personal jewelry shopper?

[doctork]

I have been in contact with a personal jewelry shopper. I wouldn''t be surprised if she posted here lol. Anyways I stumbled upon her site while searching Google for random things, and her services intrigued me. She works with individuals to find out what they are looking for in their thing. Then she will go diamond shopping, and find a bunch of excellent diamonds and rank them according to what she thinks is the best value. Then she''ll have it set in whatever setting you want, or work with a custom designer for you. Basically she does all the hard stuff for you . From what I gathered, she is able to negotiate a price closer to wholesale than the average consumer can get. Then she purchases the diamond, and charges the client fair market value. Comparable, and often cheaper, than bluenile prices. So that''s where her cut comes from.

That seems like a great way to do things, because if the diamond is comparable to retailers like bluenile then in theory it''s nothing out of the client''s pocket for her services.

Has anyone used a service like this?
Does anyone have any opinions on a service like this?
How do bluenile prices compare to other online retailers such as whiteflash and goodoldgold?

 

[belle]

you can check and compare prices by doing a search using the ''pricescope your diamond'' tool at the top of this page.

 

[surfgirl]

Date: 2/6/2008 10:28:16 AM
Author:doctork
I have been in contact with a personal jewelry shopper...in theory it''s nothing out of the client''s pocket for her services.

HeLLO?!? Calling DoctorK, this is reality paging you for a reality check, STAT!

Kidding aside, nobody gives away their services for free. Please know that somewhere along the line, a fee is being incorporated into the price you''re paying. The only personal shoppers that I know of that are "free" are those at large chain high end department stores and usually you need to spend a certain amount (think ALOT) to use their services, though some are open to anyone but it is assumed you''ll make sizable purchases. Rest assured you''re indeed paying her something, otherwise how would she make a living doing this? If she doesn''t charge a fee to search for you initially, you could always shop here, then get the lowest price online, then ask her what she can do for you without any obligation to buy.

BTW, can you link to this site? I''d be interested in seeing myself. Thanks!

 

[mela lu]

This would be a ''dream job'' for me...exept I would openly and honestly have a fee.

A lot of men have expressed interest in using this kind of service, and not to toot my own horn, but I already have 2 ''clients'' for whom I''ve purchased online for.

It''s an interesting business proposition.

...Especially for us Canadians who are more risk adverse to shopping online and across the border.

Anyone CAnuks feel like writing up a business plan? I''m game to jump on board!

 

[doctork]

Date: 2/6/2008 10:59:31 AM
Author: surfgirl

Date: 2/6/2008 10:28:16 AM

Author:doctork

I have been in contact with a personal jewelry shopper...in theory it''s nothing out of the client''s pocket for her services.

HeLLO?!? Calling DoctorK, this is reality paging you for a reality check, STAT!


Kidding aside, nobody gives away their services for free. Please know that somewhere along the line, a fee is being incorporated into the price you''re paying. The only personal shoppers that I know of that are ''free'' are those at large chain high end department stores and usually you need to spend a certain amount (think ALOT) to use their services, though some are open to anyone but it is assumed you''ll make sizable purchases. Rest assured you''re indeed paying her something, otherwise how would she make a living doing this? If she doesn''t charge a fee to search for you initially, you could always shop here, then get the lowest price online, then ask her what she can do for you without any obligation to buy.


BTW, can you link to this site? I''d be interested in seeing myself. Thanks!

Haha I know that. Which is why I contacted her to find out more info. I explained in my first post but maybe not clearly enough. From my understanding, she has contacts with wholesale diamond dealers. She is able to negotiate a price for herself that is cheaper than most of us could get at bluenile. Say I tell her the diamond specs I want...she goes out to her places and searches for comparable diamonds, and negotiates the best price she can get for them. Say she can negotiate Diamond A to $12,000...however diamonds with similar specs on bluenile are going for $14,500...she''d probably charge somewhere around me (client) around $14,500, making her cut $2500. When I said in theory, no money out of the client''s pocket that''s what I meant. I wouldn''t be able to get Diamond A for $12,000, so the fact that she is able to and takes her cut from the difference, means little to me.

 

[elmo]

What's so unusual about this? She sounds to me like any other internet diamond broker, except that if she's local she will probably provide more personal service as a result.

