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how often do you have your jewelry checked/cleaned?

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parkerj

parkerj

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Jun 25, 2007
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180
I am considering an eli jewels piece from a local jeweler. I think I could get a better price if I went out of state because TN has ENORMOUS sales tax (9.75%). If I drove to Atlanta, I could save a bundle BUT when I needed my ring cleaned or checked, that would either cost postage every time or a road trip. Is the relationship with the jeweler that important, or should I just go for saving money? I really like the jeweler here....but this is business after all.
 
You can have jewelry checked and cleaned regardless of where you purchase it. Many people do not stay in the town where the ring was purchased their entire liives anyway. I clean my rings and check them myself. So I only have a jeweler do it every couple of years or so when I happen to be there for another reason. Eli makes fine pieces, by the way.
 
One more thought. Tell the jeweler honestly that the high sales tax bothers you, and if they can discount the price of the item by 10%, then you''d rather give them the business than go out-of-state to avoid the sales tax.
 
Well, I actually JUST had this conversation with my local jeweler (we got my ring elsewhere). She said that for my ring (which has a pave band) she recommends that I bring it in every 6 months. But even though I didn''t buy it from them, she doesn''t charge me for cleaning/checking it, only if it needs repairs.

She said that she recommends once a year for people without pave work.
 
Does anybody know of an online jeweler that sells Eli Jewels? The only one I''ve found is Solomon Brothers. I think I will ask about discounting the ring for the sales tax price...couldn''t hurt to ask!
 
Right, my philosophy as well (never hurts to ask)! Jewelers like us to come in so that we can be tempted by new things! Pave may need more frequent checking than non-pave. But my honest opinion is that most PS people probably examine their jewelry more closely than the girl behind the jewelry counter would! A loupe just costs a couple of dollars!
 
Gosh, forgot tp answer you other question. Pearlman''s did carry Eli but I think they are discontinuing the line. It would not hurt to call and ask though. Look above under Resources and then vendors to get their website.
 
DS made a good suggestion of telling your local jeweler about the high sales tax and asking if they would give you any discount. Even if you did end up purchasing your ring in Atlanta, you wouldn''t have to go back to them to get your ring cleaned and checked. A lot of jewelers will provide that service for you even if you didn''t purchase it from them. I get my jewelry cleaned and inspected every 6 months or so.
 
The eli piece I am looking at has a ton of pave in it. I like to buy things locally and support the local ecomony. However, when the price difference can add up to thousands, I think twice...
 
Really? Even though I shopped the local guy and bought exactly the same piece somewhere else? I would feel kind bad doing that..... maybe go to a completely different jeweler... I''ll call Pearlmans. Why would you suppose they stopped carrying Eli? The craftsmanship on the piece I looked at made me sweat a little when I tried it on. ha. wowser.
 
I''m not sure where you live in TN but I think that Genesis Diamonds in Nashville sells the Eli line. You could contact them and see if they would negotiate with you. I believe they have "tax free" sales at times so maybe they will work with you.
 
I live near Knoxville and Mackley & Company sells the line here. David Mackley is a super nice guy and is known for being very honest. I would like to support his business if I can, but cash is cash no matter how much you like someone.....ugh. I hate being such a bargain shopper. While I was in the store, there were a few people from other states calling in asking for mackley to send diamonds to them on approval. I guess the grass is always greener....
 
Hey, nothing wrong with being a bargain shopper! Just means you're not setting money on fire.

But maybe that's the 'daughter of folks raised dirt-poor' in me talking.

I'd ask him if he can do the 'price match' to save you the tax. Bet he will if it still maintains a decent profit margin for him! Or maybe he'll offer to split the difference?

In terms of having it cleaned and checked locally though you buy it elsewhere. Whenever I'm looking at jewelery somewhere, I often find the jeweler offers to clean my rings for me, even if I didn't buy them there. I've even sometimes asked and they don't bat an eye. If you have any kind of relationship with your local jeweler, they won't mind! Doesn't cost them anything and helps maintain the relationship.
 
Date: 6/26/2007 3:49:42 PM
Author: parkerj
I live near Knoxville and Mackley & Company sells the line here. David Mackley is a super nice guy and is known for being very honest. I would like to support his business if I can, but cash is cash no matter how much you like someone.....ugh. I hate being such a bargain shopper. While I was in the store, there were a few people from other states calling in asking for mackley to send diamonds to them on approval. I guess the grass is always greener....
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Do you have someone that is a close friend or relative that lives in another state? If so, you could have him ship to them, then he wouldn''t have to charge you sales tax and everyone wins. Your family member could then ship the ring back to you USPS registered mail which is very safe and inexpensive.
 
If they ship to them, don''t they have be the ones they sold it to? Like I would give my sister in MN the $, she would buy the ring, they would ship it to her, and she would ship it to me? I don''t know if I want my sister to know how much I''m spending on jewelry!!
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Date: 6/26/2007 4:00:48 PM
Author: parkerj
If they ship to them, don''t they have be the ones they sold it to? Like I would give my sister in MN the $, she would buy the ring, they would ship it to her, and she would ship it to me? I don''t know if I want my sister to know how much I''m spending on jewelry!!
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I doubt it. Jewelers do it all the time and I think you could claim it''s a "gift" if anyone ever came after you and asked!!!

For example, when you order a gift from a catalogue, the only thing that matters is where the shipping location is. That determines whether you pay sales tax, not where your billing address is. So I don''t think it would be a problem...but I''m not positive!
 
