How do you choose a jeweler when buying an engagement or wedding ring?
I did this almost a year ago. DON'T BUY ONLINE. Yes, go online to do your research first. Get an idea of a style before you go to a jeweler. Try to find out what your girl likes above all else, because HER taste is what matters most on this. Then be picky.
Let the jeweler know that you're doing research, and trying to save. Trust me, they appreciate it and will help you out more if you're up front about this. Shop around - I'd say to hit up 10 jewelers before buying, because there's always a better ring. Don't rush the purchase - spend months shopping (I looked for nearly 2 years while saving up the money - I know - that's way too long to shop).
Lastly, don't be afraid of small shops. Find someone you trust. I found a guy who gave me a great deal, because his philosophy is that if I get a good deal on this, he can get me for all future purchases (which will probably work well).
But do not buy online. Service after the fact is huge. Here's a list of things that have been done for free in the past 10 months -
- Replaced the setting (it had a rough edge that would snag on sweaters and such)
- 5 Cleanings
- Engraving
- Watch battery replacement (on my watch)
- Resizing of 2 rings (she lost some weight for the wedding)
Plus, as someone pointed out, a trade-in program:
The price I paid for the diamond towards another diamond.
10 Answers
Visit multiple places, and don't buy right out of the display case. Costco for instance has very good prices on quality jewelry, but you don't get the opportunity to really inspect the diamond/stone under a jewelers lens.
I bought a ring for my now fiancee just a month ago, and spent the bulk of the time looking at inclusions and clarity of maybe a dozen stones. Look at a couple of stones and you'll suddenly start seeing what they mean by clarity and inclusions, the little details of a stone that show up with time. And don't be afraid to send the sales person back 3 or 4 times to bring out different lots.
Also consider any trade-up program (in addition to service and warranty) ; ideally you would get 100% of the gem's purchased value (minus the setting) back if you decide to go bigger later.
On a final note, don't immediately say "yes I'll buy that"; I saved about $700 by merely saying "Let me think about it, I'll give you an answer in an hour".
Having just gone through this about a year ago, I'd start by asking other women. They normally know the best places to buy jewelry. Definitely go to a bunch of places before you decide, and get a feel for the sales people to make sure they're helping find something good. I felt that it was important for me to find someone I really trusted so that I didn't get ripped off.... because diamonds, as you probably know, aren't cheap.
I'd also educate yourself on what you should be looking for. You'll want to learn about the 4 C's: clarity, color, cut, carat weight. There is a good overview here:http://www.diasource.com/fourcs.htm
But make sure your jewelers show you examples of these if possible. But it takes time. Don't rush your decision on buying a ring. She'll be [hopefully] wearing it forever.
When I was doing this last year, I had a very poor experience dealing with brick & mortar jewelers. The quality and selection of their diamonds just pales greatly in comparison to what you can get at a reputable online jeweler.
I was able to get a very nicely GIA certified diamond on an elegant platinum micro-pave band for the same price I would have paid for a smaller low-grade diamond on a micro-pave white gold band. You also have to watch out for the grading companies, as some less reputable grading companies will grade diamonds higher than they should be.
I suggest doing your research at www.pricescope.com which has an infinite amount of resources when it comes to diamond shopping. You can browse the forums and get information on the whole engagement ring shopping process from diamond selection, band designs, as well as reputable online retailers to purchase from. I ended up purchasing from www.jamesallen.com and do not regret it one bit.
Ask friends/family to refer you to a jeweler friend. Remember, quality over quantity.
I did this about five months ago. First, I would ask your girlfriend what shape of center stone, and type of metal she would prefer, (gold, white gold, platinum, palladium) she likes. I assumed my now fiance would like a princess cut diamond, when she really liked a round cut diamond. Don't be afraid to ask your girlfriend what she likes,(if you're not keeping it a suprise from her) afterall she will be wearing the ring for the rest of her life!
Second, shop around at different jewelers in your area. Avoid chain store jewelers like Kay and Littman, or Jared, etc!!! Go to your local mom and pop jeweler. Don't pay any attention to the GIA of EGL standards of grading a diamond. Some say EGL grades thier diamonds higher than what they should be. The same grade EGL and GIA diamond may look the same to the naked eye, but when you look at those diamonds under a 10X power magnification, the GIA may have more inclusions then the EGL. That was the case in the center stone I purchased. The EGL diamond had fewer inclusions then the GIA, and was only $500 cheaper then the GIA!!! Quality over quantity!!!
Also, you have to purchase the center stone seperately. Don't buy the wedding band at the same time, you will have some time to save up for a nicer wedding band before your wedding. Good Luck!!!
Visit them. A lot of people buy online, but you won't get the same help and personal service as going in person. Also make sure that the jeweler employs a certified gemologist who will take the time to explain the stone's details to you. If you aren't thrilled by the selection, feel free to ask if they have any other items/make custom works.