I'd like to buy my wife a nice ring, maybe even with real gems, for a change. But being a practical guy it drives me nuts that jewelry has such unreal mark up - sometimes like 500% or whatever. I always feel like it's such a rip off especially for someone like me who knows nothing about it and has no idea where the best place to look is. Are chains like Kays Jewelry any good? Should I go to a local non-chain store? Any suggestions or help is welcomed.

BTW, her birthiday's tomorrow. I don't rush into things either. There's always Christmas.

 

Yeah, that's a tough one on one day's notice, Dave. I've bought from the chain jewelry stores in the past. I've also gone to jewelers and the diamond merchants in downtown Boston.

To save money, try Craigslist for jewelry that an idividual is selling. Have them meet you at a jeweler and pay the jeweler to look at the piece you want to buy to make sure it is legit.

 

Generally, I'd go to a small local jeweler before a chain store. My sis used to deal with a "diamond lady" in NH and got some great buys. That doesn't help you though.

What are you thinking? Diamonds? Rubies? Emeralds? I like baubles. I'd help you shop if you were closer.

 

From past experience, I've had better luck at the local jeweler (family owned, non chain) as far as quality/service and price.

 

I've bought myself jewelry from Costco and Sam's Club. I purchased a gold chain once, from Gottschalk's (a dept. store). They had it at half price and then I had a coupon for another 20% off, so I thought I was getting a good deal. A little while later, Costco starting selling the same chain for about $20 less. I have a gorgeous 1 carat diamond necklace and big diamond earrings that came from Costco. I like to buy earrings with matching necklaces and both stores carry them. I've got a blue topaz set from Costco and some other light blue set, from Sam's Club. If either one of them is selling something I like, I don't feel like I can beat their price any where.

 

 

Thanks Patty, I never wuold have thought of Sam's... we have one and we're members. We don't have any Costco's close by.

 

Diamonds.

 

I always buy from a local guy we know. His jewelry is superb (David Yurman, etc) and he gives us a generous discount. He also replaces our watch batteries free and this cost $$ for our Tag watches. My wife wants to buy pearl necklaces for our daughters for Xmas and his pricing is better than QVC and we know it if first rate quality. This is unique but I bought from another local jeweler before this guy and got decent discounts and first class jewelry. Just me but I feel more comfortable dealing with a known source.

 

When I was looking to buy a ring for my wife for our 25th anniversary I wanted to get something nice, because when we got married we did not have any money.

I went to a local jeweler and looked at new diamond rings. While I was there I also looked ate the estate jewelry case. In jeweler speak estate means used.

I saw a really nice setting with small diamonds with no center stone. Then I looked at some loose stones and found a nice 3.45 carat stone with a small flaw, invisible to the naked eye. I had them mount the stone. My wife was very happy with the ring, it is quite spectacular.

I had it appraised for insurance purposes. Those appraisals always come up with an inflated figure. If you actually have a loss the only pay out about half, claiming that to be the replacement cost if you want the money, otherwise they will replace the item. My assumption therefore is that the real value is 50% of the insured value. I've insured other items that i bought at retail and the appraisals always come in at twice the amount I paid.c Taking that into account I actually paid about 70% of what the rinbg would have cost at retail.

We have bought other stuff from the estate case.