Ring shopping experiences

[Magpie09]

Hi ladies

My LIW time is getting shorter and shorter (looking at a end of year proposal!!) and so I decided to suck it up and go on my second ring shopping expedition with SO. I say suck it up because my first experience was quite disappointing. I went to a well-known chain where I was treated pretty poorly and the sales assistant was not very helpful. On my second visit I went better prepared with a print-out of the design I would like. After many years on PS the type of ring I want is very specific (similar to the Royal Crown) and is hard to find where I live as most shops carry the same cookie-cutter designs. This doesn't excuse the rudeness of the sales assistants who just want people to go in and buy the first big sparkly ring they see.

Though the second trip went better I still felt like I was inconveniencing the people by trying on rings and by the end of it I felt like just buying a plain band and being done with it all

SO was wonderful through it all but felt let down because of how frustrating the process was for me. Especially since it was about something I have been talking about excitedly for years.

How were your shopping experiences? Good or bad and did the type of shop (boutique/ large chain) affect the treatment. Would you buy from a store where the sales person was friendlier even if the prices were a little higher?

Ahh the downside of being a knowledgeable buyer.

 

[MayFlowers]

BF and I have had two shopping experiences together and then I went to one store by myself. Through all the experiences, I have come to learn that people in local stores (bigger chain type stores) really don't expect people to know anything about diamonds or jewelry when they come. You also have to remember that men and women shop differently. When BF shops, he knows exactly what he wants already, finds the first thing that fits that idea, buys it and goes home. Whereas women may have a specific or general idea of what they want, but they look around, find lots of things similar to that and then make a decision after much debate. (At least that's how I am ) So when you talk about sales assistants that expect you to buy the first pretty ring you see, just remember that most of the time, men go shopping for the ring by themselves and probably really do buy the first ring they like. After they find a ring they like, they may not keep looking just to make sure it's the right one. Onto my experiences....

During one visit at a local store (not really a boutique, but also not a chain), I actually had people tell me that my opinion was wrong. I told them I didn't want to look at any EGL diamonds because GIA is a more reliable lab. They really tried to convince me that I needed to be looking at EGL diamonds and they just didn't understand why people trust GIA more than EGL. However, the GIA diamonds that they DID show me were nice and were a good price too. Other than the EGL bit, they weren't a bad store, and definitely a better choice than say Kay's or Zales.

The other two experiences were at Shane Co. and I can honestly say that while they may not as knowledgable as many PSers, they have always given me wonderful customer service. BF and I bought my diamond studs from them and I absolutely love my earrings. They are a gorgeous size and super sparkly (wish I could see them more) and were also a great price.

As for settings, I know what you mean about cookie-cutter. I love the Royal Crown too and Shane Co definitely does not sell anything close to that. Their settings are all just kind of blah. Is there a place close by you that sells designer rings? Sometimes they also sell replicas of designer rings or at least better quality rings that they design in house. I know the place I mentioned in my first experience sells designer rings and their own in house designs that are pretty nice.

Does your BF have to buy from a local store? Would he consider buying the diamond (or center stone) locally and then shipping it off for a setting from say BGD or WF? Just thinking of some options that might help you since it sounds like your local shops aren't the best.

As for buying from a place with better customer service but higher prices, I may end up just doing that. I believe Shane Co's prices are slightly higher than the first place I mentioned, but they do have wonderful customer service. When BF and I actually go looking for THE ring, we will probably head to Shane Co first. If we can't find what we want within our budget, then we will go to the first store and then head to online places like BGD.

 

[Magpie09]

I seem to have a similar problem. I know what I want and my observations on the effect of an extra 3mm of metal on the band didn't go down too well. have small fingers and band thickness makes a pretty big difference.

There are a few boutique stores that sell a similar design and I have narrowed my search down to 2 styles so it is now up to SO to choose one and either buy it from there or have it custom made. For security reasons I don't know if I'm comfortable sending a diamond to the US and having it made there. I wish they set up shop internationally!

I hope you have better luck in your search

 

[Mico]

good grief, our shopping experience was HORRID! No matter how many times we stated we were focusing on settings some of the B&M sales people were push and kept either focusing on diamonds (and asking for down payments) or showing ugly rings on my finger i didn't even want to try on.

