Hello everyone
I''m brand new to these forums and this site. I''ve been lurking around for a few days and decided if I want to get help specific to my issues I should register so I did.
I found these forums via my girlfriend, actually. We went engagement ring shopping together one afternoon at Robbins Brothers (before I knew about PS and the forums). We both found a setting we love (Palladium tension setting) and it was $995 plus I bought the warranty which came to approximately $1100-1200. We asked Robbins Brothers how much it will cost to mount our own stone and were told about $100-200 depending on the size. Also, they can''t complete the setting order process until they have the diamond''s dimensions.
Now my issue is Robbins Brothers really wants to earn our diamond business but my gf and I both feel that even if they delete their lifetime diamond warranty it''s still too expensive vs buying our own stone from Blue Nile or one of the other online retailers. I understand that stores have lots of overhead vs online retailers and we even went to the Jewelry Exchange in Tustin, CA and put $300 deposit on a 1.02 ct M, VS1, slight blue fluorescence Asscher. That stone is $2450 or close to that. Right now I am totally unsure about what steps to take next. I know I''m not supposed to mention man-mades but I also have two RB (0.57 and 0.53 K color) coming in for comparison purposes from Apollo. Regarding the stone from Jewelry Exchange, I won''t lose the $300 but will become store credit if I don''t buy the diamond there. It really is a beautiful stone but was on the more expensive side but I didn''t want to lose it to someone else in case I didn''t find anything else.
I''ve looked at a few of the PS vendors and it seems Asschers are hard to find other than at Blue Nile and Mondera. Whiteflash has a few but have low ratings of 1-2 stars. I am so confused. Can someone please help shed some light and help me? Below are the criteria I have set for my stone.
1. Color: D-K (if on the low end I''d prefer at least medium blue fluorescence)
2. Cut: Very good+
3. Clarity: VS1-SI1 (SI1 as long as it is eye clean)
4. Carat: 0.5-1+
5. Symmetry/Polish: Very good+
6. Budget: Ideally I''d like to stay under $2000
I know my budget is probably unreal but I''ve already invested over $1000 on the setting. However, I have seen some nice stones at Blue Nile for under $2000 and many under $1900. But from what I''ve read some folks here (over generalization) do not like Blue Nile because of all the extra services they offer that get bundled into the stone''s price.
As for insurance, I will probably go with Jeweler''s Mutual. Pros and cons about them? What about other companies like Touchstone?
MANY thanks in advance!
Greg
PS: I''m not sure if this is the correct section for my thread. If it''s wrong I apologize.
I''m brand new to these forums and this site. I''ve been lurking around for a few days and decided if I want to get help specific to my issues I should register so I did.
Now my issue is Robbins Brothers really wants to earn our diamond business but my gf and I both feel that even if they delete their lifetime diamond warranty it''s still too expensive vs buying our own stone from Blue Nile or one of the other online retailers. I understand that stores have lots of overhead vs online retailers and we even went to the Jewelry Exchange in Tustin, CA and put $300 deposit on a 1.02 ct M, VS1, slight blue fluorescence Asscher. That stone is $2450 or close to that. Right now I am totally unsure about what steps to take next. I know I''m not supposed to mention man-mades but I also have two RB (0.57 and 0.53 K color) coming in for comparison purposes from Apollo. Regarding the stone from Jewelry Exchange, I won''t lose the $300 but will become store credit if I don''t buy the diamond there. It really is a beautiful stone but was on the more expensive side but I didn''t want to lose it to someone else in case I didn''t find anything else.
I''ve looked at a few of the PS vendors and it seems Asschers are hard to find other than at Blue Nile and Mondera. Whiteflash has a few but have low ratings of 1-2 stars. I am so confused. Can someone please help shed some light and help me? Below are the criteria I have set for my stone.
1. Color: D-K (if on the low end I''d prefer at least medium blue fluorescence)
2. Cut: Very good+
3. Clarity: VS1-SI1 (SI1 as long as it is eye clean)
4. Carat: 0.5-1+
5. Symmetry/Polish: Very good+
6. Budget: Ideally I''d like to stay under $2000
I know my budget is probably unreal but I''ve already invested over $1000 on the setting. However, I have seen some nice stones at Blue Nile for under $2000 and many under $1900. But from what I''ve read some folks here (over generalization) do not like Blue Nile because of all the extra services they offer that get bundled into the stone''s price.
As for insurance, I will probably go with Jeweler''s Mutual. Pros and cons about them? What about other companies like Touchstone?
MANY thanks in advance!
Greg
PS: I''m not sure if this is the correct section for my thread. If it''s wrong I apologize.