Comparing stones from B&M vs Online

[noob2010]

Sorry if this is a stupid question. When I go into the B&M to look at diamonds, is it typical to ask for a spec sheet that I can take home to compare against diamonds online? How about getting an idealscope pic? To be honest, I don''t really know what I''m doing and don''t want to be taken advantage of in the store.

What are some things I should ask for or say? Is it ok to let them know I''m comparing to stones online? Any tips to get the best deal would be appreciated.

Thanks everyone. I''m so glad I found this place!

 

[yssie]

some will be happy to photocopy the certs of the stones you''re interested in for you. For the others I''d take a notebook so I could write everything down. Most B&Ms won''t be able to get IS/ASET pics, but you can order your own scopes to take with you.

http://www.ideal-scope.com/cart_order.asp or
https://products.gemappraisers.com/c-1-essential-jewelry-tools.aspx

For every stone note down pretty much everything on the proportions diagram -
table/depth
crown/pavilion (angles preferred to percentages)
star/lgf

If you can get a loupe that would help, too.

If you do say you''re comparing online prepare to hear some interesting things from some B&M faculty

. Unless you find something you''re in love with and want to start price-bargaining right then and there, I''d keep mum - but I just don''t like confrontation

 

[diamondsman]

HI
in most cases prices on line would be much cheaper compared to b&m, also there would be a much broader selection on the internet.
I dont think that you should tell them that you are comparing prices,just do it for yourself and see who gives you the better deal
as a rule of thumb you need to compare all the four c''s,and labs,then make your descision.

what kind of stone are you looking at?

 

[noob2010]

Thank you very much for the suggestions.

I would''ve thought that reputable b&m stores would have the ideal scope pics, etc. The reason why I wanted to go with the B&M was because it would be convenient (and safe "feeling") since I''m unfamiliar with the buying process if I were to get a stone online and setting in-store.

I''m looking at a either a verragio or tacori setting and the prices online that I''ve seen seem to be comparable to in-store. Does this sound right?

I need to have the ring in hand by the end of next month, so I''m kinda crammed for time and don''t have an ideal scope or loupe, or time to order it.

I''m going to go with your suggestions and not say anything. So if I buy the setting from the store, who can I get to set the stone on the setting?

I''m looking for a nice squarish radiant stone, approx 1-2ct.

 

[stone-cold11]

For a radiant, you will need an ASET scope. Delivery can be rush, check with AGA for the available shipping.

Setting wise, depends on if the vendor selling the stone is a verragio or tacori approved vendor. If so, buy the setting and stone from the same place, else the setting warranty will be void.

 

[Lorelei]

Hi Noob

If you want to buy a radiant online, you will need the following info to post here

detailed photos
ASET image
Idealscope image but ASET if only one image is preferable
Sarin scan to give detailed measurements.

There are no safe numbers you can use for a radiant unfortunately, if you are buying from a brick and mortar store, you could order an ASET scope, they are easy to use and to interpret the results and also look at as many radiants as you can to know which type appeal to you. Here is a tutorial on how to interpret ASET images.

 

[noob2010]

Thank you. I'll need to educate myself a bit more.

If I were looking at rounds, what numbers would I need to post here for a good analysis?

 

[stone-cold11]

All the numbers.

Get the GIA report number and the weight of the stone.

This will allow you to do a report check on the GIA website.

The numbers we need are the carat weight, actual dimensions, table and depth %, crown and pavilion angles, star and lower half %, girdle variations.

 

[noob2010]

Sounds good. Looks like all those specs would be in the GIA report.

 

[stone-cold11]

yap, all will be in the report.

 

[MissGotRocks]

You won''t find many B&M stores that have idealscopes or ASET images. You can get a copy of the cert though.

The designer mountings will be pretty much the same pricewise across the board.

Would you consider buying your setting from a B&M and then sending it to one of the online vendors to set one of their stones in? Their selection and price is often so much better than you will find in B&M stores and they do provide idealscope and ASET images. There are many sets of eyes here that will help you decide on the right stone!

 

[MissGotRocks]

In the toolbar at the top of the page, enter either radiant or round stone, size range you are interested in, color, clarity and then do cut quality search. You can then search in-house or search all for lots of different options and cut grades. It will give you some idea about what you can expect to pay online for a stone. I sense that you are just beginning your search so be sure to ask lots of questions here. Everyone will do their very best to help you!

Needing a ring by the end of next month (I''m assuming December?) gives you a very generous amount of time so don''t panic about that!

 

[outatouch0]

I would think that if you were pressed for time it might serve you better to order the ring and setting from the same vendor and have it done in one shot.
Ordering from separate vendors adds more steps, complications, and opportunities for delays and/or something to go wrong.
Just a thought

 

[noob2010]

Thanks for the info on the diamond search toolbar. I''m starting to look at rounds now and with what I thought was a pretty narrow search still pulls up an overwhelming amount.