Sorry salespeople, i don't care that the diamond on my hand is 2 cts, it's poorly cut, much lower in color than an I, and the inclusion is HUGE (no it's not my young eyes seeing that, nor dust as it's still there when you wipe it), and as much as you talk my ear off and I politely grin - i'm still not going to go with your EGL certification... also you telling me to keep my options open when I tell you I don't like something you're shoving on my finger doesn't make me want it.

rant over.

one more - TAKE THE DAMN RING BACK! The longer you make me hold it the more I want to chuck it at you!

no, really, done...

We ended up having great experiences at places that were very overpriced. debeers quoted us 1.5 H SI2 diamonds at 20k - but their service was impeccable and they really knew how to handle a browsing couple. Same can be said about the fisk jewelers we visited and tiffany's. No wonder they get so much business.

The experience turned me off from the whole thing for awhile, and now i'm searching online again - the setting we're drawing towards seems nice online, but as always - i would like to see before I buy. When we're closer to purchasing I will talk to VC and see what we can do about trial runs... maybe???

 

[Sun-Shine]

BF and I have been a few times, and its been hilarious on all but one occasion.

First time: Two sales associates had a clear argument over which one of them was helping us. We just left. Problem solved.

Second time: The sales associate couldn't have been any nicer, and also couldn't have known any LESS about jewellery in general. Every ring we asked to see she didn't simply hand it to us she made a very grand gesture of placing it on my ring finger then taking my hand and placing it on BF's hand and saying something like "oooooh just lovely, its meant to be"

Third time: ...was a charm. We went into Tiffany and received competent, polite service we went on a weekday in the morning and told her we were just browsing, and that we didn't want to waste her time, she was funny and said "if i'm not showing you folks rings on a monday morning, I'm pretending to clean the glass tops." I finally got to try on some bezels (which I love). All in all it was a really nice experience.

I've since saved 2 pictures of rings I like to our desktop and left it at that

 

[madelise]

I swear, most B+M jewelry shoppes are just there to humor us. -_______-.

It's great to be able to see so many different things, and at least picture them on for when you are able to purchase through a more reputable vendor.

My god. Even BEFORE PS discovery. I knew enough of diamonds. To know that. The stupid. Daniel's. Jeweler's. Idiot. Salesman. Was. An. Idiot. He tried to sell me almost literally, poop.

And Kevin's Jewelers? Just as poopy.

I use Kevins and Daniels Jewelers to show my friends what ugly diamonds are. I use Tiffany as a tool to show my friends "good quality" diamonds are. Then I scare them with the price tag. And then I show them PS vendors. And they're usually sold

 

[audball]

I knew enough to know going in that I wanted round and solitaire. From my teen years in high school popping in and out of maul stores trying on rings for fun with friends, I knew that is what I wanted. The quality was awful, and the salespeople less than pleasant, but I wasn't really shopping so I didn't really care.

So knowing that going in, and having found PS years before needing it (when helping friends BFs with the process) I also learned of quality and knew what I wanted. Sometime along the way in the last 4 years I fell in love with old cuts and knew I wouldn't find those in a normal jewelry store. I also know that I am a clumsy girl who will break prongs. So enter solitaire, enter round, enter old cut, enter BEZEL. I had a list, I just had to find it.

We found a jewelry store that is local to our area (they have two stores, small, family owned, in business over 25 years) that specializes in antique and estate jewelry. We went in on a Friday during the day and talked to one of the sales ladies. We told her we were just browsing, but she still spent over an hour with us encouraging me to try things on and showing me some of her more favorite pieces. She also sized us both and had Andrew try on different styles of bands and different widths to get an idea of what he'd like in the future. She was wonderful and they have some really beautiful old cuts. If we had the budget and hadn't already purchased our stone, we very well may have bought from them. I will definitely buy something from them in the years to come. Maybe an authentic 1920s wedding band that I tried on while there and fit.like.a.glove! She also very much appreciated the knowledge I had about diamonds, sizes, different types of jewelry that could/couldn't be re-sized, CUT quality. She said she, in 25 years, could count on one hand the number of people who knew anything about cut quality. It was refreshing, she was very very nice.

