New to this site, PLEASE HELP!!

[jahnesta8]

So far I have found a great ring, and I think it is perfect. It is from Orr''s Jewelers in Pittsburgh. It is a .44 carat solitaire round, that is a F and S1 ( I think) on a 14k white gold band. It is also brilliant in parcel. They priced it at 1350, with the stone costing $968 and the band 400 (they rounded down the price), is that too much? I have heard many great things about this store, and not many great things about many other stores, such as those in the Clark Building. I don''t mind spending more then I would online, because this is a one time purchase, that my gf will hopefully have her whole life. I also want to avoid online purchases, because I simply don''t trust anything I can''t see, nor am I comfortable with fedexing anything more then $100.

Does anyone know better Jewelers in Pittsburgh, or if I am getting completely ripped off? Also, how likely are these companies to haggle? I was hoping to drop the price by at least $100? Thank you for the help!

 

[stone-cold11]

A ex cut stone of similar size will be about $750 add a simple WG setting is probably #250-300, you do the math and see how much you are willing to pay for buying local.

Which lab grade the stone will also influence the price, the above quoted price are for top tier labs GIA/AGS, others will be discounted further.

Get us the lab and report number and we can check out roughly how the stone will perform optically. For that, we will require table, depth, crown and pavilion angle, also important in the analysis are the size of the star and lower girdle facets and the girdle thickness variation, polish and symm grade. For SI1, check to see if it is eye-clean.

 

[justicesuitor]

Jahn,

Welcome to Pricescope. I''m relatively new too, though I feel like I''ve read everything written in this forum over the past few months trying to educate myself. I never post, but your question has prompted me to come out of hiding just to underscore how much more reputable sites like Whiteflash and GoodOldGold can be than brick & mortars.

First, the vendors on these sites are far more knowledgeable than almost anyone you''ll speak to at a retailer. Trust me, I''ve visited practically every retailer in the DC area.


Second, you do get a much more accurate view of the diamonds on WF and GOG than you would at a retailer. Not only do you see microscopic images, but you see ASETs, which demonstrate the light return. GOG will also film stones for your viewing pleasure if you ask them to, and I''ve heard that WF''s staff will give you very candid comparisons over the phone if you''re stuck between two diamonds.

So, give it a shot. There are plenty of members here who would be happy to recommend some diamonds to you. You might be surprised at how addictive the search can be!!!

 

[justicesuitor]

Oh, and one more thing: beware of fancy track lighting at B&Ms!!!

 

[jahnesta8]

I believe it is GIA. I am relatively young (23), so this whole process is a bit intimidating. I am no sucker, so I am not going to fall for any bs lines from salesman, nor am I going to make such an expensive purchase without doing research. It is just tough to know what questions to ask when speaking to the salesman. In all honesty, money is not so much an issue, I just want to make sure I am not spending too much extra.

 

[Lula]

Hi, jahnesta,
I understand your reluctance to purchase something so important online. I think it''s safe to say that nearly everyone on this forum has had that same fear, and has looked to this forum for advice on whom to trust when buying online. That said, in the past 2 months, I have worked with several online vendors and have FedEx''d several thousand dollars'' worth of merchandise back and forth to these vendors with no trouble. There are many, many other members of this forum who have done the same and who have been very satisfied with their online purchases. You really do get a better deal from the online vendors recommended here, and their service is outstanding! They have a lot to lose if they do not give good customer service; this forum is widely read by vendors, consumers, and others in the gem business! During the past two months, I have also visited many B&M stores, too. While I was always treated well (except for one instance) I did find that the quality was lower than what I saw online and that if the quality was there, it was much more expensive than similar quality from online vendors. The choice is yours, of course, but if you truly want to get the most for your money, you should at least contact a few of the online vendors so that you have something to compare to your B&M experiences. After you do that, if you still decide to work with a B&M store, you will at least have examined all the options and made an informed choice. Good luck to you in this very special purchase!

 

[rickster123]

ditto sarap

I made my first ever purchase online, and I mean first of anything online, and what do I do but make a major diamond purchase. Never in a million years would I have thought I would ever be comfortable doing that, but I did.....and I educated myself here, took the plunge,and picked up my ring today!. Couldnt be happier and based on the appraisal I saved considerable money compared to B&M.....and I know I got a quality product. I went with WF but their are several other vendors whose name I am sure you see come up favorably over and over. Good Luck,

 

[jet2ks]

A retailer with an actual storefront has higher overhead than an internet only retailer (some vendors do both internet sales and have a store, as well). Stone cold has given you a good idea of what a similar ring would cost from a Pricescope recommended vendor so the rest of the decision is yours. For many people, the ability to walk into the store, handle the diamonds and get good service is worth spending a little more. For others that is not really a consideration. Either way is fine, it just depends on your personality and comfort level.

If the diamond is a well cut, GIA or AGS graded stone, the store is priced similarly to many other B&M''s, though some negotiation may be possible. If the diamond is not well cut or graded by a less respected lab, then it is overpriced for the quality. The only way for us to help in that aspect is for you to post the numbers that Stone cold mentioned.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 6/13/2009 12:55:50 AM
Author: jet2ks
A retailer with an actual storefront has higher overhead than an internet only retailer (some vendors do both internet sales and have a store, as well). Stone cold has given you a good idea of what a similar ring would cost from a Pricescope recommended vendor so the rest of the decision is yours. For many people, the ability to walk into the store, handle the diamonds and get good service is worth spending a little more. For others that is not really a consideration. Either way is fine, it just depends on your personality and comfort level.

If the diamond is a well cut, GIA or AGS graded stone, the store is priced similarly to many other B&M's, though some negotiation may be possible. If the diamond is not well cut or graded by a less respected lab, then it is overpriced for the quality. The only way for us to help in that aspect is for you to post the numbers that Stone cold mentioned and the diameter measurement is needed.

Ditto.

 

[3Rocks]

My FI was once like you. He was very adamant of not buying online. I spent more than a year trying to convince him in buying online. We went store shopping for months and found that we can buy online for less but get a better quality stones. So, we end up with an Infinity cut diamond from www.highperformancediamonds.com and Wink Jones (one of the Infinity dealer) helped us setting our diamond at our budget. Pricescopers also help us tremendously. There are many experts here that is available and full of advice/suggestions.

My FI still look at my ring and still be at awed. Now, he would suggest that I check first with the forum and Wink before buying our w-band.

I would suggest that you set a budget and begin to ask questions. It''s a fun process and you have done the very first important step that is to become the member of this forum.

Good luck!!

 

[the tree sees]

I think Jahnesta has taken his inquiry to a new thread.

I understand that not everyone can be convinced of the tremendous value added by online vendors like WF, GOG, and JA, although I have to chime in with the PS regulars, having searched in vain at B&Ms for diamonds comparable to the ones admired on this forum (nada, except maybe for the legendary but insanely expensive Hearts on Fire branded stones).

Jahnesta, most people don''t get duped by "BS lines," but unless you''re a true expert with the right equipment, you won''t be able to see a diamond at B&M retailers in the same detail that you can see them online. Either way, best of luck, and congratulations!