Did you buy your e-ring setting and stone separately?

[aristocatz]

Ok, so I found the exact setting I want at Blue Nile.com, but we really want to get the stone at a local jeweler because their prices seem much better.

Have you ever done this? Will most jewelers be ok with you purchasing the stone through them & giving them a setting that you bought elsewhere for the jeweler to set the diamond in?

Also, would they resize the setting if necessary even if you didn't buy it through them?

I love Blue Nile, but we are a little nervous about buying from a place online because I might need to get it resized or what not...

Thoughts or experiences??

Thanks!

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

WE did all of our buying online. Stone and setting were separate. WE got lucky b/c they were both at the same online jeweler. However, we had found a setting on another sight and and we would have been able to send the stone to them to have it put into the setting.

DH found his diamond and sent it out to the jeweler that made his ring with no problem...

We went several places to get our fingers sized on different days to help avoid any sizing issues...

HTHs

 

[girli565]

DFi bought my ring at Blue Nile. He chose the setting and then he chose the diamond and he tells me that the person he worked with was wonderful. He made his decision pretty quickly and it took a while to get the setting in because it had been back ordered, Blue Nile even gave him a discount because they felt bad it had been taking so long. He bought the set in January and he didn't actually get the ring until April 1st. Blue Nile was so helpful and my ring is beautifull!

 

[pezaddict231]

My ring is also from Blue Nile and it is gorgeous. And everyone that looks at is has commented on how sparkly it is. People that have seen it still comment on it and we have been engaged since June.

For the local jeweler are the prices they are quoting you for the exact same quality center stone? You want to be sure that you are really comparing apples to apples.

I also don't think it would be a problem to get it sized somewhere else. You'd have to pay, but I don't think anyone would turn you away for not buying the ring there.

 

[aristocatz]

Thank you girls!!

I have no doubt that Blue Nile has amazing stones, but I guess we are worried about not seeing it or trying it on in person first. We are also a little nervous about having our "ring relationship" be with an online company, as opposed to a place around the corner where we can just run right over there if there are any issues with the ring, KWIM?

I guess I'm torn right now. We were thinking if we got the setting online at Blue Nile & the stone in person than we could get the setting I want but still have a local place to go in case anything chips or I need a resizing.

 

[PrincessShea]

Have you ever done this? Will most jewelers be ok with you purchasing the stone through them & giving them a setting that you bought elsewhere for the jeweler to set the diamond in?

My mom has done it--only in the opposite way. She inherited some diamonds from earrings and a necklace and went to a jeweler to buy a band and have them put in.

I don't see why a local jeweler wouldn't do it. Where do you live?

 

[tomthebarncat]

We bought the diamonds in Amsterdam and had Tiffany in Frankfurt, set them in platinum. Neither store had a problem, and Tiffany stated that they would have had to charge a lot more for the stones then what we paid for them. My total weight for the ring was 5 carets broken up into 4 stones. It is your money just make sure to find a reputable jeweler to set them, so the stones do not get switched.

 

[aristocatz]

My mom has done it--only in the opposite way. She inherited some diamonds from earrings and a necklace and went to a jeweler to buy a band and have them put in.

I don't see why a local jeweler wouldn't do it. Where do you live?

Hi! We live in Massachusetts.

We bought the diamonds in Amsterdam and had Tiffany in Frankfurt, set them in platinum. Neither store had a problem, and Tiffany stated that they would have had to charge a lot more for the stones then what we paid for them. My total weight for the ring was 5 carets broken up into 4 stones. It is your money just make sure to find a reputable jeweler to set them, so the stones do not get switched.

Thanks for your input! Wow, does that really happen? A jeweler switching the stone you picked out? The setting I like is from Blue Nile & we were looking into Hannoush jewelers (I think they are a local chain) for the stone & them putting it all together. They seemed very reputable and honest so far with our dealings with them, but now I'm thinking maybe I should look up reviews on them....

 

[tomthebarncat]

Hi! We live in Massachusetts.



Thanks for your input! Wow, does that really happen? A jeweler switching the stone you picked out? The setting I like is from Blue Nile & we were looking into Hannoush jewelers (I think they are a local chain) for the stone & them putting it all together. They seemed very reputable and honest so far with our dealings with them, but now I'm thinking maybe I should look up reviews on them....

60 minutes did a story on this a very, very long time ago. I have not lived in the states for 12 years so it is that long ago. Be very careful who you entrust with your stones, that is why I chose Tiffany and Co, they are the rolls royce of jewelers and I knew that they would not pull a fast one on me. Good luck and take your time with this, the getting engaged is the emotional aspect but buying your ring needs to be a practical one!! you are spending alot of money and need to chose wisely. Also met with the jeweler and discuss your ring with him, if they need to send it out or send it somewhere else I would be very wary. Find a local jeweler who will set it onsite with you watching if you wanted too!

 

[Stephie77]

I found the ring I wanted at blue nile. DH and I did not want to buy an engagement ring online (just our personal feelings on it) and we also have a personal jeweler so i sent the picture to DH's BFF's wife and my 2 BFFs and when he was ready to propose, he took the picture to our jeweler who designed the setting. This way we were comfortable with who was doing the setting and stone. Most jewelers (not sure about zales but real jewelers) will design for you as long as they have a picture. Hope this helps!

 

[palmtreehaven]

Not sure if you have made your decision yet....but the diamond I bought from Blue Nile was second to none. The stones in jewlery stores didn't compare in quality or price to what I found on Blue Nile. The diamond I got from BN appraised for $7,000 more than what I paid for it.

As long as you know how to shop for diamonds, and know not to be swindled by local jewelers who have low quality (usually uncertified) diamonds at high prices, then shopping on the wholesale market like Blue Nile is DEFINETLY the way to go.

 

[Tink_Kel]

We found a beautiful setting by Vancraeynest, but he didn't offer stones, he just did the design and artwork. We did a lot of research online. You might want to check out Pricescope.com, they have anything and everything you wanted to know about diamonds, but was afraid to ask. Just remember, you go into a jewelry store, they have the lighting and everything set up to make even the lowest grade diamond sparkle. Please do some research before you invest in your diamond.

 

[NotUrsula]

A good jeweler will be able to recreate any setting you see; run away if they cannot. My ring was custom-made at a local jeweler; they had hundreds of wax setting models that they were able to modify to my taste to make my ring.

 

[Lynne G]

Yep,bought the the stone from one jeweler, the setting from another, and had them set by another. I dealt with all three as the stone guy was a trusted seller, the setting was from the best in the city, and set by my local and top rated setter.
All good jewelry stores would take your order of whatever you want. I also take my ring back to the setter as he cleans and inspects it when ever I ask, for no charge. Find a good jeweler you trust. Get them to explain, and look at carefully. Also, I have a GIAA certificate that my jeweler ordered, so we know what grade, color, carat weight, and where the imperfection (in my case, an extra small cut) is. I kept that certificate of my main stone in a safe place.