So other than that all of our shopping together has been online. Gypsy helped us look online and found our perfect little old cut. She also told me to talk to Pearlmans. Best.decision.ever. As a PSer, they know we are particular and have lots of questions. They couldn't be more patient. They also know the value of being able to see something before buying it. And they sent me a sample of the setting we wanted (with a fakey center stone) so I could get an idea of what it would look like on. They paid shipping both ways and I got to wear it around the house a few days to identify comfort and style in the comfort of my own home. They were never pushy.

So my story is a little different than most, I guess. I already knew the style I wanted and didn't need to try things on for that purpose. But I do agree, my experience from younger in maul stores, the sales associates were for not knowledgeable and didn't appreciate anyone 'wasting their time' that wasn't there to buy. Frustrating.

Good luck ladies! It's hard, but sometimes it's the only way to find out what you want!

 

[LoveLikeCrazy]

I was REALLY lucky. The only place i went "ring shopping" was a maul store...(as you PS'ers call them). Maybe a slightly more classy maul store...haha Tiffany's. Technically it was a CASINO store, since the one i usually go to is in mohegan sun ( as casino).

I've gotten really lucky there. We actually have a T&Co about 20 minutes from me, but i've always gotten extremely POOR customer service there. Let me mention, i usually do not go just to browse...ive always bought something and still gotten poor service. So i would NEVER think to go looking at that location. The Casino T&Co is almost an hour away and i have purchased almost everything i own there. We have been there 3 times in total. The first time was a rough idea with FF. He wanted to know what i liked, tried a bunch on etc. The sales associate still took the time to go through their diamond standards, showing me each and every ring and really giving us a great experience even though she knew he was not buying in the immediate future. We both left with a really fuzzy feeling after 45 minutes of trying on rings and bands and everything else! At this sitting, i also tried on a ring i've wanted for a long time, and looked at some new charms. All of which she was extremely kind and showing me everything, and having me try everything on.

The second time was more of a fluke. FF had bought me a charm for my necklace. I ended up not liking it on a necklace, so i went in to have the charm removed from the T&Co bracelet and had the charm he bought me soldered on. Of course, they have us sitting near the engagement rings to fill out all the paperwork for my bracelet. They did not charge me anything for the removal of the charm or adding the new charm. While we were at it, she asked us if we wanted to look at rings. I told her no, it wasn't necessary, but of course FF tells her that "she will be getting the novo one day, i'm trained really well" HAHA. So of course she is like would you like to try it on again...and of course i had to!

The third time was a slight brain fart. I suddenly thought i might want a tiffany setting single solitare. So again a trip to the casino, and we had a different sales person. She asked when we were looking to buy and he said 6 months...LOL. I don't think he meant it though (or maybe he did? he said it would be about a year before we get engaged). So i tried on the tiffany setting, then i made the girl, then i tried on the novo and then i made her ...LOL Then i have one on my right hand one on my left hand and everything in between...Wedding bands, engagement rings..OH MY!! Then she sat with us and asked me what was the most important qualities in a stone...&& of course i said sparkle! She wrote everything down and then said she wanted to play a game with my bf. She took out 3 rings with all different colors...one was a D, one was an F and one was an I. His job was to pick out the D. He couldnt! He thought the I was a D She then asked him budget nd explained that we should get just under a carat as it would be a prettier stone because at 1ct the price point jumps. I let her know to write down that i want a more beautiful stone rather than a larger not as good stone. She sat and listened and wrote. She took down all his contact info and said they could talk by email if he preferred.

So as far as that goes...i've really had great luck in shopping! Now i'm just waiting! Maybe this time next year if i'm lucky!

 

[audball]

rsg...your experience sounds better than most people! I certainly wouldn't call T&Co a maul store! The only thing they maul you on is price!

 

[madelise]

I like how you guys all call them "maul" stores. At first I kept thinking Is this a Canadian spelling or something? Or did one person have a typo and everyone else feed off of it.

