Confused - custom made e-ring, huge differences in price

[lilimary]

Hi all,

I am getting a family diamand for my e-ring. So my fiance has been talking to a few jewellers around Melbourne today.

We are after some fairly simple setting (something in that taste, 2mm width, circular/round band, 4 or 6 prongs http://www.knoxjewelers.biz/products/camilla)

He has been quoted 500 to 600 AUD by 2 jewellers. Apparently the shops were nothing but flash (a bit dusty, oldish owner, etc), though one of the guy in the shop did a very good and fast sketch. Also he detailled all the costs, how much gold involved etc.
My fiance was not too sure because of the look of the shop...

The last shop he saw was a recommendation from another jeweller (one that would not work with a diamond not purchased through him). That shop was a lot more impressive apparently. My fiance felt a lot more comfortable with that last guy. BUT he quoted him $2,000 for the same ring!

We are a bit confused how there can be such a huge price difference?? If we had been quoted $1,200 with the last jeweller, I think we would go with him. But 4 times the price of the other two is a bit steep...

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

Cheers
Lili

 

[kampo]

Jewlers will charge what people will pay. Also the shop that looked nicer also has more overhead because of that and needs to make more money on jobs to pay that. I priced my project around.

My simple 3stone semi customers ring was quoted from 500 - 3000 granted the lower end of the spectrum was stones in sourced, but all were very highly recommended, actually cheapest quote was a local guy, but he just didn't give me a good feeling, so I went with someone online that had a bunch of recomendations, and sourced my own stones. Ended up spending less than half of the top quote

 

[hawaiianorangetree]

Hi lilimary, Firstly, congratulations on your engagement!

Personally, I would be looking at the jewelry and the quality of their workmanship rather than how flash the shop front is to make my decision on who to work with.

Chances are the 'flash' shop's quote was a lot higher because they need to charge more to cover the overheads that come with keeping a nice store frontage, whereas the other store doesn't need to add on the extra costs as you are paying for the work and not much else.

That's not to say I would automatically go for the cheaper quote, just because they don't have the visible overheads. Again, you should really look at their work before you make a decision. Good luck!

 

[lilimary]

Thanks for your prompt reply!!

My fiance is quite lost in his choice. I don't think he knew how to look at the quality of the rings and workmanship. The most expensive shop could show him the exact setting I like, and fiance thought it looked really nice so I guess that was a good point for the last shop.

The first two did not have a similar ring on hand, but they were very confident they could make it...

Again, I guess if the difference in price was not x4, we would not hesitate so much. But it seems soooo steep!!
Also, they were not proper shops ie. not a front shop with exposure on the street but rather small offices within a big buildings full of jewellers