Where to Purchase Center Stone

[esguy27]

Hi everyone!

This is actually my first posting here. I came across this website a week ago out of pure luck and I''m so glad I did. There is so much info and insight on the board, it''s much appreciated and very helpful.

Basically, I''m just starting to educate myself and research engagement rings as I''m planning on proposing to my girlfriend in a couple of months. I''ve been gathering info from her on the type of rings she likes and from what she''s told me, she likes delicate bands, pave diamonds, and a round center stone. I''m thinking she''d like something like the photo attached.

But I actually do have a question here. It seems like your dollars certainly go farther if you buy a diamond online from a reputable vendor (Diamond.com, BlueNile.com, Whiteflash.com, etc) as opposed to at a Robbins Bros, but part of me has a problem buying a diamond without actually seeing it first. For those of you who bought diamonds online, is it safe to assume that the first thing you did when you received it in the mail is take it to a jeweler to verify the quality of the stone? Is there anybody out there who bought the center stone online but purchased the setting from a local jeweler? I''m struggling with balancing the desire to get as nice and big of a stone as I can within my budget with the security and guarantees that come with buying from a physical store.

I''d love to hear from anyone who debated this choice before buying their ring.

Thanks!

 

[Kaleigh]

I bought my asscher from GOG. I had the setting done by Quest in VA. Most vendors will send the stone to an independent appraiser to verify the quality of the stone and if you don't want to keep it you just have to pay for the shipping costs. Good luck and welcome to PS!!!

 

[JohnQuixote]

Making a diamond decision sight-unseen can be a nervous experience for newcomers to the process.

This is why most online vendors allow a liberal inspection and 100% return period: You have not bought the diamond until you take delivery of it and have had ample time to assess it as you like - or you could have it sent directly to an appraiser as Kaleigh mentioned. Sellers would not stay in business long with this kind of guarantee if their diamonds didn't meet customer expectations, since shipping/insurance is costly.

When people say they are worried about 'buying a diamond before they see it,' I remind them that with an inspection and return period they will actually see it, wear it, take it from place to place to compare it and/or have it appraised before they actually buy it.

 

[esguy27]

Thank you for the replies, your point is well taken. Knowing that I would have time to inspect the stone and/or have an independent appraiser verify the quality for me, makes me feel better.

I''m sure this has been asked here before, but what then do you think are the pros/cons of buying a stone online? What about the pros/cons of buying at a local store?

My thoughts:

Online
Pros: get more diamond for your buck, more diamonds to choose from, no sales tax?, able to return diamond if not satisfied
Cons: rip off potential if not reputable, can''t trade up as easily

Local Jeweler
Pros: comfort of buying from a storefront, free ring cleaning/checks, able to trade up at a later date, lifetime diamond replacement (should it fall out of mounting)
Cons: higher prices than online, less diamond selection

 

[RockDoc]

Esguy

I think every buyer of diamonds considering a sight unseen purchases wrestles with the same questions you''ve expreed.

Most have made the decision a lot easier by sending their selection(s) to an expert for further advice.

Many buyers have had the stones shipped to them first, but others choose sending to an appraiser and not being committed to making the purchase before you have to pay for it, by sending to a recognized gemologist / appraiser.


Rockdoc

 

[belle]

Date: 10/18/2005 4:07:58 PM
Author: esguy27
Online my answers to these questions refer to reputable ps vendors
Pros: get more diamond for your buck, more diamonds to choose from, no sales tax?, able to return diamond if not satisfied agreed
Cons: rip off potential if not reputable, can''t trade up as easily there is no reason to buy from an ''unknown'' seller. there are plenty of reputable ps vendors. many of the vendors here offer a competitive trade-up policy. i know whiteflash offers a 100% lifetime trade up policy.

Local Jeweler
Pros: comfort of buying from a storefront, free ring cleaning/checks, able to trade up at a later date, lifetime diamond replacement (should it fall out of mounting)
Cons: higher prices than online, less diamond selection

 

[jaz464]

I got my diamond online and am having a custom setting made by a local jeweler. I had it sent to an appraiser before I bought it. Personally, I will always buy my diamonds online from now on. The prices/selection is just too good. I have a local jewler (the one doing the setting) that I trust to inspect and clean my ring. I also see nothing wrong with getting a setting online-as some of the vendors do excellent work. For my e-ring however, I wanted a local jeweler so I could see the wax in person and actually try it on. I do not think that not being able to trade up is a con of buying online. The best vendors do have trade up policies that are quite good.

 

[partgypsy]

I feel I got the best of both worlds. I purchased a diamond from Winfields (internet) and had a custom setting at a local jeweler who specializes in hand fabricated settings. Although I did not have the diamond professionally appraised, the jeweler confirmed it was what it said (color, clarity, quality of cut). Although they could come close to the price, they could not meet it. The (bricks and mortar) jeweler''s caveat about online stones is that it is easier to buy a round stone sight online than other cuts. They felt fancy cuts you might really want to choose in person, since the different stones have different personalities and it is hard to decide what you prefer if you can''t compare and contrast in person.

 

[Regular Guy]

Brian,

I see here there''s a couple of advertisers also in Beverly Hills; not sure if they take walk-ins, or for that matter, much about them in particular.

A nice option, when you can make it work, is to couple a purchase of a diamond from a nationally based vendor, with a setting local, for the reaons you astutely note above. Check here for ideas, too.

AGS''s new AGS0, which adds reliability to a stone found anywhere, increases one''s shopping chances for success, but the chances of not only geting a well cut stone, but savings, too boot, do increase with using an "internet" vendor from away.

Other thoughts at the link below my signature, and best wishes,

 

[Hamster]

Date: 10/18/2005 3:09:22 PM
Author:esguy27
Hi everyone!

Is there anybody out there who bought the center stone online but purchased the setting from a local jeweler?

That''s exactly what we did - bought the center diamond from icemine.com and the setting and wedding band from a local B&M.

I felt like I actually got BETTER customer service by going online (although I dealt with Bill at Icemine mostly on the phone).

In the beginning I was like "no way, you can''t buy something like that over the Internet", but once I found out that you could approve the stone first by having it independently appraised, I was much more comfortable. The process was more efficient though because I narrowed down what I was looking for in advance. When I first started out, I wasn''t sure if I wanted a D or a G or if I wanted IF or SI1. Once I narrowed down my preferences a bit, I was able to call Bill and have him work with me to find something that suited my specifications.

 

[Dancing Fire]

Date: 10/18/2005 4:07:58 PM
Author: esguy27
Thank you for the replies, your point is well taken. Knowing that I would have time to inspect the stone and/or have an independent appraiser verify the quality for me, makes me feel better.

I''m sure this has been asked here before, but what then do you think are the pros/cons of buying a stone online? What about the pros/cons of buying at a local store?

My thoughts:

Online
Pros: get more diamond for your buck, more diamonds to choose from, no sales tax?, able to return diamond if not satisfied
Cons: rip off potential if not reputable, can''t trade up as easily

Local Jeweler
Pros: comfort of buying from a storefront, free ring cleaning/checks, able to trade up at a later date
free cleaning? with the money you save online,you can buy a nice ultrasonic and clean all you want at home.most PS vendors offer a trade up policy.

lifetime diamond replacement (should it fall out of mounting)
i think that''s BS. i still don''t believe it.better read the fine print.

Cons: higher prices than online, less diamond selection
Agree