Now I get it. I'm kind of slow

 

[Magpie09]

rsg...your experience sounds better than most people! I certainly wouldn't call T&Co a maul store! The only thing they maul you on is price!

I had better customer service when buying a TV let alone a ring which is significantly more expensive! It makes me wonder what the sales assistants are trying to acheive.

I also found T&C to have great cutomer service although unfortuantely they don't carry the ring style i want. I went there once by myself and the staff were very friendly, let me try on as many rings as I wanted and explained everything clearly and without judgement.

Madelise- it took me a while to catch on the jargon as well. Mainly DH & SO

 

[pandabee]

I have only gone by myself or with some friends..I also showed them T&Co to show them good quality and sparkle, and scare them with the price hehe. I went to an Andrew's Jewelers once with a friend and it was not fun at all. The quality there was terrible, as was the lighting, and I didn't like any of their styles. The only thing was that T&Co seemed pushy about insisting that theirs was the absolute *best* quality for the money and of course tried to give me their sales shpeal. And then when I went to the B&M stores they try to diss T&Co. Perhaps I didn't make myself seem a knowledgeable enough consumer that they felt the need to promote their stores above others but whatever. They were all very nice though about letting me try on rings to see styles and all that!

Haven't slipped pictures to him yet but I'm sure I will eventually

 

[LoveLikeCrazy]

Madelise- it took me a while to catch on the jargon as well. Mainly DH & SO

well i'm still new to this whole forum thing...i still don't know DH!! LOL i know FF and SO!

Maybe we need a thread for abbreviations for the newbs

 

[audball]

Madelise- it took me a while to catch on the jargon as well. Mainly DH & SO

well i'm still new to this whole forum thing...i still don't know DH!! LOL i know FF and SO!

Maybe we need a thread for abbreviations for the newbs

DH is Darling Husband (or Dear Husband depending on who you ask!)
DW, same but for Wife.
DS, same but for Son.
DD, same but for Daughter.

There is a thread with a HUGE list of them...I'll try to dig it up.

ETA: Here are a few!
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/glossary.162400/
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/acronyms-abbreviations-slang-used-on-forums.69990/

 

[audball]

I like how you guys all call them "maul" stores. At first I kept thinking Is this a Canadian spelling or something? Or did one person have a typo and everyone else feed off of it.

Now I get it. I'm kind of slow

Hahah, funny, right? It took me a few months to catch on to the 'maul' thing too.

 

[maebelle]

I've had both good and bad maul store experiences.

I did go into a Jared's two years or so ago and they told me that sapphires didn't come in anything but round (hilarious) and if I wanted something bigger than a carat I'd have to get man made sapphire. I don't think they could get it through their head at the time that I wanted a sapphire because that is what I wanted, not because I was on a budget

I also remember dropping into another store while shopping and asked if I could see some three stones. I must have looked grungy that day because they handed me the absolutely tiniest three stone I have ever seen. MAYBE .25 ctw. I was actually a little insulted!

 

[audball]

I've had both good and bad maul store experiences.

I did go into a Jared's two years or so ago and they told me that sapphires didn't come in anything but round (hilarious) and if I wanted something bigger than a carat I'd have to get man made sapphire. I don't think they could get it through their head at the time that I wanted a sapphire because that is what I wanted, not because I was on a budget

I also remember dropping into another store while shopping and asked if I could see some three stones. I must have looked grungy that day because they handed me the absolutely tiniest three stone I have ever seen. MAYBE .25 ctw. I was actually a little insulted!

Wow! What a lack of knowledge and RUDE! I'd have been fuming.

 

[star sparkle]

Maul stores and the vast majority of B&M's are just ridiculous in the sense that their salespeople are embarrassingly uneducated.

A PSer friend and I went to some B&M stores in our area like 8-9 months ago when I started considering what I wanted for an ering. I was interested in old cuts but had never seen one in person, and we thought it would be amusing to go into these stores and see if on the off chance they might have one or two in their inventory. Um, yeah, when I asked if they had any OEC's or antique cuts, I got a blank, confused stare. Some of them tried to be helpful and asked what I meant by "antique cut" or "OEC/OMC" and tried their darndest to understand, but alas, no luck. It made us giggle, though!

