Advice regarding jeweller

nmg_ire

My fiancee and I where looking at rings along Johnston court, off grafton street, today and went into a shop we think was called Empress or something similar. Just tried looking for website/reviews and can't find anything. Does anyone know the correct name or has anyone dealt with them before?

annoyedgal

Yes got my engagement ring here! You won't find much online, we didn't but found them lovely to deal with and has beautiful antique stock. I got a stunning solitare from the 1950s that still gets compliments on a weekly basis. Didn't come with a cert so had it valued and checked and it was all as described. Still love going in there to look at their jewellery. Good luck with your purchase!

nmg_ire

Thanks, that settles the nerves a bit.

annoyedgal

We were nervous too initally as no online reviews plus the shop didn't have a sign when we bought back in Nov 2013. It is called empress, has a lovely new sign and seems well established. If you love the ring I say go for it. We've no regrets anyway.

DonnT

Hi,

I was in Empress today and while i found a ring i liked for my girlfriend, i wont say they seemed shady but why would they buy a ring without it being certified? Surely by certifying it they could sell it for more? Can I ask if you went ahead and were happy with it? Also annoyedgal how did you go about certifying it? and can this be done prior to buying? Thanks any help or advice appreciated..

annoyedgal

If the ring is vintage or antique I can see why certification with the purchase might not be straightforward. I didn't follow up with a certificate for mine, I had it valued and checked by an independent jeweller and a valuator. Personally I don't need a cert for the ring, I don't plan on selling it! If I was buying a new diamond I would expect a cert and look for it.
If your not comfortable without one then I'd say leave it, hasn't bothered me in the slightest and it's probably why we could afford a ring of the spec I got at the price that we paid.

Pistachios & cream

To get a diamond certified it would need to be removed from the setting and the stone sent to a grading lab like the GIA. Therefore the majority of antique rings do not have a certified diamond.

As annoyedgal said you can get it independently appraised and this will satisfy an insurance company. If this was a new ring with anew diamond I would run a mile but for vintage rings it's the norm.

proactiv

Hi guys,

There is a diamond ring I am looking at getting from there. I understand the fact they cannot get it certified. How do I get it independently valued/ checked if they don't let you take it out of the shop without paying for it?