Separately buying loose diamond and setting

[esqknight]

Given that I’m located in New York City, I’m considering buying from the virtual inventories of internet venders where the diamond is physically located in New York City, such that I could easier arrange to view and have appraised prior to buying without incurring return shipping costs if I choose not to buy.

My concerns with buying in such a fashion is the problems associated with separately buying a setting and having the loose diamond set. The feedback I’m looking for is how difficult that process will be.

Thank you for your assistance in advance.

Later,
Eric

 

[Cath]

It has definitely been done before. My advice would be to find the setting you like, then see what the vendor says about setting a diamond they didn''t sell. Some vendors don''t mind, others might.

 

[AChiOAlumna]

I''ve done this with my setting. You need to make darn sure that the setting can accommodate your stone. i purchased my setting first and was told by the vendor that it would accommodate my EC easily...when I purchased my stone, the vendor agreed to place it in my setting. It wasn''t as easy a venture as we thought it to be and could''ve been really ugly...however, because the stone-selling vendor agreed to the placement and found a competent and professional jeweler who could take on the challenge, we were able to go through with it...it came out beautiful and I love my ring to death!!! However, I don''t know if I would go through the agony of not knowing whether the setting would take the stone again...

 

[denverappraiser]

Specifying a 'virtual' stone that is physically located in New York is a pretty unusual requirement and may pretty seriously reduce your selection. Shipping expenses aren't usually all that high and you may find that including out-of-town stones in your search will save you more than you would have with the shipping issue. Many of the dealers may even have a hard time telling you where the stone is located before you buy it.

If at all possible, buy the setting and the labor from the same place. Even better is to buy the diamond, setting and labor from the same vendor, even if they aren't local to you. Buy the appraisal from someone else entirely.

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ISA NAJA
Independent Appraisals in Denver

 

[AmantdeChat]

I bought my center stone from an online vendor and had it set by the jeweler I bought the setting from with no problems. I went with a local jeweler who is well established and has an excellent reputation in town. They did not balk at setting a stone from someone else and were very generous and helpful in picking out the best setting for the diamond. They do most of their work locally, which made me feel better than if they had to send my stone off somewhere and I had it back in 3 days.
Every situation is going to be different, but just check around with your local jewelers for their policies and where the setting is actually done. Buying the setting from the jeweler that is going to set the center diamond helps and it also provides you with a local jeweler you can go to for repairs, inspections, cleanings, etc.

Good luck with whatever you choose to do.

 

[littlelilly]

We bought our diamond on line through Superbcert and bought a setting locally and had it set by the local jeweler. It was no biggie. I told them we already had a family diamond. I did not say we bought it on the internet, b/c this ticks some jewelers off. I did have to sign off their liability if the stone was damaged while being set, but I did not worry about this, b/c it was a reputable jeweler and an easy shape to set (round brilliant).

 

[Orange]

I''m in NYC too, and that is exactly what I did. I bought the stone first, then took it to a jeweler to make the setting, so it will be custom made around the stone. I am still waiting for the finished product, but so far it wasn''t a problem.

 

[esqknight]

Thank you everyone for all the feedback. It seems as though this should not be a problem. The vender that I''ve primarily been corresponding with on this issue said that they use an excellent skilled goldsmith in New York City who could custom make any setting for me.

Later,
Eric