<p>LOL, I am such a shopper that I knew what L&T was right away. That is pretty sad! Now only if I could really afford to shop there!</p>
<p>I would hesitate to buy fine jewelry at Lord & Taylor because they play games with their “sales”. If you check their jewelry counters frequently, you’ll see none of it ever has ever sold at the purported original price. New items are brought in and are immediately “on sale” at 50% off. This is the same methodology used for every single thing sold at Kohls, but at least prices for name brands there can be compared with other stores; jewelry is very hard to comparison shop. I’d go with a trusted local jeweler, where these days you may well be able to do a little bargaining.</p>
<p>Never been to one or seen one, but I still knew what L&T was 
Must read too many name dropping trashy novels at the beach!</p>
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<p>Laugh of the day for me!!</p>
<p>[good idea, though…]</p>
<p>I suggest you go to Tiffany’s or other high end jeweler and get ideas there. Also you can see the quality of what they have as a benchmark for looking at jewelry at less expensive places. </p>
<p>Michael C Fina’s is a place that many folks here like. I have not shopped there myself but my former SIL did. She had exquisite taste in jewelry.</p>
<p>Any specific suggestions on diamond jewelry/wedding rings? My H and I just celebrated our 30th anniversary and he wants to buy me a new diamond ring. We visited a few places but I have to admit, trying to figure out what is a reasonable price and value was not easy. (I don’t remember it being this complicated 30 years ago!) Any suggestions?</p>
<p>I know you said not on-line but truthfully, some of the most interesting, reasonably priced jewelry out there these days is on-line. I recommend ShopNBC.com (yes, really) and redbox.com Sundance has interesting, modern pieces (though I think they are absurdly pricey). I echo whoever said that Tiffany’s silver is overpriced. I haven’t really liked anything at Tiffany’s in years…Paloma Picasso’s stuff looks like the leftover bits when somebody with a point of view makes a piece. </p>
<p>Heartart – Add a cruise and go shopping at the ports. Seriously, though, look for diamonds mined in Canada. Google Arctic Diamonds. I have one. They are beautiful, a good value, and you don’t have to worry about whose hands it may have passed through on the way to yours. I recommend them highly. </p>
<p>I did used to work at a high-end jewelry store and bought most of my nicer pieces there. I only wish I’d bought more…</p>
<p>HeartArt, with the endorsement of others on this board, I recently made my first purchase from Blue Nile for a very special anniversary. Took it to a couple of local jewelers to verify its quality/value and was told that I had done very well for myself.</p>
<p>Cash for Goods. is my favorite jewelry store. Do a little haggling. Help them stay in business so that they can help other people who have real assets and need a way to get quick cash.</p>
<p>HeartArt - after 30 years, a new large diamond ring is in order. That is one item I would not buy at Tiffany. I upgraded 7 years ago. I did a lot of research online and bought it from a jeweler we knew.</p>
<p>I also took my old engagement ring, a diamond pendant, bought another diamond, made a three diamond(past, present, future) pendant. I told my husband that I saved him a lot of money re-using old jewelry.</p>
<p>I know Tiffany is verrrrrrry expensive and I’m really not shilling for them. But I have a story to share:</p>
<p>Many years ago DH really wanted a signet ring – flat top, with his initials engraved on top. In those days, we had the money! He also wanted it to be for his pinky. I am not a fan of pinky rings on men, but hey – this is what he wanted. I went to Tiffany, chose it, bought it, had it engraved, presented it to DH. He loved it, but – maybe he didn’t want a pinky ring after all. Maybe he wanted it to be for his ring finger.</p>
<p>He went to Tiffany with the ring and asked them to make it larger to fit his ring finger. They wouldn’t – because by making it larger, the flat top with the initials would become bowed. He was very upset, very disappointed, and finally asked if there wasn’t something they could do.</p>
<p>They took the ring back and remade him an entire new one – at no extra charge.</p>
<p>This is why, for things that you plan to have forever and even hand down, I recommend Tiffany.</p>
<p>If something they made breaks 50 years from now, they’ll be around, and they’ll fix it. They are a quality operation.</p>
<p>Pardon a little hijack here, but while we’re on the subject, what’s the best way to sell nice jewelry? Consignment takes a big chunk, right?</p>
<p>Thanks for all the great suggestions! I will follow up on all of these ideas as soon as we get both sons off to school at the end of August. We are also about to become empty nesters as well. Do you get jewelry for that milestone as well?</p>
<p>One should get jewelry for every occasion…even for the opening of the neighborhood supermarket. </p>
<p>:)</p>
<p>Consignment takes a big chunk when selling jewelry but that is probably the best way. I wouldn’t try to do it online. You can take a piece to several jewelers and ask what they would sell it for and what percentage they would take.<br>
As far as diamonds if you live near a diamond market or wholesale district that is always going to be your best bet. There is a large one in NYC and in LA of course. When you go that route you want to select something and then take it to an appraiser you choose before purchasing. Most places will allow you to do that. Get the certification/authentication paperwork with the stone.<br>
Another option for the diamond might be to look at estate/consigment jewelry and pick a stone which would be reset for you. Right now the market is slow so you might get a good deal that way.<br>
I recently reset my engagement stone. The band had worn all the way through (year 24). I found an estate ring with small diamonds on either side of a center stone. Had my center stone replace the existing center stone. The jeweler gave me “credit” off the price of the estate ring for the center stone which he recovered.</p>
<p>Your ring sounds beautiful ebeeeee. Wish you many years of enjoyment.</p>
<p>ebeeee, that was pretty creative! I too wish you many years of enjoyment.</p>
<p>Thank you for all of the ideas!</p>
<p>It seems that consignment may be the best choice. I am ready to part with an emerald and diamond ring and a heavy yellow gold/white gold necklace. They were given to me and no longer have any sentimental value. They are designer pieces so I guess I’ll start by calling the designers and getting their opinions on resale and consignment stores. Maybe they’ll offer to buy them back. I was shocked that an acquaintance of mine suggested “losing” them and making an insurance claim. I think more people do that than I am aware of.</p>
<p>Thanks all. Truthfully it is a very modest ring. The original diamond is 3/4 of a carat. We bought it at the diamond district in NYC with the last 2K dollars in my husband’s bank account. Took the money in cash to get a good deal and he walked around all day with the cash in his Frye boot (now I AM dating myself). I am way too sentimental to trade up but when the band finally wore out this was a great compromise.</p>
<p>I have also found some really great jewelry at TJ Maxx.</p>
<p>Or Kohls, when jewelry is 60% off.
<a href=“http://www.kohls.com/kohlsStore/jewelry/gold/goldnecklacespendants/yellowgold/PRD~236681/10k+Gold+4mm+Reversible+Omega+Chain.jsp[/url]”>http://www.kohls.com/kohlsStore/jewelry/gold/goldnecklacespendants/yellowgold/PRD~236681/10k+Gold+4mm+Reversible+Omega+Chain.jsp</a></p>