I went to two different jewelers in town yesterday for estimates and ideas. I live far enough out in the suburbs where it would be a drive to larger chain jewelry stores but our town is affluent enough to have a couple of options locally. It has been almost 20 years since these rings were purchased, and I do not make a habit of visiting jewelry stores, so didn’t really know what to expect.
The first place I stopped was a goldsmith jeweler in a strip mall whose window dressings indicated that they also did gold repair. I didn’t really get good vibes from my visit there. I was worried that the diamonds I was dropping off wouldn’t necessarily be the ones I got back when I went to pick up the resized rings. He also seemed to be pulling numbers out of his butt when it came to providing estimates. I did like the numbers he gave, but just didn’t feel right about it.
The second place I went was a shop that was more artisan, home-grown, and well-established in the community. I seemed to relate much better to the non-slick manner of the woman that greeted me. She was definitely representing the “crafter” side of the business. I couldn’t imagine any chest-hair-laden-wide-gold-chain-wearing going on with her! Her prices were 2.5 times higher than what I got at the first place, but her attention to detail and obvious knowledge was comforting. The only thing that rubbed me the wrong way about her was that she had a definite superiority complex. She put down the jeweler that set my solitaire (I didn’t bother telling her that it was purchased from a well-known jeweler on Jewelers Row in Chicago) and she also bragged that the “guy across town” that sized me didn’t know what he was doing because he marked me as 7.5 when I was “clearly!” a size 7 now.
Whatever.
I’m not wild about spending the extra money that the second lady quoted. Because they do everything in house and do not have a farm-out system, they have to charge higher rates. I get that. I also like to support small business-owners whenever I can and I think their esteem in the community makes them reputable. I certainly don’t want to hand over the most sentimental material possession I have to someone I don’t trust! I’m almost “sold” on the second quote. I’ve eliminated the first option and am just wondering whether I should get a third opinion. Maybe go to an artisan jeweler like option #2 so that I can compare apples to apples? Maybe there is more difference in services provided and there is definitely more value in having the work done by a “craftsman” (or woman) rather than farmed out where the work is performed by an unknown person?
I do want to act quickly, though, before these prized possessions slip away without me knowing it. Four sizes is a lot to lose!
Tags: ring resized
I would get another opinion/quote. Both sounded ‘icky’ I hate folks that think they have to put down other peoples work to ‘up’ thier own! In the meantime, put them away. I would be heartbroken if my rings were to fall off and disapear forever!
Awesome job though!!!! 4 ring sizes is amazing!!
Wow, that’s a lot of ring sizes! I had to move my “wedding ring” to my right hand last week. I say “wedding ring” because I lost my true one 2 decades ago…I just wear a turquoise ring that I love now. I went to the mall and bought a cheapo fake diamond ring to wear on my ring finger. I’d feel like you do-I’d wonder if I’d actually get back a real diamond or a piece of glass!