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Buying my girlfriends engagement ring in next few days

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Date: 8/7/2009 11:19:53 AM
Author: arcticcatmatt
Excellent feedback! This can get very confusing to a guy that knows jack about diamonds.. but I am a designer/engineer so I appreciate numbers and science.

My jeweler wrote me back. Give me feedback on this

Hi Matt,
I am curious where you found a hearts and arrows diamond? Those are brands carried by Kay/JBR/Jared (large Kay Jewelers)/Sterling Companies. It is very important to know that when you purchase a diamond on line, it is generally from a clearing house. The vendor does not have the diamonds in inventory. They literally are a clearing house for jewelers who are “clearing house”.

In addition, we cannot warranty something purchased elsewhere. It is also important to think about the long term. If you purchase the diamond elsewhere and then the stone becomes damaged or lost, it will unfortunately be an out of pocket loss. Additionally, it is important to think about the service after the sale. My advice to you, as your jeweler, is to choose one place or the other, Perrywinkle’s is a privately owned company. Our owner has been in business for over 30 years.

I hope this helps with your questions and decision making process.
Click to expand...
Hah, it should help a lot...drop these people and let PS show you the way!! Many of the online vendors have upgrade policies and warranties or sorts. Getting a setting from one of them as well will likely result in nicer melee diamonds anyway since they ''grade their own'' at your jeweler. Do you have a photo of the setting she likes? I''d bet we can find one similar at one of the online vendors. Stick around, we''ll help you find a rockin'' ring and stay within your price range! In my time on PS, I can promise you won''t be diappointed.
 
Date: 8/7/2009 11:19:53 AM
Author: arcticcatmatt
Excellent feedback! This can get very confusing to a guy that knows jack about diamonds.. but I am a designer/engineer so I appreciate numbers and science.

My jeweler wrote me back. Give me feedback on this

Hi Matt,
I am curious where you found a hearts and arrows diamond? Those are brands carried by Kay/JBR/Jared (large Kay Jewelers)/Sterling Companies. It is very important to know that when you purchase a diamond on line, it is generally from a clearing house. The vendor does not have the diamonds in inventory. They literally are a clearing house for jewelers who are “clearing house”.

In addition, we cannot warranty something purchased elsewhere. It is also important to think about the long term. If you purchase the diamond elsewhere and then the stone becomes damaged or lost, it will unfortunately be an out of pocket loss. Additionally, it is important to think about the service after the sale. My advice to you, as your jeweler, is to choose one place or the other, Perrywinkle’s is a privately owned company. Our owner has been in business for over 30 years.

I hope this helps with your questions and decision making process.
Click to expand...
Total BS!!! I''m sorry, but I would run, not walk, away from this jeweler as fast as possible. Hearts and Arrows describes cutting precision and was first developed in Japan. There are many different brands of H&A diamonds out there from various companies, not just from one jewelry group. Diamond dealers, whether online or at a B&M have access to the same exact inventory, she is just trying to snow you by saying that online dealers are selling the seconds. Why would you trust their "service after the sale" when they are trying to get the sale by lying to you?
 
Date: 8/7/2009 11:35:02 AM
Author: jet2ks

Date: 8/7/2009 11:19:53 AM
Author: arcticcatmatt
Excellent feedback! This can get very confusing to a guy that knows jack about diamonds.. but I am a designer/engineer so I appreciate numbers and science.

My jeweler wrote me back. Give me feedback on this

Hi Matt,
I am curious where you found a hearts and arrows diamond? Those are brands carried by Kay/JBR/Jared (large Kay Jewelers)/Sterling Companies. It is very important to know that when you purchase a diamond on line, it is generally from a clearing house. The vendor does not have the diamonds in inventory. They literally are a clearing house for jewelers who are “clearing house”.

In addition, we cannot warranty something purchased elsewhere. It is also important to think about the long term. If you purchase the diamond elsewhere and then the stone becomes damaged or lost, it will unfortunately be an out of pocket loss. Additionally, it is important to think about the service after the sale. My advice to you, as your jeweler, is to choose one place or the other, Perrywinkle’s is a privately owned company. Our owner has been in business for over 30 years.

