I hope at least one person can support what Im about to buy

[sumi]

I haven't bought anything from SM, so I'm only speaking as an oogler and not a costumer. SM is not a goldsmith, he is the business owner (or just founder?) and the business has his name. It's not like you're going to walk in to a studio and find SM (the man) working in the corner. SM (the man) has a few of his designs in the store, but there are many designers featured there. I don't think you can order custom pieces. It's just like any other high-end jewelry store with very modern designs. I believe there are three locations across the US (San Francisco, Newport Beach and NY).

Like I said, I have never bought anything at SM. However, I was please with the level of service at the Newport Beach location. I was there for quite a while and I asked a lot of questions. The woman helping me knew what she was talking about and was very patient. The pieces at SM are not for everyone, they are very modern. But, I really appreciate the fact that this store exists. There are a lot of uninspired designs in this world. It's nice to walk in to SM and know you will find something that is cutting edge and modern. Of course, you can always go custom elsewhere. However, every designer is different and sometimes you want a piece by a specific designer. Most of the designers featured at SM are in Europe and you just can't commission a piece by them in the United States. I have contact a few of the designers and some of them just don't do custom work.

 

[GratefulReader]

Sorry for the late reply. Hard to get private time on the PC when you live together

Yes the ring is the one Elmo posted. It's a beautiful settings when you see it in person. In a pic, it seems too big (like a bracelet). They also have non SM rings from various designers: Kretchmer, Chritian Bauer(sp?), etc... and it's a nice collection of very nice contemporary setting.

You should go check out the gallery if can (or via the website as someone suggested). The gallery itself is beautiful. I mean the show case could have Krispy Cream donuts in there and it would still be beautiful.

I haven't proposed yet, so a bit early for the congrats, but thanks for the support

I guess I need to head off to the proposals forum too.

Stuart Moore is actually the designer of his collection. His stuff makes up about 60% of the jewelry at the galleries.
Funny thing is, I actually MET Stuart Moore last week at my diamond selection meeting. He was in from London showing the staff some new designs and going over promo stuff.
He came over, shook my hand, thanked me for the business. We also talked a bit bout what I was getting, and he basically said not to convern myself too much with size and to make sure and get a well cut stone.

I'll post some pics and stuff later once the ring is finished (3 weeks).
Thanks again for the words of support

If anyone has any specific questions I haven't answered, I'd be happy to answer them.

 

[fire&ice]

Great! Sounds like you had a nice experience. Heck, I certainly wouldn't worry about the premium. Sometimes it is a necessary evil.

I hope you understand where I am coming from w/ being required to purchase the diamond at SM. But, and note to Mara, we talk about jewelers being creative & niche marketing, I think Stuart Moore may have found his niche. Even I want to go check out the gallery!

 

[CaptAubrey]

as i understand it, stuart moore settings are forged/machined, rather than cast like 95% of the other settings on the market. this makes them much stronger and more durable than your average ring, but obviously more expensive because the fabrication is a lot more involved and labor intensive. that said, between the list price for the setting and diamond markup, you're paying about $11k for it. i get the impression you can afford it though, so if it's what she has her heart set on, you have nothing to apologize for.

 

[abbey]

I've been in love with one of SM solitaire's for the past few years since I got my engagement ring-I just think they are so beautifully simple and very comfortable to wear. My dh just gave me a budget (25K) for a gift after our two children were born. I went "browsing" a few weeks ago and I did find out that they will make a setting for a family diamond or for a diamond that you have had for quite some time....Problem is I want a bigger diamond so now I have to decide if I want to "overpay" to get the BEAUTIFUL setting and diamond....
While I don't necessarily like the "no stone-no setting" policy at SM- hey it's his business he can run it the way he wants. For me it means that I probably won't buy from him as I won't be able to afford the size that I want and the 5K setting too.
So I guess I'm trying to say "good for you" for buying what your intended wants! She'd just be "dreaming" about it years later if you don't.

 

[wallace]

I had not heard of SM before but I think your setting is just simply GORGEOUS! Let that stone show!

I am a little new to this so I am learning about buying settings - I did not know that some designers have that policy. I fell in love with a Sakamoto setting and I do not know if he will let me provide my own stone. Thanks for bringing this up! I will ask him before I get too attached to the setting becuase I definitley want to provide my own stone on this one.

Fire and Ice - Does it make a difference then if you modify the setting from a designer- presumably that already qualifies it as being a custom order? In that case, in your experience, then the designer would be willing to set your own stone since you are probably being charged an additional fee for customized work? I hope you undertood that question...!?

 

[fire&ice]

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On 4/12/2004 7:49:29 PM wallace wrote:


Fire and Ice - Does it make a difference then if you modify the setting from a designer- presumably that already qualifies it as being a custom order? In that case, in your experience, then the designer would be willing to set your own stone since you are probably being charged an additional fee for customized work? I hope you undertood that question...!?

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Not sure I understood the question. But, if it helps, the designer I worked with created his own design for *me* - yes a derivative - but nonetheless mine. But, in the end I went with one of his designs to incorporate my original head of my e-ring (and my stone of cours). It was his quinesential design. He had no problem with any of it.

That said, he was a master craftsman/goldsmith. The stones were secondary to the design.

