Opinions on Local Jeweler Option

[Bluehose]

Hi all,

Like many I've been lurking here for a while, but finally made a profile because I'm starting to move forward with the whole process. We went and looked at stones the past Saturday at a well known reputable jeweler here in Charlotte. Just discussed specs to get an idea of what we were looking for.

Budget is around 10-12k excluding setting (think just a solitaire). Could add little bit more if needed.
Carat Size-Right Around 1.5 +-.05
Color-Anywhere in the near colorless range G-I. Would be in a platinum or white gold setting.
Clarity-SI1 (eyeclean) or better.
Cut-Excellent.

The jeweler recommended this one as a potential option but it doesn't seem to fit the ideal range.

Find Your Diamond at Donald Haack in Charlotte, NC

There are diamonds and there are Donald Haack diamonds. What do you deserve? Click or call (704) 859-2150 so we can convey everything we love about diamonds.

donaldhaack.com

I know they have a good reputation, but was wondering if I would just be better off going through WF etc. and getting the ideal spec. I would like to go local if I could, but if an online vendor has a superior product even at a slight price premium that's fine. They would only charge me $100 to set it so that wouldn't be an issue.

Thanks!!

 

[headlight]

This is a "pass".

 

[foxinsox]

You would probably be better off going WF/CBI etc if you are wanting the precision and perfection of an ideal cut.

 

[headlight]

To add to the great advice from @foxinsox, the stone you were shown is just too much off the mark. I am more "forgiving" than others here if the specs aren't spot on, but you've got depth issues even beyond what would be forgiving, plus the pavilion angle is not good. Furthermore, I don't like the inclusion plot, you can find a cleaner stone in that clarity grade. I appreciate you wanting to support local, especially during these times, but they need to provide better stones for your consideration.

 

[Dancing Fire]

Cut too deep at 63.3%... The cutter forced the rough into a 1.5ct stone.

 

[Bluehose]

Ok, that’s kind of what I was thinking. They don’t have the ability to sort through the measurements in their system other than the 4 c’s. Thanks all who replied! I’ll shift gears to online and just use local for setting as I would like to have a relationship with them.

Thoughts on this one?

Diamond | 1.517 ct I VS2 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4303933

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 1.517 carat I color VS2 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4303933

www.whiteflash.com

 

[stonehunter20]

Ok, that’s kind of what I was thinking. They don’t have the ability to sort through the measurements in their system other than the 4 c’s. Thanks all who replied! I’ll shift gears to online and just use local for setting as I would like to have a relationship with them.

Thoughts on this one?

Diamond | 1.517 ct I VS2 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4303933

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 1.517 carat I color VS2 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4303933

www.whiteflash.com

if it's an aca, rest assured it'll be beautiful!!!

 

[Big Fat Facets]

Ok, that’s kind of what I was thinking. They don’t have the ability to sort through the measurements in their system other than the 4 c’s. Thanks all who replied! I’ll shift gears to online and just use local for setting as I would like to have a relationship with them.

Thoughts on this one?

Diamond | 1.517 ct I VS2 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4303933

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 1.517 carat I color VS2 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4303933

www.whiteflash.com

I think this one is a beauty!

 

[elizat]

Something to consider is that many times a local jeweler where you did not buy the stone will not set the stone. This has to do with insurance and liability. I would check to see if the local jeweler is willing to set a stone that you have purchased elsewhere, before going down that path.

You also need to consider what happens during the setting process with the local jeweler if the stone chips. If the stone chips in the setting process with the vendor where you bought the setting in the stone it would be covered by that vendor's insurance if it had never been shipped to you, is my understanding.

Why not just buy your wedding bands from the local jeweler if you want to have a relationship? I'm sure that they would service your ring and check your prongs etc.

 

[Bluehose]

Something to consider is that many times a local jeweler where you did not buy the stone will not set the stone. This has to do with insurance and liability. I would check to see if the local jeweler is willing to set a stone that you have purchased elsewhere, before going down that path.

You also need to consider what happens during the setting process with the local jeweler if the stone chips. If the stone chips in the setting process with the vendor where you bought the setting in the stone it would be covered by that vendor's insurance if it had never been shipped to you, is my understanding.

Why not just buy your wedding bands from the local jeweler if you want to have a relationship? I'm sure that they would service your ring and check your prongs etc.

They would charge me $100 to set the stone. That's a good point about the chipping though. Highly doubt it would happen, but it does give one pause.

 

[AprilBaby]

You get a great upgrade program with WF!

 

[MollyMalone]

They would charge me $100 to set the stone. That's a good point about the chipping though. Highly doubt it would happen, but it does give one pause.

FYI: Jewelers Mutual will issue a policy to consumers that covers damage to/loss of a loose stone while it is being set for you. Although that's not the standard JM policy issued in conjunction with a Whiteflash purchase:

Jewelry Insurance - Whiteflash

Jewelry insurance is something not everyone considers until after a purchase, and we want to help make the decision process more convenient and stress free.

www.whiteflash.com

you could contact JM to find out how much that special rider would cost. Also check with JM as to how much time that loose stone insurance is good for. It used to be 30 days (meaning if the stone wasn't set within 30 days, you were no longer covered), but I don't know if that's still the case.

 

[mwilliamanderson]

Ok, that’s kind of what I was thinking. They don’t have the ability to sort through the measurements in their system other than the 4 c’s. Thanks all who replied! I’ll shift gears to online and just use local for setting as I would like to have a relationship with them.

Thoughts on this one?

Diamond | 1.517 ct I VS2 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4303933

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 1.517 carat I color VS2 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4303933

www.whiteflash.com

I think it’s a beauty!

 

[iluvshinythings]

FYI: Jewelers Mutual will issue a policy to consumers that covers damage to/loss of a loose stone while it is being set for you. Although that's not the standard JM policy issued in conjunction with a Whiteflash purchase:

Jewelry Insurance - Whiteflash

Jewelry insurance is something not everyone considers until after a purchase, and we want to help make the decision process more convenient and stress free.

www.whiteflash.com

you could contact JM to find out how much that special rider would cost. Also check with JM as to how much time that loose stone insurance is good for. It used to be 30 days (meaning if the stone wasn't set within 30 days, you were no longer covered), but I don't know if that's still the case.

I insured my diamond with JM before it was set. There wasn't a time limit and the price was a bit more than the price of insuring the same diamond in a setting.

That WF diamond is gorgeous!

 

[Bluehose]

Thanks for everyone's valuable advice so far! My GF has decided to use an antique platinum baguette setting that belonged to her great aunt. It needs a lot of work (cracked diamond replaced, prongs rebuilt, and new half shank added-woof), but it is certainly unique and has sentimental value for her. Given the patina here, would an I stone still look okay or should I move to a J? The only reason why I was leery of J was because that's what I thought the turning point was when I started to see a tinge of color when viewing them in person.