Is NSC a good place to buy?

[has31]

Hello All.
I am recently engaged and have been spending probably way too much time researching an e-ring. I would like a dark, royal blue natural/untreated blue sapphire with recycled white gold.
I think I just spent two hours researching The Natural Sapphire Company and after finding this link on their site, I am even more confused.
The article is about the Indian ex-employee that is cyber-attacking NSC......

http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/Blog/postings-recently-on-s-c-a-m-complaint-sites#comments

My fiancé and I ordered a ring online from a company and it turned out to look very different in person. I want to be sure I know what I am getting which is why I have spent so much time researching. Unfortunately, we aren't close to NYC so going to the NSC showroom is not an option.

I have read NSC is overpriced but with their Labor Day Sale it makes for a decent priced ring. I had a meeting with a local jeweler today who sells natural untreated sapphires/ recycled gold/ earth wise jewelry. They want almost $1K more than what NSC is charging for a similar ring.

Our budget is $3000 so while it's not huge, I do think we can find what I am looking for in that price range. Anyone offer any suggestions or advice?

 

[minousbijoux]

I would recommend doing a search here on PS re NSC. The reviews are mixed at best.

 

[has31]

I have read all the posts with NSC on PS. This ex-employee has posted hundreds of posting on various boards so it's hard to tell what is real and what is posted by him. Every company is going to have a bad review here and there.

 

[wordie89]

Best wishes on your engagement! I hope that you enjoy the hunt/design of your ring. I think the research will help you refine your plans and is never wasted (unless you're ignoring your fiancee). There are several highly recommended vendors on the pinned list so if you have the time you can ask them about stones not listed. The recycled gold is probably the limiting factor.

Personally I have been very pleased with Spectral gems. As I've begun shopping for a setting for my dark blue stone all the jewelers I've seen have commented on the beautiful cut. I've also had excellent communications with Mastercut Gems and Jerry Newman although I've yet to purchase from them.

 

[chrono]

There has been customer service issues such as insulting the customers and shrill posting from NSC which would concern me more than the disgruntled ex employee. I also have issues with NSC photoshopping their sapphire pairs.

 

[has31]

Opps! I thought I posted a reply earlier. I guess it didn't go through.

We have already had to deal with the shadiness of one company so I don't want to go through that again.

For those of you that buy loose stones to be placed in a setting do you find an online jeweler or a local jeweler to set the stones? From what I have found at least the jewelers I have asked what a large setting fee because I have my own stone. This was when I wanted to include a family heirloom diamond as the side stone.

Online shopping has proved to be very time consuming because I don't know enough about stones and don't know 100% of what I am getting online. The few local jewelers in Chicago that I have looked at could not tell me where their sapphires were sourced and if or what they were treated with. I was given the round about answer most customers would like to hear..."they are sourced ethically from varies parts of the world and my boss picks the finest stones."

 

[colorluvr]

If you've done a bit of reading on this forum, then you have come across the mantra "don't buy an expensive sapphire or ruby without a reputable lab report".

A gembrief from AGL, which should be able to verify if a sapphire is unheated without additonal testing is only $55. I would think any reputable jeweler should be willing to provide that. As a buyer, I would be willing to pay for the additional cost of the gembrief (it will be a bit more if the stone is mounted) with the caveat that if it came back as anything other than how it was advertised, you would get reimbursed for the report. I know this is how many reputable Thai gemsellers operate. If one of their nice stones doesn't have a report, they are willing to get it for you, at your expense, but will reimburse you if the stone was misrepresented.

I bought an "unheated star sapphire" from a reputable jewelry store in Oregon. I had it sent off to AGL and it came back diffused. The store took the stone back, and refunded me for all additional costs of having sent to the lab including the the cost of the brief. The star sapphire came with an appraisal signed by a GG, which is why the store believed it to be untreated. When questioned after the fact, the GG stated that she "didn't think to check for diffusion".... really?????

If a store gives you that runaround about them only picking the best, etc., etc., but do not have a reputable lab report (and are unwilling to obtain one) then they either don't know what the stone really is or they know and don't want to disclose it because they are being untruthful.

 

[colorluvr]

For those of you that buy loose stones to be placed in a setting do you find an online jeweler or a local jeweler to set the stones? From what I have found at least the jewelers I have asked what a large setting fee because I have my own stone. This was when I wanted to include a family heirloom diamond as the side stone.

I have always been able to find a local jeweler (we move around a lot) who is willing to set stones for me in my settings, however it can take some time to find one that isn't horribly expensive. They have always been a privately owned store, not a chain. The price can vary a lot from bench to bench however.

 

[chrono]

I have used both local jewellers and online jewellers (who have an actual shop, only that it's not open to the public and you can visit by appointment). You probably have to shop around for a reasonable bench who is also good with setting stones other than diamonds.

Shopping in person is the same as online; if you don't know or understand what to look for, how would you know if it's a good stone or overpriced? A bit of education is needed and the Buying Guide sticky by Loving Diamonds is a good start. Feel free to post pictures and ask others here as well.

 

[has31]

Thanks everyone for your advice! I won't be buying from NSC! I am so glad I found this site. I will definitely be doing more research so I know exactly what I am buying and looking at for that matter. Even though I don't know enough about gemstones yet, reading a jeweler's body language and seeing them in person is obviously much easier in person.

The lady that told me her stones were ethically sourced..blah blah did not know what she was talking about.

Thanks again!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I recently bought the sapphire that is in the ring currently in my avatar from Richard Homer, an award winning cutter. he usually has a nice selection of sapphires, particularly if you are looking for a round stone.

http://www.concavegems.com/query3.cfm?yVarieties=All&ySpecies=Corundum