Cost of setting only from B&M?

[ephemery1]

We''ve been e-ring shopping for the past few months, and have done some looking in local B&Ms as well as online. In one of the B&M stores, I found a setting I LOVE... it is 2 very small rounds, sort of partially bezel-set on the outer edges only, with a delicate band that tapers in very thin when it meets the partial-bezel parts. (I''m sure that makes absolutely no sense... but I LOVE it!)

I''ve seen a million other settings, but this one has just stuck in mind and I''ve not seen anything else like it online.

My question is, the price of the setting was quoted to us at around $800 in white gold. If we were to purchase the stone from an online vendor, and wanted to buy the setting from the B&M, is it customary that the price would rise significantly? I think that $800 quoted to me was assuming I was purchasing the stone from them as well... but if anyone has any experiences with this, or other suggestions... please let me know!

Thanks...

 

[lil_jay78]

welcome to PS eph.

I''m not sure about the B&M''s quote for the setting you''re looking at. They might be discounting the setting if they are assuming you will be purchasing a stone from them as well, but you should ask, because it''s either they will have your business when you purchase the setting or not purchase at all from them(that kinda sounds weird, but I''m too lazy to re-state, he he he). Anyway, you can tell the B&M you already have a stone and that you''re only interested in the setting.

However, just a few things about rings when the stone and setting are not from the same place. If you purchase the setting outside of the online vendor from whom you purchase your stone, they will usually charge a setting fee..and vice versa. The diamond vendor WILL take responsibility for the stone if you send them your setting and have them set it, as it is THEIR diamond. Most local B&M''s will not assume that responsibility becuase on the same token, it is not their stone. But you CAN find some that can.

I hope this information was helpful...I recently went through this same type of experience myself. Best of luck with your search!

 

[codex57]

The price may be the same. You can always start negotiating the price of the setting if you buy a stone from them. You can negotiate without mentioning the stone at all (I''m sure they''ll bring it up).

However, from my somewhat limited experience, a lot of jewelers won''t set a stone they didn''t sell for liability reasons. Ask if they''ll set a stone from another source first. If so, then start negotiating price.

 

[niceguymr]

What I''ve found is that B&Ms are usually more flexible on settings than online vendors. I just purchased a setting that online would have cost me close to $1900, but instead, I got it for $800 locally. The guy simply pulled it out of the glass counter, looked at the price tage, and slashed it by over 50%, whether I was buying a diamond from him or not. Since the online vendors are making much less on the diamonds, they''ve got to make up for it somewhere... and what better place than on items of jewelry that have subjective value based on art and creativity. The price didn''t change for me either whether I was buying the stone from them or not, only the actuall mounting charge (free if I buy the diamond from them, which in the end, I did)

Bottom line... What money you save in purchasing a diamond online can easily be spent on highly marked up settings that could have otherwise be purchased for as little as 75% less at B&M vendors than online. Do your homework on your diamond and take it to your local B&M that carries the setting you want. You may be surprised (as I was) that they''ll gladly meet or beat what you can get online provided you show them that you know what you''re looking for. I saved around 2K by arming myself with information I learned here and taking it to my B&M store.

Good luck!

 

[Gypsy]

Why do you think that the price went with the assumption that you'd buy a diamond as well? They gave you a price for the setting, right? Well, then that's the price. I've gone setting shopping (ring on finger) and looked at setttings. I ask them for their best price and they tell me (yes, in stock settings at B&M's are cheaper in my experience too. And men's wedding bands). Some have a re-setting fee, some don't. Some will set it, some will suggest you take it to the jeweler you purchased your diamond from to set it.

I bought my uncle's wife her diamond in DE, she picked out her setting in GA, had it sent to the jeweler that had her diamond (DE) and he set it. There was a nominal fee for the service as it was a full pave setting and not a prong setting. Looked great.

If they assumed, tough. Seriously. If you have a qoute (always get a written qoute with an expiration date on it) a reputable store (which this sounds like) will honor it... no strings.

I wouldn't even mention the diamond. By the setting, ask the diamond vendor to set your stone in it.