Chicago area stores... question!

[LikeDeIce]

Hey everybody,

I live North of Chicago a little bit, and I''m doing my preliminary visits to jewelers to buy an engagement ring tomorrow. Next weekend I''m going downtown to Jewelers Row (Scaasi, NYJewelers, etc.) but this weekend I''m hitting the ''burbs. I''m definitely going to Burdeens and Merry Richards. I was wondering, if anybody in here lives in the Chicago area there are always, always commercials on the radio for Robbins Brothers, and how they specialize in engagement rings, so on and so forth. Does anyone know if this place is worth going to? I''m new at this whole diamond thing, although I''ve picked up some great tips from people on here. I''m just wondering if anyone is familiar with the store and whether or not they really have the quality stones and selection that they claim on their commercials. Thanks!

 

[mrssalvo]

do a search on Robbins brothers and you can decide....


i visited Goldin jewelers when I was in Chicago. they were VERY nice and had a ton of stuff and the pricing was good. I do suggest making an appt though if you can.

Goldin Jewelers, Inc.
645 North Michigan Avenue - Third Floor
Chicago , IL
312.332.0186

 

[Angel7]

I just went last weekend and all I can say to you is a big NO to Robbins Bros. If you type them in the Search Toolbar, you will find tons of threads on them. If you want to get an idea of settings, thats fine..they have tons but I would never buy a diamond from them. Their prices are inflated to cover all their "value added" services...it was a horrible experience for me but please do not let me sway your decision. I did not see any quality stones but then again, they weren''t really willing to show me what I asked for so....

You could try R.C. Wahl in Des Plaines, Hoffman in Highland Park (I really liked a setting from there). I actually would like to visit Merry Richards this weekend as well.

I have no experience with jewelers row but again, type Scassi in the search bar and you will find threads..

Good Luck! Keep us posted...

 

[LikeDeIce]

Thanks guys, I''ve decided to avoid Robbins Bros like the plague. I''ll definitely have to check out RC Wahl and Hoffman''s if I can get there.

PS: Read about your experience at robbins bro''s Angel. Scares me that some jewelers can be so dishonest, especially since this will be my first purchase. Guess I won''t be buying for 4 months or so. hopefully, thanks to the people on here, I''ll be better educated by the time I put my money on the table!

 

[Angel7]

LikeDeIce - I''m sorry if my post "scared" you from them but it was truly a horrible experience. My bf who knows nothing about diamonds was so insulted just by the way he was speaking to us and how he kept trying to one up me on everything I said. It was very dishonest and I felt like I was in a "con" job. Unfortunatley, I don''t think I''m the only one who has had such a negative experience with them.
There are much more reputable jewelers out there and online.

Here is a thread I started...asking for Chicago area jewelers..so you may get some more ideas from there.
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/chicago-illinois-pricescopers-who-are-your-favorite-jewelers.74759/

By the time you do get to buying..you will be so much more educated and you will have such an advantage..can''t wait to see what you purchase for your girl! Congrats on finding PS!

 

[LikeDeIce]

Date: 1/25/2008 10:27:32 AM
Author: Angel7
LikeDeIce - I''m sorry if my post ''scared'' you from them but it was truly a horrible experience.

I''d rather be scared and know what to look out for than comfortable and ignorant

 

[Angel7]

Date: 1/25/2008 11:43:27 AM
Author: LikeDeIce

Date: 1/25/2008 10:27:32 AM
Author: Angel7
LikeDeIce - I''m sorry if my post ''scared'' you from them but it was truly a horrible experience.

I''d rather be scared and know what to look out for than comfortable and ignorant

Good point!
I just wanted to let you know, I just called Merry Richard about a setting I''m looking into and so far they had the best price but that''s because they give you a 20% discount when you purchase the setting and stone from them.
If only the mounting you get 5%-10% off
Setting stone fee is $1.00/point so $100 for a 1-carat

They provide GIA certified stones. The lady was very nice so I think I''m going to try to stop in there on Saturday...if I don''t tire my bf out from all the "ring" shopping.

Good luck!

 

[LikeDeIce]

Date: 1/25/2008 12:50:38 PM
Author: Angel7

I just wanted to let you know, I just called Merry Richard about a setting I''m looking into and so far they had the best price but that''s because they give you a 20% discount when you purchase the setting and stone from them.
If only the mounting you get 5%-10% off
Setting stone fee is $1.00/point so $100 for a 1-carat

They provide GIA certified stones. The lady was very nice so I think I''m going to try to stop in there on Saturday...if I don''t tire my bf out from all the ''ring'' shopping.

Good luck!

Thanks for the info! I''m heading there tomorrow as well, so maybe we''ll contrast and compare experiences on this or a new thread later. Good luck to you as well!

 

[Adam_M]

I don''t know how comparable my experience is to yours, but I recently bought a ring online from Dimend Scaasi. I found them to be very helpful and they were willing to spend a lot of time with me showing off the stones they had. And the turnaround time was quick too, a little less than 4 weeks for a GAI tension set ring. I would not hesitate to use them again.

 

[LikeDeIce]

Adam,

from what I read on here dimend scaasi is very highly recommended, and I actually know of a setting there that I like a lot, so they''re at the top of my pre-season rankings (to make a football analogy) and I''m looking forward to getting down there next week and seeing some stones in person. Thanks for the input!