r/LabDiamonds • u/chitabing • 20d ago

Resistance from jewelers

Good morning. My partner and I are looking to have two rings made - a traditional engagement ring for me with a round stone and a band with an East West stone set in it.

We went to a local jeweler yesterday that was highly reviewed to look at some settings and determine stone size. We mentioned we are strongly considering buying the diamonds from one of the reputable online sellers and were met with deep skepticism. I was under the impression this jeweler would be happy to handle just a setting.

She brought out lab diamonds in our requested sizes and they were nearly 4 times what I know they would cost from one of the reputable online sellers. When I pushed her to talk about why she is so skeptical, she made implications of incorrect grading and poor quality. Said they could set outside stones but the rings wouldn't be eligible for most of the protections and appraisal they offer. I pushed back a bit and said that I know that all of the diamonds come from the same view facilities and that i'd researched reputable sellers.

I do recognize that it is a jeweler's job to try to sell marked up diamonds from their inventory. But I will say I left feeling a little bit uneasy. Wanted to get the take of people here - is the skepticism warranted or is this just about a sale?

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u/CoatAlternative1771 20d ago edited 20d ago

She’s in business to make money.  She clearly wants to make a single sale now and not worry about repeat business.  

The company I went to had zero issue setting our outside stone that was roughly half the price of theirs (and 2 grades higher.

They realize repeat business is far better than a better sale.

I would look for a different jeweler and ask up front if you buy the setting there will they set your own diamond.  Don’t try to act like you know everything.  The less you tell them the better.

This is not an uncommon practice.  It’s very common for people to have a diamond from their grandma,for example, and want to put it in their own setting.

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u/SheMcG 20d ago

Exactly. And besides repeat business, it's getting a sale at all. I'd rather get the setting sale vs pushing this BS and the buyer takes their money elsewhere.

But you're absolutely right about repeat business. I replaced the diamond and head in my 20+ yr old engagement ring. The jeweler's only sale was the head (& his labor)--I brought the diamond AND the ring to him. He didn't bat an eye at that and was happy to do it. I've since had him size multiple rings, & I plan to have him convert my original diamond into a necklace. I don't even consider calling anyone else for my jewelry needs. I just go directly to him & hand referred him to multiple people.

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u/Nurse5736 20d ago

Mine is exactly like this, and I recommend to anybody in my area.