2 replies to this topic

[steinl]

I am looking to buy my wife a pair of diamond stud earrings; however, I am totally unclear as to what price I should reasonably expect to pay against the price tagged on a particular set of earrings in one of the better jewelry stores. I would like to make my life easier by just buying retail, from a well known and reputable jeweler. I am not thinking of a typical jeweler one might find in a shopping mall but instead one of the higher end retailers---Bailey, Banks, Biddle might be a good example of what I am talking about. I know I would like diamonds, in a round setting, each being close to 1 karat----in other words total of almost two karats. My understanding from a jeweler is that if one stays at less than one karat, the price is considerably lower than if one purchases a stone greater than one karat. So, the questions are: 1) For excellent quality, clarity-----how much would an up-market retailer be expected to MSRP for this item and 2) based on that retailer's markup, how much do they really expect to get out of the transaction----another way to say this is, what percentage discount could I reasonably ask them to give me that will still allow them a "reasonable" profit margin. Could someone reply to this?

[jan]

Basically you really need to learn about the 4 C's and if you are getting stones of a 1.00 ct. or in that range I would highly recommend getting them with a GIA or AGS lab report. If you get more info on the cut, color, clarity and carat weight it is easier to tell if you are getting a good deal and compare from there. Stores that mark stones up for negotiation aren't usually the best price to begin with, or worse yet those fake discount sales.

[Princess Tess]

Jan is absolutely correct. IMO stores that "dicker" have already jacked the price up. A reputable jeweler will have the stone marked as low as they can go. Buy it at the price they offer it for.

Also, this is really my own opinion, but BB&B are priced too high. You can find stones that are as good or better for less money. (...less because the prices haven't been inflated in anticipation of you wanting to "dicker")

Princess Tess