mutual anyway, but this will take extra time and effort to coordinate

Reasons working through a vendor for the whole thing has advantages:

You can leave them in charge of the diamond, even when it''s not in their possession..i.e. if you get it to an appraiser for review, it can then go back to the vendor for setting, with insurance issue a non-issue, or...
regardless, when the vendor does put the diamond & ring together, they will be responsible for any problems, either for the diamond, or final product.

So...I''ve felt compelled to be practical on this. I like your solution better, but I''ve found too many hassles to make it go forward, as my first choice, I think.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

We bought our diamond and setting at different places. I went with a B&M for my setting and wedding band so that if I lost a melee (which I have), need prong check, sizing issues, polishing, cleaning, that sort of stuff I have a local jeweler. Sometimes paying a little more upfront is the same as saving money online in the long run (shipping costs can be high after awhile). It just gave me peace of mind. Plus I like the idea of giving local, mom and pop type jewelry stores my business.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Date: 8/16/2006 11:11:09 AM
Author: Regular Guy
If your relationship with the local jewler is the ''right'' one, it is, I agree, an ideal solution..involving them, getting some of their good will, feeling entitled to go their for routine maintenance. Hopefully a win-win.

But, on average, I wouldn''t recommend it. Instead, I''d veer towards finding a vendor with both diamond and setting you want, and have them do the package.

Reasons why local vendor deal could have problems:

- They will feel odd for not getting the whole enchilada
- You will feel odd asking them to insure the diamond setting, and they will feel odd telling you they''d rather not
- You may be able to have the stone insured through Jeweler''s Mutual anyway, but this will take extra time and effort to coordinate

Reasons working through a vendor for the whole thing has advantages:

You can leave them in charge of the diamond, even when it''s not in their possession..i.e. if you get it to an appraiser for review, it can then go back to the vendor for setting, with insurance issue a non-issue, or...
regardless, when the vendor does put the diamond & ring together, they will be responsible for any problems, either for the diamond, or final product.

So...I''ve felt compelled to be practical on this. I like your solution better, but I''ve found too many hassles to make it go forward, as my first choice, I think.

If you buy the stone from GOG or WF, I''d definitely let them set it if they have an acceptable setting, for all the reasons Ira posted. In the case of Tacori E-ring, she wanted a special setting that would not have been available at either of those vendors, so having them set the stone would not have been possible. In that case it made sense for her to go local. But even designer settings can often be bought at a discount online from places like Pearlman''s and Sister''s.

 

[kenny]

If you are buying the diamond form WF or GOG have them set it in one of their settings too.

It is cleaner when it comes to taking responsibility for the setting process.

You don''t have to deal with a jeweler who is unhappy you didn''t buy the diamond from them.

 

[ka5ika]

Thanks for the feedback. It seems like it makes sense to get both the setting and the diamond from the same vendor, particularly as I do not have any longstanding relationships with local jewelers, and will likely be moving in the next couple years (so would have to ship anyway with problems down the road).

I''m sure I''ll be back with more questions as my search gets narrower.

 

[maxspinel]

A setting can be personal sometimes. It is always good to try different setting to see which one looks the best on your GF. The local jeweler has the advantage of providing a wide selection so you can choose together.

 

[davidgelb]

Hi ka5ika,
I made my purchase online after checking out a B&M, and to be honest, really feel like I made the right choice. I left this particular B&M not feeling like I really got the best I could for the money I paid. My online purchase was extremely positive and I am really happy with the ring I purchased...

One tip that I learned a little late, but was still able to utilize, was to have the ring sent to an approved appraiser before you pay for it. I know WF is very willing to do this, and it ensures that you can see the ring and approve of it before you have to worry about wiring the money to them. That way, if you really don't like it, you can have the appraiser send it back (you would just pay the return shipping + the shipping fees that the online company paid to ship it to you), and you don't have to hassle with the vendor wiring or mailing the money back to you.

I did this and love what I saw. As soon as I wire the money to them, they will authorize the appraiser to release the ring to me.

This, paired with a wonderful vendor and salesperson, is the best option (in my opinion).

Hope this helps at all....


-David

 

[JohnQuixote]

Date: 8/16/2006 3:38:12 PM
Author: davidgelb

One tip that I learned a little late, but was still able to utilize, was to have the ring sent to an approved appraiser before you pay for it. I know WF is very willing to do this, and it ensures that you can see the ring and approve of it before you have to worry about wiring the money to them. That way, if you really don't like it, you can have the appraiser send it back (you would just pay the return shipping + the shipping fees that the online company paid to ship it to you), and you don't have to hassle with the vendor wiring or mailing the money back to you.

Hi DG. Appreciate the mention.

I would just add that we can send a diamond mounted in a standard Tiffany-style setting without full payment, but for other settings payment in full may be required.

This, paired with a wonderful vendor and salesperson, is the best option (in my opinion).

It helps when the vendors & salespeople have wonderful customers. Thanks, DG.