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Online Vendor - maintenance & seeing stones before buying???

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amanda_kate34

Rough_Rock
Joined
May 19, 2006
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Hi,

I''ve been checking out the online vendors like whiteflash, GOG, dimend scassi, etc... and although you guys seem to have argued a great case for the financial advantages about online vendors, and their incredible helpfulness regarding custom work, I''m still a little confused.

If you buy an engagement ring (or any other piece) online... who would you take it to for repairs or maintenance? Is this sort of service included if you bought a piece from a local shop? How about an online vendor?

I''m sensing that the stones are cheaper online, but how about the costs afterwards?

Also, it only makes sense to buy a stone you''ve actually seen, right? How do the online vendors handle this? Is there a way to see the stones in person locally before buying them or having them set into a custom piece?

As a new face to this entire jewelery scene (let alone diamonds), any help you can give would be great!
 
well...there shouldn't be a lot of repairs in a good custom piece, so i hope that wouldn't be a problem but if there is a workmanship issue that needs attention, make sure the vendor you are dealing with will make good on it. as far as routine maintenance, most local jewelers are happy to clean and check rings for free. some may even tighten loose prongs for free.

the need to see a diamond prior to purchase depends on many things and is not always necessary. there are many of us who have purchased online (very happily) without ever seeing the diamond first. of course if you need to see the diamond prior to purchase, most of the vendors here (certainly the ones you have already mentioned) will ship the diamond to you at no obligation. if you decide not to purchase and return the diamond within the designated time frame, you will get a complete refund of the diamond purchase price.
 
My diamond was shipped to an independent appraiser in my area so I could go to see it. I did not have to pay for it first, nor was I obligated to purchase it. If I chose not to however, I would have had to pay for the shipping of the diamond.
 
I have actually sent for two stones and returned them. The shipping fees were no more than $35 either time. But it allows me to see far better stones than I have available to me locally. I''m just trying to narrow down what I really want. It''s not that there was anything wrong with either stone. It is just a major purchase and I want the perfect one for me!

In the almost 30 years I have had my orginal diamond ring, I have had a prong fixed once, prong tips redone once, and sizing done once. Each time I went to a local jeweler (not where the ring was purchased) and paid a few dollars to have these things done. When you think about it, not many people live forever in the same town where there original ring is bought anyway. So most people go elsewhere to have things done eventually. It''s no big deal. But you''ll save big bucks on the diamond. I went to two jewelers Saturday who carry comparable ideal cut stones and I''d say the prices were about 40% higher.
 
Date: 5/24/2006 10:16:55 AM
Author: diamondseeker2006
I have actually sent for two stones and returned them. The shipping fees were no more than $35 either time. But it allows me to see far better stones than I have available to me locally. I''m just trying to narrow down what I really want. It''s not that there was anything wrong with either stone. It is just a major purchase and I want the perfect one for me!


In the almost 30 years I have had my orginal diamond ring, I have had a prong fixed once, prong tips redone once, and sizing done once. Each time I went to a local jeweler (not where the ring was purchased) and paid a few dollars to have these things done. When you think about it, not many people live forever in the same town where there original ring is bought anyway. So most people go elsewhere to have things done eventually. It''s no big deal. But you''ll save big bucks on the diamond. I went to two jewelers Saturday who carry comparable ideal cut stones and I''d say the prices were about 40% higher.
Only $35? Did that include shipping insurance? I remember having to pay like $200 per each of the two stones I had shipped out to California from the East Coast. Maybe it''s the greater distance and the fact that I was also asked to pay for shipping insurance.

Anyway yes. I bought from an online vendor because they had, by far, a better selection than local stores AND were better-priced. I pay a small fee for my local jeweler to tighten my prongs and give a thorough cleaning about twice a year. ANd like the others have said, if the ring is well-made, repairs shouldn''t be a regular thing at all. However, there have been cases of more ornate pave-style rings needing frequent repairs....if you go that route, be sure you you have the ring made by an expert in pave. Good luck!
 