Hey, show us the setting you want and maybe we can help you find something similar
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Date: 6/26/2007 3:32:58 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006
Right, my philosophy as well (never hurts to ask)! Jewelers like us to come in so that we can be tempted by new things! Pave may need more frequent checking than non-pave. But my honest opinion is that most PS people probably examine their jewelry more closely than the girl behind the jewelry counter would! A loupe just costs a couple of dollars!
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To DS, professionals here, or anyone else with insight to offer,

My wife would I think never go into a jewelry shop on her own, and I''m reluctant to make her self conscious about her jewelery...so together, we''re a pair.

If I got my wife''s ring from her...what am I looking for with a loupe, to judge if it''s not holding well. Lack of contact?

As Neatfreak and others say, when out at the mall with my wife, we need to just do this, additionally. Still, to the extent I can self serve, it would probably be good. Need to clean occasionally to, as she never will.
 
parkerj,

There's alot to be said for finding a reputable local jeweler. I value my local auto mechanic and

I know and trust him. He oftentimes drops what he is doing to service my car and many times at no charge

for small things. The same is true for your local jeweler. You may need a watch battery changed, something engraved,

or a ring sized or even YES your rings checked and polished. Finding a local trustworthy jeweler is like finding a great auto mechanic!

Plus, your local jeweler won't ever know where you purchased something unless you tell them
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www.metrojewelryappraisers.com
 
The piece I really like I can''t find on the internet. Its an eli carre style with a halo and a RB in the middle. The sides and grill (I don''t know if that''s what it''s called, knuckle and fingernail side) are slathered in pave diamonds. It has ornate carving all through the ring. Although the center diamond has a quite high profile and normally I don''t care for that, it doesn''t bother me in this piece. Mackley has had it in his store and he says that everyone picks it up and LOVES it until they see it''s 7800 for the setting alone. He said that since he''s had it for quite some time, if I bought the diamond from him as well, he''d make me an offer on the set I couldn''t refuse....

The other one I like is this one from Christopher Designs. It has no detail in the grillwork at all, but I love the top, sides, and finger coverage..... Solomon Brothers in Atlanta has it in platinum for 5000. I hesitate to buy it from Solomon because I lady I spoke with put me on hold a couple of times and kind of acted like she was doing me some big favor..... Here''s the christopher piece. Opinions please??!!
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I don't mean to hijack the thread...I was wondering if someone knew of a reputable jeweler to take my ring for cleaning/check up in the DC area? My ring was custom made for me, from Philly, and it's quite a drive just to get it professionally cleaned/check up on. My impression has been that the service isn't a big deal.

I had a really hard time finding a jeweler willing to do it in the DC area, even when I offered to pay for it (I won't name the jewelers, but I went to a few in downtown DC near where I work and was refused).

Thanks in advance!
 
suli, you can look under resources for DC jewelers and there might be a few near you. also type in DC jeweler in the search box and some threads will come up..

parkerj- i think the christopher designs rings is lovely if that is the look your going for.
 
Here's a totally unrelated question to this thread but- how do I change my avatar? When I went to the personal section and tried to upload a photo, I got an error message. It was a jpg file. do you think it could be because I am using a mac today? It didn't have any problems loading the ring picture, but my other one it wouldn't do. hmmmm.
 
parkerj, your file may be too big. For avatars, it has to be less than 100000 bytes. Try to size your picture down to 96 pixels by 96 pixels.
 
Date: 6/26/2007 6:02:18 PM
Author: parkerj
Here''s a totally unrelated question to this thread but- how do I change my avitar? When I went to the personal section and tried to upload a photo, I got an error message. It was a jpg file. do you think it could be because I am using a mac today? It didn''t have any problems loading the ring picture, but my other one it wouldn''t do. hmmmm.
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Did you rename your pic or does it have a unique name? also, it could be too large. I have a make and export with the auto size filler and enter 400x 350 or something. it should work for you then.
 
I can''t seem to get my computer to do that.....
 
Do you have iphoto?
 
Aha! this is my friend Maddie. I have iphoto and had to mess around with it, but I got it. Thanks.

Still floundering about the ring choice....
 
I get my jewelry checked every 6 months...like clockwork. This has saved me from loosing several small diamonds and a center emerald by finding loose stones early and having repaired immediately. Jewelers in my area will clean and check for loose prongs for free, no matter where you bought. I guess it just opens up the doors for possible future business. I will say that I am taking several rings back to where I bought them, though...they were before Pricescope for me...but I include rings I didn''t buy there, as well, and it''s never been a problem at all. The 6-mos checkup also ensures that I can trade up at their stores but I can''t imagine I ever will...since now it is "after Pricescope" for me.
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Good luck!!
 
Date: 6/26/2007 6:37:28 PM
Author: parkerj
Aha! this is my friend Maddie. I have iphoto and had to mess around with it, but I got it. Thanks.


Still floundering about the ring choice....
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choosing a setting is hard. Believe me, it took me way to long to choose my own so I understand. Did the Eli one your local jeweler has really knock your socks off? and what type of price was he willing to give you for the complete package? I love a good deal, if it''s really a good deal on something that is exactly what you''re after. If he''s had a the setting a while he might be able to give you a better price b/c he probably got it before plat. prices skyrocketed. definetely something you might want to pursue a bit further.
 
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