Custom Work from Online Jewler

[mattdadee]

I''m new to this forum, but I''m also looking to make a big ring/diamond purchase that might require some custom work. Coming up on my fifth anniversary, I was going to "upgrade" on my wife''s original engagement solitaire. My thought was to make that stone a side stone in a three diamond setting. It''s .64 carat Rand that does very well on the Cs (VVS2, F, 61.4 depth, 56 table, moderate fluorescence), but my thought was to have another .64 or so diamond on the side and about a 1.25 carat in the middle. I want both new diamonds to be similar to the first (but not quite as good) in the range of VS1, G, and GIA Excellent.

I went to one B&M place so far, and for just the two new diamonds and a platinum setting that would match with her band, I was looking at $15,000! I priced similar diamonds and settings online (using some of the vendors here), and found something more in the range of $10,000 to $12,000.

In order to make this a surprise, I was considering giving her the new band with only the two new diamonds. Then we would have her original solitaire set as the side stone after our anniversary. I''m open to other ideas.

Would any online retailers do this? Any thoughts or suggestions? I''m in Central Ohio if that helps.

 

[WinkHPD]

Date: 10/7/2009 10:50:01 AM
Author:mattdadee
I''m new to this forum, but I''m also looking to make a big ring/diamond purchase that might require some custom work. Coming up on my fifth anniversary, I was going to ''upgrade'' on my wife''s original engagement solitaire. My thought was to make that stone a side stone in a three diamond setting. It''s .64 carat Rand that does very well on the Cs (VVS2, F, 61.4 depth, 56 table, moderate fluorescence), but my thought was to have another .64 or so diamond on the side and about a 1.25 carat in the middle. I want both new diamonds to be similar to the first (but not quite as good) in the range of VS1, G, and GIA Excellent.

I went to one B&M place so far, and for just the two new diamonds and a platinum setting that would match with her band, I was looking at $15,000! I priced similar diamonds and settings online (using some of the vendors here), and found something more in the range of $10,000 to $12,000.

In order to make this a surprise, I was considering giving her the new band with only the two new diamonds. Then we would have her original solitaire set as the side stone after our anniversary. I''m open to other ideas.

Would any online retailers do this? Any thoughts or suggestions? I''m in Central Ohio if that helps.

I am sure that most if not all of the Pricescope vendors would be very happy to help you with this. It would be a fun project for them and exciting for you. Since you have so much information on your current diamond it should not be a problem to make the ring that will be ready to drop her diamond into when you present her the ring with the empty head. Your biggest problem may be the accurate determination of her finger size, unless you have that written down somewhere also. If not, offer to take her ring in and get it cleaned and polished for her one day. You will earn points and find out one of the vital pieces of the puzzle.

Wink

 

[mattdadee]

Thank you both for the information. I started contacting some of the recommended vendors right after you posted. I was hoping for something in the $10K range, and still think this might happen, but it''s going to be tough to get comparable stones to match her current diamond in that budget. Plus, I''m looking at a platinum setting.

Is there any good strategy to working with the vendors? It''s their job to compete, but I don''t want to be a jerk and drag these people along for nothing. For instance, can I say Pearlman''s is offering me this or Whiteflash is quoting this, so what can you do? It''s not below me to do that, and I would definitely do this with car dealers, etc., but this seems like such a different market. The purchase is so personal, and I don''t want to be such a low-baller that the vendor hates me and I end up with a sub-par setting job or something like that in the end.