Ignorance is bliss (it was so much easier pre-Pricescope)

[kalomeli]

Some of you know I have a pendant itch (still!) I visited a local jewelry store today to try on some shapes and sizes, and learned a lot of things there. The main thing being that Pricescope has ruined me for life when it comes to diamonds (and settings too)!

I was just horrified how uneducated the two sales ladies were! I asked about the specs of the diamonds and was told the color and clarity. Then I asked about the cut (you probably can guess where this is going)...

I was holding a MRB pendant and the lady told me it was a princess cut... I chose to ignore that since I got there just a moment before closing time so maybe she was just tired. Then I tried to ask about the cut quality and the answer I got was a blank stare. Well the other lady did try to save the situation by telling me that they don't know that since cut quality since one of the less important things in a diamond. Yes, I am taking my business somewhere else!
The funny thing is that pre-PS I probably would have been just fine with what they had for sale as I knew about diamonds even less than they do!

But it was was still a good trip as I learned that I a 0.5ct suits me so well!! And also that I simply don't like solitaire diamond pendant with a bail - it just bugs me to see a blob of extra metal like that! So bezel it is for me!


Do you have similar stories?

 

[Trudii]

Re: Ignorance is bliss (it was so much easier pre-Pricescope

I'm more cynical. Even before I found PS, I knew a little about diamonds and knew what the jewelry store women were saying was somewhere between inaccurate and a flat out lie. But after being here, I'm learning a whole lot more. The most important thing I've learned is that jewelry stores are for sizing, PS vendors are for buying.

 

[kalomeli]

Re: Ignorance is bliss (it was so much easier pre-Pricescope

This was actually one of the first times I've gone to a chain jeweler for other thing than just something fun and inexpensive. Although what you said b&m jewelers was very much true since I got there just to try on different sizes.
Before I moved here for university we used a small family jeweler in my home town (and they really are terrific ). Diamonds are a new thing for me since Finns are not big on jewelry (even engagement rings usually are just plain bands like mine and the wedding ring is the "flashier" one) so before we got engaged with my FI I didn't know anything about this topic.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Re: Ignorance is bliss (it was so much easier pre-Pricescope

Yes, most jewelry sales people lack knowledge beyond reading whatever is on the tag. When my daughter was looking for a diamond wedding band, I went with her and told them she wanted to see milgrain bead-set diamond wedding bands, and I can assure you, they had no idea what I was talking about! She ended up having it custom made by Maytal Hannah.

 

[Gypsy]

Re: Ignorance is bliss (it was so much easier pre-Pricescope

Um. I wouldn't use a mall jeweler for sizing unless they had an on-site bench. I don't use ANY jeweler for sizing unless they do it in house at their bench. I have no patience for finger pointing with off site benches.

 

[kenny]

Re: Ignorance is bliss (it was so much easier pre-Pricescope

They want you to just buy something or shut up and leave, much like Walmart.

IMO, most jewelry stores prey on uninformed customers.
As an PS-educated person you know more, so you are not their demographic.

 

[kalomeli]

Re: Ignorance is bliss (it was so much easier pre-Pricescope

That's exactly the feeling I got there - buy and leave! But the experience overall was fun for me as I realized how much I have learned here. Apparently my FI too has learned a thing or too since when told him about the experience he had some very Pricescope-y comments.

I think the last time I visited a b&m jeweler for pretty much anything was when we were looking for engagement bands which was nearly two years ago. Back then I realized how crazy profit margins there are in jewelry stores is in Finland and that was the reason why we ordered our engagement bands via Internet! When started thinking what kind of wedding ring I want and along came PS...

 

[CharmyPoo]

Re: Ignorance is bliss (it was so much easier pre-Pricescope

I think sizing here was used in the context of determining the size of diamond you want.