buying wedding bands online?

[woodstoforrest]

We went to the jewelry store where DH2B bought my engagement ring and were flabbergasted at how much the platinum wedding bands that we wanted were going to cost. We are very easy going and thought "oh well - we'll just get them in white gold."

But then I looked online and it seems that there are some (seemingly reputable) jewelers online selling platinum rings for a very reasonable price. The two names that come to mind are BlueNile and Szul...

What are your thoughts on buying the rings online? Is this crazy? Have any of you bought your rings online?

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this.

Cheers,
Linda

 

[scrump]

We went to the jewelry store where DH2B bought my engagement ring and were flabbergasted at how much the platinum wedding bands that we wanted were going to cost. We are very easy going and thought "oh well - we'll just get them in white gold."

But then I looked online and it seems that there are some (seemingly reputable) jewelers online selling platinum rings for a very reasonable price. The two names that come to mind are BlueNile and Szul...

What are your thoughts on buying the rings online? Is this crazy? Have any of you bought your rings online?

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this.

Cheers,
Linda

Though I ended up returning it, I initially bought my plantinum wedding band from Bluenile, and thought they had excellent customer service. You can track every stage of the order and return process, and everything was very quick. I thought they had free shipping at one point, but not sure if that's offered now.

I bought from them because I wanted a simple, plain platinum band, and didn't want the hassle of visiting several jewelry stores. I really thought they were all the same. I ended up returning the Bluenile ring because it was very thick for its width, if that makes any sense. I wanted a thin 2.5mm band, which is what I got, but because it was so thick, it sat very high from my finger. So I returned it.

Personal taste aside, I thought they were very reliable from a customer service point of view, and I would feel comfortable purchasing from them again.

Hope that helps!

 

[sajetto]

I purchased my DF's ring online without a single problem. Its not really any different than most other online purchases. However, I would make sure that a phone number was posted on the website and call to make a large purchase rather than going through online checkout. You will get more personalized attention this way.

 

[hiwaygal]

I purchased two different rings (for both DH and me) online or through a phone service.

I loved both rings, but until I was able to try them on I didn't realize they wouldn't fit. I had the same problem as scrump. One of the rings was too thick and too wide, one of them was just too thick.

In the end, we went to a local jewelry store and bought our rings.

There are lots of online retailers with excellent customer service (and we didn't have any problems returning the rings at all)...but my suggestion would be to get a manufacturers item number for a specific ring you have tried on. Or REALLY know the dimensions, etc. of the rings you like to make sure they are going to fit both you and your DH2B correctly.

 

[sajetto]

A really good way to make sure you're ordering the right size is go to a jewlery store, get sized, ask about the millimeter width of your favorites, the height, and the metal weight. Then you'll be able to make an informed purchase with less chances of a return.

For example, when I first started looking I found a band for my DF I LOVED it was 1 CT of diamonds set in platinum and looked manly without being too chunky. When we went to a jewlery store all of the bands that looked really good on him were 5mm wide. The one I liked was 7.5mm!!! That would have been huge Pictures can be very decieving


Once I got a little bit more education on bands I found an even better one that still had 1 CT of diamonds (8 stones) in a 5mm band that looks fantastic on him!

 

[Moonpie]

I think that when it comes to diamonds, and engagement rings that are supposed to last forever you get what you pay for. I prefer to go into a store, look closely at the ring, get a certificate that states the diamond's quality... it's just my personal preferance.

 

[sajetto]

Really one must be trained to examine a stone and the certificate from the store doesn't mean anything, they most often are wildly inaccurate even from extremely reputable stores such as.....*gasp* Cartier (my mother knows this from personal experience). You cannot insure a ring until an independent appraiser determines its worth. When buying your ring online use a loupe to examine for flaws. If it does not mee the specs listed, send it back.

 

[woodstoforrest]

Thanks for your helpful tips, ladies.

We're going with simple, simple, simple - no stones or anything - just a flat, platinum band for each of us (mine 3mm, his 6mm) so that eliminates the worry about getting what we pay for in terms of clarity, cut, etc.

I'm relieved that you had no trouble sending the rings back if they weren't to your liking - that's very encouraging!

Cheers,
Linda

 

[sajetto]

Linda I'm certain that you won't have any trouble at all. Feel free to PM me if you need any help finding a reputable dealer.

 

[CastMemberTinkerbell]

My DH bought my engagement ring from Blue Nile. He was very happy with what he bought including price and quality. I love my ring!

 

[JandJ]

Really one must be trained to examine a stone and the certificate from the store doesn't mean anything, they most often are wildly inaccurate even from extremely reputable stores such as.....*gasp* Cartier (my mother knows this from personal experience). You cannot insure a ring until an independent appraiser determines its worth. When buying your ring online use a loupe to examine for flaws. If it does not mee the specs listed, send it back.

sajetto is exactly right, you have to get a ring - espcially a diamond - independently appraised. DH and I bought both our wedding bands on-line and he got my e-ring on-line too. My e-ring is exquisite and he saved a bundle - that's my man The proposal was a surprise but he later told me that he researched diamonds for months, could only find the same quality as mine at VERY high end retailers and didn't want to pay for a store name. He got a referral to this on-line diamond retailer and they talked him through the entire process over the phone and on e-mail. He found a reputable independent appraiser, had them send the diamond and the band to him and it was appraised at almost twice what was paid. The appraiser and the jeweler who set the diamond both said it's among the highest quality they had ever seen. No one believes he found it on-line! I got my plain platinum band from the same retailer and it is perfect. DH's plain white gold ring (he didn't want platinum - go figure!) was from a different on-line retailer and we paid $110 for it with shipping. The same ring was $300-400 at the local jewelry shops. So long as you trust the retailer, helps if you can get a phone number and an address for them, and preferably can get an independent appraisal - go for it! From our own experience it was the best way to go!