Help with diamond ring buying vs. custom made

[shopETOH]

Hi! My DH says I can have a new ring for our anniversary!! Yeah! I know I want a 2-2.5 ct cushion diamond, platinum setting but beyond that I'm a bit all over the place. I love the Tiffany Legacy but went to look and HATED their version of the cushion. It was dead looking for lack of a better word. I'd also like the diamond prong set slightly about the setting, not bezel set into the setting like the Legacy. I also want it made so an eternity band would sit nearer to it than the Tiffany does. I realize with a cushion shape another band might never fit totally flush, which I'm OK with but I just want it to be kind of close so it's comfortable. I've considered having it made at the jeweler who made my e-ring or going to icestore.com for the diamond and the setting which is similar to Tiffany's but not prong set above the setting.

If I go to icestore I can save $ on the center stone, but won't get it totally customized. If I go to my jeweler I'll get it exactly the way I want it, but pay higher for the center....

What to do???? I dunno- I'm afraid of offending jeweler by buying center online and having them make setting- wouldn't that make them unhappy? They did great work on my e-ring which is a natural sapphire- 8 cts in platinum/diamonds. so I trust them. But how much do jewelers usually mark up the diamonds? i.e. how much extra would I pay to get the ring made?

 

[ahertz]

I'd head to the pricescope jewelry forum where there's a ton of information about diamonds and settings. I know cushions can be tricky as different cuts really do make the diamonds look completely different so I think you should do some research before making a decision. I know the vendor Good Old Gold is very popular for cushions, so you may want to check there as well.

 

[Swanky]

Why don't you go to your jeweler armed w/ knowledge?
What I mean is, find the stone you want at an amazing price and give him 1st dibs. let him try and beat that price w/ an equally fab stone.

I did this w/ my jeweler when I upgraded.
I was POSITIVE I'd get a better deal online. Why? Because everyone on PS said so. So I found an amazing stone and haggled the price down w/ Whiteflash. Then took the specs and price to the jeweler we're normally loyal to.
I gave her the info and she said "I won't be offended if you don't buy from me, but I'll be offended if you don't me an opportunity" . . . she TOTALLY came through! My carat weight increased by about .50 and all other specs were equal PLUS a local was getting my business which means I have someone local to go to w/ any issues in the future.
Give your jeweler a chance This economy will probably make him want to earn your business harder than ever.

 

[GnomeNisse]

Give your jeweler a chance .

Amen x100.

Figure out what you want. Know what the going rate is. Go to your local jeweler (independant!) and see what they can do. Odds are you'll get at least a matched bottom line price with the added bonus of face-to-face business you can trust.

The internet will never beat personal service. Try it. You can't lose. If they can't do better, you know your options.

 

[GnomeNisse]

But how much do jewelers usually mark up the diamonds

Not nearly as much as you think. The profit margin in diamonds is rather small because it's a very competitive market. Plus, the larger the stone, the smaller the % of markup.

It is in your best interest as a consumer to work with someone in person.

Plus, speaking as a jeweler, I have to say it doesn't offend me if someone buys a stone elsewhere and has us custom mount it. It DOES upset me sometimes when regular customers buy outside without consulting only because in most cases, I would have given them a better deal. Honestly, if I can't beat a deal they've found elsewhere, we tell them the straight up truth.

 

[Swanky]

^

 

[gabz]

we had my cushion cut ering custom made from rasko in TO. i love it! it has a .75 cushion cut center stone w a baguette on each side. i had a band of 4 baguettes made to curve around the stone to sit flush

 

[catabie]

with my original i did go with a designer brand but for my upgrade, i chose a dealer. that way i saved alot of money on the stone and the setting. they can make you an exact same design of the novo!
congratz!! cushion cut is absolutely my favorite cut and it sparkles like crazy!

 

[shopETOH]

Thanks everyone for the advice.... I did call them and have done a lot of looking around so I knew what the range should be in. My jeweler was super nice and of course thrilled to have us back so soon!! They're really nice to work with and they are finding what I want now so I can come in and look at a few choices to compare. Yeah!! I'm super happy. They are a locally owned family business so it's nice. I've gone to Tiffanys before to try on rings and didn't really get the service I would expect and they don't let you customize the ring AT ALL. They wouldn't even let me substitute some of the side stones with sapphires. The answer was no. I get the feeling all their stuff is just pre-made and they wouldn't negotiate. The salesperson was rude.

I'm happy to have someone nice to work with and I can see everything in person. They have a CAD program they are going to use to design it which is new since I got my e-ring.

Thanks for your help!!