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Using two vendors means no guarantees for center stone?

C

crashprime

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jul 16, 2013
Messages
52
I have found my ideal diamond from Whiteflash, but unfortunately they just don't have the setting that my significant other loves.

I found the perfect setting from a local jewelry store (Shane Co.) but they will not guarantee the center stone at all if it's not purchased from them. (ie: if it falls out god forbid) The problem is I can't find anything with ideal light performance from Shane Co anywhere near what Whiteflash offers.

If I can't find the setting I want from Whiteflash, what are my other options for being able to protect the investment of putting a stone from one vendor into anothers' setting? What type of insurance would afford me the piece of mind? Are there other vendors that would guarantee the center stone after they inspect it perhaps?
 
You can purchase third party insurance that covers the entire ring. Perfect Circle comes to mind (no personal experience, but I've heard good things). If the stone does fall out, they'll work with a vendor of your choosing (so you can work with WF again) to find a stone up to the value you insured it at.

There are other insurance companies out there, but may not give you the option of choosing the vendor
 
You could privately insure the diamond for setting through Jeweler's Mutual/Perfect Circle. They will require a recent appraisal to give you coverage. This is what many of us do when we buy a diamond (or any expensive gemstone) and want to set it with a different vendor. Your other option would be to see if Whiteflash could create a custom setting for you similar to the one you like.

Could you link to the Shane setting?
 
I think you can buy the loose stone and insure it. I have insurance from Jewelers Mutual (I don't have home owner's insurance), it covers my ring if I have it worked on by jewelers.

Whiteflash might set your stone on a setting you bought elsewhere? You should inquire, they are very nice to work with!

Edit: Aoife we said pretty much the same thing :)
 
But they say you get what you pay for, and the Ritani will be so much better in quality...
 
It's more than just gold and diamonds - there is workmanship to consider. If pave isn't well done, there is a greater risk of losing a few melees.
 
This is very similar to my plan, except my center is a cushion from BGD.

I've also got the exact same setting on layaway waiting for my go-ahead to set the stone.

I'm currently insured through Jewelers Mutual, who have insured the loose stone while being set. The process was pretty simple. Just put the Shane setting on layaway, then upload the layaway receipt to JM's website along with your invoice for the center stone. Once they send you the confirmation and policy, then have Shane set your stone.

I agree that the Ritani is very nice, but it's not worth $1200 more. The Shane Co setting is still great quality (I saw no pave issues under a loupe), and comes with a better warranty. Ritani will not cover repairs for wear and tear, resizing, or rhodium plating, but Shane does.
 
I would absolutely go with the Ritani halo. I agree that you get what you pay for and the Ritani is actually reasonably priced for a nice brand.
 
I just wanted to say that I inheirited a diamond and went to Shane for a setting and had a wonderful experience. We purchased insurance on the ring through our homeowners insurance. Check with your rental or home owners insurance too and see what rates/coverage they offer. Then you are all set! Love that setting by the way and if a melee ever fell out, Shane would fix it for you! I am debating about a pave wedding band from there- I just like the convenience of being able to take it in for repairs and sizing as I need to. Good luck!
 
GoSounders|1375382140|3494684 said:
This is very similar to my plan, except my center is a cushion from BGD.

I've also got the exact same setting on layaway waiting for my go-ahead to set the stone.

I'm currently insured through Jewelers Mutual, who have insured the loose stone while being set. The process was pretty simple. Just put the Shane setting on layaway, then upload the layaway receipt to JM's website along with your invoice for the center stone. Once they send you the confirmation and policy, then have Shane set your stone.

I agree that the Ritani is very nice, but it's not worth $1200 more. The Shane Co setting is still great quality (I saw no pave issues under a loupe), and comes with a better warranty. Ritani will not cover repairs for wear and tear, resizing, or rhodium plating, but Shane does.
Click to expand...

The warranty and ease of dealing with a local jeweler was also my main selling points. In fact I am still hoping I can find a center from Shane Co of comparable quality, as they have a really nice upgrade policy as well. Their online search tool for loose stones is, unfortunately, awful. Their stock is littered with overrated/graded EGL I stones, with very nice GIA stones mixed in.

The Ritani is beautiful and I was ready to get this setting from them ordering everything through Whiteflash:

http://www.ritani.com/engagement-rings/french-set-halo-diamond-engagement-ring-in-14kt-white-gold/6114

Basically the same setting without the pave on the band. I was convinced this was the ring until my significant other went on about how much she loves the sparkly pave on the band of her sisters engagement ring. (damn you Olive Garden lighting)

So when I went and looked at this setting it spoke to me, and it's exactly what she would want. I would love to be able to afford the Ritani, but $1200 for "craftsmanship" on a (in my opinion) simple design doesn't work for me and my budget.

Budget be damned, that Ritani V would be mine. I really appreciate the responses thus far, and I'm glad to hear some folks have had a positive experience with Shane Co. They were pretty nice when I stopped in, and their selection and pricing on settings is really unmatched from what I've search for thus far.
 
It's really funny how much our experiences mirror each other. I was planning on that smooth-shank Ritani, as well, until I found out she likes pave on the shank. I hope we're not buying for the same woman! :cheeky:

It's really a shame how Shane shorts itself on center stones. They at least have some nice round diamonds, whereas their cushions are almost all poorly cut, EGLI-certed, and overpriced. Those diamonds are clearly their largest profit margin, and it's gotta be in the vicinity of 100% markup.

I think setting outside stones at Shane Co is the way to go. Have your cake and eat it, too, as long as you're okay with paying the setting fee and losing the center stone warranty.
 
This is a pretty common problem. Shane (and any other jeweler with sense) isn't interested in warrantying something they didn't make or sell. The diamond seller and the setter can't guarantee the integrity of the mounting since they've never seen it and didn't have anything to do with it.

The solution is to either self-insure, buy your own insurance or agree to higher prices that include 'free' insurance. Shane CAN get you pretty much anything you want, even if they don't have it in stock at the time. Ask. The problem is that most people don't like the price. 3rd party insurance costs about 1-2%/year depending on your address and covers everything you're asking about. The perfect circle solution is popular and really quite effective. Given that it's decently likely that you will be insuring it anyway for other reasons, there's not really much if any additional cost and the coverage is actually better than what Shane offers.
 
I would agree with the above poster. Email whiteflash and explain to them your total budget and how you aren't willing to compromise the perfect stone for the cost of the setting but you have found a setting that suits your needs and budget. I'm sure they will set it for you. And btw they are truly awesome to work with, I'm not sure but you could also ask about a custom setting, that might cover your needs with out the designer price tag. And if it does increase the cost by $200 or so at least it's fully covered then by 1 vendor, they will cover the setting & the stone! Over time you'd pay that in insurance costs and excess any way if god forbid something did happen, so I would try that route first. I have recently purchased from whiteflash and I feel 100% secure and confident with my purchase and would not hesitate to send anyone there, and I will probably be a snooty and buy most of my fine jewellery off them from now on. I would definitely email them and disguss all of your options and have 1 ring from 1 vendor no extra stuffing around no muss no fuss no uncertainty x
 
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