Ritani Setting

[WestsideLisa]

Hi everyone. I''ve been reading for a few weeks now, as my boyfriend and I are starting to shop for rings. It''s overwhelming, to say the least! I was hoping y''all could help with a Ritani setting we''re considering. Here are my questions:

1. Robbins Brothers has the ring. I''ve read some negative comments about them, but I must say that the person I''ve been working with is the most low-pressure guy I''ve ever met. He has no problem with our using our own diamond (which we will buy online), and he would send it to Ritani to have them set it. Since it seems that the designer settings are not discounted (that''s what I''ve read here, anyway), what is the *disadvantage* of buying from Robbins Brothers?

2. We were thinking of going with something in the 1.7k range for the center stone. The RB guy thought this was too big. What do you guys think? I like clean/simple, and would probably go with a plain platinum band.

3. I know that you pay a premium by buying a loose stone at a B&M vs. Internet. To give me some perspective, how much of a difference do you think it is as a rule of thumb? 10% more? 20% more?

Thanks!

 

[ame]

Why would the RB guy say that stone was too big? It''s not a halo, you''re fine.

The disadvantage I see is that it''s going to come at a MAJOR markup. Definitely look online for your stone unless you already have it.

 

[Kaleigh]

He said a 1.7 is too big?? Why does that setting not accomodate a stone that size?? I''m confused. Anyway buying online will save you a bundle.

 

[WestsideLisa]

He thought 1.7 would look too gaudy.

We definitey won''t by the diamond from RB, but I''m wondering about the setting since what I''ve read here says that the designers fix the prices.

 

[ame]

Hes smoking CRACK

 

[esguy27]

I bought a different Ritani setting from Robbins Bros, but only because I was able to get them to match the price I was quoted by Bailey, Banks, and Biddle. They didn''t just volunteer to do it but eventually they dropped their price almost $600 to match BBB''s price.

My suggestion is to check out a BBB store near you (if there is one) because they also carry Ritani. Once you get a quote from them, go back to Robbins Bros, tell them about the price BBB gave you, and ask them about their "Best Value Promise".

I''ve read the same thing as you, that places can''t discount designer settings. But when the same store openly advertises that "in the unlikely event you find a similar item within 30 days of your purchase, that in your estimation is a better value, we will pay you the difference or give you a full refund", they must honor it.

I got them to, I''m sure you can too.

I''m not sure where you''re located, but I went to the Robbins Bros in Torrance, CA.

 

[Kaleigh]

That''s correct. The prices are pretty much firm.

 

[esguy27]

I forgot to mention, I also bought my stone online (Whiteflash). Robbins Bros set it for me when the setting came in for $100.

 

[Kaleigh]

That was good advice tell them you saw the same setting at BBB for such and such and see if they''ll match the price. Or just go to BBB and buy it there assuming you have one nearby??

 

[esguy27]

The only reason I wanted to buy it from RB instead of BBB is because RB is much closer to where I live. I know you can get almost any jeweler to clean your ring/check the prongs for free or a nominal charge, but now I can just hop on over to the RB I bought it from and have it done for free if I want.

 

[valeria101]

There''s likely little difference if any in the price or service details for Ritani rings bought anywhere. I wonder if the seller of your diamond would not be able to source the setting from Ritani and set the diamond for you (however this is done - it may be that any store would send the stones to Ritani to have them set anyway).

Just an idea.


Btw. Can''t figure out why anyone would consider 1.7cts too big for that setting - or in general. The statement of the salesguy may have had something to do with their stock of diamonds or rings or... anything unrelated to the actual object under question.

 

[moon river]

What kind of salespersons tries to get you to go ''smaller''?

 

[WestsideLisa]

I''m telling ya, this guy was NOT hard-sell. He also said that if I want just the plain "matching" band, that I shouldn''t get the Ritani because I''d be paying for the brand name for no reason.

Thanks for all of your replies, by the way. I know the ring is much more simple than most I''ve seen posted about here. I guess we all have different tastes, but I think it looks beautiful on my finger

Does anyone have an opinion about a "typical" mark up on a diamond from a B&M vs. online?

Thanks again.

 

[moon river]

Do these people work on commission?

 

[mrssalvo]

someone is selling that setting on ebay..you might be able to get a really good deal

ebay link