Date: 5/24/2006 10:26:06 AM
Author: KristyDarling

Date: 5/24/2006 10:16:55 AM
Author: diamondseeker2006
I have actually sent for two stones and returned them. The shipping fees were no more than $35 either time. But it allows me to see far better stones than I have available to me locally. I''m just trying to narrow down what I really want. It''s not that there was anything wrong with either stone. It is just a major purchase and I want the perfect one for me!


In the almost 30 years I have had my orginal diamond ring, I have had a prong fixed once, prong tips redone once, and sizing done once. Each time I went to a local jeweler (not where the ring was purchased) and paid a few dollars to have these things done. When you think about it, not many people live forever in the same town where there original ring is bought anyway. So most people go elsewhere to have things done eventually. It''s no big deal. But you''ll save big bucks on the diamond. I went to two jewelers Saturday who carry comparable ideal cut stones and I''d say the prices were about 40% higher.
Only $35? Did that include shipping insurance? I remember having to pay like $200 per each of the two stones I had shipped out to California from the East Coast. Maybe it''s the greater distance and the fact that I was also asked to pay for shipping insurance.

Anyway yes. I bought from an online vendor because they had, by far, a better selection than local stores AND were better-priced. I pay a small fee for my local jeweler to tighten my prongs and give a thorough cleaning about twice a year. ANd like the others have said, if the ring is well-made, repairs shouldn''t be a regular thing at all. However, there have been cases of more ornate pave-style rings needing frequent repairs....if you go that route, be sure you you have the ring made by an expert in pave. Good luck!
Kristy, I saw you say that the other day and I couldn''t figure it out. I think you overpaid. I sent a ring worth about $11,000 yesterday and it was just under $20.00 insured. I know your ring is worth a lot more than that. I just checked the rates for USPS registered (insured) mail, which is the safest way to send anything of value, and it is $31.85 to send an item up to $25,000 in value and $ .90 more per $1000 in value above that. So for example, it would be $54.35 to send a ring worth $50,000.

I was told by more than one vendor that other shipping services do not cover an item this expensive by an individual. Some vendors do have special insurance through services like FedEx, though. So an individual shoudl only use USPS registered mail unless you are shipping by using the vendors account with FedEx.
 
When I sent my ring out 2 different times, registered mail, it cost me about $35 each time (insured for $25,000). However, when the jeweler sent it back overnight fed ex with the jeweler''s own insurance, it cost like $150 each time. I complained about that and asked why they couldn''t just send it back registered mail but apparently the vendors don''t like to do registered because it is not fast enough.
 
Ahh -- after reading DS2006 and Jazmine''s last post I think I understand. They had wanted me to Fedex it to them overnight because both vendors apparently wanted them to get there and back ASAP. Using USPS was never even offered as an option...I guess it''s because my appointment with my appraiser was right around the corner and the stones had to get to her in time.

Well, now I know. It''s gonna be USPS registered all the way from now on. This thread and Sunkist''s has been very helpful!
 
Date: 5/24/2006 10:47:11 AM
Author: jazmine
When I sent my ring out 2 different times, registered mail, it cost me about $35 each time (insured for $25,000). However, when the jeweler sent it back overnight fed ex with the jeweler''s own insurance, it cost like $150 each time. I complained about that and asked why they couldn''t just send it back registered mail but apparently the vendors don''t like to do registered because it is not fast enough.
Well, I''d say your vendor had some profit written into that. When I looked at one of Wink''s diamonds and it was sent to me and back (overnight) using his FedEx account, he charged me $35. So I''d say your jeweler and Kristy''s were charging a hefty "handling" fee on top of the actual shipping charges.
 
Date: 5/24/2006 10:16:55 AM
Author: diamondseeker2006

When you think about it, not many people live forever in the same town where there original ring is bought anyway. So most people go elsewhere to have things done eventually. It''s no big deal.
this is so true. great point ds.
 
"regular" people should send diamonds registered mail.

Fed Ex and UPS are used by vendors that have their own private insurance that is used when shipping diamonds.
 
You want to be very careful sending things Fedex and insuring them for more than $100. Unless they have recently changed their policy they are happy to charge you more for the value of your item, but are only willing to pay up to $100 no matter how much they charged you. We pay a separate company for our Fedex insurance.

Wink
 
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