As some of you may know, we had an unhappy ending with James Allen 
https://www.pricescope.com/communit...t-is-this-normal-for-online-retailers.233276/
Well, things happen for a reason. After the JA return, I was on the hunt again for a new stone...but had a cruise on the schedule in the way. I thought this might be a good opportunity to explore some settings and stones (just to compare pricing to online resellers like JA) from a few reputable island merchants. I searched the PS forums for feedback and recommendations. The only store mentioned on several threads was Balerina Jewelers, with stores in both St Thomas and St Martin, both stops on our ship.
So with a great deal of skepticism, I told my wife let's checkout Balerina and compare pricing with online merchants....and warned her it's just window shopping as prices are going to be much higher! We found Balerina in St Thomas and entered with caution. I told him exactly what I wanted...GIA only, XXX, round, HCA2, lower color K-M eye clean, and have been price shopping online back home. He showed us a gorgeous XXX round SI1 M 4.5ct for $30k...WOW, seemed to be priced fairly well against the online sites. But we needed pricing that started with a 2 not a 3.
He shows us a 4ct SI1 GIA cert M, but VG/VG/VG, and I go on the defensive about the cut... so I pull up the HCA cut adviser, and it scores a 3.4 to my surprise! I compared the two stones side by side and thought the 4ct was holding it's own against the larger XXX. A few settings are presented, basic, full bling, and something in btw. He offers the diamond @$23k in the basic WG band or $25k in full bling 1.25ct band...and can have it sized, mounted, and polished in UNDER ONE HOUR! JA had our previously purchased stone for over 2wks and nothing had been done...how can a small independent jeweler do this all in under 1 hour?
a few rounds of haggling, and we agree on a price for the 4ct M VG/VG/VG set in the 1.25ct full bling WG band. They offered to change her old YG anniversary band to WG, no charge! Next they have us escorted to a secret upstairs jewelry workshop where around 10 people are hard at work. I hold the stone, they sized the band, and then the read numbers on the stone to verify it matches the printed GIA report. Next I go behind the counter to watch the stone get mounted. I'm blown away at how professional this operation is! We had the ring sized, diamond mounted, and polished in under one hour right in front of us!
She is beyond thrilled, and loves it! I am very thankful to the PS community for providing the resources that helped me choose a perfect stone at a great price! I would HIGHLY recommend Balerina Jewelers for the outstanding service, selection, and price! Pics coming soon...
https://www.pricescope.com/communit...t-is-this-normal-for-online-retailers.233276/ Well, things happen for a reason. After the JA return, I was on the hunt again for a new stone...but had a cruise on the schedule in the way. I thought this might be a good opportunity to explore some settings and stones (just to compare pricing to online resellers like JA) from a few reputable island merchants. I searched the PS forums for feedback and recommendations. The only store mentioned on several threads was Balerina Jewelers, with stores in both St Thomas and St Martin, both stops on our ship.
So with a great deal of skepticism, I told my wife let's checkout Balerina and compare pricing with online merchants....and warned her it's just window shopping as prices are going to be much higher! We found Balerina in St Thomas and entered with caution. I told him exactly what I wanted...GIA only, XXX, round, HCA2, lower color K-M eye clean, and have been price shopping online back home. He showed us a gorgeous XXX round SI1 M 4.5ct for $30k...WOW, seemed to be priced fairly well against the online sites. But we needed pricing that started with a 2 not a 3.
He shows us a 4ct SI1 GIA cert M, but VG/VG/VG, and I go on the defensive about the cut... so I pull up the HCA cut adviser, and it scores a 3.4 to my surprise! I compared the two stones side by side and thought the 4ct was holding it's own against the larger XXX. A few settings are presented, basic, full bling, and something in btw. He offers the diamond @$23k in the basic WG band or $25k in full bling 1.25ct band...and can have it sized, mounted, and polished in UNDER ONE HOUR! JA had our previously purchased stone for over 2wks and nothing had been done...how can a small independent jeweler do this all in under 1 hour?
a few rounds of haggling, and we agree on a price for the 4ct M VG/VG/VG set in the 1.25ct full bling WG band. They offered to change her old YG anniversary band to WG, no charge! Next they have us escorted to a secret upstairs jewelry workshop where around 10 people are hard at work. I hold the stone, they sized the band, and then the read numbers on the stone to verify it matches the printed GIA report. Next I go behind the counter to watch the stone get mounted. I'm blown away at how professional this operation is! We had the ring sized, diamond mounted, and polished in under one hour right in front of us!
She is beyond thrilled, and loves it! I am very thankful to the PS community for providing the resources that helped me choose a perfect stone at a great price! I would HIGHLY recommend Balerina Jewelers for the outstanding service, selection, and price! Pics coming soon...
Congrats on your wife's new bling!
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