Etiquette question

[GreenEyedLady]

i've been working with a jeweler at a local b&m store. I have chose a beautiful Simon G. setting. I haven't chosen a stone yet, although he has taken a lot of time to show me some.

I've also been looking at antique diamonds online and find them to be so pretty. I love some of the diamonds they have at Old World Diamonds.

What would be the proper way to proceed from here if I do decide to choose an online stone but still want the setting from the local store? I appreciate the time and help he has given me and don't want to step on anyone's toes. But of course I want my ring to look how I want it. Would it be wrong to purchase a stone elsewhere and then buy the setting from him and ask him to set it?

Thais so much!

 

[Itsaboutogetinteresting]

I always wondered the same thing , i know someone has had to have gone through this process here .

 

[GreenEyedLady]

Well shoot. I was hoping this would be an answer. I know I'm the consumer, and it's my money. But would it be awkward?

 

[PositivelyPeanut]

But would it be awkward?

Maybe, depending on the jeweler. Would that stop me? Nope.

I was in this situation recently, although I wasn't shopping for an antique diamond at the time. I was looking at new. I liked a setting the b&m jeweler had, but I had shopped stones online. I let them know that, and it wasn't awkward at all to me. But, I guess it depends on the personalities of everyone involved and their sensitivities.

Do what makes you happy, I say. You can always approach it something like, "I've been looking at antique diamonds and find that I'm more attracted to them. Do you have anything you could show me in those or would I be better off acquiring the diamond separately and then having you set it?" That opens the conversation and, at the same time, tells them that you still want to work with them.

 

[GreenEyedLady]

PositivelyPeanut, that is perfect! Thank you so much!!

 

[denverappraiser]

I find the secret is plain old honesty and good communication. Tell him what your doing, what you're considering an alternative and why you are doing it. If he can get what you want at a price that is acceptable, by all means give him the business. Sometimes setting fees are different for stones that they sell vs. stones that they don't and they will reserve the right to refuse to set a stone until after they've had the opportunity to inspect it but usually they're pretty cooperative if a bit annoyed to lose a sale. I assure you, you aren't the first customer to have this issue.

 

[GreenEyedLady]

Thank you, DenverAppraiser.

 

[manderz]

It's not exactly like they're losing a sale, either. Yes, it may be smaller, but you're still buying the setting there, and potentially paying to have it set. I think that Positively Peanut gave you a great way to approach the situation.

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

I don't think of it being any different if you were to supply an heirloom stone for setting into a mount of theirs. If they have some policy against it, then it is better you know before you have your heart set on purchasing from there.

I agree, honestly is the best.

cheers--Sharon

 

[Imdanny]

You do have the right to buy a setting and a stone from different sources. If the jeweler has a problem with that, that's their problem from my point of view.

Be direct about it and if they have a problem take your business somewhere else. Politely of course.

I'm not saying they can't have whatever policies they want, just that this should be a deal breaker if you want a specific stone you can't get from them.

Good luck.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I would just tell him that you are going to look some more at antique stones just to know all your options, and that will prepare him for the outcome of buying the diamond elsewhere. Jewelers make profit from settings, too, so surely he would still want to sell you the setting. My one warning is, many old stones have very thin girdles and are more appropriate to be set in a bezel so they don't chip. Halo settings can protect stones, too, somewhat. Just keep that in mind as you look for an old stone.