 

[doctork]

Date: 2/6/2008 12:13:44 PM
Author: elmo
What''s so unusual about this? She sounds to me like any other internet diamond broker, except that if she''s local she will probably provide more personal service as a result.

Nothing really unusual about it. I just haven''t heard much about it. Her services seem to be more personalized than a regular diamond broker.

Her website is http://www.personaljewelryshopper.com and from my contact with her she seems like a great person. Very honest and quick responses.

 

[doctork]

Bump for more opinions.

I''m really interested in hearing from people who have used such service.

 

[mela lu]

I''ve never used this sort of service before, but I act as this type of service to family and freinds. If you are considering it - I say go for it!

(and obv report back!) LOL

 

[mrssalvo]

honestly, I just wouldn''t want to pay someone to do something I can easily do here myself comparing diamonds owned by jewelers all over the country. I actually enjoy the search/hunt part though and higher that part out would take the fun out of it for me.

 

[surfgirl]

OK doc, I did due diligence and checked out that site, thanks for the link. While I''m sure this person is nice to deal with, I was not at all impressed with what I''ve seen on her site in terms of examples of her work. For example, the quality of that emerald cut sapphire ring? Not really a good quality sapphire at all based on what I can see. A lot of the rubies aren''t of a color that I would consider worth having. I dont know, I guess what I''m saying is that I''m not impressed.

That said, if you dont have the interest/stomach/time to learn about and investigate this purchase then a personal shopper probably will be a good way to go for you. Although, if you posted what you''re lady likes (shape of stone, style of setting, carat size, budget, preferred grading, etc.), then people here would be more than happy to help find something for you, free of charge...Or, you could contact any of the main online vendors and they''d be happy to send many selections your way, based on your criteria. I know that Jonathan at GOG and Mark T at ERD and the WF team are always ready to help a guy out so...what I''m saying is that you have similar options that probably would equal out what you''d get with this other person, and keeping in mind, I''m not digging the color quality and design of what I''m seeing on her site...Just some options to consider...

 

[milton333]

Date: 2/6/2008 10:28:16 AM
Author:doctork
How do bluenile prices compare to other online retailers such as whiteflash and goodoldgold?

From my searching before the holidays, BN was slightly more pricey for comparable stones than WF, slightly less than GOG. BN had a larger selection than either, but less information on the stones (and honestly, it''s hard to compare apples to apples for that reason, so an estimate of BN''s relative prices is based on carat size, color grade, lab that graded, cut grade, clarity, polish, etc.). WF seemed like a steal, honestly, but that''s with the Pricescope discount (a regular consumer stumbling there would find it is probably a bit more expensive than BN). GOG was a hair more, but provided better services - more information, plus making videos to compare diamonds you''re considering, even if you''re in the under-1 carat price point, which is a great thing to do.

 

[mela lu]

I totally feel the same as Surf and MrsS - I love the hunt - but lets face it, there are a lot of men who dont have the time or interest in doing so. I think this is an untapped need in the market, specifically here in Canada where a lot of people are risk adverse and do not want to ''deal'' with the hassle of borders and shipping etc.

If ''someone'' like a personal shopper, handled all the cumbersome parts, and then showed up at their office/home with a selection of stones to choose from (and then handled the return of the ''unchosen'' stones....I''d say that''s a pretty sweet deal!

 

[Missrocks]

I think a lot of men approach an engagement ring as a "product". That is true to an extent, but I think of it as something more than that. This is the one thing you will purchase that has so much emotional meaning behind it..

That being said, I would''ve been a little upset if my fiance had used someone''s personal shopping services to do all the "work". The effort that he put into selecting the "perfect one" is what really had the emotional impact. I would say the same thing is true with a lot of women that I have spoken to. If you aren''t sure about setting preferences, maybe just put it in a solitaire to present her with.

Just my two cents. Anyone else feel the same way?

 

[mela lu]

yahhhhh I do hear you MissRocks...some men are very romantic, sentimental and involved.

Some, are not...

I wish my husband HAD consulted someone! haha. I was presented a dawg-ish stone, which is now lovingly living in a pendant

 

[Missrocks]

Date: 2/7/2008 2:39:12 PM
Author: mela lu
yahhhhh I do hear you MissRocks...some men are very romantic, sentimental and involved.

Some, are not...