Only one B&M around here carries a stock of them, and they're just amazing. They're not a PS vendor, but they know all about PS and have the most fantabulous selection of rings/stones I have EVER seen (including Tiff's, Cartier, etc). They once had a 13ct (not, that's NOT a typo..13CT!!!!) round honker that they let us try on and take pictures of. Tiff's wouldn't even let me try on a 3ct solitaire! Their staff is just as knowledgable as any PS vendor, and they absolutely love when people come in who know what they're talking about. They also let you try on stuff for hours and hours on end even though they know full well that you aren't purchasing anything at the time.

 

[madelise]

Maul stores and the vast majority of B&M's are just ridiculous in the sense that their salespeople are embarrassingly uneducated.

A PSer friend and I went to some B&M stores in our area like 8-9 months ago when I started considering what I wanted for an ering. I was interested in old cuts but had never seen one in person, and we thought it would be amusing to go into these stores and see if on the off chance they might have one or two in their inventory. Um, yeah, when I asked if they had any OEC's or antique cuts, I got a blank, confused stare. Some of them tried to be helpful and asked what I meant by "antique cut" or "OEC/OMC" and tried their darndest to understand, but alas, no luck. It made us giggle, though!

Only one B&M around here carries a stock of them, and they're just amazing. They're not a PS vendor, but they know all about PS and have the most fantabulous selection of rings/stones I have EVER seen (including Tiff's, Cartier, etc). They once had a 13ct (not, that's NOT a typo..13CT!!!!) round honker that they let us try on and take pictures of. Tiff's wouldn't even let me try on a 3ct solitaire! Their staff is just as knowledgable as any PS vendor, and they absolutely love when people come in who know what they're talking about. They also let you try on stuff for hours and hours on end even though they know full well that you aren't purchasing anything at the time.

That place sounds awesome! Disneyland for diamonds! I want to try on a 13ct!

 

[maebelle]

You wouldn't happen to live anywhere near michigan, would you?

 

[star sparkle]

That place sounds awesome! Disneyland for diamonds! I want to try on a 13ct!

It IS awesome. I frequently spend 2-3 hours there at a time just playing in their "toy box."

Next time you make it to NorCal you'll have to let me know and we can make a pit stop there.

The 13ct was pretty recent, maybe Octoberish? The first time I went there a few years ago, I told them my story about Tiffany not letting me try on the 3ct solitaire and the salesguy was outraged on my behalf and said he'd be right back. He went back into their vault and brought out the largest ring they had at the time for me to try on, which was an 8ct halo'd oval. My jaw dropped, it was stunning!

 

[audball]

Holy crap ss! That sounds AMAZING! The little place by me with antiques and OECs is small, but sooo cute! And they let me try on anything and everything. She even encouraged me to try on some of her favorites knowing full well we weren't buying. If I do make it out to SF for my dream elopement...you'll have to email me the name of this place to put on Andrew and I's attractions list! Lol.

 

[star sparkle]

Holy crap ss! That sounds AMAZING! The little place by me with antiques and OECs is small, but sooo cute! And they let me try on anything and everything. She even encouraged me to try on some of her favorites knowing full well we weren't buying. If I do make it out to SF for my dream elopement...you'll have to email me the name of this place to put on Andrew and I's attractions list! Lol.

OH, TOTALLY!! The place is Joe Escobar Diamonds in Campbell, so it's in the South Bay (and actually less than a mile from where I'm currently sitting ).

If you DON'T make it to the South Bay, I can't believe I forgot to put Lang Antiques on your attraction list!!! It is AMAZEBALLS, and where my ering came from. It's a tiny little antique jewelry shop with seriously the most gorgeous collection of stuff ever, and the staff is great and will let you try on anything you want for as long as you want.

Check out both JE and Lang websites for serious jewelry ****.

(sorry for the mini threadjack!)

