How do you pick a setting that you don''t see ''in person''?

[violet02]

My bf and I went to five stores today looking for diamonds and settings that I would like. I had originally decided on a lower priced tacori setting that was nice but once I spent some time with it in person I decided that it wasn''t for me. What has attracted me the most in terms of style is Halo rings with a prong setting (not the ritani bezel set ring). My problem is I''ve only seen two... a Vera Wang version that was ''ok'' and I believe it was a Scott Kay (?) version at Steve Padis. I''ll have to double check with them.

Anyways, I like the style but I''m not sure where else to go to try them on. I live in the SF Bay area and I really can''t buy a ring or set that I haven''t seen on my hand first. I''m just so picky about it.... The other issue is budget and type. I like the halo setting but I don''t have to have the stones that go all the way around the band like the Ritani does. Halfway is fine by me and preferred. Also I do like the split shank quite a bit with the halo but I''ll take what I can get in terms of seeing them in person. The price seems so much higher for stones that go all the way around the band and I would like to get a reasonably priced halo ring to accomodate a larger center stone.

How do all of you pick out your rings anyways? Every store I go into seems to have a very limited selection of rings in store. They offer to ''order'' the ring for me but I really need to see it before I can commit to anything else. I really like some of the things I''ve seen online but I have to see them in person first. Also I learned quite a bit about choosing diamonds today but I''m afraid to just pick one online. I found a local diamond broker I really like but I can probably get a better deal online I just like the hand holding aspect of having someone help with the process.

Is there any way to get rings sent to stores or diamonds or what have you in order to view what you want in person before making a major purchase like this? I''m really new to this process so any tips would help greatly. Thank you!

 

[rainydaze]

pearlman''s is a well respected vendor and i know he has sent out settings to folks here so they can try them on and see what they think.

as for diamonds, some vendors will send them out to an appraiser local to you and you can view them there. that''s actually pretty nice because you can see them in non-jewelry store lighting as well as get an unbiased opinion. you will have to pay for the appraisal appointment (usually around $100) and not all vendors will send diamonds to any appraiser, but there''s no harm in asking a vendor about this. even if you skip the appraiser, the online vendors people like here on PS have great return policies so you won''t be stuck if you go for a diamond and then when it arrives decide it''s not the one.

either way, i haven''t bought a diamond online (my DH proposed pre-pricescope) but i these days if i did, i would go whiteflash, goodoldgold, or ERD (engagementringsdirect) over a store. spend a little time on this site, and you''ll see you have nothing to worry about. there are good vendors out there with outstanding reputations and policies who will go to great lengths to help you find something you love.

also, it''s worth reading their trade-up and buy back policies, i''ve not seen anything in a store that compares. you may not plan on ever trading in your diamond, but even if that is the case, it''s a nice little insurance policy in case you changed your mind after the return period. i know people who said that won''t happen..... and then it did!

 

[mrssalvo]

I think Joe Escabar is in the bay area...definely worth a visit there. they carry just about every designer....

 

[violet02]

I''m really starting to like the split shank bezel or prong set halo rings I see on places like James Allen or Whiteflash.com. Is there any way to see rings like this in person? I''ll try Derco and Joe Escobar next.

Has anyone tried ordering settings they like to view them in person then returned the ones they didn''t want?

 

[mrssalvo]

you''re in the bay area so honestly, you shouldn''t have to worry about not finding a setting you want to see. i''m sure there is a retailer of whomever the designer is in your area. if the store doesn''t stock/carry the exact setting you want, they can easily get it in for you to view at no additional cost to you. seems a lot easier than buying a bunch of settings to look at and sending back the rejects. plus, if you buy a designer setting, in all likelyhood they will need your center stone in order to make it and set it.

 

[violet02]

I'm not exactly sold on the super priced 'designer' settings anymore. I saw Tacori and Ritani and wasn't super impressed by any of them. I'd be happy just finding a decent designer and going from there.

I guess I should call the diamond store near me and find out if they can bring in settings from other designers than the ones they have listed.

 

[mrssalvo]

most can't just bring in another designers settings. they have to be authorized retailers, but it doesn't hurt to try. i just meant that if you go to Ritani's site for example and found a setting you like and your local Ritani jeweler doesn't have that particular setting in their store that they can get it in for you to see. Even if going custom i think it's a good idea to see the style you are looking for in person and try it on b/c have you've experienced yourself, rings just look different in person.

I just can't imagine there isn't a big jewelry store there that would carry all the current popular styles for you to see and try on. I've never been in Joe Escabar but from what i've read here that store is just huge and they carry just about every good designer there is...

 

[violet02]

I''m definitely going to check out Joe Escobar. Maybe after work today! I found a Scott Kay I like but now I''m in a debate with myself over what to do on price.... Thanks for the tips!