jewelryhoo or James Allen setting

[kathleenmv]

Hi all!

Thought I''d post in CS because I know you are all very knowledgeable about settings and the variety of vendor options.

I''m in the process of upgrading the diamonds in my three-stone ring. Because the stones are bigger and a different shape, I need to buy a new three-stone setting. So here''s my question: should I go with jewerlyhoo or James Allen for the setting?

Basically, I''m trying to keep the setting as inexpensive as possible while having a pave band. I''ve worked with JA before and know that their work and service are great. But...I''m tempted by the low price of jewelryhoo, despite their spotty track record for quality.

What would you do? Bite the bullet and pay more to work with a company you know and trust? Or...risk going with a vendor that sometimes gets it wrong (but has a good return policy)? The price difference is about $600.

Thanks so much for your insight and opinions. I always value the input of my PS friends.

 

[Arcadian]

oooo, this is a hard one. Is it a special ring? If so I would go with James Allen. You know them and know they''ll do a good job. The stress level will be lower though you do pay a bit more out. Sometimes thats the tradeoff you make.


If its a ring that is a rhr not a lot of significance attached to it then Jeweleryhoo could be an option. You may keep more of your money, but the stress level may or be higher, because he''s unknown to you. For some thats part of the thrill...lol for others well... you have to decide if thats something you can handle.


-A

 

[VapidLapid]

you get what you pay for. Bite the bullet.

 

[Indylady]

So you''re looking for a pave, three stone setting?

I''d contact LOGR and Jewelryhoo and see how you like their communication style. I''ve never had a problem personally, and its always been a pleasure for me to work with them. But, those are my experiences...I think its paramount that you have a sense of trust/understand with vendors that you''re working with. If you don''t feel comfortable, then you should definitely go with JA. If you do talk to Jeweleryhoo, and articulate what you''re looking for and receive positive feedback, I''d go with them, because you''d only be out of the cost of a return shipping if you didn''t like it. LOGR allows you to return items to Boston rather than to China, so that''s significantly less expensive and less of a worry in my opinion. $600 is fair amount of money, which could probably go towards a gorgeous RHR in my opinion.

ETA: Does JA make their settings by hand? I think that''s definitely something to consider. I''m willing to pay a premium for a hand made piece. I assumed that JA uses stock settings, which encouraged me to prefer Jeweleryhoo, which is also a stock setting.

 

[kathleenmv]

Arcadian, VapidLapid and IndyLady, many thanks for your replies!

I''m leaning toward JA. As you all said, there is a comfort level with going with a known entity, especially since this is a special piece. And I have to say I''ve received only exceptional service from Jim.

Again, thanks so much for responding. Your advice is very much appreciated.

 

[jstarfireb]

$600 is a lot to me, so I'd start with jewelryhoo. You're only out the return shipping if it doesn't turn out well.

ETA: I have a jewelryhoo setting that was semi-custom and turned out great, but I don't have a James Allen setting, so that may color my thoughts on this.

 

[CharmyPoo]

I would go with one of the china ebay selllers. The savings is too significant and honestly the risk isn''t too high.

 

[CharmyPoo]

This one - http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220601033379 ?