Question for those who bought setting and diamond separately online

[midwestgirl]

Hi,

After lots of education on this site, I think we''ve finally made a decision about my e-ring (this setting http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/jewelry-designers/beverley-k-jewelry/rings/79PP1/54/) with a cushion from Mark T.

But my question is...when you buy your diamond and setting from two separate vendors, what do you all suggest for the process of getting it set? (i.e., have ERD send us the diamond first so we can check it out, then send it to Pearlmans for setting, or have the setting sent to ERD? Or have both sent to me and get it set at a local jeweler?) And where does the appraisal/insurance process come in?

Another option is to buy the setting at a local jeweler, more $$ but also more convenient...the idea of mailing everything around a lot makes me nervous!

Would love to hear from those of you who have been through this - it''s nerve-wracking!

 

[sera]

I bought my stone from GOG, kept it in a temp setting until I decided on a permanent setting (4 months), then dropped it off locally with Maytal Hannah. Had I not gone local, I would have shipped the ring to Leon Mege for the setting to be made and stone set.

 

[mrssalvo]

Pearlmans will insure your stone even if you don't buy it from them while it's being set into a setting you do buy from them. i'd have Mark send it to Bill and Bill will send it to BK to be set. you can always have the stone sent to an appraiser first for a loose stone appraisel, then the appraiser can send it to pearlmans, pearlmans will send it back to the appraiser when done for a new appraisel to include the setting and then back to you.

love that BK setting btw

 

[lala0306]

I was originally planning to ship the setting we bought at our local jeweler to GOG where we purchased our stone for setting because I wanted John to be able to inspect the ring once it is done....however, GOG would then have to ship stone + ring to Tacori for setting, Tacori would have to ship back to GOG and then GOG would have to send the finished ring to us! Now we are hoping that GOG can send the stone to our local jeweler for setting as they are an authorized Tacori dealer and can set the stone for us--that way we can just pick it up Also, if there are any problems, it makes more sense to have someone local to work with....

 

[midwestgirl]

Thanks Mrs.S...I love the setting too, and it''s even prettier in person!

I appreciate the advice on the setting process, but I''m so new to this I think I need to be walked through it step by step!
When you say "Pearlmans will insure your stone" does that mean they have their own insurance policy?
Do I need an appraisal of both the loose stone and the setting?
Should I have the stone sent to me so I can see it with my own eyes before getting it set?


I''m still nervous about sending it through the mail so much...I can see myself getting all anxious about tracking it, etc. It almost makes me want to pay the couple hundred dollars more to buy the setting locally and just have the stone shipped to me. Can anyone set my mind at ease?

 

[midwestgirl]

Thanks Lala...I do like the idea of having it done locally...but the setting is a little pricier at my jeweler. Hmm.

 

[NeverEndingUpgrade]

Whatever you do, I suggest getting at least the diamond in your hand so you can look at it first. Then have it shipped registered mail to the vendor that has your setting, OR have the setting also shipped to you and set the diamond locally, if you have a local jeweler you can trust.

That way, you are sure you like your diamond and ring before setting. I purchased my diamond from GOG, but bought a setting locally. It worked out better for me to buy a setting I could actually try on, and to top it off, the store had a setting with a head to fit my diamond, so I didn''t even have to the head redone. My search for the perfect diamond/setting was nerve racking because all the settings I saw online, I did not like in person. I did order and return one setting from Pearlman''s, and they were great to refund me my money right away. However, I figured out right away that that was not going to work too many times since I lost money on shipping both ways.

I tried on several BK rings locally in my search and they are all stunning. That is a gorgeous setting you have picked out. It should look awesome with a cushion cut diamond. Keep in mind that you are dealing with 2 great vendors, ERD and Pearlman''s, so you possibly could skip looking at either item before setting. But I still recommend seeing the diamond first. Registered mail is not too pricey considering how long you are going to be wearing the ring. That''s just my 2 cents worth!

 

[Splinter]

I know what you''re going through. I''m trying to organise a ring and diamond from the US... while living in the UK! I''m seriously considering just getting the ring and diamond from the same place. It all becomes pretty complicated for me otherwise. That said, it seems many of the highly respected jewellers on these forums are willing to go the extra mile for their clients. It might be worth getting in touch with some of them to see if they can make a plan for you?

 

[kcoursolle]

Working with those two vendors everything will probably be fine. Personally I''d rather prefer to have the person I bought the stone from set it. You could have pearlman''s ship the setting to ERD and have ERD set it.

 

[mrssalvo]

Date: 3/29/2008 7:52:06 PM
Author:

When you say 'Pearlmans will insure your stone' does that mean they have their own insurance policy?

Do I need an appraisal of both the loose stone and the setting?

Should I have the stone sent to me so I can see it with my own eyes before getting it set?



I'm still nervous about sending it through the mail so much...I can see myself getting all anxious about tracking it, etc. It almost makes me want to pay the couple hundred dollars more to buy the setting locally and just have the stone shipped to me. Can anyone set my mind at ease?

yes, pearlmans has their own insurance so you do not have to have a policy on your stone yourself if it would get chipped during setting (very rare by the way). if you were not purchasing a desinger setting, I'd say to have the setting sent to the person you bought the stone from, but since it's a designer setting I *highly* recommend having the stone sent to them. we have seen so many designer settings messed up by the local setters doing the setting, butterfly's ritani, dee*jay's Jack Kelege to name a couple of pricescopers here. Pearlmans would strongly suggest it too. they like for the designers they carry to set the stones if/when possible. I just bought a ring from pearlmans and will just use the appraisal they give me. Also, my ring came to me to see, i then shipped it back to Pearlams registered mail. they then shipped it to the designer for a remake who will send it back to Pearlmans and then back to me. I know it can be nervewracking but these vendors do it all the time. I really wouldn't worry. As for the appraisal, some feel better having someone independant involved, others just trust the vendors and the certs. it's really very personal.

ETA; as far as i know, pearlmans is the only PS vendor who will take responsiblity for your stone while it's being set without an added setting fee. you'd have to check with your local jeweler because many will not and you'd have to figure out a way to get it insured either through jewelers mutual or possible putting into a temp setting so you can add it to your homeowners (which won't cover loose stones.) the vendor you buy the stone from usually covers it during setting which is why some folks like to have the settings sent to the vendor but this may void any warrantly that comes with the setting and if you buy the setting from pearlmans you wouldn't have to worry about that anyway.

 

[midwestgirl]

Wow thanks MrsS your response was VERY helpful!!

If anyone else has experience with this, I''d love to hear about it!