Buying a ring in San Sebastian, Spain

[pricescoperocks]

Hello, my wife has her eye on a ring here in San Sebastian where we are on vacation for a few months. The price is 1,250 Euros. It is unpolished rose gold or pink gold (can't remember which) and it has about 10 or so very tiny diamonds in it. We know almost nothing about jewelry but we're hoping to avoid overpaying. What would be the best way to go about this? We asked the shopkeeper for details about the ring and she didn't know but we pressed and she basically said she could find out if we are serious. She thinks it is 18kt gold.

I'd like to have an independent appraisal, but is that sort of thing a waste of time with such a relatively low-priced piece of jewelry?

 

[pricescoperocks]

The shopkeeper just told us that the ring is 18kt gold and the diamonds come to .25kt. She will also provide a certificate with the ring. Can anyone tell me how I should proceed with this?

 

[duker]

You have to ask for the quality of the diamonds, and also, to know what is the laboratory. Once you did I recommend you to use this tool to know the value of a single diamond: https://www.pricescope.com/diamond-search-results/

 

[Lady_Disdain]

You have to ask for the quality of the diamonds, and also, to know what is the laboratory. Once you did I recommend you to use this tool to know the value of a single diamond: https://www.pricescope.com/diamond-search-results/

That is overkill for such small melee, as the bulk of the value is not in them. 0.025 pointers are priced around $400/ct for nice stones, which would place their cost at $100.

The value of this kind of ring comes mainly from the gold itself, the labour in the ring, the designer name and retail location (expensive real state, fancy storefront, etc all add to the cost). I would suggest you look for similar rings online and compare prices.

 

[movie zombie]

^^^^^what Lady said.

overkill for the amount of $.
sometimes we like things and we get too wound up in if its a good deal or not.
look online for similar rings. that might give you room to bargain.
otherwise, buy it and let your wife enjoy her momento from what is a [i hope] a great vacation.

 

[canuk-gal]

^^^^^what Lady said.

overkill for the amount of $.
sometimes we like things and we get too wound up in if its a good deal or not.
look online for similar rings. that might give you room to bargain.
otherwise, buy it and let your wife enjoy her momento from what is a [i hope] a great vacation.

This.

When recently in Italy, I spent time looking in Estate shops--and didn't buy b/c most of the rings liked were not in good condition and repair was out of the question.

Should you find something that is suitable, I would be prepared to negotiate--since the prices, I found, to be terribly inlfated.

cheers--Sharon

 

[pricescoperocks]

Thanks for the advice everyone. The ring was actually 1150 Euros, I've offered 1000, and they have come back with 1100, but they said I can have the VAT refunded if I have a paper stamped at the airport as I'm leaving and mail it back to them. This should bring the price down to around 935. Can I expect the refund to work out?

From the research we've done online, it's a very reputable and well-established shop, and the location and establishment itself seem top quality.

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

You can have the VAT refunded to you at the airport--if you have the product in YOUR HANDS. Read the VAT refund rules very carefully--I did not and did not get my VAT back because I could not prove I had bought anything--paperwork without the Customs Officers seeing the item won't help. My stuff was packed in my luggage.

P.S. Any Hemmingway sightings??

cheers--Sharon

 

[pricescoperocks]

Thanks!

 

[pricescoperocks]

We bought the ring and she loves it, but we took it back to have it resized a little smaller a couple days later and were told it would be 45 Euros. Is that normal?

 

[movie zombie]

don't know if that's normal in spain or not. if you didn't negotiate it as part of the price, well, that may be your "normal".

why not wait to get it sized until you get home?

glad you got it, glad she loves it.

 

[pricescoperocks]

She switched it to her middle finger and it fits perfectly and looks even better.

 

[movie zombie]

ah, the perfect answer! congrats!