I hope this helps with your questions and decision making process.
Click to expand...
Total BS!!! I''m sorry, but I would run, not walk, away from this jeweler as fast as possible. Hearts and Arrows describes cutting precision and was first developed in Japan. There are many different brands of H&A diamonds out there from various companies, not just from one jewelry group. Diamond dealers, whether online or at a B&M have access to the same exact inventory, she is just trying to snow you by saying that online dealers are selling the seconds. Why would you trust their ''service after the sale'' when they are trying to get the sale by lying to you?
Click to expand...
+1
 
Thritto.
 
wow!! Thanks for taking the time to show me that!!

I have her sisters email. I sent her a few from that list that are like what she designed. I have her emailing some to her sister and asking her if any of these are like the ring she designed because you know, sisters always want to see a picture and my girlfriend could not give a picture as it was one she designed from some book. So now the sister is trying to figure out what ring it is.. so I can order it from elsewhere if my jeweler does not co-operate.

I remember seeing a ring just like this
Ring
The ring she ordered (from my horrible male memory)looked like this
Ring made I am finding out from her sister within 48 hrs. Thank you all for sticking with me thru this!


My girlfriend loved it but the price tag was 3,000. I am wondering if I can build a beautiful ring like that for my budget. I have her sister getting feedback on that ring also.

To the person that asked about the time frame - There is no time frame. I just wanted to get it done in a few days when I made this thread. But since you guys have shown me the light, I have determined that good things come to those that wait and to get the best bang for my buck I can't make this a 2 day decision.

I emailed the jeweler what I thought about her statements and told her I am buying the rock online since they are trying to sell me a less grade diamond for certified money. I also told her that if that is a problem, I shop elsewhere.
 
Sneaky Matt. I think the sister plan will be perfect. I don''t think that will make your GF suspicious if it''s coming from her sister. Sounds like a normal sister thing to me.

Great plan on the time frame too. I really think you''ll both be so much happer in the end. Plus, since vendors DO actually have these diamonds and many do rings in-house I wouldn''t think you''d lose too much time. Some vendors also have experts on staff that will actually look at several diamonds next to each other and give you feedback. I bought mine from Whiteflash and my sales girl actually took 2 diamonds around to her co-workers and had them choose (without seeing any of the specs on it) which one they preferred.

Treefrog
 
^ Very cool!

My Jeweler wrote back -
--------------------------
Hi Matt,
I wanted to let you know that I meant no disrespect. We would be very glad to help you with Amanda’s engagement ring and or diamond. We can certainly obtain a diamond in the specifications that you require along with GIA certification. Just let me know.

Thank you for the opportunity to help you both
---------------------------

So, it looks like they want to compete. What do you guys think? I sent her the specs that were graciously posted and added a few.
depth - 60 - 62%
table - 54- 57%
crown angle - 34- 35 degrees
pavilion angle - 40.6- 41 degrees
girdle - avoid extremes, look for thin to slightly thick, thin to medium etc
polish and symmetry - very good and above
GIA rated
Clarity – SI thru F
Color - DEFGHI
Cost ~$1,000

I told her that I would prefer to buy from them if they can compete. If they cannot, then I am sure they understand why I had to buy elsewhere. I told her I ment no disrespect because it is her job to sell me a diamond from them, but it is my job to be an educated consumer getting the best bang for my buck (thanks to all of you!)
 
let them try then. But buy yourself an Idealscope.
 
^ One of these? http://www.ideal-scope.com/cart_order.asp

(not being a smart ass here) - Why? If it has the certification and falls within those numbers it should be beautiful I assume? Those tools are 100 bucks? That is 10% of what the diamond will cost
7.gif
 
I know it cost a good proportion of your budget, but GIA angles are the average of 8 facets each and then rounded to the nearest 0.5 degrees for the crown and 0.2 degrees for the pavilion. That gives a lot of free play for leakage to occur at the limit like a 34/41 combination. If you know leakage looks like, maybe you can go trust your eyes in that case.

But as a beginner, if you want to skip that, learn by looking at stones that gets an AGS0 cut grade under different viewing conditions.
 
^ I am going to be honest, that seems to be a little over my head considering I don''t know crap about diamonds. I won''t be able to do that if I buy a rock online anyway.

Snowmobiles, computers, road bikes, hunting, cars/trucks, and motorcycles.. well that is a different story.
 
Just visit stores around you that stock AGS0 stones, not asking you to buy them online. :P

Jared should have them as their peerless line.

EDT:
This in in reference to the stone you are going to buy locally. Online, you will want the vendor to supply the IS image.
 