I wish my husband HAD consulted someone! haha. I was presented a dawg-ish stone, which is now lovingly living in a pendant

I realize I am very lucky that my FI did an awesome job.

Plus, Doctork does have a consultant...that's what PS'ers are for!

And we don't take a cut.



Mela Lu, I'm glad your stone found a loving home in a pendant. That was a perfect idea.

 

[doctork]

Haha, now I feel like an unmotivated and careless jerk for considering this option.

Actually, the main reason I was interested in this service is because of my situation. My girlfriend and I go everywhere together. I honestly don''t remember the last time I''ve went out ''shopping'' on my own, or she went somewhere on her own. We are as much best friends as we are partners. We work in the same home office, so it is very very rare to find time to call a vendor to ask questions, make arrangements, etc. I know you''ve all probably heard this story before but I honestly think I''m at the extreme end of it. It is nearly impossible to do anything without her finding out. I thought having sometime work with me to arrange things for me would benefit me.

We live in Panama City, Panama and are originally from Canada. I have no idea what steps I would have to take to get a ring shipped down here, let alone doing it behind her back. I''m not exactly how I''ll pay for the ring, because my bank is located in Canada and they only let me send wires in person at a branch. I want to bring to ring with me to Paris later this year when we go, and I don''t know how to do that without her knowing, yet avoiding possible customs problems.

These are some of the things where I really thought a personal shopper may help. But I think you all are right...doing it all on my own (with PS lol) will make the ring that much more special.

 

[mela lu]

I truly believe the process is personal. Some find the ''help'' very stress relieving - and therefore can focus on the sentiment involved and the proposal planning, rather than the technical #''s and %''s and logistics of aquiring etc.

Whatever route you choose will be right for you and please dont let anyone make you feel badly about the manner in which you decide to embark on this very special decision and time of your life

Obviously everyone here on PS will lend a helping hand. Many many many helping hands.

I think your situation is a great testiment to the fact that each man is in a different situation and asking for ''help'' in whatever form (PS or personal shopper) doesn''t mean you love your gal any less.

A man is no less of a man for asking for directions, right?

 

[bee*]

Don''t feel bad for having someone help you find a diamond (I was my boyfriends diamond consultant

). There will always be help available for you here but I wouldn''t mind if my bf had gotten help picking our ring.

 

[doctork]

I understand completely. There''s a plethora of help here, and I''m sure the people here can answer my questions better or provide more help than one personal shopper.

I''ll just take my time, and use PS as much as I can to help me through the process.

I''m extremely picky when it comes to this stuff, and I honestly haven''t seen a ring/setting that I really like. Some are good, but nothing strikes me.

 

[bee*]

We were the same-we looked in so many shops and also looked in Paris, Barcelona and Berlin as well as our home in Dublin and that''s why we went with the Lucida in the end. It was the only ring/setting that called out to the two of us. Best of luck finding something that you love!

 

[Diamond*Dana]

Date: 2/7/2008 3:15:48 PM
Author: doctork
Haha, now I feel like an unmotivated and careless jerk for considering this option.

Actually, the main reason I was interested in this service is because of my situation. My girlfriend and I go everywhere together. I honestly don't remember the last time I've went out 'shopping' on my own, or she went somewhere on her own. We are as much best friends as we are partners. We work in the same home office, so it is very very rare to find time to call a vendor to ask questions, make arrangements, etc. I know you've all probably heard this story before but I honestly think I'm at the extreme end of it. It is nearly impossible to do anything without her finding out. I thought having sometime work with me to arrange things for me would benefit me.

We live in Panama City, Panama and are originally from Canada. I have no idea what steps I would have to take to get a ring shipped down here, let alone doing it behind her back. I'm not exactly how I'll pay for the ring, because my bank is located in Canada and they only let me send wires in person at a branch. I want to bring to ring with me to Paris later this year when we go, and I don't know how to do that without her knowing, yet avoiding possible customs problems.

These are some of the things where I really thought a personal shopper may help. But I think you all are right...doing it all on my own (with PS lol) will make the ring that much more special.

You were able to post here without her finding out, so far anyway, so you should be able to find the time to search online for the perfect diamond and setting. I think that doing the research is half the fun, but not everyone may think that way. But heck, if this is the route you want to take, then you should do so! I agree with mrssalvo that I would hate to pay for a service I can easily do myself and get a ton of opinions for free here at PS! To each his own, though.

