How often will we need get new ering cleaned/tightened

[sunnypier]

Hello,

First thank you all for the wealth of knowledge in these forums. It has been very helpful.

I have a question, how often will we need to get the e-ring serviced. i.s. cleaned, tightened, retipped, etc?

There is a local "diamond broker" that actually has really reasonable prices on good stones. After a little negotiating their prices are comparable to online options of similar stones.

One of their big value propositions is that you can always have the ring serviced for free. Cleaned, tightened, even re-tipped. How much do these services normally cost and how often do you need to get them done?

They're selection is ok. Unfortunately in my price range its mostly EGL stones on hand. But if i can see it, that's half the battle with EGL. I can see that my F looks like an H and price accordingly. And they were pushing a REALLY shallow oval on me. but if you know what you want its not bad.

If i only need to pay $40 every few years this doesn't seem like a huge deal. But if i'm in there every 6 months, they it may be worth paying a little more for the stone and paying 6% sales tax. I haven't found THE stone there yet, but i want to know if it's worth it to keep looking there.

thanks again

 

[liaerfbv]

Red flags with your diamond broker - but to answer your question, not that frequently to affect where I would purchase. Depending on what metal you choose, you may need to rhodium plate occasionally (everyone wears the plating out diff so there's not a set schedule). Could be 6 months, could be 2 years. In my area it's about $100 to redip. I've never needed prongs tightened and I clean my ring at home for free everyday. These services they are offering you are not a bargain or a deal.

 

[sunnypier]

She wants yellow gold so plating isn't an issue.

Thank you for the help!

 

[c-k]

Tread cautiously....."There is a local diamond broker that actually has really reasonable prices on good stones."

How do you know that? Apples to Apples? You must know the issues on EGL stones right? How do you know it is a reasonable price? How do you know it is a good stone?

I am noy saying you can't get a nice EGL diamond, what I am saying is you had better know what you are buying, have knowledge of the fact that the industry knows why a stone is a EGL or a GIA or a AGSL graded stone. The price you pay for a EGL needs to reflect what the real value of that stone is. That EGL stone that is a G/VS1 may be or not be...but could really be a J/SI2 so what is it really worth?

 

[msop04]

She wants yellow gold so plating isn't an issue.

Thank you for the help!

I don't think the free cleanings are worth the potential risk of getting scammed. What type setting you you plan on getting?

 

[Asscherhalo_lover]

Yellow gold won't need any plating and polishing often is not recommended at all because you remove some of the gold each time you do this. Jewelry will eventually get a patina, if you don't like this get platinum which can be polished to your hearts content.

Get your ring insured with a company like jewelers mutual. Anything goes wrong, it gets fixed or replaced.

Want your ring really clean all the time? Spend $100 on a jewel jet which is a steam cleaner fine for any diamond and many gemstone rings without pave. Steam and clean to your hearts content. You want to find something to fit your budget? Post what you're looking for here with a budget and let the PSers have at it. Never go back to the local diamond dealer again.

 

[sunnypier]

Thanks everyone.

I decided to go with another seller. I wouldn't call the local "broker" high pressure. Everyone was very nice and not pushy. But even though i was only there to look, there's something about actually seeing the diamonds in person that makes you think twice about walking out of there without purchasing. And on paper the stones wouldn't have made it through my first screening.

Because of several hints that have been dropped i am going with with a yellow gold setting. I have a limited budget so i went with a solitaire setting so that i could put the bulk of my funds into the stone.

I ended up with a well proportioned 1.0 ct I SI1 GIA Oval was well within my budget. I'm very excited to be able to give it. I'm sure I'll be able to talk my girlfriend into letting me take a few pictures to post on the forums once she has it.

Thanks again

 

[distracts]

The local jewelers I have been to will all clean and check my ring free of charge. Having the prongs tightened shouldn't be much - to have a stone set in a setting at my local jeweler, neither of which I purchased from them, is $40. Retipping prongs has been from $15-$60 per prong depending on the material and amount of work needed.