Well, in their last message, they did say they''d help you with her ring "and/or" diamond. You could avoid the $100 tool (I''m guessing they don''t have any type of tool there) by buying online. Most of the online vendors here provide the images your store doesn''t have. Just makes your dollar go further. Kind of the best of both worlds in your situation. See what they come back with though. I can''t imagine they''ll be near online prices for comparable quality. I''ve been wrong before though so... ???

You''ll be back to talking sleds, motors, and bikes before you know it. Bet you know more about diamonds than you ever thought possible though!

Treefrog
 
Date: 8/7/2009 3:10:34 PM
Author: arcticcatmatt
^ I am going to be honest, that seems to be a little over my head considering I don't know crap about diamonds. I won't be able to do that if I buy a rock online anyway.

Snowmobiles, computers, road bikes, hunting, cars/trucks, and motorcycles.. well that is a different story.
Click to expand...
Also not being a smart ass, but why would you go back to a store when they have already quoted an exhorbitant fee for GIA certification, tried to sell you crappy stones and then gave you sales pitch after sales pitch about why they did it? If you recognize that you don't yet know enough to feel comfortable judging the cut quality, then there is a chance that they will get you to buy a poorly cut stone and you are going to walk back in there and let them. Even a GIA triple EX in the parameters Lorelei posted is not a guarantee of a great diamond, though it will greatly increase your chances. An AGS0 as Stone-Cold has suggested is safer.

I have nothing against a B&M store, as long as they are good, honest and truly care about their customers--I found one where I live, but this store and sales staff has already shown their true colors. They want a sale and don't care about you.

Six months ago, I could also talk cars/trucks, motorcyles, hunting and road bikes and with the help of a lot of people on PS, now can talk a little about diamonds, too. I'm just saying that it is all about education. Would you recommend some snowmobiling newbie walk into a dealer with the knowledge level of those machines that you currently have about diamonds, after that same dealer had routinely misled them about their products?
 
Date: 8/7/2009 1:21:39 PM
Author: arcticcatmatt
wow!! Thanks for taking the time to show me that!!


I have her sisters email. I sent her a few from that list that are like what she designed. I have her emailing some to her sister and asking her if any of these are like the ring she designed because you know, sisters always want to see a picture and my girlfriend could not give a picture as it was one she designed from some book. So now the sister is trying to figure out what ring it is.. so I can order it from elsewhere if my jeweler does not co-operate.


I remember seeing a ring just like this

Ring

The ring she ordered (from my horrible male memory)looked like this

Ring made I am finding out from her sister within 48 hrs. Thank you all for sticking with me thru this!



My girlfriend loved it but the price tag was 3,000. I am wondering if I can build a beautiful ring like that for my budget. I have her sister getting feedback on that ring also.


To the person that asked about the time frame - There is no time frame. I just wanted to get it done in a few days when I made this thread. But since you guys have shown me the light, I have determined that good things come to those that wait and to get the best bang for my buck I can't make this a 2 day decision.


I emailed the jeweler what I thought about her statements and told her I am buying the rock online since they are trying to sell me a less grade diamond for certified money. I also told her that if that is a problem, I shop elsewhere.
Click to expand...

Glad I could help. Another thing you should do is email Lesley at Brian Gavin Diamonds "BGD". I was helping a friend get a ring for his GF (a friend of mine). His budget was less than half yours ($600) and BGD was able to get a palladium setting (she's allergic to gold, budget didn't allow for platinum) from danforthdiamonds.com for the same cost they were charging and put one of their stone's in it. Worked out well. They don't list their stones available online, but if you email Lesley with the specs you desire and your budget ($1000) she should be able to tell you what they have!

Brian Gavin Diamonds
 
Date: 8/7/2009 3:22:50 PM
Author: treefrog
Well, in their last message, they did say they''d help you with her ring ''and/or'' diamond. You could avoid the $100 tool (I''m guessing they don''t have any type of tool there) by buying online. Most of the online vendors here provide the images your store doesn''t have. Just makes your dollar go further. Kind of the best of both worlds in your situation. See what they come back with though. I can''t imagine they''ll be near online prices for comparable quality. I''ve been wrong before though so... ???


You''ll be back to talking sleds, motors, and bikes before you know it. Bet you know more about diamonds than you ever thought possible though!


Treefrog
Click to expand...
+1

And if online could get you a setting like the second one that she loved and was out of budget with a stone larger than she''s probably expecting that we can guarantee the quality of with the images and reports that online vendors offer for FREE!....I guess I don''t see why you''d want to consider anything else!
 
