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Ring Shopping: Best Questions to Ask Jeweler or Wholesaler?

R

RockAndRoll2006

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jun 9, 2014
Messages
79
Hey all. I'm in the market for my girlfriends engagement ring (woo hoo!). I've done a great deal of research and know what style she wants and I have a good sense of the specs I'm looking for in a ring. I'm going to my first store on Friday and was looking for any inside tips you can offer.

Are there specific questions I should be asking that many don't ask when they go in? Of course it must be GIA certified, but wondering if you have any other insights as I begin this journey.

What is your favorite resource for estimating costs that you expect to spend on a diamond? Seems most diamond price calculator online are offered by retail stores. Also, how much from the stated price should I expect to negotiate down?

As for specs of diamond this is what I'm shooting for:

Size: 1.3 – 1.5 ct
Shape: Round or Princess
Clarity: VS2 or SI1
Color: F/G
Cut: Ideal/Excellent
Depth: 59-61
Table: 59-61
Girdle: Medium
Polish Clarity: VG or XL
Florescence: None or light/faint

As for the band, i'm looking for a platinum single layer Halo Style making a cushion shape. "Split shank" (or twist shank) with pave...

Thanks for help!
 
Re: Ring Shopping: Best Questions to Ask Jeweler or Wholesal

Welcome :)

Check out the search facility at the top of this page (and the advanced sub-search within it) to see what price ranges you are looking at.

I will say this - you get what you pay for, if something is cheaper per carat it will be for a reason - there are not really any undiscovered amazing bargains!
 
Re: Ring Shopping: Best Questions to Ask Jeweler or Wholesal

Hi RockandRoll! Welcome to PS.

First, please don't go to anyone claiming to be a "wholesaler". If they are selling to the public they are a retailer, not a wholesaler and if they are telling you they are a wholesaler and willing to sell to you they already told lie #1!

You are on track for demanding GIA diamonds, but don't discount AGS diamonds. If anything AGS has stricter grading policies than GIA so you are safe with them as well.

Personally, I like to use the search function on PS's main page to get an idea for diamond pricing. Remember, two diamonds that have the color and clarity grade can have very different cuts. You can use the HCA tool to get an idea for how cut will affect light performance (https://www.pricescope.com/tools/hca). Also remember that the way measurements "work together" is very important, so its not just enough to have ranges of acceptable measurements (like you have listed for the table and depth percentages). The HCA tool will also help figure out what stones have good combos.

Last, if I could buy my engagement ring all over again I would look in stores to get an idea for what styles I liked (e.g., halo versus solitaire, modern versus vintage), but then I would buy online (lots of good reputable vendors that people can recommend).
 
Re: Ring Shopping: Best Questions to Ask Jeweler or Wholesal

Thanks to both of you for your feedback already. Good to know!

We have a family friend who is claiming he will be able to get me a ring for a better price than anything that I can get in a store, so given his relationship to my parents I feel confident that I can trust him! (fingers crossed) Not exactly sure if he's a wholesaler, but here is their website: http://www.stardiamondsandiego.com/

I just got off the phone with him and he recommended I get a nice clearer sense over the coming weeks as to what specs are most important to me and what I'm looking for by going into and exploring at retailers.

I've been using the search function and it seems to be pretty amazing! Good idea using the light performance tool, I will have to use that.

Fair to assume B2C Jewels, Solomon Brothers, and Eternity, James Allen, etc are all reputable for if I decide to buy my diamond online? While my family friend can provide a better deal than local retailers, the big question will be can he offer a deal better than online competitors!

I'm a bit nervous buying the ring itself online since I feel the details and qualities of the band may be something hard to fully appreciate. Is it common for one to purchase their stone online and engagement ring from a local jeweler so you can craft it as you wish? Unfortunately my family friend is 600 miles from me so purchasing the ring from him would require some flights.

Thanks again!
 
Re: Ring Shopping: Best Questions to Ask Jeweler or Wholesal

Tell your jeweler that you are only Interested in AGS 0 cut Round or Princess stones.. :wink2: you can then compare his prices with online vendors.
 
Re: Ring Shopping: Best Questions to Ask Jeweler or Wholesal

RockAndRoll2006|1402359905|3689787 said:
Fair to assume B2C Jewels, Solomon Brothers, and Eternity, James Allen, etc are all reputable for if I decide to buy my diamond online? While my family friend can provide a better deal than local retailers, the big question will be can he offer a deal better than online competitors!

