How to find a good local jeweler? (Austin)

[Addlepated]

How do I find a good local jeweler?

Here''s a quick rundown of some of my experiences at local B&Ms:

1. HoF dealer (strip mall). Wanted something 12,000/carat for an I VS2 (or so) stone. 1.57 carats total. That was 3 years ago. Pass the smelling salts!

2. Small non-chain jeweler (shopping center). I''ve gone there quite a lot and have no idea why. Many things he has done for me has been screwed up in some way, from using a different platinum alloy to size up my ring (it''s shinier and the solder lines are glaringly warpingly obvious) to scratching my newly-cut Richard Homer stone during mounting to putting three pairs of studs into the wrong type of setting.

3. Another small non-chain jeweler (strip mall). This is the place where the staff gemologist initially told me that oiling emeralds was almost unheard of these days. Granted, she did admit she was wrong, but what a first impression.

4. Another local jeweler (shopping center). Claims also to be an independent appraiser, but has a large store. Tried to sell me his high-priced color change garnet bracelet (with questionable workmanship) because the concave cut I was planning to buy would "look terrible" in that stone.

5. One of the biggest diamond-related stores in town (shopping center). Just went there today to look at settings. The salesperson claimed that there was no such thing as a "Cushion Brilliant"; they were ALL modified because they''re not round. Also said that arrows were visible from the bottom, not the top of the stone (he even tried to show me proof in his 8* brochure, when I pointed at the big "FROM THE TOP" right next to the arrows pic). Then, when I asked if 8* had 8 pavilion mains or 10 like the Solasfera, he said, "No. Eighty facets. Not 8. And most rounds only have 58." I reiterated that I was talking about the points on the star/the arrows, which was when he started talking about only being able to see that from the bottom.

So I have to ask - who in Austin knows a thing or two about diamonds, gemstones, and bench work?

 

[monarch64]

Isn''t Whiteflash located in Houston....

Sorry, not very helpful but as a fellow PSr I''d like to see you get the BEST experience!!! LadyKemma is a fellow Texan I believe but doesn''t post anymore, otherwise I''m sure she would''ve chimed in by now. Good luck!!

 

[mintve]

i too would suggest a little trip to houston for a visit to Whiteflash!

 

[ChargerGrrl]

THRITTO!

zip on over to WF in Houston. They''ll take care of you!

 

[Addlepated]

I just got a sparkly from Whiteflash a couple of weeks ago and that went very well. But I''m looking for a place closer (Houston is 3 hours away) where I can do maintenance-type stuff, like cleaning and checking prongs. And maybe just a walk-in place where no appointment is necessary if I want to go see some eye candy. Ya know?

 

[mintve]

I think now that searching for a jeweler is on your radar, you will find one... you will hear an ad on the radio or see a billboard or an ad in a magazine or newspaper. Just go check them out (I tend to like the smaller, independently owned and operated ones). You will eventually find one that makes you comfortable. Good luck!

 

[metro]

Date: 2/2/2008 4:14:05 PM
Author: Addlepated
I just got a sparkly from Whiteflash a couple of weeks ago and that went very well. But I''m looking for a place closer (Houston is 3 hours away) where I can do maintenance-type stuff, like cleaning and checking prongs. And maybe just a walk-in place where no appointment is necessary if I want to go see some eye candy. Ya know?

Have you looked at Americus Diamond? My DH bought my diamond there when he lived in Austin. I can''t say much about them, except they have some eye-candy. I walked around the store for about one hour, trying on various rings during my visit to talk about an upgrade

 

[Addlepated]

Date: 2/7/2008 2:22:46 PM
Author: metro

Have you looked at Americus Diamond? My DH bought my diamond there when he lived in Austin. I can''t say much about them, except they have some eye-candy. I walked around the store for about one hour, trying on various rings during my visit to talk about an upgrade

Thanks, Metro - Americus is the #5 store on my list above.

 

[nessvan12]

I live in San Antonio. I will only use Americus Diamond, (it is not affiliated in anyway with the one in Austin...I called to check). I know it is 1 hour away but the service and knowledge of the staff there is wonderful. They have a great show called "Buying Diamonds Intelligently" that I watch every time it''s on TV. They guarantee to always have the best prices or the will refund the difference plus 25%. They never have sales because their diamonds prices aren''t marked up. I have NEVER been able to find diamonds less expensive of the same quality. The staff doesn''t work on commission so nobody is pushy. I''ve purchased diamond studs, a tennis bracelet and my e-ring I will be getting in a few weeks from them. I will only ever purchase from/work with/use them. I never will pass up an opportunity to recommend them to someone in Texas. If you''re willing to take the drive, give them a try!

 

[meresal]

Date: 2/7/2008 3:25:23 PM
Author: nessvan12
I live in San Antonio. I will only use Americus Diamond, (it is not affiliated in anyway with the one in Austin...I called to check). I know it is 1 hour away but the service and knowledge of the staff there is wonderful. They have a great show called ''Buying Diamonds Intelligently'' that I watch every time it''s on TV. They guarantee to always have the best prices or the will refund the difference plus 25%. They never have sales because their diamonds prices aren''t marked up. I have NEVER been able to find diamonds less expensive of the same quality. The staff doesn''t work on commission so nobody is pushy. I''ve purchased diamond studs, a tennis bracelet and my e-ring I will be getting in a few weeks from them. I will only ever purchase from/work with/use them. I never will pass up an opportunity to recommend them to someone in Texas. If you''re willing to take the drive, give them a try!

