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This will be my new setting!

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jaz464

jaz464

Ideal_Rock
Joined
Jul 11, 2005
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2,022
As some of you may know, I recently acquired a marquise diamond to be set east-west into a custom engagement ring setting. It was a setting I saw in a Bailey Banks and Biddle store and fell in love with. I was told that I could purchase my diamond elsewhere if I wanted to and then bring it in to BB&B and they would send it out to Provident, the manufacturer of the setting. I had not been able to locate a picture of the setting but there is now one on Provident's web site. Here it is:

http://www.providentjewelry.com/palmbeach/productdetail.asp?IDF=top&ID=22911

I had asked the store manager of BB&B if I could deal directly with Provident and he told me no. I just brought my diamond in today for Bailey to send out and get a real estimate on the work. What I was initially told was $7500-$8000. Once Provident gets the diamond they will give a more exact estimate. Anyway, after looking more closely at Provident's web site, it appears to me that I probably could go directly through them. It's too late to call them tonight but I will first thing in the morning. I am really mad about the store manager lying to me if I really can go through Provident myself
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. I have to think that it will be less money to cut out BB&B. The estimate seems high to me, even for a hand-created piece. I bet Provident can make the setting for me for at least a few thousand less. Did the store manager at BB&B have a right to lie to me (assuming he did) just so his store could make money on being the middle man? This BB&B store is closing on Jan1, 2006 and if I could go directly to the manufacturer, then if I ever had a problem with the band it would be easy for me to get in contact with them again.
 
Also, today I had to pay $3500 as a deposit. Once the real estimate comes in, and I give the go-ahead, there is no refund, exchanges, etc, because it is a custom piece. However, I can still get all of my money back at this time. The diamond shipped out to Provident today and the estimate should be given to me by Monday. So until then, I can have the loose diamond returned to me and get a full refund for the $3500.
 
I would contact Provident ASAP and find out if there will be a price diffrence... I think dealing directly with would be simpler less chance of a miscommunication. Good Luck.
 
Very pretty! They have some yummy bling on that site...oh how I wish I had deep pockets. I''m watching VH1 celebrity wives right now and it doesn''t help.
 
Hi, Jasmine! It sure looks like a gorgeous setting...I''ve taken the liberty to post the picture here. Your ring is going to be sensational!

It looks to me as if Providence does wholesale as well as retail business, which I think means they would charge you the same as BBB if you dealt with them directly, that is if BBB only does a standard markup..

I''m not sure of this. I''ll be very curious to hear what they say tomorrow. I''d be upset too....I''d probably have preferred to deal directly with the manufacturer.

Keep us posted...
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Thanks for posting the picture Widget, I''m not so good at that. I wish they had more than 1 angle.
 
That setting is beautiful! I love East-West set marquise!!!
 
Beautiful! And unique.

I was ring shopping on the weekend and the assistant suggested a marquis as something different. I actually told her only if it was set east-west!
 
I can''t wait to see your piece finished!
 
It''s gorgeous!!

It will be a beautiful ring!!
 
I love that setting, and have to say your marquise is one of the prettiest I''ve ever seen. Can''t wait to see the finished product!!!!
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~Jazmine, that is a beautiful setting!!! Your ring will be beautiful!!!
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Jazmine, your ring is going to be stunning. I think that setting is very unusual, and it will definitely be a signature piece. Congrats.

Shay
 
What a beautiful setting! Very unique!!

~rockaholic~
 
What a stunning ring! I''m sorry about the jewelery manager lying to you.

Not that it needs one, but are you going to get a matching wedding band with it?
 
What a fantastic setting -- love the e/w direction of the center stone!!!

I hope you can deal with the manufacturer directly. I definitely think it will save you some bucks. With that BB&B going out of business soon, where would that leave you as far as service? Hopefully dealing directly with Provident, you''ll have an easier time with future service if you ever need it.
 
