I GIVE UP!

[allygirl]

Well, I''m about ready to give up on the idea of even buying a new setting/diamond. I really like the jeweler that I am working with, but they seem to be getting in one diamond at a time and I''m really getting aggravated because this has been going on for weeks! I want the ring ordered ! It take 4 weeks to get the setting made anyway, so this is prolonging the entire process ! Getting tempted to order from Sisters Jewelry and get the diamond from GOG at this point. Problem is then finding a local jeweler to do the maintenance on it.

ANY THOUGHTS??? Just how up front can I be with this jeweler in telling them my level of aggravation?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Ally, in all honesty, most of us have moved at one time or another and have never had the same jeweler we bought the ring from service the ring. So that is not even a consideration as far as I am concerned. And as a matter of fact, my rings have only been to a jeweler twice in 29 years. Once a prong came loose and last fall I had them sized up a half size. That''s it. Jewelers with a good reputation are sizing and repairing people''s jewelry everyday. It most certainly is primarily jewelry bought at other places. Repair work is part of the profit making business they are in. So finding a good one to service your rings is fine, but you may never really need them. I have always cleaned my rings at home except for the times I was in a jewelry store and they offered to clean them for me.

Your jeweler is getting in one diamond at a time probably because they are having to pay shipping and insurance to have them sent in. That is why many of us here prefer to shop with online vendors who have multiple in-house stones to choose from. It sounds like they''ve put in some time trying to help you, though.

 

[Regular Guy]

Although I hear you, because I've been there...it's hard to make a silk purse out of a sous ear.

Date: 8/25/2006 8:35:16 AM
Author:allygirl
I really like the jeweler that I am working with

why?

they seem to be getting in one diamond at a time and I'm really getting aggravated because this has been going on for weeks!

have you been clear with them about ostensible purchase requirements? For example, if you'd like to see 5 options to compare among, and you'd prefer they all be AGS0 with new certs, you could specify that for your purchase requirements, and still only promise a yes or no decision...you ultimately may decide what they have for you is not what you want.

Maybe they're close and convenient. That's only going to be worth so much.

I don't have what I consider a good solution. But, I did this...I contacted I think Bailey Banks & Biddle, and determined I could get service for perhaps $40 by appointment. Meanwhile, I've found little jobs...taking the back off of my wife's earring to make them into clip type earrings, and have done this...still too infrequently, but...though I've not felt the need to go to Bailey Banks & Biddle, I know I could. Actually, for that matter, I could also go further to Quest for this, since they helped a minor repair job at purchase time.

But, I can appreciate it's a matter of convenience. Look for a backup option that will satisfy, give your local guy one more chance, being clear how he can get your business...they may or may not be able to comply.

P.S. Diamandseeker has good advice, too...though now that we'd lost my wife's original e ring after 16 years, we might want to go to a jeweler more frequently than once in 10 years...

 

[aljdewey]

I had this same experience with my local jeweler. Gave him criteria expecting he''d bring in 3-4 diamonds in my specified range; NOPE.....only one diamond.

DS is likely right; your local jeweler is trying to avoid paying shipping/insurance on all those stones. Every stone he calls in costs him out of pocket, and cuts into whatever margin he may have on the eventual sale.

If you aren''t comfortable buying "online" and really need to lay eyes on stones, I''d suggest you consider flying to one of the vendors that has a decent array of inhouse stones. A few folks here have flown to/visited WF and been able to view a few stones together to make a choice.

I''d recommend something like this if you realy want to see before buying.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

And the other option is to have two stones sent to you, which costs a lot less than a trip! I did that and felt much better about my purchase!

 

[allygirl]

DS--Yes, the jeweler has spent alot of time and effort in helping me , I suppose that''s why I feel loyal to them for the sale.

I would have two stones shipped to me, but I do not feel that I know enough about what to look for to examine the diamond myself...I''m learning, but am not sure I trust myself with just a loupe.

 

[Regular Guy]

Frequently one or more options are instead sent to an independent appraiser. This might even mitigate your having to make a payment, until you make a selecton. The appraiser can be local, or at a distance to you.

Just another option.

 

[devientdrow]

Hey Ally where do you live? I understand your feeling of loyalty to these people and your certain you want to buy from them?