 

[surfgirl]

I assume that your FI knows you''re going to propose, as in, you''ve discussed marriage, yes? If so, (I hope so) why not ask her to get busy on the internet and find a style/shape she loves, then you can take it from there.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Now wait just a minute! We are here helping you for absolutely FREE, and you''d consider using a personal shopper?! She can''t be more qualified than we are!

We do it because we love it as a hobby and have nothing to gain! BN is a bit on the high side, so it is not a big deal to me to think we could do as well or better by helping you find a stone from GOG, WF, etc.

As far as settings go, have you looked at Leon Mege and Maytal Hannah? I don''t think you can get much higher in quality than those:

http://www.artofplatinum.com/

http://www.maytalhannah.com/

 

[doctork]

Date: 2/7/2008 4:52:15 PM
Author: Diamond*Dana

Date: 2/7/2008 3:15:48 PM

Author: doctork

Haha, now I feel like an unmotivated and careless jerk for considering this option.


Actually, the main reason I was interested in this service is because of my situation. My girlfriend and I go everywhere together. I honestly don''t remember the last time I''ve went out ''shopping'' on my own, or she went somewhere on her own. We are as much best friends as we are partners. We work in the same home office, so it is very very rare to find time to call a vendor to ask questions, make arrangements, etc. I know you''ve all probably heard this story before but I honestly think I''m at the extreme end of it. It is nearly impossible to do anything without her finding out. I thought having sometime work with me to arrange things for me would benefit me.


We live in Panama City, Panama and are originally from Canada. I have no idea what steps I would have to take to get a ring shipped down here, let alone doing it behind her back. I''m not exactly how I''ll pay for the ring, because my bank is located in Canada and they only let me send wires in person at a branch. I want to bring to ring with me to Paris later this year when we go, and I don''t know how to do that without her knowing, yet avoiding possible customs problems.


These are some of the things where I really thought a personal shopper may help. But I think you all are right...doing it all on my own (with PS lol) will make the ring that much more special.

You were able to post here without her finding out, so far anyway, so you should be able to find the time to search online for the perfect diamond and setting. I think that doing the research is half the fun, but not everyone may think that way. But heck, if this is the route you want to take, then you should do so! I agree with mrssalvo that I would hate to pay for a service I can easily do myself and get a ton of opinions for free here at PS! To each his own, though.

I completely agree, and that is why I posted here for opinions. It is NOT my first choice

 

[doctork]

Date: 2/7/2008 9:05:08 PM
Author: surfgirl
I assume that your FI knows you''re going to propose, as in, you''ve discussed marriage, yes? If so, (I hope so) why not ask her to get busy on the internet and find a style/shape she loves, then you can take it from there.

She absolutely knows. She has no idea when, and there is no way I''d let her know that. I want every aspect of it to be a surprise, and she is completely on board with that. I have better taste anyways

 

[doctork]

Date: 2/7/2008 9:14:16 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006
Now wait just a minute! We are here helping you for absolutely FREE, and you''d consider using a personal shopper?! She can''t be more qualified than we are!

We do it because we love it as a hobby and have nothing to gain! BN is a bit on the high side, so it is not a big deal to me to think we could do as well or better by helping you find a stone from GOG, WF, etc.


As far as settings go, have you looked at Leon Mege and Maytal Hannah? I don''t think you can get much higher in quality than those:


http://www.artofplatinum.com/


http://www.maytalhannah.com/

Haha I know, what was I thinking! I must have had a mental lapse. You are right, everyone here is extremely helpful. I still can''t believe it''s all FREE!

I have looked at those sites before...there are some aspects I like of some rings, but nothing really screams at me. I think I may have to contact a custom designer. Mark Morell looks awesome, and I''m sure we could design something spectacular - if he has time.

 

[surfgirl]

Well, if you are doing this without any input from her, then may I suggest you go through the top thread on SMTR forum and look at ALL the pages and note down which one''s you like, then come back and make a new thread about helping you, and tell us which rings you gravitate towards and why, and what her style is like and all that good stuff and people will be happy to help you out.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Maytal is probably the most flexible about making what you want. She can make just about any style you want. Look at sites like Tiffany, etc. and get ideas. She has worked for Tiffany and Beaudry, and I''d have confidence in her making anything. Mark is great but his time is limited for totally custom projects.