I would prefer to get it all at one place, but will need to take time to compare the diamonds found on Mervis'' site with the ones found in the toolbar.

Thanks for the info. I''ll start a new thread asking for help on selecting a diamond after I narrow down some choices. Thanks again

 

[noob2010]

Before I seriously start seaching for stones online, do I have the pros/cons of buying online vs in-store properly noted?

Buying Online Pro''s:

1. Larger selection

2. Better price

2a. No sales tax


Buying Online Con''s:

1. Takes more time because you have to wait for shipping and if you don''t like the stone, it takes even longer to ship it back and get a new one in-hand

1a. You don''t actually see the stone while making a decision

2. No personal interaction

3. No complimentary cleanings/service

Am I missing anything?

Last question, so if I buy the setting in the store, do I already need to know which stone I''m going with (not just shape, but size specs) so that they can create the setting properly?

Thanks

 

[stitch]

style="WIDTH: 96.6%; HEIGHT: 446px">Date: 11/16/2009 4:14:16 PM
Author: noob2010
Before I seriously start seaching for stones online, do I have the pros/cons of buying online vs in-store properly noted?

Buying Online Pro's:

1. Larger selection

2. Better price

2a. No sales tax


Buying Online Con's:

1. Takes more time because you have to wait for shipping and if you don't like the stone, it takes even longer to ship it back and get a new one in-hand
- Once you finalize your payment, the vendor will overnight your stone. Unless it is friday, when you finalize your payment, you will get the stone on the next day.
1a. You don't actually see the stone while making a decision
Online vendors like whiteflash, JA can actually provide the images of stone that you want to purchase.
2. No personal interaction

3. No complimentary cleanings/service

Am I missing anything?

Last question, so if I buy the setting in the store, do I already need to know which stone I'm going with (not just shape, but size specs) so that they can create the setting properly?
- Base on what I have gone through, it is best that you know the size of the stone before you start select setting. When you select a setting that is bigger than your stone, you might have to order it. Ordering usually take 4 weeks or more.
Thanks

 

[outatouch0]

Date: 11/16/2009 4:14:16 PM
Author: noob2010
Before I seriously start seaching for stones online, do I have the pros/cons of buying online vs in-store properly noted?

Buying Online Pro''s:

1. Larger selection
Better QUALITY stones
2. Better price

2a. No sales tax

3. More information: Idealscope images, ASET images, hearts images (forRB), maginfied images....
3a. ASET image is essential for evaluating fancy cuts.

Buying Online Con''s:

1. Takes more time because you have to wait for shipping and if you don''t like the stone, it takes even longer to ship it back and get a new one in-hand
This time factor really does not neccessarily make a difference. Shipping is generally overnight and comes to you rather than you having to go to them.
It can''t always be assumed the B&M has the setting available in her size on hand - they may need to wait for shipping too. Do they do ALL of their work in house?
How many 1-2ct radiants does the typical B&M have on hand - they may need to ship more in for you to see.
Anyone can state an overly optimistic time to expect completion and delivery - even B&M''s
1a. You don''t actually see the stone while making a decision
Yes but that may be all you do see and under lighting conditions rarely duplicated in real life settings. Some lighting conditions actually favor poorer cuts.
Images, particularly ASET, are going to be important in evaluating a radiant
2. No personal interaction
This IMO could not be more wrong. Though you will not get FACE to FACE interaction you may get actually more personal interaction and attention with online vendors. If read some more posts and threads you will see that PS vendors take a great deal of time building relationships with their customers. In fact, I just recieved an email from my rep (purchased in Sept) today that was personal and didn''t even mention the word diamond.
3. No complimentary cleanings/service
You can get this at neary ANY jewelry store. "Lifetime garantee/service plan" is... lets just say, overstated in most cases.
Am I missing anything?
Yes, quite a bit in fact
Last question, so if I buy the setting in the store, do I already need to know which stone I''m going with (not just shape, but size specs) so that they can create the setting properly?
Settings are usually made for a RANGE of stone weights/sizes. You would likely need to know if you are going with a 1ct vs. a 2ct stone.
Thanks

Another thing to point out is the PS vendors have a HUGE accountabiltiy to the PS community. If a local B&M doesn''t do right by you who are you going to tell. How much business can you realistically steer away from them. Compare that to here. The motivation to keep happy PS customers happy can not be discounted. Read some posts, you will witness PS vendors moving rapidly to resolve ANY ISSUE that may come up even when it is not neccessarily that vendors fault. They are NOT going to screw you.

 

[Regular Guy]

Not commented on yet...

Date: 11/16/2009 4:14:16 PM
Author: noob2010

2a. No sales tax

Despite my own devil''s advocate position...be aware of the fine print...

 

[noob2010]

You guys make very valid points. I''d like to thank everyone again for the very helpful insight!

 

[outatouch0]

You are most welcome - happy to help you along in your journey