sourcing stones

[gail013]

Does anyone know where the B and M stores get their diamond inventory? I was wondering if they go to the same vendors that WF and GOG etc use? I had a person in a local jewelry store tell me they had not heard of either of these companies, although they were familiar with Blue Nile. I just thought it was interesting. I didn''t want to get into it, you know how when people find out you''re buying a stone from the ''internet'' they get going about all kinds of things..... Doe anyone know where all the other jewelers out there go for inventory?

 

[Miranda]

No way!!! I was told the very same thing over the weekend! My jeweler had only heard that Blue Nile was a worthy internet vendor. I even told her about Pricescope and she said she had never heard of it. She didn''t say anything negative about internet vendors, but, she didn''t know a lot either. I think B and M stores may want to get a little wise. Consumers are only getting more and more computer/internet savvy and online purchases will increase because of that. Anyway, I asked her a few questions about her supplier and she told me a little. If I understood her correctly, she said that if I saw a stone online she may be able to get it, but, that she usually buys (instead of consigns) stones that she sells. I didn''t persist because I am not *really* in the market right now...Just keeping an eye out.

 

[Modified Brilliant]

Miranda and Gail,

A retailer can buy diamond inventory from hundreds and hundreds of dealers/sources. It''s impossible to know who buys what from whom.

Don''t be too shocked to learn that many B & M stores have never heard of Pricescope or any of the internet diamond vendors mentioned here.
I speak to retailers and dealers in the trade on a daily basis and many are not "in tune" with the internet diamond world.
Remember that many age groups did not grow up with the internet like many PS participants. They may not have a comfort level with buying a diamond on the internet. That''s not to say that a B & M jeweler should not be familiar with PS and vendors. There isn''t a month that goes by without an article on the internet in a jewelry trade magazine. So, there''s no excuse for not knowing. Don''t be shocked to learn also that some small independents still don''t have a computer and are hand writing their receipts and appraisals. Real world...believe it or not.

www.metrojewelryappraisers.com