Help a clueless guy shop 4 jewelry!

[andrews_dad]

I bought 1 piece of jewelry in my life, the wedding ring for my wife. Now, for Xmas, I am thinking of getting either a ring or necklace with a Ruby and a Diamond (the birthstones for each of our 2 kids). Now, how do I make that happen without breaking the bank? Are those places like Zales in the local malls OK, or do they completely rip you off? Can you negotiate at those places? Is there a better means online? I feel more comfortable negotiating for a used car than I do for this jewelry stuff. I just am totally clueless! You Dizzers seem to know all, so I thought I'd try here!

 

[simonsmom]

I highly recommend ice.com or qvc. very happy with products and prices from both.ice has payment options that you can spread it out over a number of months and QVC does on certain items. good luck

 

[simonsmom]

how about this one
http://www.ice.com/pendants/precious-gemstone-pendant-prd_pcp_105740.jsp

 

[Evi]

I think it would depend on your budget and how important the quality is to you. Many of the major chain jewelers sell inferior quality stones that they purchase at huge discounts. They also have a tendency to treat these stones with pressurized infusions that give the stones the appearance of greater clarity and color. In my opinion I would go for something custom made from a reputable jeweler not the mall sort you want to deal with a mom and pop shop with a serious reputation or a large upscale jeweler but you will pay more for designers names attached to jewelry.

If your looking for something budget friendly that she can cherish and that you can add upscale and more affordable pieces to maybe you could look into troll beads bracelets. Then you can add to it over time. Another idea would be stackable rings or a pendant. I would also look at the kind of jewelry your wife wears. If shes very active and you purchase a ring for her buy her something with a low setting so she can wear it daily.

 

[spacemountainmom]

I'd say you are on the right track! Your wife will appreciate your effort. I have a mother and child pendant that I got when dd was very small. Later my dh had a diamond(her birthstone) put on it for me. After ds was born, he took it back to the jeweler and had a pearl(his birthstone) put on it as well. I LOVE it. Most jewelery stores carry the mother and chlid line and usually have someone on staff that can add the stones. We actually have mostly used a local small jeweler for this kind of thing. We bought the wedding set from them and felt we were treated very well.

I must admit that the last few pieces he has bought have come from Jared. My dh has a business relationship with one of the branches in our area and they treat him very well also.

My dh's experience has been pretty positive buying jewelry. He usually knows what he (or I) wants, but sometimes just puts himself in the salesperson's hands.

You have it nice since your kids birthstones are ruby and diamond. You should be able to find something pretty easily. I have a lovely sapphire and diamond ring and I know they make the same one with rubies.

Good luck to you in your quest. I hope this helps.

 

[Jack&Ryan'smom]

I 2nd QVC!!!! It is a great place for jewelry & they have awesome prices. They aslo have their extended return policy in place thru 1/31!!!

 

[simonsmom]

or http://www.ice.com/rings/precious-gemstone-ring-prd_rcp_105737.jsp

 

[lisabarr]

Might I suggest a private jewler in your area. I get amazing deals from mine. He often buys estate and other items and has a craftsman on site to create what you want within your budget.

I have been dealing with mine for over 20 years. I got a 2+ carat diamond anniversay band for a price no store could even begin to match.

I also picked up a stunning diamond and sapphire ring that is absolutely huge. I get so many compliments on it. People always guess I paid 3-4x what I actually paid for it.

Word of mouth should help you find one or even the yellow pages under estate jewler or such.

 

[RitaE]

I agree with Evi. If your budget is in the couple hundred dollar range just look around for something you think looks pretty. That's really the most important thing anyway, whether or not you like it.

Once you start talking $1k plus stone quality becomes more important. In that case I recommend looking at some of the online sites and getting a style you like, then print out a couple of pictures. Open up your phone book and find a couple of local independent jewelry places. Visit a couple and show the picture and ask what they can do for you.

 

[kirstenb1]

Take a look at Sam's Club or Costco too.

 

[amy-momofthree]

How about a Pandora bracelet? Jared sells them. You buy the braclet and then add charms to it. They have birthstone charms so you could get a ruby and a diamond. THe silver bracelet is $50 and the charms are between $25-50. I got mine last year for Christmas and wear it everyday. I love it. Then it helps you for upcoming holidays; valentines, mother's day, etc. because you can just keep getting her charms for her bracelet

Good luck. I am sure she would love whatever you picked for her

 

[soccerchick]

Take a look at Sam's Club or Costco too.

Costco has an excellent reputation for their jewelry!

The only time I'd caution against Costco jewelry is if you are buying an expensive watch like Tag because of warranty, IF that is important to you.

 

[redlawyer]

You can also look at Ross Simmons. They have a catalog and website. Their prices are incredible and my local jeweler was impresses with their quality. I have a multiple color sapphire stacking band that I love!

 

[Jill in Chicago]

Before you go shopping spend a couple of weeks really paying attention to the jewelry your wife wears. Does she like delicate jewelry? Or does she like the colorful costume jewelry/the current long necklaces? Are there certain colors of clothes she likes to wear? Is she into fashion, or a traditional dresser?

