Calling all KC area LIW.....

[KCCutie]

Okay I know some of you will think I''m nuts but....

I''m going to try on some e-rings this weekend with my sister. I don''t want my SO to feel pressured but I have 2 whole pages of settings I think I like and I just want to see some in person to see if I really do like them. This way he won''t feel pressured and I''ll get a sparkle fix. We''re not telling him we''re doing this either. I know he won''t be shopping really soon but when he''s ready I want to be ready.

I''m a very indecisive person I usually have trouble deciding where to go for dinner and it totally annoys my SO. So when he asks me what kind of e-ring I like I want to have a solid answer so he''s not tortured trying to buy me something special and just hoping I like it. Also if he doesn''t ask me he may ask my sister (they are pretty close) and this way she''ll know too.

Now back to the reason for this post....any LIW out there from the KC area know where can I see some Asschers? I''m guessing I won''t be able to find them just anywhere....so have you seen any? Is there a specific jeweler in town who has a great selection?

 

[hairgirl95]

Hey KCCutie--I read the timeline post--YAY!!--is this the weekend for ering shopping? I live here in KC as well--I can think of a few suggestions, and what to stay away from. First, read some of the posts about the trouble I have had with my former jeweler. I am sure you have heard of Meierottos in the northland--they are the store I have had some trouble with. Really, the prices are not too bad on the stones. They rake you over the coals though on mountings. Really high and unreasonable prices. They do carry Tacori, Verragio, Martin Flyer, and a few others though from the designer lines. You can use these as ideas if you want something cheaper designed. I would seriously steer you away from purchasing ANYTHING except a stone from them. And if you do a stone, make sure you see the certs BEFORE you do anything. If they see you are not a diamond idiot, they will show you quality GIA stones. Do NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES let them mount a diamond for you. Their benchperson is horrible. I have sent many rings back to be re-done. Their benchperson is just not that talented. The sales help will really pressure you into buying, and if you mention shopping online, they will tell you online stores are horrible and corrupt, blah blah. Don''t listen to them. I am posting this in detail because all I ever heard were these wonderful pumping mary sunshine stories about Meierottos. I was gaga to go there for my e-ring. The first experience was great, and I would have pumped mary sunshine about them too. Then I realized that as long as you don''t have to go BACK for anything, they are great. BUT, if you have to do a prong replacement, remount, upgrade, etc etc they prove to be a little difficult. Just my 2 cents.

SO, onto the better places to go!! I would recommend Kennedys--I think they are in Blue Springs. If not, they are in Independence. Gary Lezak had a weather giveaway with their jewelry a few months ago. A co-worker of mine got her e-ring there and its GORGEOUS!! They really cater to the customer with excellent customer service. There is also Dolgin''s Diamonds at 95th & Metcalf (next to Micro Center). They do great work too. I would pay Tivol a visit. My insurance deals directly with Tivol if you need a ring replaced that is covered by insurance. I know they are a little pricey, but its fun to look! And you gotta pay Tiffany''s a visit. Heck, both Tivol AND Tiffany''s are both on the plaza--kill 2 birds with one stone! I think if I were in your shoes I would also try the Shane Co. I only know of one at 135th and Metcalf. They seem to do a lot of business! Just steer clear of the mall stores. They are over priced and sell not so great quality. Happy ring shopping--I hope you find some things you like. Go Asscher hunting!!! Let me know if you find something at one of these stores.

 

[NewEnglandLady]

I was born and raised in KC and while I didn't do any asscher shopping in KC (I moved to the East Coast about a decade ago), I do stop in jewelry stores when I'm at home. I've noticed there are significantly fewer asschers around in KC than on the coasts, but I think you can still find some!

I think your best bet would be the higher-end jewelry stores--I know I saw at least one asscher at Tivol on the Plaza. Somewhere like the plaza where have several high-end jewelers in one area might be easiest for you (you could even check out Halls' jewelry department). If nothing else, Tiffany will have the legacy and while it is a cross between an asscher and a cushion, it will give you some idea of how an asscher looks on your hand.

