G&H...Blair's...other?

[sweetpea]

Dustin's real mom (who is crazy) gave me some weird jewelry that she says she made for Christmas (she didn't get Dustin anything ). I think she was trying to get on my good side after she said some nasty things about me behind my back and Dustin called her out on it. Either way, it's sitting in my "ugly jewelry" jewelry box.

I got a jewelry box of stuff I don't wear too...



it's in my 6 y/o's room...

 

[sweetpea]

I dont buy perfumes normally ...those are way to hit or miss... as for jewelry, I got good taste, but it does help to here her say she likes something when we pass by the window, or walk in "so i can get my watch cleaned" or "links taken out of it" or "my necklace cleaned" hahaha...so at times I cheat a tad

That's a good thing...paying attention.

 

[Nickel]

I dont buy perfumes normally ...those are way to hit or miss... as for jewelry, I got good taste, but it does help to here her say she likes something when we pass by the window, or walk in "so i can get my watch cleaned" or "links taken out of it" or "my necklace cleaned" hahaha...so at times I cheat a tad

That's the way to do it, and that's what D does. Luckily he doesn't give into marketing. With all these jewelry commercials with the heart pendants and three stone necklaces I'm afraid that I'll end up getting one (I really don't like them), but I've made my opinion clear.

 

[Softballkid]

I try to stay away from what I see on commercials..unless its a watch that I want.. like them new Bretlings (sp) I like those ALOT...and Ive always had a thing for Tag Huer... but d*amn if they aint expensive

 

[kom526]

I try to stay away from what I see on commercials..unless its a watch that I want.. like them new Bretlings (sp) I like those ALOT...and Ive always had a thing for Tag Huer... but d*amn if they aint expensive

Don't expect to find any Breitlings @ discount prices. They are nice though.

 

[Softballkid]

Don't expect to find any Breitlings @ discount prices. They are nice though.

Do you know which arm and leg G&H wants for them yet?? I havent been in there to look yet, I was thinkin of stoppin by Friday or something to take a look though...

 

[virgovictoria]

I get a good feeling from the folks at Blair's. It hasn't always been that way. I feel that the quality at G&H may be superior, but I can't help but want to run out of the door (experience, I guess)... And Rick's has never made much of an impact on me to make me go out of my way to go there again. I found Blair's to be a pleasant experience for jewelry and gift shopping.

 

[kom526]

Do you know which arm and leg G&H wants for them yet?? I havent been in there to look yet, I was thinkin of stoppin by Friday or something to take a look though...

I looked at some @ watchplanet.com and found the prices to be in line w/ the Tag link 1200-2500. Breitling.com says that any of their watches that are purchased on the internet are fake. The Chronomat avenger M1 is a nice looking timepiece.

 

[Softballkid]

I looked at some @ watchplanet.com and found the prices to be in line w/ the Tag link 1200-2500. Breitling.com says that any of their watches that are purchased on the internet are fake. The Chronomat avenger M1 is a nice looking timepiece.

1200-1500.... WOW.... I didnt think they would start that high... I guess I may not be getting one any time soon But Ill definitly have to go and take a look see....

I have a Tag Huer now, and it definitly wasn't cheap, but I got it before it was a real "big name" watch, with Tiger Woods sponsoring them and all that, so I got lucky there

 

[sleuth]

http://www.bluenile.com

Very high quality loose stones, huge selection for much cheaper than you get at a jewelry store. And I mean HUGE selection. Go to a local store to search for loose diamonds and you're lucky to have 2 or 3 that meet your minimum criteria to choose from.

Go to Blue Nile and you'll have 10-20 at least. And you get bigger and better quality for 25% or more less than what you'd pay in a jewelry store.

They overnight mail it to you. You have 30 days to decide if you want to keep it, plenty of time to get it appraised. Make sure you insure it before you appraise it, which means you may have to buy a loose diamond insurance policy at http://www.chubb.com at the same time.

Most homeowner's policies won't cover loose stones.

 

[Hessian]

Thanks sleuth (et al.)

I stopped by Ricks yesterday: No loose diamonds available...Rick was out of town and they apparently aren't allowed to open the safe...
Next off to G&H,...no loose stones to show: only engagement rings and they knock 100.00 off if you just want the stone: so,...I was looking at a .33 ct for about 600.00--ok, but not something to write home about.
Since I had to Swing by Walmart I wandered past the cases: only 1/4 & 1/2 stones in rings/earings. and I don't know if the clerk knew the difference between glass & stone.

In the BJ's....nice stones in earing studs and prices were acceptable: but: Fast Eddie the clerk was way out of his league and probably felt more comfortable selling all-season radials.

