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Please help me choose a necklace/pendant
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mindwaves
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Mar 15, 2012, 01:49 AM
 
De Beers Jewellery - Star Pendant - Necklaces


De Beers Jewellery - Wildflower Blossom Pendant - Necklaces


De Beers Jewellery - Lily Pendant - Necklaces


1/2 Carat Diamond Triple Circle Prong and Bezel Set Pendant in Platinum


Light 1 Carat Diamond Prong Set Journey Pendant in 14k Gold


Requirements:
1) Want it to be unique looking
2) Good quality diamond at least according to clarity and color
3) Nothing cheap, I have some money

Questions:

1) How credible is the jewelry exchange for higher end diamonds? The last 2 links do not show any carat or color information for the diamonds
2) Can I typically bargain with Debeers or any diamond store? If so, how much should I go (percentage wise)?

Please remain on topic. No discussion about whether diamonds are worthless or something like that.

TIA
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Paco500
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Mar 15, 2012, 06:10 AM
 
If you have some money and are looking for unique, how about going to a designer and getting something bespoke. If you care about the quality of the diamond, buy the stones loose and have an artist create something to your specifications.

The cost will not likely be much more (if at all) than buying something off the shelf from a mass-market place like DeBeers (or Tiffany, etc) and you will not see someone else at the mall wearing the same thing.

Not necessarily promoting his work, but I have a friend who is a jewelry designer and the link below shows examples of the custom work they do- again- not steering you to him- you may hate what they do and they likely aren't local to you- but to give you an idea of what can be done if you want something unique.

If I was spending that kind of $ on a necklace, I'd not want to settle for a generic design- I'd want it made for me.

Custom Designs
     
Macfreak7
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Mar 15, 2012, 06:27 AM
 
Agree with Paco500, especially if you want to get more value for the money you spend. Retail will always have a significant markup when compared to a designer/manufacturer. I know because the latter is what I do for a living

However, if you absolutely have to go with one of the designs posted then I kinda like the last one with one exception that there seems to be too much gold covering the stones. The design would look a lot better if those metal prongs were rounded off to reveal the diamonds some more.
Also, I highly doubt DeBeers would give you a discount (but you can always try asking!). Usually the mom/pop kinda stores are better able to accommodate that.

HTH!
     
ghporter
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Mar 15, 2012, 06:40 AM
 
DeBeers does all the bargaining so you pay top dollar. Most retail jewelry stores are completely commodity establishments that are staffed with sales drones, so forget bargaining there, too. I agree that finding a jeweler who can make what you want is a good idea. There are so many existing settings that most haven't seen the light of day, and getting something out of the ordinary isn't that big a deal. But unique? There are jewelry designers who make unique items, so a few hours of internet searching is worth your time to find someone who will just sit down and help you come up with what you really want. And to get a good idea of where to start, visit a high end jewelry store like Tiffany's and look at what they have on display. It'll be an eye opener.

Glenn -----OTR/L, MOT, Tx
     
andi*pandi
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Mar 15, 2012, 08:37 AM
 
I like the last one best but white gold/platinum would look better. Would look very nice with a V neckline top.


I wanted to like the lily, it was unique, but kind of silly shaped. Of the traditional looking settings, I liked the wildflower/5 hearts. Sweet without being pretentious.

What a nice gift!
     
mindwaves  (op)
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Mar 15, 2012, 10:57 AM
 
Originally Posted by Paco500 View Post
If you have some money and are looking for unique, how about going to a designer and getting something bespoke. If you care about the quality of the diamond, buy the stones loose and have an artist create something to your specifications.

The cost will not likely be much more (if at all) than buying something off the shelf from a mass-market place like DeBeers (or Tiffany, etc) and you will not see someone else at the mall wearing the same thing.

Not necessarily promoting his work, but I have a friend who is a jewelry designer and the link below shows examples of the custom work they do- again- not steering you to him- you may hate what they do and they likely aren't local to you- but to give you an idea of what can be done if you want something unique.

If I was spending that kind of $ on a necklace, I'd not want to settle for a generic design- I'd want it made for me.

Custom Designs
Thanks for your and MacFreak's suggestions. I'm completely uncreative so even if someone designs something special for me, then I would know what to do about if, if that makes sense. The jewlery is somewhat urgent also so I do not desire to have to be custom made.

I do like the last one also, but kind of worried about the clarity/color of the diamond since it wasn't listed on the company's website.
     
mindwaves  (op)
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Mar 15, 2012, 10:58 AM
 
Originally Posted by ghporter View Post
DeBeers does all the bargaining so you pay top dollar. Most retail jewelry stores are completely commodity establishments that are staffed with sales drones, so forget bargaining there, too. I agree that finding a jeweler who can make what you want is a good idea. There are so many existing settings that most haven't seen the light of day, and getting something out of the ordinary isn't that big a deal. But unique? There are jewelry designers who make unique items, so a few hours of internet searching is worth your time to find someone who will just sit down and help you come up with what you really want. And to get a good idea of where to start, visit a high end jewelry store like Tiffany's and look at what they have on display. It'll be an eye opener.
Thanks. I went to a jeweler's yesterday at a somewhat hi-end mall and the lady offered me 30% off the bat so I was curious about bargaining. In any case, definitely worth a try to save 30%, or even 5%. I'll be hitting up some places today and update you later.
     
mindwaves  (op)
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Mar 15, 2012, 10:59 AM
 
Originally Posted by andi*pandi View Post
I like the last one best but white gold/platinum would look better. Would look very nice with a V neckline top.


I wanted to like the lily, it was unique, but kind of silly shaped. Of the traditional looking settings, I liked the wildflower/5 hearts. Sweet without being pretentious.

What a nice gift!
Thanks. That is what I also liked about the lily. I'm kind of torn of what to choose now. I'll head down and see what they have. Maybe they will appear to be different when I see them in person.
     
Macfreak7
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Mar 15, 2012, 03:08 PM
 
I could clue you in about the price being fair or not if you tell me the quality and the details of the item. Also a friend from back in jewelry school has a store down in San Diego, I can vouch for their integrity if you decide to drive out there to pick something. (edit: link to their website, designs seem to be a lot nicer than DeBeers') http://www.haroldstevens.com/jewelry/pendants
( Last edited by Macfreak7; Mar 15, 2012 at 03:37 PM. Reason: linkage)
     
   
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