For those considering buying David Yurman

[jan228]

Hi all, I just wanted to share the experience I had today.

For reference, I own the David Yurman 18k gold petite albion ring with garnet. I received it for my birthday last April. To be honest, it is probably the finest ring I own, craftsmanship-wise. It feels like butter to slip on my finger and the weight of the gold is impressively heavy.

I was at Bloomingdales today with my fiance and we were looking at the David Yurman display together and a very nice saleswoman was showing us some pieces. I was trying on a silver and garnet bracelet and they happened to have my ring on display. So of course I asked to try it on with the bracelet to see how they looked together.

The first thing I noticed about the 18k gold petite albion ring they had on display was that the weight of the ring was not as heavy as the one I owned. Secondly, the way the ring felt when I put it on was very unlike the ring I own. The twisted cable bands felt thin and therefore felt like they dug into my finger, which was completely the opposite of the ring I own, which doesn't dig at all because of the thickness of the cables.

My concern is that David Yurman is using less gold in his designs due to the high price of it. To be honest, the quality in the ring I tried on today was far from that of the actual ring that was purchased for me last April. My fiance is very knowledgeable about jewelry and he noticed the difference right away. He mentioned to me later that if this had been the quality ring he viewed as a sample when buying mine, he would not have been impressed.

It seemed as if the silver version of the ring also used less material to match the 18k version.

I'm not sure if this was just the batch that the store received or if this is something that is affecting all newer jewelry from the David Yurman line but I thought everyone should be aware.

So in conclusion:

My David Yurman ring quality =
David Yurman ring quality in store =

[aen]

I have recieved several different Yurman bracelets as gifts and have noticed even though they are all from the cable collection they all feel different- and all have about the same amount of gold.I didnt pick them out or I may have noticed. But I know exactly what you are saying!

[barcreperie]

I looked at some David Yurman rings a couple of months ago, and while I liked the looks of the rings, I couldn't get past the flimsy quality. There's no way I would buy a piece - felt light and cheap. One ring was so flexible that the saleswoman had to bend it back to shape before handing it to me to try on. This might be due to the recent increase in price of raw materials, but I wonder if manufacturing hasn't been moved to a lower cost area, thus the dive in quality.

I say this because of some shoes I've loved for years - Dansko's, which have historically been extremely comfortable and wear well. However, the last couple of pairs I bought through Zapppos were unlike any Danksos I'd owned before. The last was different and the leather was stiff. They were horribly uncomfortable. Came to found out the manufacturing had been moved to China. One shoe store I regularly visit told me they've quit carrying Danskos since this move, as they were getting too many returns and complaints about the shoes. But I digress...

[fashion16]

Interesting thread. I have noticed that every piece is a little different. i was told that it is due to all DY pieces being hand crafted.

[windycityaj]

This is such an interesting thread because my Mom had this very same observation about a couple of newer DY pieces she just purchaes when compared to some of her older ones. I hope the quality continues to be the same. I know that companies have to do different things in order to continue to be profitable, it's just that in the end quality is what matters most. What a shame.


Anne

[madem0iselle]

thats horrible. when did the change in quality started?
my 20mm enhancer seems to weight quite a decent amount, mines came during last year's december. there was one that came earlier but had a crack in the middle of the gem, i wonder if they're both the same weight =S

[mommylovesbags]

Interesting -- TFS.

[FlgirlFM]

Yurman early pieces were made of solid gold. Many of his new pieces are made with PLATED gold. Definite decline in quality, materials and craftsmanship!!!

[he432]

interesting info... I had been considering a DY piece as a birthday present to myself but I may have to consider it a bit harder

[guccimamma]

i have a big thick necklace from him...probably 7 or 8 years old. very heavy and substantial.

i picked up a necklace at NM a few months ago, felt like half the weight

half the weight and twice the cost of what was paid years ago.

[e_pinpin]

Does anyone know if maybe this is why DY pieces from the stores are different from those from ebay stores like bluekoi or ibuyluxury?

[FlgirlFM]

My local Saks carries DY pieces that are plated gold. FYI, DY calls it "bonded" gold.

[chaotic]

Originally Posted by barcreperie

I looked at some David Yurman rings a couple of months ago, and while I liked the looks of the rings, I couldn't get past the flimsy quality. There's no way I would buy a piece - felt light and cheap. One ring was so flexible that the saleswoman had to bend it back to shape before handing it to me to try on. This might be due to the recent increase in price of raw materials, but I wonder if manufacturing hasn't been moved to a lower cost area, thus the dive in quality. I say this because of some shoes I've loved for years - Dansko's, which have historically been extremely comfortable and wear well. However, the last couple of pairs I bought through Zapppos were unlike any Danksos I'd owned before. The last was different and the leather was stiff. They were horribly uncomfortable. Came to found out the manufacturing had been moved to China. One shoe store I regularly visit told me they've quit carrying Danskos since this move, as they were getting too many returns and complaints about the shoes. But I digress...

I work at a store that sells Danskos, and all of their production was moved to China. If you are still looking for Dansko type shoes, try Sanita. Sanita used to make the bottoms for Dansko but they split, Sanita still makes their shoes in Europe and they look and fit exactly like Danskos, they also come in more fun colors!

[Faith]

That's dissapointing. I was going to treat myself to a ring later this year- I guess not now!

[Nieners]

How about the petite albion ring? Is that one okay when it comes to quality?