purchasing loose stone and having superbcert/excel set it

[launchylaunchbos]

Hi all! I''m brand new to the forum but have been really impressed by all the info one can get both here and on the website! Anyways, I''m in the process of shopping for an engagement ring. My g/f really loves the Tiffany classic, six-pronged, round solitare setting, but I''m hesitant to actually get it from there because of the huge markup.

I''ve observed, after lurking on the board and looking around, that the Excel Diamonds (Superbcert) setting seems to be one of the best replicas around. My question is: has anyone ever had any experience having Excel/Superbcert set a loose stone acquired somewhere else? If so, did you actually go to New York and have them set the stone in front of you, or send it to them? How did it turn out?

They seem like a reputable vendor, but of course, I''m paranoid and am concerned about things like stone-switching, which I hear happens with more frequency than one would like...

Any opinions or help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[AndyRosse]

Actually, stone switching does not happen all that often. But you should alway have a way to idenitfy your dimaond. So find a way to identify YOUR diamond. Either an inclusion, an inscription on the girdle, etc. If you can''t, have a jeweler or Superbcert show you.

I would suggest that you ship Superbcert your diamond or deliver it to them in NYC yourself to have the diamond set. That way, your warranty of the setting is not void by having someone else set the diamond. Demelza has the Tiffany setting from Superbcert, so feel free to ask her any questions. She had her stone set by her jeweler; however, I believe she now advocates having Superbcert set the diamond (because of warranty).

I don''t think they will set your diamond right in front of you. Actually, I''m positive you probably don''t want to ever see your diamond being set, because when they bang on it and use all these really scary looking and sounding tools on it, you will honestly have a heart attack.

Also, find out who takes responsibility if your stone is damaged during the setting process.