Hello all,
I have been shopping with my girlfriend for an engagement ring. We have looked at the major online stores and in many retail stores. Ideally, I'd prefer to purchase a ring online to get access to more options and better pricing. However, we both agree that our favorite setting is a one-of-a-kind setting from a highly rated retail store on yelp. They don't allow pictures, so I'm not able to show other jewelers to reproduce it and to get a good estimate. If I want to get this setting, I think I'll have to buy the ring from this store. However, I feel that the pricing is high for the specifications:
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Pricing:
They said: "A ring like this usually goes for $4k but I'd love to make you a customer and we maintain the ring for life. I can do it for $3,550."
Diamond:
GIA report #1166620179
0.57 carat VVS2-G
cut very good
5.42 - 5.48 x 3.19 mm
Depth 58.5 %
Table 59 %
Crown Angle 30.5°
Crown Height 12.0%
Pavilion Angle 40.8°
Pavilion Depth 43.0%
Star Length 50%
Lower Half 80%
Girdle Thin to Slightly Thick, Faceted, 3.5%
Culet None
Polish Very good
Symmetry Very good
Fluorescence None
Clarity characteristics Pinpoint, Feather
My vague setting description: 14k white gold, 2 or 4 little diamonds next to the center stone, maybe cathedral-like or metal under-halo, more like solitaire, all side diamonds hand picked (VS2 SI1 Ex cut, precision cut), ~under 0.1 carats total
Setting price alone would be $2,500 (offering better price with diamond), so it wouldn't really make sense to buy this setting and a third party diamond.
"You have the option to pick whichever diamond you want but prices usually increase."
No returns but can exchange.
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Based on Blue Nile and James Allen, I think the diamond should be ~$1,800. This means the setting is $3,550-$1,800 = $1,750. My gut says this is a bit pricey for the setting, which doesn't have too many diamonds, isn't overly intricate, and is not a designer name. The additional cost may be due to their high overhead.
Ideally, I'd prefer G or H, a slightly bigger diamond (0.6-0.7 carat), less clarity (VS1/2), and an excellent cut to justify paying that price.
Any thoughts about the fair pricing and ideas for what I can do in this situation? What about negotiation strategies? They also said: "In case if you found something else, give me an opportunity and I'll do my best for you."
Thanks!
I have been shopping with my girlfriend for an engagement ring. We have looked at the major online stores and in many retail stores. Ideally, I'd prefer to purchase a ring online to get access to more options and better pricing. However, we both agree that our favorite setting is a one-of-a-kind setting from a highly rated retail store on yelp. They don't allow pictures, so I'm not able to show other jewelers to reproduce it and to get a good estimate. If I want to get this setting, I think I'll have to buy the ring from this store. However, I feel that the pricing is high for the specifications:
---------------------------
Pricing:
They said: "A ring like this usually goes for $4k but I'd love to make you a customer and we maintain the ring for life. I can do it for $3,550."
Diamond:
GIA report #1166620179
0.57 carat VVS2-G
cut very good
5.42 - 5.48 x 3.19 mm
Depth 58.5 %
Table 59 %
Crown Angle 30.5°
Crown Height 12.0%
Pavilion Angle 40.8°
Pavilion Depth 43.0%
Star Length 50%
Lower Half 80%
Girdle Thin to Slightly Thick, Faceted, 3.5%
Culet None
Polish Very good
Symmetry Very good
Fluorescence None
Clarity characteristics Pinpoint, Feather
My vague setting description: 14k white gold, 2 or 4 little diamonds next to the center stone, maybe cathedral-like or metal under-halo, more like solitaire, all side diamonds hand picked (VS2 SI1 Ex cut, precision cut), ~under 0.1 carats total
Setting price alone would be $2,500 (offering better price with diamond), so it wouldn't really make sense to buy this setting and a third party diamond.
"You have the option to pick whichever diamond you want but prices usually increase."
No returns but can exchange.
----------------------------------------------
Based on Blue Nile and James Allen, I think the diamond should be ~$1,800. This means the setting is $3,550-$1,800 = $1,750. My gut says this is a bit pricey for the setting, which doesn't have too many diamonds, isn't overly intricate, and is not a designer name. The additional cost may be due to their high overhead.
Ideally, I'd prefer G or H, a slightly bigger diamond (0.6-0.7 carat), less clarity (VS1/2), and an excellent cut to justify paying that price.
Any thoughts about the fair pricing and ideas for what I can do in this situation? What about negotiation strategies? They also said: "In case if you found something else, give me an opportunity and I'll do my best for you."
Thanks!