I'm a bit nervous buying the ring itself online since I feel the details and qualities of the band may be something hard to fully appreciate. Is it common for one to purchase their stone online and engagement ring from a local jeweler so you can craft it as you wish? Unfortunately my family friend is 600 miles from me so purchasing the ring from him would require some flights.

Thanks again!
Click to expand...

Dancing Fire has great advice!

I would also add to your list White Flash and High Performance Diamonds.

You can certainly purchase a diamond loose from most online vendors. You will have to ask your jeweler friend if he will set an outside stone for you. Honestly, most people here will say stay away from buying from a friend (or a friend of a friend), but if he can deliver you AGS 000 stones (GIA XXX is not good enough in this situation) at a better price I would consider going for it.
 
Re: Ring Shopping: Best Questions to Ask Jeweler or Wholesal

There are no family friends trust me..............I can remember several posts and personal experiences feeling bad when the family friend is showing me stones that are not GIA/AGS 3x or ideal. Then there are bad feelings and it is so hard to work with friends jeweler
 
Re: Ring Shopping: Best Questions to Ask Jeweler or Wholesal

RockAndRoll2006|1402359905|3689787 said:
Thanks to both of you for your feedback already. Good to know!

We have a family friend who is claiming he will be able to get me a ring for a better price than anything that I can get in a store, so given his relationship to my parents I feel confident that I can trust him! (fingers crossed) Not exactly sure if he's a wholesaler, but here is their website: http://www.stardiamondsandiego.com/

I just got off the phone with him and he recommended I get a nice clearer sense over the coming weeks as to what specs are most important to me and what I'm looking for by going into and exploring at retailers.

I've been using the search function and it seems to be pretty amazing! Good idea using the light performance tool, I will have to use that.

Fair to assume B2C Jewels, Solomon Brothers, and Eternity, James Allen, etc are all reputable for if I decide to buy my diamond online? While my family friend can provide a better deal than local retailers, the big question will be can he offer a deal better than online competitors!

I'm a bit nervous buying the ring itself online since I feel the details and qualities of the band may be something hard to fully appreciate. Is it common for one to purchase their stone online and engagement ring from a local jeweler so you can craft it as you wish? Unfortunately my family friend is 600 miles from me so purchasing the ring from him would require some flights.

Thanks again!
Click to expand...

Also note in their about us section of their web sight they sell enhanced and non enhance fancy colored diamonds so please be careful it you choose to use him that his stones are not clarity enhanced.
 
Re: Ring Shopping: Best Questions to Ask Jeweler or Wholesal

Hi welcome, go to the web site www.b2cjewels.com I like to use their web site because I have found them to have the lowest prices online for GIA diamonds IMO. I have bought from them and also BlueNile (though I have found BlueNile to be more expensive now)

To give you an example of what I have found (I only did a quick search for GIA princess cuts)
1.4 ct G color Ex. cut, Ex. polish, VG. symm $8140
1.5-1.51 carat (ALL were G color Si1's) Ex. cut, VG-Ex. polish, VG.- Ex symm prices ranging from $8500-$11,200
*(I found a XXX princess for $9,825)

Many great people on here can give you all the technicalities on best performer, etc. when you narrow it down, but I just tried to give you some price ranges to go on (having no idea of your budget)

In my opinion I would definitely get a G color and get an eye clean Si1. I have a G and it's super white, I don't know how anyone can tell the difference between an F and G really esp. when set, cut is much more important... I have both a Vs2 and and SI1 diamond and I would only go for eye clean Si1's now as it is more bang for your buck which can go toward bigger stone, better cut, and your setting :) Just my 2 cents though! :)

GIA doesn't issue cut grade for fancy shapes, but these were all classified by the B2C site as Excellent category. I have found literally the same fancy shape GIA stone on Brilliance.com website as B2C and Brilliance had rated it as Ideal cut and B2C rated it as excellent cut so I have found B2C to be more conservative with their description of fancy cut grade (which is good IMO)

Also www.jamesallen.com amazing website and amazing close up 360 pictures of all the stones they have listed. B2C does not have pics of all the stones they list (very few, but if you email about them they will provide a pic for you, as well as scope images if available) But james allen website is definitely worth checking out as well.