Maertens was indeed a nice stop but: 2x what I was willing to pay for a nice stone,...courteous too, helpful.
so...I'll keep looking.
Thanks again all...

 

[Pete]

I stopped by Ricks yesterday: No loose diamonds available...Rick was out of town and they apparently aren't allowed to open the safe...
Next off to G&H,...no loose stones to show: only engagement rings and they knock 100.00 off if you just want the stone: so,...I was looking at a .33 ct for about 600.00--ok, but not something to write home about.
Since I had to Swing by Walmart I wandered past the cases: only 1/4 & 1/2 stones in rings/earings. and I don't know if the clerk knew the difference between glass & stone.

In the BJ's....nice stones in earing studs and prices were acceptable: but: Fast Eddie the clerk was way out of his league and probably felt more comfortable selling all-season radials.

Maertens was indeed a nice stop but: 2x what I was willing to pay for a nice stone,...courteous too, helpful.
so...I'll keep looking.
Thanks again all...

I know a place in Kowloon

 

[cattitude]

JW Jewelers in Prince Frederick.

 

[sleuth]

I stopped by Ricks yesterday: No loose diamonds available...Rick was out of town and they apparently aren't allowed to open the safe...
Next off to G&H,...no loose stones to show: only engagement rings and they knock 100.00 off if you just want the stone: so,...I was looking at a .33 ct for about 600.00--ok, but not something to write home about.
Since I had to Swing by Walmart I wandered past the cases: only 1/4 & 1/2 stones in rings/earings. and I don't know if the clerk knew the difference between glass & stone.

In the BJ's....nice stones in earing studs and prices were acceptable: but: Fast Eddie the clerk was way out of his league and probably felt more comfortable selling all-season radials.

Maertens was indeed a nice stop but: 2x what I was willing to pay for a nice stone,...courteous too, helpful.
so...I'll keep looking.
Thanks again all...

So what did you find on Blue Nile?

 

[Hessian]

Blue Nile...

I browsed...and really like their instant buying guide-definitions, examples:VERY helpful.
I think the diamond I saw was over a .42 ct and had some excellent qualities.
I am very tempted to place the order tomorrow...they will have it here by her Birthday: a very good surprise.
So...what part of my budget will I have to tweak to cover 675.00?

 

[sleuth]

I browsed...and really like their instant buying guide-definitions, examples:VERY helpful.
I think the diamond I saw was over a .42 ct and had some excellent qualities.
I am very tempted to place the order tomorrow...they will have it here by her Birthday: a very good surprise.
So...what part of my budget will I have to tweak to cover 675.00?

Cut and Color are most of your value. You can give up a little and get a VS2 in clarity and if you "buy shy" in carat weight, you'll save a bundle (e.g. 0.49 ct instead of 0.51, buy short of those 'magic numbers' like 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, etc.)

If it were me, I'd get as high as you can get on color (D) and cut (Ideal). You'll want to aim for excellent symmetry and polish to go along with that cut, no flourescense, and a medium girdle. Hearts & Arrows designation is a nice bonus. Whatever you do, don't sacrifice on cut/symmetry/polish - that's what really determines your 'fire' or 'sparkle'. However, a note of caution, the definition of 'ideal' is controversial among grading organizations, but if you go with AGS or GIA cert, you'll be good to go.

As I mentioned, anything you get with VS2 clarity is still going to sparkle and will only show flaws under a microscope. Wouldn't recommend anything less than VS2 though. If you must sacrifice on color, try not to get anything less than an F (near colorless). I'm a quality hound though, so I would sacrifice size to get an ideal cut, colorless diamond.

One more note of caution, though you won't have to worry if you buy from Blue Nile - they're the most reputable online vendor, named the best by Forbes Magazine - but be careful about buying 'treated' diamonds. What that means is there was some carbon in there... they drilled in and dissolved the carbon, then refilled the hole with resin. It's illegal. And you wind up with a diamond with a foreign substance that may change properties under certain conditions. Watch out for those if you go anywhere else.

 

[sleuth]

Finally, avoid certifications that are not AGS or GIA. Organizations like IGI, EGS, or others not only grade their diamonds but they appraise them as well. It's a conflict of interest, and besides, who are they to put a 'value' to your diamond. Obviously the value it has to you may not be the value they assign to it.

 

[AK-74me]

JW Jewelers in Prince Frederick.

That is where I bought my Fiancee hers, Henry is awesome. I found this really expensive designer ring off some web site and he made me an awesome replica of the band. Then he got a good deal finding all the little stones that went around the band and the main diamond too.