 

[elle_chris]

While I usually try to stay away from posting (this being my 3rd) I felt compelled to get involved here.
This past Saturday, my soon to be hubby and myself went to the Stuart Moore gallery (and it is a gallery rather than a typical B&M store) on Prince st. (NY location).
We went because they carried Henrich&Denzel whose designs I adore.
Upon entering, we took a moment to look around and then were approached by Tammy who is the chief operations office in ny.
We explained to Tammy what we were looking for and all I can say is she was absolutely great. She sat us down, explained to us that what we wanted was part of the 2002 collection but she would be happy to contact Henrich&Denzel to see if the rings were still available.
We decided to see others by the same designer. WOW, my fiancé picked his out immediately. I however, am still debating between two designs. Both basically the same but a difficult choice nonetheless. Since Chris wanted his ring 7mm wide, she said she would contact H&D and get back to us Tuesday to get the exact price while I decide on the one I want.
All in all we were there for over an hour and the service was impeccable. Hell, I was running around all over the store with both rings trying them on by the window, direct overhead light etc. I never felt rushed, or pressured.
She explained how the rings were NOT cast. That Henrich and denzel use 950 platinum 5 tungsten, etc. etc and how long it would take to create the rings. Anyway, I have 24 hours left and have still not made up my mind between the two. Do I take one row of diamonds or two? lol
In the end, these are the rings we’re choosing and Stuart Moore is the store where we’ll be doing our business.
All of the designs are magnificent period! The service could not better. The quality you can see and feel and for anyone who appreciates all of the above as well as simple lines in the most beautiful forms, they really should see his galleries.

 

[starfire]

Hi GratefulReader,

Congratulations on finding your perfect diamond!

You need to know that it is perfectly normal to use the internet and PS to research diamonds, and then buy it at a B&M store.

As your experience has demonstrated, a good B&M can have substantial advantages over buying online, although the price may not necessarily be dirt-cheap. However, a good B&M would probably have a greater variety of designers that he works with, and you will have a chance to look and touch the various jewelry up-front. Keep in mind that it is not easy nor cheap to work with top-notch designers, and with his inventory of higher-end jewelry his premium price is probably justifiable.

As many of the other posters have said, do not feel bad about making the purchase offline. Not everyone at PS buys online, although there are a few die-hards who are fanatical about it and tells everyone at every chance. But don't let that get to you.

Bottomline is: you got what you paid for. A beautiful diamond, on a beautiful ring.

Best regards,
Stephen Tan
Charlotte Atelier
Singapore

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On 4/10/2004 3:58:39 AM GratefulReader wrote:

Hi everyone-

Long time reader, first time poster.
First I'd like to thank the people here for everything I've learned. Not only that, I've been entertained a lot.

Ok to the point. Since I learned almost everything about diamonds here, I wanted to share my experiences.

I am about to buy an engagement ring at Stuart Moore.
Now I know there's that long nasty thread on Stuart Moore and a lot of people here have a bad taste in their mouths. But I believe his rings are very beautiful.

My girlfriend and I stopped in one day to check out the Kretchmer settings when she fell in love with Stuart Moore's suspension setting. Basically she liked it a lot, and thus that's what I wanted to get for her.

8 out of 10 of you are probably gonna say I paid too much or that Im stupid, but here are the specs and prices.

I'm looking at the following stone:
-GIA Cert
-2.03 carat Round Brilliant
-F
-SI1 (eye clean, fairly happy w/ 20x microscope inspection)
-57% table
-61.4% depth
-Excellent/Excellent
-Thin-Med girdle
-No culet
-No florescence

for $23,850.
The setting (it's very pretty you should check it out) is $4660.
Plus California's wonderful 8.5% sales tax.

After reading stuff here and GoG, I was very sceptical about the stones they would show me, especially since they only show me GIA reports (no BrillianceScope, IdeaScope, AGS, etc, etc) . I assumed they were gonna be good but not top notch. But I was very pleasantly surpised. The cuts they got me were quite nice.
At least nice for my untrained eye. But this is my amature eye + 4 weeks of reading pricescope+other sites non stop. So I figured I was slightly more knowledgeable than the average joe off the street.

The problem is that they only allow me to buy their diamonds and it's quite a bit marked up compared to PS prices.
But I have no choice since Im shopping there for the setting, not the stone.

But I have no quarrels. I know it's considerably expensive, but it's the ring my GF wants and it's the one that I want to get her. End of story.

The only perspective I wanted to bring to those non-experts here is to remember why you came to this site in the first place. We wanted to learn the most possible so that we can get the best possible diamond for our loves. It wasnt to become pseudo-diamond experts/investors.

For the same price (about $31k), I could have probably gotten a 2.5-3.0 carat E VS1 or something. And Im sure you'd have no problems linking me to sites that sell them. But the bottom line is that I wanted to get the ring (setting and stone) that my girlfriend wanted. I wanted to give her the experience to window shop. I want her to be able to go back and get her ring serviced at the store.
I want the whole package cause I thought that would make her happier than getting a 'better deal'.

So this post is starting to really suck... didnt turn out how I expected.. but what I wanted to say was to remember that price isnt everything, and not to completely dismiss B&M stores or even designer stores (the Harry Winston, Tiffany, etc of the world).
Give it a try. Maybe it's not your thing. But that fine.
I came here. Learned a lot. Went back for forth for weeks. I finally decided to go 'against the flow'. But thanks to the posters here I am now confident that Im not getting both ripped off and getting a crap diamond. I know it's overpriced, but it's the stone I want. And that sense of knowing what Im paying for is simply priceless. And for that Im eternally grateful.

I'd love to buy a stone from GoodOldGold.com or WhiteFlash.com(or the other fine internet retailers) one of these days in the future.
Thanks again. And I hope to post again----------------