Hope that helps to give you an idea of ranges that you can compare with when you decide to go in to a B&M store, I am interested in how much of a difference they are, so please keep this thread posted, good luck!
 
Re: Ring Shopping: Best Questions to Ask Jeweler or Wholesal

Thanks all still for the insights. So far I've gathered:

-This forum is filled with a ton of knowledgeable consumers!
-Don't trust someone if they consider themselves a wholesaler.
-If looking for a 1.4-1.5 ct, the best bang for my buck would be to go with color G and an eye clean Si1 (my budget for diamond and ring is out door +/- $11,000).
-Buying a loose diamond online and getting the setting somewhere locally may be best bet.
-Measurements work together and use the light performance tool.
-GIA and AGS are both reputable.
-Lastly, People on the forum have a great sense of humor, especially in messing with noobs! :wavey:

Look forward to continuing to hear any good info you all may have!
 
Re: Ring Shopping: Best Questions to Ask Jeweler or Wholesal

look up "pricescope cheat sheet for rounds" and read that thread. I advise not getting a princess cut. They are waning in popularity and a round never goes out of style. Round ideal cut also hides body tint better than a princess does, so while you may have to stop looking at princess at maybe F or G if you want "white" or near colorless, you can possibly go down to H or I in a round.
 
Re: Ring Shopping: Best Questions to Ask Jeweler or Wholesal

TC1987|1402417812|3690122 said:
look up "pricescope cheat sheet for rounds" and read that thread. I advise not getting a princess cut. They are waning in popularity and a round never goes out of style. Round ideal cut also hides body tint better than a princess does, so while you may have to stop looking at princess at maybe F or G if you want "white" or near colorless, you can possibly go down to H or I in a round.
Click to expand...

+1 ...I believe we're sharing the same brain today, TC! LOL :lol:

At that size, the "best bang for your buck" will be in an SI1/SI2 (eye clean) stone in I color -- if you're worried in the slightest about I color, just go to H (which will be plenty white). ;))
 
Re: Ring Shopping: Best Questions to Ask Jeweler or Wholesal

RockAndRoll2006|1402355163|3689726 said:
As for specs of diamond this is what I'm shooting for:

Size: 1.3 – 1.5 ct
Shape: Round or Princess
Clarity: VS2 or SI1
Color: F/G
Cut: Ideal/Excellent
Depth: 59-61
Table: 59-61
Girdle: Medium <------ this can go from slightly thin to slightly thick (no need to be this strict) :))
Polish Clarity: VG or XL
Florescence: None or light/faint <------- Flurescence in an H/I stone (or really any stone) can be your friend, as it can make it appear whiter in certain light -- I prefer to have medium to strong blue fluoro... :love:

As for the band, i'm looking for a platinum single layer Halo Style making a cushion shape. "Split shank" (or twist shank) with pave...
Click to expand...

R&R, are you specifically looking for a 60/60 stone, or are you good with something else as long as it performs?? :read:
 
Re: Ring Shopping: Best Questions to Ask Jeweler or Wholesal

Wow, all still so helpful!

@msop04: I'm not necessarily set on a 60/60 stone, no. Since reading the forum and replies, my knowledge of depth/table/girdle has changed a bit. So yes, as long as it performs well, i'm comfortable with other cuts.

Also, thanks for those links! Those definitely are close to fitting the bill ($11,000 is budget for the diamond and the band. Band, i'm looking at is a platinum single layer halo with a split shank. (Similar to this: http://www.b2cjewels.com/Diamond-Accent-Settings/Cathedral-Split-Shank-Diamond-Engagement-Ring-Cushion-Shaped-Halo-Platinum-10554-1.aspx )

@TC1987 wow, that pricescope cheat sheet is very helpful!

So as for inclusions and buying online...i can hear my fathers voice saying "not all diamonds are the same. That's why you buy a diamond in person rather than online." How do you all approach this? Buy and then return if don't like location and visibility of inclusions? How are you certain a for example an Si1/Si2 diamond purchased online is going to pass the "eye test"?

Thanks!
 