Another setting I think you'd like. It's a little more ($600), but it's 18k WG instead of 14k which tends to be more preferred for quality of bridal sets than 14k. If could get the stone from JA too, that would be nice because they'd set the stone and would cover it if anything were to happen to it during the setting process. Most outside jewelers (like B&M stores) will set stones bought online, but won't guarantee them if damage happens.

James Allen solitaire

ETA: And I think I read just recently of someone getting 10% off the setting price when they bought the stone from them as well. Something to ask about...

With this diamond, total would be $1540 ($940 diamond with PS discount, $600 setting with no discount). If they offer 10% off the setting, setting would be $540 and your total would be $1480!!)

Diamond specs:

.51 ct I VS2 Hearts and Arrows Ideal
Depth 60.3
Table 56.9
Crown 33.9 (%14.5)
Pavillion 41 (%43.2)
HCA Score 1.2 (Light Return: Ex, Fire: Ex, Scintillation: VG, Spread: Ex)

5.19*5.23*3.15 measurements

Fluor: Negligible
Girdle: Thn-Med
 
JA also has a lifetime upgrade policy like WF and GOG.
 
WOW. You guys are on top of your stuff. I can't believe you are still here sticking with me on page 2. I may have to record this proposal and post it on here as a thank you!

One of the main reason I keep looking at the store is because of warranty work. If the prongs come loose or something, I take it there, they fix it free (warranty) and I am out. If I buy it online, I have no where to take it, no where to get it cleaned, no where to check it. Isn't that stuff a must? These stores are telling me they are. This store told me a story, a bartender got her hand smashed between 2 kegs, ring and hand destroyed. Paramedics had to cut it off her hand. This jeweler rebuilt the ring for her free.. warranty work. What do I do if I buy it 100% online and the thing needs to be worked on?

Oh man I 100% agree about the guy walking into the snowmobile shop ha! Or something going to buy a car that knows jack about cars (I design car parts FYI). The only reason I keep going back to her is because she is nice. Yes she has spewed me some BS but what salesmen hasn't. Jewelery stores, car salesman, lawyers... 99% of all of them just suck.

As soon as I get feedback from her sister.. we will be hitting the ground running.

Audball - I am sending that to her sister right now! I think you nailed the ring!! I bet it will be that or the one with 3 stones.
 
Many of the stores have warranties for their pieces. I just read recently of someone who sent their ring back to WF and had it repaired for free. Just read the company policies, they will ease your mind. Along with lifetime upgrade options, it''s great. You should have prongs, etc checked every 6 months, but you can establish a relationship with a local jeweler for this and send your ring back to where you bought it if something needs to be fixed or replaced.
 
Date: 8/7/2009 4:18:41 PM
Author: arcticcatmatt
WOW. You guys are on top of your stuff. I can''t believe you are still here sticking with me on page 2. I may have to record this proposal and post it on here as a thank you!


One of the main reason I keep looking at the store is because of warranty work. If the prongs come loose or something, I take it there, they fix it free (warranty) and I am out. If I buy it online, I have no where to take it, no where to get it cleaned, no where to check it. Isn''t that stuff a must? These stores are telling me they are. This store told me a story, a bartender got her hand smashed between 2 kegs, ring and hand destroyed. Paramedics had to cut it off her hand. This jeweler rebuilt the ring for her free.. warranty work. What do I do if I buy it 100% online and the thing needs to be worked on?


Oh man I 100% agree about the guy walking into the snowmobile shop ha! Or something going to buy a car that knows jack about cars (I design car parts FYI). The only reason I keep going back to her is because she is nice. Yes she has spewed me some BS but what salesmen hasn''t. Jewelery stores, car salesman, lawyers... 99% of all of them just suck.


As soon as I get feedback from her sister.. we will be hitting the ground running.


Audball - I am sending that to her sister right now! I think you nailed the ring!! I bet it will be that or the one with 3 stones.
Click to expand...

Glad I could help!! I''ll be leaving for vaca this evening, gotta go get packed actually, but I''ll be checking in on your progress! Whatever you choose, be sure to come back and show us pictures and share your proposal story!! Good luck!
 
Jewelry store warranties are a total waste of money! Of course they want to sell you a warranty, they make a ton of money on them. Any jeweler will check the prongs or clean your ring for you, usually at no charge even if you did nto buy the ring from them. As for risk of damage or loss, you will be much better served to get the ring insured than to purcahse the jewelry store warranty. You can do this in connection with your homeowner''s or renters insurance or as a stand-alone policy.
 