Jelly, I had briefly thoought about the possiblility of a wedding band and how difficult it may be to find one to match. When trying on a few bands with it, I found that most of them took away from the e-ring. I really think it stands alone. But I''m not sure yet. I may wear them on seperate hands if I have to, but I would like to find something to sit next to it. Leon Mege has some things I have my eye on.
Diamondlil, the store manager told me that one of the other BB&Bs in my area (there are 2 or 3 more) could get me in contact with Provident. Of course, I could always just call their convient 800#, don''t you think
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I don''t know if I should laugh, cry, or kill someone. I called Provident today and found out they can make the setting for me for $2500. In other words, $5500-$6000 less!!!!!! I am very very glad I found this out now. But I feel like I want to explode with anger at the same time. Basically, I am going to rip my diamond out of BB&B''s hands and send it right to Provident. Unbelievable! Talk about a markup
 
I called Provident today and found out they can make the setting for me for $2500. In other words, $5500-$6000 less!!!!!! Talk about a markup
Click to expand...

I suspected as much! Almost wrote in last night but you were already planning on calling Provident yourself so ... done deal. You gotta love the internet, huh? The the only equalizer we consumers have!! KNOWLEDGE IS POWER/money!

Just think - in addition to seeing that lovely ring on your hand everyday & thinking "I have great taste", "I am loved", "God that''s pretty" ... you can also add "I''m one smart cookie"
 
Damn straight Deco!
 
I am glad you found out you could have it done cheaper. I was shocked that they we charging you $7000-$8000 for JUST THE SETTING!!! Even for a custom piece that seemed way to high. Keep us updated on the progress.
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Jasmine...hooray! I''m SO GLAD you''re getting the diamond back and going to Provident directly.

I almost pm''ed you yesterday to share my concerns that the price BBB was quoting seemed WAY out of line...but then I told myself: "Widget, mind your own business.."

Can''t wait to see that fabulous marquise mounted!

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Widget, I wish you had said something. I love that setting more than anything and I was sooo caught up with it that it seemed just about priceless to me. Basically, no price was too high to spend for the setting of my dreams that took months of searching to find. I needed a dose of common sense! I''m mean the setting is nice and everything, but not that nice! Oh and it should be done in 2-3 weeks only! BB&B had said possible 4-5.
 
That is insane!!! With a 400% mark up no wonder they are going out of bussiness! I would call there national office and let them know how you feel about this. Makes me wonder if someone is taking money off the top
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[$$)]...just does not add up. I cannot wait to see your finished peice, your stone is divine and that setting is amazing...gives me shivers just thinking about it.
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The woman at BB&B said that since the store is going out of business soon, they would not normally have taken on a project like this. She said they would because I first saw the setting 2 months ago and have stayed in contact since. It kind of makes me wonder if they increased the price so much to make it worth their while toward the end. Maybe if the store was not going out of business they would not have charged me quite as much?
 
That makes no sense...they are not operating normally they clearly were at a loss and stunts like this wont help. What nerve for her to suggust that you taking so long justifiies a price increase. Rude rude rude!
 
So I come to find out that not only can I go through Provident myself, but one of their stores is located a mere 2.5hours from me. They are actually a local jewerly shop! I still can''t believe the nerve of that BB&B store manager. Well, at least I will have a somewhat local jewerly store to work on my ring if any repairs need to be done. I think I will drive my diamond down there myself tomorrow and check it out and save on shipping it as well.

http://cgi3.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=providentjewelry
 
Oh! Perhaps you can take s few pictures while you are in their shop? Will driving your stone there up the compleation date? So glad you found their web site!
 
Well, it will obviously get there immediatly and I won''t have to wait for certified mail. Also, I''m kind of paranoid so I kind of like the idea of not having to ship it and being right there to discuss things with the jeweler and getting a reciept for the diamond and the work. He already said it could be done in as little as a few weeks. I cannot wait!
 
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