Puzzled/frustrated on my 1st day of shopping for stone upgradee

[bluedawg]

I''m sorry if this gets too long.

We went out shopping for an anniversary stone upgrade. We naturally went to the store we''ve been using for 11+ years, where DH bought my current stone. Our most recent purchase was an upgrade Memoire set for my e-ring and anniversary band (not yet received, btw).

We asked to see some ideal cut stones, in 1.75-2.0 carat range, FGH color, VS-SI1 clarity. The guy brought out two stones, neither one certed. We asked about the specs, he was iffy about those. I could see a lot of color-- he then said they were J stones. We reiterated what we wanted to see, asked about an AGS 0, he gave us the "cert isn''t everything" spiel and came back with another stone, this time in G range and no specs. He claimed it was GIA but he couldn''t find the cert in the back.

He asked what our insistence was about a certed stone... and we got into a discussion about cut quality and specs and being an educated consumer. When I mentioned being interested in percentage and angles of the diamond, he said that a 60-60 is "the standard" and tells you a cut is ideal.

Basically, after an hour, we were not getting to see anything we hoped to see and he had become a bit grumpy, especially on the topic of e-tailers. He talked about etailer pricing being based on the diamonds with "lucky certs" and said the inventory is never what they claim, etc.

So we left feeling really bad about this store, with whom we''ve dealed for so many years. Why on earth are they pushing un-certed stones our way? And why so reluctant to show us what we want?

We went to another B&M store (the main competition) and had a much better attitude towards certs (all the stuff we saw was GIA or AGS) but their inventory was tiny-- only 1 stone in our color/clarity/cut range but it was smaller than we wanted (a 1.5 ct). The prices were just higher than the PS vendors. DH did not care for their upgrade policy (100% credit as long as you double the original price). Also, they wanted us to pay a deposit inorder for them to get some other stones for us to look at in our carat range...is this typical?

So I guess we''re leaning towards an online vendor. Certainly, I have read enough here to know that I can trust one of PS''s vendors... but then, where do I take my stone for service/insurance forms/cleanings? Also, it would be nice to see 2-3 stones side by side when making my final decision.

Were we right to leave our "trusted" B&M store? (BTW, when I got home, I looked online and saw that they waaaaaaay overcharged us for that Memoire set.

I feel like a huge chump!)

 

[elepri]

How frustrating! I recently went to see a jeweler highly recommended by a friend who insisted that all the stones on the market are ideal and nonideal stones are just not cut or sold. I wasn''t even buying a stone, i was looking at wedding bands but listening to her was both amuzing and infuriating. I really see no reason not to go with an online jeweler, especially when you can''t even find what you''re looking for locally. As for service, your local jeweler will be happy to clean and check your ring for a small fee and for insurance, you have to take it to an appraiser who doesn''t have to be local either. You can also buy the stone on line and have it set locally, that way you can continue the relationship with your local jeweler and have the stone you want.

 

[Patty]

Aw, I''m sorry that you had such a frustrating experience with your local jeweler. My guess is that he does not have a LOT of stones on hand that meet your specs so he''s just showing you what he does have. And it may be that his supplier does not have a lot of certified stones. I recently asked our local guy if all the stones he sells are certed and he said that he wished that they were but his supplier does not always have certed stones from which he can choose.

60/60 used to be considered the standard for a well cut stone. It sounds like he is not really up on the current AGS parameters for ideal cuts. He basically sounds "old school."

Of course he is defensive when you mention the e-tailers. Many old time local guys are threatened by the internet and they throw out the same old wives tales about internet diamonds...they are the "left overs" that no one else wanted, they only carry lower quality or the lie about what you are getting.

As for buying online, many local jewelers will still take care of your needs even if you did not buy the stone from them. Heck, my guy insisted on setting my internet-bought diamond in the ring that he''d made for me at no charge! He said, "I built the ring, I''ll set the stone." Of course, I have a good guy.

And most online vendors will check the ring for you periodically if you don''t mind sending it to them.

So you would put this larger stone in the Memoire setting? Are you set on trading your one carat stone? I''m sorry that they overcharged you for your Memoire set. How much do you feel the setting is overpriced? I know that the local guys do have to make a living but really overcharging is NOT okay.

 

[sparklelover]

bluedawg, you are not alone. I am frustrated too about my upgrades.
We bought my GIA certified stone from a B&M store 8 years ago and at beginning of March, we told them we are ready for upgrade. We are looking for the same size you are looking. We told them 1.7 to 1.9 RB G-H color, VS1 to SI1, table size, depth, budget and ect. They did not have anything like that in inventory so they said they will call their trader and track one down for us. A week later, they called and found one 1.81 D color SI1 but a lot deeper than I asked for and of course $5000 more than the price range we requested. I told him no we would not take this one, please keep looking. A few days later, I called to follow up and he said my specs had "way too much variations" that it was hard for him to spend hours on the phone with his trader and if he finds a 1.7 ct and I''d say I really wanted a 1.9 ct. He then told me to "pin point down" exactly what I want and get back to him after the weekend. I e-mailed him with my final specs: 1.68 ct, H/ SI1, etc. my budget and my emphasis on cut, so he could print out the e-mail and have something in print infront of him when he calls his trader. I followed up with a phone call and they acknowledged that they got the e-mail and wouldl work on it. I have not heard back a word since. It has been almost 4 weeks since we started working with them on the upgrades.
Each time I do a search on PS there are many stones meet my specs and within my price range. I just don''t understand why it is so hard for the local jeweler to find a similar one... I hope he will find one for me to look at soon...

 

[hoorray]

Date: 3/24/2005 8:58:13 AM
Author:bluedawg
So I guess we''re leaning towards an online vendor. Certainly, I have read enough here to know that I can trust one of PS''s vendors... but then, where do I take my stone for service/insurance forms/cleanings? Also, it would be nice to see 2-3 stones side by side when making my final decision.

If you go with an online vendor, find an independant appraiser to help you through the process. The appraiser can make sure you are getting what you are supposed to be getting, and give you the appraisal for insurance purposes. You can even have multiple stones shipped to the appraiser before you buy if you want to make a side by side comparison. You typically pay the shipping on the ones you don''t purchase, and the timing can be tricky if they are not all through one vendor.

As far as service and cleanings, all jewelers will clean and service your jewelery in my experience. Just take it to one you trust and feel good about.

 

[codex57]

Date: 3/24/2005 8:58:13 AM
Author:bluedawg
Certainly, I have read enough here to know that I can trust one of PS''s vendors... but then, where do I take my stone for service/insurance forms/cleanings?

Service: just find a store near you that has a shop. Ask for recommendations here if you like. How often do you need service anyways?

Insurance forms: if you don''t have a cert from your "trusted store," the store can''t help you anyways. I guess they can print and make up something, but I can guarntee that they''ll jack up the price and specs to make you feel like you got a good deal. All that means (if the insurance company even accepts that garbage) is that you''ll be paying more in premiums than you should be.

Cleanings: just buy a home cleaner or go in and ask any store. If they have good CS, they''ll clean it for free. Otherwise, maybe you''ll pay a nominal fee.

 

[mrssalvo]

bluedawg,
i''m so sorry about your shopping experience. We have decided to purchase from an e-vender for many of the reasons you mentioned. About overpaying for the memoire set...designer brands come with designer pricetags. however, you have said when you tried it one it was perfect and you knew it was the one. there always seems to be a better deal out there somewhere. even if you could have saved money to go custom it still wouldn''t be exactly like the one you picked and fell in love with. the memoire set is gorgeous and i love the petite prongs. just think, now you have the opportunity to save some $$ and get a killer stone to go with it.