My dad always bought my mom delicate dangling earrings. My mom did not wear delicate dangling earrings. She preferred hoops. She never told him, and would wear the earrings once or twice and put them away.

Some people love real stones, and some people could care less. Again, you will have to do some investigation.

Lastly, does she like jewelry? Does she wear jewelry? Does she like to be surprised? Would she rather pick this out on her own?

 

[sandynd]

bidz.com used to be really good, but I haven't been there in a while.

 

[dfchelbay]

I bought 1 piece of jewelry in my life, the wedding ring for my wife. Now, for Xmas, I am thinking of getting either a ring or necklace with a Ruby and a Diamond (the birthstones for each of our 2 kids). Now, how do I make that happen without breaking the bank? Are those places like Zales in the local malls OK, or do they completely rip you off? Can you negotiate at those places? Is there a better means online? I feel more comfortable negotiating for a used car than I do for this jewelry stuff. I just am totally clueless! You Dizzers seem to know all, so I thought I'd try here!

Just sent you a PM.

 

[andrews_dad]

Thanks, all. My wife wears no jewelry other than weding ring on any reg basis. No ear-rings at all, her pierced ears grew shut 10 years ago. When she was pregnant she had to wear her wedding ring on a necklace around her neck, but that was the only time I remember her wearing a necklace. She is a Physical Therapist, so she is in scrubs a ton and with 2 kids we don't often get "dressed up" to go out (you guys know how that is). Bracelet with charms is not something I'd see her wear. Not safe at work when she assists the elderly walking and getting out of bed. So either a ring or necklace. BUT, she does love her wedding ring and gets it cleaned every time at mall, and I know she'd be thrilled to get something for the kids. I am thinking $500 or less. Her wedding ring is yellow gold. I have no idea what her ring size is. It's been so long since I bought her engagement ring I forget!

 

[Shleedogg]

My idea would be a stack-able band. I don't wear a lot of jewelry, my wedding band (my engagement ring gets caught on too many things), a Tiffany heart necklace DH bought me 3 years ago and a simple pair of white gold hoops. I would like a band that I could wear with my wedding ring. Something like this. My wedding band looks very similar so it would fit right in. This way you wouldn't have to worry about it being way out of her comfort zone. It's something she could wear daily.

I also really love this one, but not something that could be worn w/ a wedding band, for me it would have to be a right hand ring.

Here one more I just found doing "stackable ruby ring" in a google search.

http://www.diamondharmony.com/products/14k_White_Gold_Prong_1_6_Carat_Diamond_Stackable_Ring-2477-17.html

It's a diamond, but just to give you some more ideas.

I would definitely go with simple based on your description of what you wife wears, but something with maybe a little detail. As some PPs suggested, I would also go to a local jeweler. They're much more likely to work with you to create exactly what you want and give you some great prices. My jeweler will give us discounts on everything we buy off the sticker price if they've recently had a sale or are going to be having a sale. Also, make sure the type of gold matches your wife's wedding band (yellow vs white gold). Personally, I don't like to mix gold colors.

 

[DebMcDonald]

How about a Pandora bracelet? Jared sells them. You buy the braclet and then add charms to it. They have birthstone charms so you could get a ruby and a diamond. THe silver bracelet is $50 and the charms are between $25-50. I got mine last year for Christmas and wear it everyday. I love it. Then it helps you for upcoming holidays; valentines, mother's day, etc. because you can just keep getting her charms for her bracelet

Good luck. I am sure she would love whatever you picked for her

This was going to be my suggestion to. They are hugely popular right now and you can get birthstones, not the real thing, but it's something that you and the kids can keeping adding too. I have to say I absolutely love mine and it will not break the bank, well it could in the long run....

 

[andrews_dad]

My idea would be a stack-able band. I don't wear a lot of jewelry, my wedding band (my engagement ring gets caught on too many things), a Tiffany heart necklace DH bought me 3 years ago and a simple pair of white gold hoops. I would like a band that I could wear with my wedding ring. Something like this. My wedding band looks very similar so it would fit right in. This way you wouldn't have to worry about it being way out of her comfort zone. It's something she could wear daily.

I also really love this one, but not something that could be worn w/ a wedding band, for me it would have to be a right hand ring.

Here one more I just found doing "stackable ruby ring" in a google search.

http://www.diamondharmony.com/products/14k_White_Gold_Prong_1_6_Carat_Diamond_Stackable_Ring-2477-17.html

It's a diamond, but just to give you some more ideas.

I would definitely go with simple based on your description of what you wife wears, but something with maybe a little detail. As some PPs suggested, I would also go to a local jeweler. They're much more likely to work with you to create exactly what you want and give you some great prices. My jeweler will give us discounts on everything we buy off the sticker price if they've recently had a sale or are going to be having a sale. Also, make sure the type of gold matches your wife's wedding band (yellow vs white gold). Personally, I don't like to mix gold colors.

Interesting.... is a stackabl ring something that is worn behind the wedding ring (same hand), worn on the right hand, or worn on a different finger?