I guess you could also try a big jewelry mega-store, but I don't think you'll have as much luck at a place like that. I went to the new Jared's at the Independence Center last month (the first time in my life I'd been to a Jared's) and while they had a huge selection, they didn't have a single asscher, I'd say 85% of their inventory was round brilliants and princesses. If I remember correctly, they only had 3 emerald cuts, which surprised me.

When I was doing my own asscher hunt, I literally called all the jewelry stores in my area and asked if they had any asschers in stock that I could look at. Most of them didn't, but told me they could call some in if I wanted. I wasn't ready to do that at that point (because DH wasn't ready to buy), but just calling around and asking saved me a ton of driving-around time. I would definitely suggest you call some jewelers in your area and ask. I'd probably start by calling Tivol, Meierotto's, Tiffany (to see if they have any non-Legacy asschers in the store), and maybe a larger mega-store just to see.

Please let us know how it goes!

ETA: I just saw that Meieretto's is the jeweler responsible for Hairgirl's AWFUL experience with her radiant and the whole setting issue (your oval is beautiful, though, hairgirl). I guess you could see if they had any asschers to try on, but I definitely wouldn't recommend buying from them at all. In fact, when you get to the point where you're ready to buy, I think your best bet would be Jon at GOG. Still, it's good to see them in person to find out what specs you like, how color sensitive you are, etc. I know that when it came time to buy mine, we had 3-4 stones shipped at three different jeweler's, so I was able to analyze about a dozen of them before deciding. This was pre-PS, so I didn't even know about GOG, or that would have been an option for me.

 

[KCCutie]

Thanks so much ladies!

I was planning on going to Dolgins, Meierottos, and Tiffany so I guess I was on the right track there.

I''m going to add Tivol to the list and if we have time we''ll stop by Halls just for fun. I work right by Shane Co, so I think I''ll just pop in there over lunch (maybe today).

Thanks for the heads up on Meierottos. I won''t have much say in where my SO buys the ring or what he buys but if he does get it there I''ll keep that in mind or maybe I can sneak in story about how I heard they aren''t so good after the sale. This trip is really more to see what the styles look like up close, what looks good on my hand and just to have fun bonding with my sister and trying on gorgeous rings. Oh and finding out my ring size.

Apparently my SO wants no help whatsoever in choosing my ring. I asked him last night if he would like for me to give him a few basic shapes or designs that I knew I liked, not just "I want one of these 3 rings." I do want him to pick it out but just the basic style. He said no absolutely not he didn''t want to talk about it at all. So I''m starting to think maybe I should try on everything and try to like it b/c who knows what I''ll get. I did get the fact that I love Asschers into a conversation a few months ago and that his sisters 1 ct RB looked to big and expensive for my taste (it''s really beautiful and perfect for her of course). So I''m fairly certain that unless he has a family ring I don''t know about it''ll be an Asscher under 1ct.

Trust me I''ll let you know what I find and have my sister take pics too.

 

[hairgirl95]

Hey New England--thanks for the compliments on the oval. You are sweet. Did you always hear wonderful stories about Meierottos when you lived here? I don''t live in the northland, so I don''t hear many people comment about them on a regular basis--my sister used them for her e-ring, a few of her sorority sisters did too, they loved them, and then I went there. Just curious what experiences you heard about them. I went and checked out the Jared''s in Independence a couple of weeks ago. They did have some pretty settings, and I was surprised to learn that they are a sister store of Beldens and Kay Jewelers. I didn''t know that before. I was just being a nosy shopper with no plans to buy anything, and the sales guy was very nice about showing me stuff with no pressure. Gave me some ideas of what I liked and didn''t like. Heres a big hello from the good ol'' KC for ya. And heres hoping spring shows up sometime soon

Cutie--ooh pictures! You gotta post what you see on Saturday. Fun Fun Fun!! I cannot WAIT to see some things you pick. Did you go to Shanes today? I thought of you earlier when I drove by there. I have always wanted to stop there just to look around. I would have to go in a wig and sunglasses--if my hubby caught me browsing any more jewelry stores he may confiscate my ering!! I love to frequent the Chik-fil-a over there--its my nasty little addiction!

