help meeee

[odeon790]

I really knew nothing about jewelry until recently I have been researching and looking at engagement rings - I am better educated now but I know there is still alot to learn. I have mainly been looking in two local stores (and online everywhere). The stores each have similar Verragio settings that I like and they are the only 2 local Verragio dealers. I would like to buy local just to have a jeweler where the ring can be taken for cleanings and all that.

My problem is that it seems I can get a better deal on a diamond online - but I have already been looking at diamonds (round) in both stores...so I guess it doesn't feel right bringing them a diamond I decided to buy online and asking if they can have it set in the Verragio setting (would they normally be fine with that?) Obvioulsy they have a lot less to choose from then online too.

I'm generally looking at diamonds .90 to 1 carat range. The one store has the setting (3200) and a .90 J VS2 Very good cut diamond/VG symmetry and polish and the price they gave me was about 7200 including tax for setting and diamond (I think their price for the diamond was 4800). They also have an 1.01 carat H SI1 VG Cut/polish Symmetry for 6800 (just diamond)

The other store has a J Excellent cut for 4600. Didn't get a price with the setting but I assume they give some discount to get both.

I am no diamond expert but I do not see a difference in the J and H stones when looking at them with white backgrounds but mentally I'd rather have an H. Sorry I don't have all the diamond details that some of you may want but that isn't my main focus for this post.

Ideally i'd probably rather buy online - much more of a selection and prices seem to be a good deal better. But what do I do about the setting then? I feel like I have to buy a diamond at the local store to get the setting I like. I could probably be fine with a the .90 J with setting I like for 6700 (close to 7200 with tax) but when I go online and see the diamonds a good deal cheaper it feels like I am getting ripped off. Plus i'd rather get an H color but I just can't pick the exact attributes I want like I can online, and even if I could it would still be alot more expensive.

Should I look for the setting online also...but then I would need to take both to a jeweler to get set..and would if have to be a Verragio jeweler so they can send it to Verragio to be set or can it be anyone?

I like the Verragio setting, but do I just buy online with a different setting and then my girlfriend can change it later if she wants. That seems like a waste though. We have never looked at rings together and maybe she won't even like the Verragio one...?

Sorry if i rambled too much I just am starting to feel overwhelmed with all this. Thanks for any advice...

 

[petrock<3]

I think if you get the whole kit and kaboodle online, you can bring your ring to a local place for cleaning anyway. You will probably have to pay a small fee, once or twice a year, have them check the setting for loose stones too.

Even with paying for cleaning-polishing you may have a better stone for less.


Nothing against B&M stores, I got mine there. I have only taken it in once for cleaning in three years, I clean it everyday anyway.

 

[E B]

I know that Good Old Gold (http://www.goodoldgold.com) is a Verragio dealer, and some of the other vendors may be too. Worth asking about if you find the diamond you want online.

I like the Verragio setting, but do I just buy online with a different setting and then my girlfriend can change it later if she wants. That seems like a waste though. We have never looked at rings together and maybe she won't even like the Verragio one...?

I think that's a good idea. Have it put in an inexpensive temporary setting, or even propose with it loose and you can pick something out together.

 

[Anonymous]

My FI bought my diamond online and we found my setting in a B&M store. He was honest with the salesman (who happened to also be the manager). The salesman was curious about the quality of our stone and our experience, so he asked if my FI would let him put it on his sarin machine, etc. to "make sure we were getting exactly what we were sold". Obviously he was hoping to say it was junk, but he was very honest about it. He said we got an amazing deal and didn't try to pressure him into sending it back to buy from him. If our stone didn't have a GIA inscription, or if he'd wanted to "take it in the back for a moment to check something", it wouldn't have worked.

Anyhow, he told the salesman "I already bought the diamond, now I want to buy a setting in a local store. Are you comfortable with setting the stone for us?" The bottom line is that he knew he wasn't going to sell us a diamond, but he COULD sell us a setting to make a decent sale. He even set it for us for free since he'd worked on a bench for 10+ years. I take it in every 3-4 months for my free check up and replating (it's white gold) and I love how it looks just like new every time. The only "con" is you have to realize that they will not cover the diamond. If it falls out, if it breaks, etc. So you want to look at taking it to your insurance company before having it set, just to be absolutely safe.

/end ramble

Good luck! We saved a TON of money buying our stone online and get to take it in every few months for a checkup so I feel like we really got the best of both worlds. There's nothing wrong with that, especially w/an expensive setting!

ETA: Unless you want it to be a TOTAL surprise, maybe you could take her in sometime to just look at a B&M that you'd consider working with. It's a pretty big gamble just buying a setting w/o *any* input from her at all.

 

[odeon790]

well the only input she has given me is that she wants a 3 stone setting, round diamond, and does't want it plain on the side. The Verragio eur-8047 is one setting I was looking at and there is a similar Verragio Impressa setting I like. I'd like it to be a surprise otherwise I'd ask her more or go looking with her.

I would feel a little weird just buying the setting from one of the 2 local jewelers since I have already been there several times looking at diamonds. Just showing up next time with a diamond and asking them to set it for me feels awkward I guess. I could always buy a diamond online and get a cheap setting and then have her pick one out. If she does like the Verragio one though she would have to give up her ring for 2 weeks while its sent to Verragio to get set. I kind of wish I did what you did and had the diamond already when I went to the B&M stores but it is too late for that.

 

[slg47]

so you can get more for your $$ online but there is nothing wrong with wanting to see it in person before you buy-I would do some comparison shopping though.