Mom & Pop vs Large Name

[christiandeleon04]

I was just wondering what everyone's opinion was between shopping at a popular jewelry store (peoples, mappins, spence, birks) versus a local jeweler? I'm shopping around for an engagement ring (not custom)

My main concern with the local jeweler is "trust" not sure i'll be getting an authentic diamond versus a "trusted" source like a brand name store. I know that most will say stores like peoples and mappins etc will have inflated prices and are very steep for the quality.

Let me know your thoughts.

 

[Ally T]

Personally, I always prefer to give my business to local companies where possible

As long as the jewellers you are looking at are respectable, why not use them? They are not going to be selling you fake stones. And they usually (at least here in the UK) carry some certified gems

 

[AprilBaby]

If you have diamond certs and laser inscription you are pretty sure to always know your diamond. The only problem with a mom and pop store is usually limited product. Best prices are usually online. Why not buy your diamond online and your setting from the mom and pop?

 

[christiandeleon04]

Thanks for the feedback.

I know many buy their diamonds online...but I'm an old school consumer. I like seeing the product I buy before I spend my money...and diamonds dont come cheap lol. I guess I can shop around the local jewellers as well as the name brand stuff and listen to their pitch as they try and sell me their product

 

[hawk25]

I personally will shop online from now on (at reputable vendors that provide imaging, return policy, etc) since they have the best selection of ideal cut stones at a much lower price. I highly doubt chain stores like Peoples will carry top cut stones, and the higher end stores like Birks will charge an insane amount for theirs. Go take a look at their stones and their prices... you'll be shocked.

As for mom & pop stores, I'm all for using them, if they have the best diamond at a reasonable price. I do have a dislike for pushy sales associates though (and places where I feel I've learnt more than they did), and I can completely avoid with online vendors.

Since you're an old school consumer (and there's nothing wrong with that!), take advantage of HPD's 'See It to Believe It' program, where they'll pay for shipping and insurance both ways to send you one of their stones. Then you can take it to the local jewelers and compare a real ideal cut with what they have in stock with your own eyes. You can do this with other PS vendors too, but you'll have to pay for the return shipping/insurance. If you find something locally that you like better, then just return it, quick and simple.

http://www.highperformancediamonds.com/index.php?page=sitbi

 

[heididdl]

I understand that you like all of us want to see our stone in person before buying. That being said the chain stores as well as mom and pops have limited access to stones. Also the Ps vendors JA Wf BG aGOG all have both in house and virtual stones. I have not bought a stone on line and until now have had nothing but trouble trusting jewelers.they all want you to trust them.I ended up buying my studs at a local jeweler and they were certified by EGL if I didn't know that EGL graded stones4-8 levels below GIA then I would have paid way to much for my stones. That being said because of this forum I did know about EGL and I was able to pay an appropriate price for my studs. So I when I buy my next project it will be with the PS advice and with a PSVendor