If it''s loyalty and the possible need for future service then i''d say stick it out, but if your really just worried about the future needs of your ring you really can get it fixed almost anywhere. I have even went to Jareds to get some of my jewelry fixed.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Ally, we''ve tried to explain that if you buy from one of these vendors, look for stones that qualify as AGS0 or GIA excellent with AGS0 parameters. It''s really easy. I ordered two stones like that and both were beautiful. I only ordered two because I didn''t know which size I preferred! It only gets difficult if you''re looking at stones with less than ideal cut. Then you do have to see and compare. But you really don''t if you limit yourself to ideal cut.

 

[aljdewey]

Date: 8/25/2006 9:46:41 AM
Author: diamondseeker2006
And the other option is to have two stones sent to you, which costs a lot less than a trip!

That is another good option, but it requires having comfort level (usually) to have several stones charged to your credit card for a period of time, and some folks aren''t comfortable with that. Especially if interest on their particular cards begins on Day 1 of the "purchase".

Even not taking into consideration the finance charges, I''d imagine that paying shipping/insurance on 3-4 stones could potentially add up to $150-200 (since in the best case scenario, you''d buy one stone and pay shipping/insurance both ways on the other 2-3). At that rate, it''s not much more to just make the trip.

 

[jaz464]

I bought online and had the diamond I was considering sent to an independent appraiser so I could see it in person before I made a decision. The appraiser was extremely helpful in explaining all of the diamonds characteristics to me. And then I could make an educated decision. Why not go that route?

 

[mrssalvo]

Date: 8/25/2006 9:46:41 AM
Author: diamondseeker2006
And the other option is to have two stones sent to you, which costs a lot less than a trip! I did that and felt much better about my purchase!

or have the stones sent to an approved local appraiser and the appraiser can help educate you on your purchase...

I had the same problem locally plus I found the prices to be so much better online. I just figure I''ll find another local jeweler to clean and inspect my rings. For something major I''d just send it back to where I bought it.

 

[Cehrabehra]

Date: 8/25/2006 9:57:17 AM
Author: allygirl
DS--Yes, the jeweler has spent alot of time and effort in helping me , I suppose that''s why I feel loyal to them for the sale.

I would have two stones shipped to me, but I do not feel that I know enough about what to look for to examine the diamond myself...I''m learning, but am not sure I trust myself with just a loupe.

OMG I totally relate to this comment, both of these... but I''ve begun to wonder if loyalty might not be advantageous on a consumer level. Is that loyalty going to get you the deal of the century? Probably not... I''m having my first stone sent to me and if it passes my own eye exam then I''ll take it to an appraiser, because like you I don''t trust myself other than to know if it''s beautiful or not.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Cehra,

Round brilliants are much easier to buy than cushions! AGS has nice parameters for ideal cut, so it''s hard to go wrong if you buy an AGS0 or a GIA excellent that would also fall into AGS0 parameters. It''s pretty easy if you know the size, color, and clarity you want.

I just wanted to add that yes, by all means visit a vendor if you can. And sending a stone or two to an appraiser is a great option if you can find one. There were no independent appraisers in my area at all. So choosing between driving several hours to one or having the stones shipped to me, I opted to have them shipped to me. I envy those who are near an independent appraiser!

 

[Cehrabehra]

Date: 8/25/2006 5:48:16 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006
Cehra,

Round brilliants are much easier to buy than cushions! AGS has nice parameters for ideal cut, so it''s hard to go wrong if you buy an AGS0 or a GIA excellent that would also fall into AGS0 parameters. It''s pretty easy if you know the size, color, and clarity you want.

I just wanted to add that yes, by all means visit a vendor if you can. And sending a stone or two to an appraiser is a great option if you can find one. There were no independent appraisers in my area at all. So choosing between driving several hours to one or having the stones shipped to me, I opted to have them shipped to me. I envy those who are near an independent appraiser!

oh yes, easier to find a round I think LOL I was tempted to put specs up on the stone I''m checking out but then I thought, why? they''re not going to mean anything to anyone LOL And yes, there is an appraiser here in downtown portland but I''m not sure if they''re good... I think I''ll start a thread on that.