Can''t wait to see what you find. Ditto New England on checking with online vendors. I think Tivol and Tiff. and Dolgin are prolly your best local bet, and if you don''t likey what you see, definitely go the online route. Good luck!! After reading what NE Lady wrote, I gotta agree with not buying the stone from Meierottos. I thought about that after I posted it last night, and it kinda bothered me that I would suggest that option to you. I re-read all my posts about my ring problems, and I really can''t in good faith endorse them. I really don''t trust them, and I would NEVER want you to have the same experience I had. I want you to find the PERFECT stone and ring, not be riddled with grief and hassle. Steer clear of Meierottos--it will be doing yourself a huge favor. Once again, can''t wait to see what you find. Looks like it will finally be nice this weekend--great weather for some plaza walking!!

Did I mention I am a corrupter when it comes to expensive bling and diamond upgrades??

 

[NewEnglandLady]

Hey, Hairgirl,

Nobody I know has bought anything from Meierotto''s, but a friend told me that they have a wider selection of fancy shapes which is why I thought they might have an asscher or two. On one hand, it wouldn''t hurt to go there to just try some things on, but after reading about your experience I''m afraid that even if they DID have asschers, they might not be well-cut. Your radiant had something like 75% depth, right? If KCCutie goes there trying to figure out what specs she likes in an asscher, it might be counter-productive.

 

[KCCutie]

Thanks again ladies!

No I didn''t go into Shane Co yesterday I ran out of time. I think I will today though. They may not have any Asschers but it''ll be fun just to look around.

I did call Meierottos and they said they have several Asschers, but given HGs experience with them we may just stay on the south side. I think we''ll got to Dolgins, Tiffany and Tivol.

Looks like I have been lovingly kicked out of the ring shopping process so I have no control over where SO buys anything at this point but I''ll try to sneak in my opinion which is he should buy the stone on-line and have the experts here check it out.

Tomorrow is going to be just for fun. I don''t want to fall in love with anything specific so I may even try on other shapes. I''ve asked my sister to bring her camera so we can take some pics for everyone. The way I am if I try on everything then I''m bound to like most of them and be back at square one and that way no matter what E ends up getting I''ll be thrilled. Okay that sounded wrong I''ll be thrilled no matter what b/c the fact that he''s picking it out for me and that it means I get to spend the rest of my life with the most amazing man is just....well... amazing.

 

[KCCutie]

Okay I''m a horrible PSer. I didn''t take any pictures.

I know, I know. I was just all wrapped up in looking at everything and trying to explain the difference to my little sister that I totally forgot. Here''s what I learned though 1. I really am totally in love with the Asscher cut stones 2. There are so many beautiful settings I''m not even worried I know he''ll pick one I love, 3. If he asks my sister if I''ll like something she''ll know what to say.

Actually my favorite I saw on Friday at Shane Co was this solitaire:
http://www.shaneco.com/catalog/productdetail.asp?ProductID=28512&PageLevelID=1179&fromPage=
although I''m not a fan of that Crisscut diamond I''d rather have an Asscher. The people there were really nice and didn''t care that I was just playing around.

Dolgins had a few Asschers but I wasn''t blown away by their settings. They were really nice though and let me see everything and show my sister all sorts of stuff and helped me to explain it all to her. We spent half an hour going around the store and she pointed out stuff she knew I wouldn''t like. LOL

Tiffany''s was nice. A few simple settings. I liked the Lucida b/c it doesn''t sit too high up. The lady who helped us there was really sweet too. Too bad Tiffany will probably be out of the price range.

Tivol was horrible. No one there would even give us the time of day, much less us look at a ring.

Then we went into Helzberg just for fun. There was a setting they called the Lady Ella that was nice but they don''t have Asshcers and I''m not sure about the quality of the setting but I like how it looked.

I had no idea how overwhelming it is to go ring shopping I hope my SO doesn''t feel tis overwhelmed. If he does I hope he asks me or my sister for some help.