WOW... I live in Houston, and you''ve almost got me wanting to check this place out. A jewelery store with no comission, can it really be true??? LOL (There''s no "fainting" smiley to put in here... so just imagine please)

 

[HollyS]

Mine was purchased at Gregory''s of Salado; they carry Memoire, Tacori, A Jaffe, Simon G, Martin Flyer, Claude Thibedeau, Chad Allison. They happened to have some good loose diamonds as well at that time; however, you may want to purchase a great stone from one of the online dealers, and then choose a setting. To tell you the truth, most of the really fabulous settings shown on PS, whether simple and classic or major bling, have been custom ordered from one of the online designers well known to PSers. Did you just want to try on settings to get a feel for what you like? I truly enjoyed the personal attention I received at Gregory''s, and the center stone was a great value and good quality; but if you want mega choices for lowest dollars possible, online may be your answer. Most B&M stores will have their detractions, not the least of which is a nice markup to pay the rent/mortgage.

Ignore Americus and Jarod''s. Complete nitwits.

 

[idreamofice]

I live in Austin and I have not been able to find good jeweler. I''ve been to Americus a few times and they have pretty stuff but last time I was there a SA told me that an asscher cut eternity band is unheard of but took our info down to see if he could get one made for us...he never called back...it''s been about 3 weeks or so?!

Next time I will just drive to houston and visit Whiteflash. It''s funny that I''ve lived in Houston for 20+ years and have never heard of Whiteflash until I found PS..lol

 

[Addlepated]

Has anyone gone to Kruger?

To be clear, I got my diamond from ERD and I''m getting my setting made by Maytal Hannah. I just want a local place where I can at least go check prongs and clean every once in a while. For serious local buying I might head to San Antonio or Salado, but just for a quick cleaning/check I''d really like to have someone within 20 minutes'' drive who''s not going to decimate my ring.

 

[idreamofice]

I wouldn''t go there myself not after the story my FI told me.

Last time he was there (1 year ago) he asked to see a ring, well the SA was super nice and told him that the ring just came in that day!

So...he was checking the ring out and noticed that a diamond was missing....umm...quality control?!

Sorry..I really wish I knew a good jeweler to recommend...if I find one I will be sure to let you know!

 

[Addlepated]

Just a quickie update - I went into Duncan & Boyd today, in the 26 Doors shopping center. They were very nice and seemed reasonably priced and well-informed. They might be a possibility.

 

[nessvan12]

Date: 2/12/2008 3:22:13 PM
Author: Addlepated
Just a quickie update - I went into Duncan & Boyd today, in the 26 Doors shopping center. They were very nice and seemed reasonably priced and well-informed. They might be a possibility.

That''s awesome! Hope it works out for you

 

[belle]

have you tried russell korman? i know of someone that used them recently for a 'net diamond that was being set and they were very competent and friendly. it's unusual to find such service. brooke was her contact there.

best of luck!

 

[Addlepated]

Date: 2/12/2008 3:40:56 PM
Author: belle
have you tried russell korman? i know of someone that used them recently for a ''net diamond that was being set and they were very competent and friendly. it''s unusual to find such service. brooke was her contact there.


best of luck!

I actually dropped into Russell Korman yesterday and they seemed okay, with prices not that bad, but one of the things that I was looking for was someone to offer cleaning my rings and they didn''t do that. Might be a silly metric to judge by, but to me it''s a nice gesture.

Russell Korman did have a nice mint tourmaline for under $500 though.

A couple of price points: Russell Korman had a Ritani split shank (no halo) setting in platinum for $3400. I''m not sure what it''s going for in other places because I can''t find that particular setting without a halo.

Duncan & Boyd had a 1.10 ctw H-I SI set of studs for $3700. They seemed very nicely cut. Not too much of a premium for a B&M store, is it?

Westbank Jewelers had a 1.0 ctw H VS set of studs for $1900 with serious nailheads. Hardly anything (but my own ring) sparkled in there.

 

[door knob solitaire]

There is this great little feature at the top of PS under resources. You can click on local and enter your zip or city. I did so and found this jeweler Ashbrook there in Austin.

I would agree that a trip to Houston is warranted here. If I could reach them days drive...I would be there in a Flash...I mean White Flash!

 

[metro]

Date: 2/7/2008 2:55:57 PM
Author: Addlepated

Date: 2/7/2008 2:22:46 PM
Author: metro

Have you looked at Americus Diamond? My DH bought my diamond there when he lived in Austin. I can''t say much about them, except they have some eye-candy. I walked around the store for about one hour, trying on various rings during my visit to talk about an upgrade

Thanks, Metro - Americus is the #5 store on my list above.

DOH!