Re: Ring Shopping: Best Questions to Ask Jeweler or Wholesal

All of these online dealers B2C, James Allen, BlueNile, Brilliance, etc. they all have 30day return policies many have a future trade up policy, too! But when you are inquiring about one, ask an associate about the stone/ stones you are interested in, they will tell you if it's eye clean (Someone can correct me if I'm wrong but Si1's for the most part (like the 99% most part?) are going to be eye clean, I have an Si1, it's eye clean. I also have a Vs2 and almost got a Vvs2 and I don't know why I didn't just get an si1 in the first place with my first stone, I know none of my friends are going to be like "oh let me see your ring, now let me whip out me loupe" lol :) If I had all the $$ in the world sure maybe I'd spring for "better" (I say "better" because in my mind it's already good enough as long as I can't see it haha) clarity, but as long as it's eye clean IMO better to save $$ there. But the larger you go it can affect performance, but in the size your looking at I don't think that's the case (again more knowledgeable posters feel free to correct me if I'm wrong here :)

There are even some eye clean Si2's out there, but all you have to do when in doubt is ask one of the people who work there, by email or calling if it is eye clean or not and they will gladly tell you. They are really really helpful at these online places, and you can do all the comparing from the comfort of home at whatever hour...

Rounds are the most popular cut, most people out there have them, but they are always going to be more expensive than any other cut shape, just to keep that in mind, but as another poster suggested you can just go down the color scale more if you want a round, I totally agree, go for an H or I, I personally think you could do H anyway on any shape but just my opinion again :)

(these websites all have chat options, or you can email or call, it is so convenient, IMO way more convenient than going in a store and saves you so much more $$!) So I think your dad would want you to get the best bang for your buck I would hope! But remember, our parents are usually behind the times on these things lol :) And yes I'm sure my toddlers and babies will be saying that about me someday! :)

I LOVE halo settings btw, love love love them... I saw your setting your thinking of that you linked, very very nice!! another plus about that setting is it looks easy to clean and keep the center stone sparkly and lets lots of light through! :) You can also put rounds in cushion halos as well, and that looks gorgeous, too! You can just google "round in cushion halo" to see what they look like, that could kind of give you best of both world's too, soft square and round together, I love them!! Whatever you choose I'm sure it will be amazing! Keep everyone posted with what you find, but these online vendors are incredibly reputable, incredibly helpful, and are so worth it!! I have bought 2x online, only GIA stones (yes I would buy AGS, too, though) and no regrets!! There's also no tax :) What I would have regretted was if I did NOT buy online... But that's just me!
 
Re: Ring Shopping: Best Questions to Ask Jeweler or Wholesal

Two questions to ask a wholesaler:

1. "Isn't it dishonest to call yourself a wholesaler if you'll sell to me since I'm not a diamond retailer?"
2. "Now that we've established you are dishonest, what the hell am I doing talking to you?
 
Re: Ring Shopping: Best Questions to Ask Jeweler or Wholesal

kenny|1402436351|3690352 said:
Two questions to ask a wholesaler:

1. "Isn't it dishonest to call yourself a wholesaler if you'll sell to me since I'm not a diamond retailer?"
2. "Now that we've established you are dishonest, what the hell am I doing talking to you?
Click to expand...


:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
 
Re: Ring Shopping: Best Questions to Ask Jeweler or Wholesal

Well well, these two rules just came to life! Let me tell you what just happened:

OECsareforLovers said:
also remember that the way measurements "work together" is very important, so its not just enough to have ranges of acceptable measurements (like you have listed for the table and depth percentages). The HCA tool will also help figure out what stones have good combos.
Click to expand...
OoohShiny|1402358581|3689763 said:
I will say this - you get what you pay for, if something is cheaper per carat it will be for a reason - there are not really any undiscovered amazing bargains!
Click to expand...

I recently got in contact with a diamond vendor through a friend's recommendation. Great guy, sat down in his small office, and we talked diamonds (and related on jewish culture) for about 2 hours. Per suggestions on PS, I got GIA report numbers for about 6 diamonds of interest and then ran them through HCA when I got home. I left feeling like I may be purchasing from this gentlemen since his prices were so damn good.

To my surprise, the HCA ratings for the diamonds were as followed: 5.5, 4.8, 5.2, 3.2, 4.5 and then one 1.8 (which I may still explore)...

That just left a bad taste in my mouth...should it? Or was that my bad for thinking maybe this guy was able to get me a diamond at a solid price. Keep in mind these are all XXX. Do you think he was intending to be shady or attempting to find the best diamond he could within my budget? Do I walk away from this guy and count my blessings I dodged a bullet or am I overreacting?

Thank you to OECsareforLovers and OoohShiny for your recommendations!!
 
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