Is it a scam if someone says they can make the ring I like for 1/3 of the price??

[Fairy Godmother]

I found what I think is a gorgeous Tacori ring that on its own is almost 7k... Out of my budget if I want any diamonds on there!! I''ll post a pic b/c I''d really like opinions on the ring as well.. Anyway, I found a couple who, combined, have more years in the jewelry business than I''ve been alive.. They said they have master craftsman that can remake the ring for a 1/3rd of the price. They showed me the Rapaport report and said that the price would probably be less than it showed there. They know my budget and said they will adhere it to explicitly.

I went home and started doing some research just on BlueNile (that''s where all my boyfriend''s friends bought their diamonds so he feels comfortable buying from them.. and at Uniondiamond, which seems to have the lowest price.

I emailed the couple and said I found better clarity and color for cheaper and would they help me select one. They sdaid not only would they help me select one but they have access to the same diamonds those sights do and could probably get the exact diamond I was looking at and 2 others to compare in person.

This all sounds perfect to me, they will help me select among the diamonds I have found and will have their craftsmen make the ring within my budget.. Just want to make sure it doesn''t sound tooo good to be true. They are lovely people and they showed me some of the rings that were waiting to be picked up and they were very nice.

They are asking 20% of whatever the total is, to pay for the materials and the craftsmens labor and then once that part is done, I think the rest to buy the diamond or I can buy it. Their only commission is 10% of the ring cost and 10% of the iamond if they provide it, but I offered to pay 10% commission on the diamond even if it came from one of the sites as I would want their help picking it and I thought that would be fair.

So just looking for some feedback and it will be much appreciated!!

 

[2.5rs]

this sounds like one of those situations where you are going to have to trust your gut. If you are comfortable with the people, they have references, good business ethics/policy (return, warranty etc) and the quality of craftsmanship and end product you are looking for and you are happy with the price then by all means go for it.


can you post a pic of the tacori ring you are asking them to replicate?

 

[mrscushion]

2.5 hours -- I believe the ring she wants replicated is in her other thread below titled "Nice newbie...".

 

[2.5rs]

ok, I just saw it. I''m no jeweler, but that looks like a complicated piece!

 

[D&T]

yes, agreed with other poster, that it is a quite the complicated piece to replicate as they are so well known for their intricately hand made pieces. you shouldn''t have to pay someone 10% commission either for someone helping you find a diamond

, sock that money away and ask for help to find an awesome diamond-here, fire/brillance/scintillation you are referring to in your SMTR thread, true you can''t see it online but the specs of the diamonds will be key... jeweler lighting is misleading, and i''d just be very careful if they haven''t done a tacori-like setting before, do they have any pieces that they have done replicating tacori is what I would also wonder. if you have worked with them before and have scene their craftsmanship and elaborate peices before than if you feel comfortable then maybe do it, but jmho.

 

[Fairy Godmother]

Thanks D&T... you are probably right.. I need to do some more research. Much appreicated .. heres the ring!

 

[D&T]

welcome

. hang tight, do more research, I''m on my third setting in 6 months, just because I can''t seem to get my setting or what I want just right.

 

[denverappraiser]

As has been pointed out, that’s a difficult piece to make properly and there are several different approaches to doing the job. Some are decidedly more time consuming and require more skill than others. Add to this the fact that the best craftsmen are rarely the cheapest and I’m not surprised that you can get a factor of 3 range in pricing so no, I would not call it a scam. It’s up to you to decide what you’re willing to pay for. I would start by carefully inspecting a piece of work from the proposed craftsman (or woman). Look especially at the finish work in the gallery underneath, at the evenness of the prongs on the small diamonds and similar details. It’s sort of like comparing a Hundai with a Mercedes and noting that Hundai’s are cheaper. Indeed they are, and there’s nothing wrong with buying Hundai products if that’s what you want and can afford, but it’s important to understand that there really are differences other than the price.

Coming in under the ‘Rapaport’ pricing isn’t especially difficult, most jewelers can do it easily. If this is being showed to you as evidence of a bargain I would be very nervous. You aren't getting the whole story and the seller knows it. As with the above, the key is in what you get for your money. Play with the database here for a bit and one thing will be come quickly clear. Stones with the same reported weight/shape/clarity/color even from the same dealer can be VERY different in price.

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA
Professional Appraisals in Denver