 

[audball]

Holy crap ss! That sounds AMAZING! The little place by me with antiques and OECs is small, but sooo cute! And they let me try on anything and everything. She even encouraged me to try on some of her favorites knowing full well we weren't buying. If I do make it out to SF for my dream elopement...you'll have to email me the name of this place to put on Andrew and I's attractions list! Lol.

OH, TOTALLY!! The place is Joe Escobar Diamonds in Campbell, so it's in the South Bay (and actually less than a mile from where I'm currently sitting ).

If you DON'T make it to the South Bay, I can't believe I forgot to put Lang Antiques on your attraction list!!! It is AMAZEBALLS, and where my ering came from. It's a tiny little antique jewelry shop with seriously the most gorgeous collection of stuff ever.

Check out both JE and Lang websites for serious jewelry ****.

(sorry for the mini threadjack!)

I've heard of Joe Escobar on the boards! Awesome. AND OMG!! I ogle Lang's website all.the.time. Amazeballs is right...totally going on the LIST!

 

[derbygal]

Hubby and I have been looking around for a 20th anniv. upgrade. I have been admiring Durnell rings online, and I saw that a smaller boutique-type store here in town carried the line. (I had previously tried on the one Durnell ring they had in their store and loved it). The other day we were in the store, and I see a different Durnell in the case. Two ladies were waiting on us. I asked to see the Durnell ring and pointed to it. The first gal had no clue which ring was the Durnell, the second gal all but yells out, "We don't carry Durnell here!"

Keep in mind that Durnell has a very distinctive look to most of her rings. I knew without a doubt this was a Durnell. The first gal pulls the tray out and still the second gal refused to believe they "carried Durnell". She finally conceded after looking at the tag, but seemed baffled. This is the crap I'm dealing with locally. Makes me cringe just thinking of how much more hubby and I know that any of the sales clerks. How do you not know the brands of rings you carry????????

By the way, I was also told at the same store (when I was ogling the Maevona rings) that Maevona is merging or being bought out and that I was NOT able to order a Maevona from them (even though they carry that line). I seriously hope this isn't true.

 

[maebelle]

I hope not! I also love Maevona rings!

 

[audball]

OMG! That would be super sad. Maevona makes so many lovely pieces! I really hope it isn't true!

 

[pandabee]

That place sounds awesome! Disneyland for diamonds! I want to try on a 13ct!

It IS awesome. I frequently spend 2-3 hours there at a time just playing in their "toy box."

Next time you make it to NorCal you'll have to let me know and we can make a pit stop there.

The 13ct was pretty recent, maybe Octoberish? The first time I went there a few years ago, I told them my story about Tiffany not letting me try on the 3ct solitaire and the salesguy was outraged on my behalf and said he'd be right back. He went back into their vault and brought out the largest ring they had at the time for me to try on, which was an 8ct halo'd oval. My jaw dropped, it was stunning!

I *have* always wanted to visit NorCal!!!!! That would be such a ball to try on a 31ct...I can't even imagine how big that would be! Or how heavy! As far as Lang Antiques, I didn't realize that's where it was either! I love ogling at their stuff online, they have amazing pictures and stunning pieces.

 

[Magpie09]

Mmm I'm tempted to fly over just to try on rings as there doesn't seem to be anything over 2ct in my parts .

Funnily enough I found the best jewellery store in Capri when I was travelling around Europe. The smallest stone there had to be 10ct, no joke, and it only went up! I was in coloured stone heaven. I was too shy to ask to try anything on but the store was truelly amazing.

 

[taco185]

shopping for an e-ring was like a roller coaster for BF and I. It was such a compromise between having a great sales assistant..but no ring/diamond that we fancied, to having a sales assistant with such poor customer service that you'd probably vow never to go back...except...they're holding on to the ring that you really want to try on..
well, we didn't end up going with either, since the first didn't have a diamond of our specifications, and the second provided such a hit-and-miss service.
We ended up buying our ring while we were on a holiday/conference overseas since the australian dollar was doing really well at the time, and managed to save 15ks (they like to mark the prices up heaps and tax us heaps over here). And because we were tourists, everyone seemed extra nice (probably because they'd never see us again). We had the ring selection taken up to our hotel room, and I was able to try them on, in natural light, along with some champagne and biscuits.