Date: 8/7/2009 4:24:53 PM
Author: NovemberBride
Jewelry store warranties are a total waste of money! Of course they want to sell you a warranty, they make a ton of money on them. Any jeweler will check the prongs or clean your ring for you, usually at no charge even if you did nto buy the ring from them. As for risk of damage or loss, you will be much better served to get the ring insured than to purcahse the jewelry store warranty. You can do this in connection with your homeowner's or renters insurance or as a stand-alone policy.
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Ditto this! Again, a snow job--good thing you have the sled to navigate all the white stuff she is throwing your way.


Date: 8/7/2009 4:18:41 PM
Author: arcticcatmatt

Oh man I 100% agree about the guy walking into the snowmobile shop ha! Or something going to buy a car that knows jack about cars (I design car parts FYI). The only reason I keep going back to her is because she is nice. Yes she has spewed me some BS but what salesmen hasn't. Jewelery stores, car salesman, lawyers... 99% of all of them just suck.
Click to expand...
Honest ones! If you want to work with someone nice who truly cares about you and your ring, we can recommend several PS vendors.

audball has given you some great choices that wouldn't require working with a shady vendor. Do what you want and feel comfortable with, but IMHO this store does not have your interests in mind about anything, only their own.
 
Ok guys. I got feedback from her sister.

My girl loves this ring http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/settings-with-sidestones/Common-Prong-Engagement-Ring.html

I am going to somehow show her the 3 stone ring tommorrow and she what she thinks of it.. so tommorrow I will have what I gotta get!

Jewelers will check the prongs and clean the ring for free? I have heard stories where people drop off a ring to get cleaned and the place steals their diamond and puts in a cheap one. True? I bet there are some jewelers who will also lie and say there are bad prongs, pay me 200 and I will fix it.. when there is no problem at all.

Any suggestions on how to find a good jeweler in my area that would tend to my needs? Nobody at work has suggestions and I am new to the area somewhat.
 
Matt, if you try to aim for the middle ranges of those numbers I gave you, that is about as safe as you can get.

As to switching stones, this is very rare - good jewellers are folks of high integrity and work hard to get and keep a good rep, however trust but verify, if you buy a 10X loupe and learn to identify your diamond yourself.
 
I didn''t link the ring in right
Ring

Should I pick a diamond from that website? It seems that my choices are pretty limited (I can go with .51 or .71). Jamesallen must have great feedback from this website as you guys/gals have posted it a few times.

I am curious how their warranty works. I will have to investigate.
 
Date: 8/9/2009 10:57:54 AM
Author: arcticcatmatt
I didn't link the ring in right
Ring

Should I pick a diamond from that website? It seems that my choices are pretty limited (I can go with .51 or .71). Jamesallen must have great feedback from this website as you guys/gals have posted it a few times.

I am curious how their warranty works. I will have to investigate.
Click to expand...
Thats a very pretty setting Matt! Do you want us to hunt up some more diamonds from JA that might suit you? How much do we have to play with for the diamond budgetwise?
 
^ Heck yeah if you want! Would help me out a ton! I pretty much need what we have talked about. You guys have taught me that cut is more important than size. I would rather have a great cut .51 than a crap cut .75.

Clarity S1 and up
Color J and up (hopefully I and up)
GIA rated to be safe
Size, depends on budget of 1,000
Cut - has to fall within the guidelines you posted
Round cut (I think you call that hearts and arrows)

It appears that ring is 600 on the site. If I do not have to pay tax I can go up to 1,000 on a diamond. That would put me at 1600 total. I am not aware of any warranty costs from James Allen.

The only thing I am worried about is not being able to find a local jeweler who will treat this as his own if something were to go wrong with the ring. I have to look at the warranty from James Allen. Local guys will fix it if I buy it from them but will James Allen? Don't know. Also, is James Allen the place where I can get a PS discount?

Sorry for so many questions. I have not been able to dedicate much time to this this weekend. I have been doing this.
http://www.snowmobilefanatics.com/gallery/image/157315-original.jpg
And here is the little miss working on the goods with me
http://www.snowmobilefanatics.com/gallery/image/157314-original.jpg
http://www.snowmobilefanatics.com/gallery/image/157316-original.jpg

It will be grouted tommorrow with black. I know.. off topic, sorry.
 
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