FAQ
General
Do you have a storefront?
We are an online business only with no storefront however we offer to ship any diamonds you like to your residency for in-person viewing. In this case you pay in full for whatever you would like to see, and you have up to two weeks to view them in whatever way you want. If the diamonds in question are lab grown and you are getting a setting with us, you will not be charged for any shipping fees. If this is not the case, some shipping fees will apply, and we will calculate that for you.
How long does this whole process take?
For a loose diamond, it can be as fast as one week and as long as a few months for a custom cut. Once a ring design is approved, it will take as quickly as 2-3 weeks and as long as two months to be complete. We highly recommend that you leave buffer time if you are going to plan a proposal. Also, please do let us know when you need the ring in your hands so we can help you get it on time.
From there we ship the ring to you overnight insured signature required. You get a tracking # for this.
How does insurance work?
While many people will put this new purchase under homeowners' insurance, we recommend Jewelers Mutual if you do need an insurance quote. We do not provide any insurance ourselves although our shipping is insured from the moment it leaves us up until the moment you sign for it.
Do I need to have PayPal to purchase with you?
No. When you click the Pay with PayPal button, you will see a link to pay using your credit or debit card. If you want to pay by wire transfer, there is a link that says "More payment options" underneath the Pay with PayPal button which will allow you to do that. Please note that we will not ship anything to you until we have coordinated with you via email.
Do you offer a payment plan?
Yes 6 months interest free through PayPal. Click here.
Is there a discount if I pay cash?
On mined diamonds yes.
Do you ship anywhere?
In the US, yes. Outside of the US, please email admin@distinctivegem.com as it is a case-by-case situation. For more shipping information see our policies.
Do you take repairs on jewelry that was not purchased from you?
The reason that we do not do this is because 1) we are a very small 3-person operation, and we outsource our jewelers meaning we do not have a repair shop and 2) we do not want to be liable for someone's work. It is better for you to take it to the original company that you bought it from or locate the nearest trusted jeweler.
Diamonds
Do you buy diamonds from customers?
No.
Can I trade in my diamond that isn't from you, towards one that is from you?
No but we can discuss consignment. Read more about that here.
Can I trade in my diamond that I bought from you?
Not with mined. Yes, with branded lab-grown bought from us. You must spend double of what you originally paid.
I am a retail business. Do you offer wholesale?
Absolutely! Email sarah@distinctivegem.com and we will ask you to fill out a KYC form.
Which lab is the best for diamond certification?
While GIA & GCAL are known to be more conservative than others, we vet our IGI diamonds according to GIA/GCAL standards and even further. We analyze diamonds more intimately beyond what laboratories look at to ensure our clients are getting the best for their money.
Why should I buy a diamond from you?
Simply put, you will get the best customer service with us whether you are spending $100 or $100K. While we are passionate about the bling, helping people is where the real joy comes from.
Other than that, no one is going to provide our level of expertise & services when it comes to finding the best diamonds. Read more about that here.
Can you comment on a diamond I am buying elsewhere?
No. We would be happy to find a diamond for you though.
What if I get the diamond and I am unhappy?
You have two weeks to return it, and we can help you find something else.
Where are your diamonds sourced from?
Our branded diamonds are from an overseas laboratory.
Why are your branded lab grown diamond prices higher?
Our branded diamonds are indeed special. We have invented and continue to invent diamonds centered around ASET results which is the technology GIA and AGS use to ascertain top of the line optics. Hence in my branded products I hold my cutters to the strictest QA on the planet. The diamonds *must* be cut to a level of precision that is rarely found on the market resulting in "cream of the crop" light performance. We demonstrate this via ASET technology and show our clients how that correlates to real life viewing via HD/4k video. That is why you see the price differences. If I throw all of that out of the window, it's easy for us to match/beat anything you see online.
Are your prices negotiable?
We highly recommend being on our email list and following us on social media as we do announce sales from time to time that you do not want to miss out on. Other than that, our prices are more than fair for the level of cut they are comprised of and the time we put into making sure you are getting the best available. If you need something less expensive, we will find it for you, just communicate that. We are here to work with you. We also offer a 6-month interest free payment plan through PayPal.
Engagement Rings
How does the engagement ring process work?
After you select a diamond first and pay for it, we build you a CAD rendered image of the ring you want. You can send us inspiration pictures or find something we have already made. The CAD image will show you what the ring will look like with the size of the diamond you choose and the ring finger that is needed. We will render the images in whatever metal colors you would like to see be it white, yellow, rose, two-tone, etc. From there you can ask to change whatever you would like on the ring. The millimeter, the height, the number of side stones, anything! This is the fun part where you can be creative if you want. We also offer live video chat / screen share if you want to design with us in real-time. Once the final CAD is approved, we will get you a quote.
Who do you use to make your rings?
We offer two options. Both of them stand behind their quality 100% and we are confident in using both of them to create a piece that is meant to last a lifetime+.
1) Our NYC manufacturer.
- Will take 3-4 weeks
- Will cost less
- More hands are involved
2) Our Master Bench.
- Will take 6-8 weeks
- Will cost significantly more
- One pair of hands from start to finish
If you are open to both options, we are happy to give you quotes from both. If you are on a budget, definitely stick with option 1. If you have abnormally sharp eyes and will be disappointed if something is off by .1 degrees, definitely go with option 2.
What is the warranty on your rings?
We guarantee our rings against manufacturing defects up to one year.
No matter the warranty or insurance on a ring, nothing is going to avoid future headaches like proper ring care will.
We send each of our clients an outline on how to prolong the life of the ring and properly take care of it so that you can avoid future issues.
The outline, in summary, instructs you to treat the jewelry like the high value item that it is and cultivate one special spot that you place it when you are showering, sleeping, cooking, gardening, anything where you may unknowingly bang your ring against something. We want you to wear it and enjoy it, but jewelry is not intended to be worn 24/7 otherwise you will be paying for many repairs. If you know you are going to be rough on the ring, we highly recommend something extra sturdy like a bezel.
What if I need something repaired after the one year?
We will always take care of our customers and gladly help you in the future. There will be fees though for shipping and labor. It usually makes more sense to develop a relationship with a local trusted jeweler since you will need to develop a habit of getting the ring inspected.
What happens if I don't know the exact ring size and it turns out to be wrong?
You are normal. Most people cannot get the exact size when they are surprising someone. We offer one free resizing on a new ring, and you must let us know within 30 days of the purchase.
Some notes about ring sizing...
Ring sizing is tricky. While it seems straight forward, there are some other variables at play that must be considered when sizing. For example, shape of the finger being thin at one part and thick at another part or perhaps even more tricky, how much the person fluctuates which can be determined by a number of things like salty food and weather. Everyone's ring is going to feel a bit loose in the winter and a bit snug in the hotter months.
Something to keep in mind is that once a wedding band stacks under an engagement ring, the engagement ring moves slightly upward on the finger and the overall width causes it to feel snugger than it did by itself. This is why I tell people do NOT rush to resize a ring if it is a little loose. If it is slightly loose, we recommend the rubber ring guards sold on amazon to hold you over. If it is dangerously loose or uncomfortably tight then it definitely needs to be resized.
So, with all that said, you have two options. (This only applies if you just purchased the ring)
1) You have her finger sized at a local trusted jeweler. Relay what they say to us. Then we will help you ship it back to us and have it re-sized according to what the jeweler said and coordinate shipping it back to you. You will not pay for the labor, but you will cover the shipping fees. We do not have a jeweler on premise so it will take some time to get it back.
2) You have her finger sized at a local trusted jeweler and have them size it for you. I would either ask people you know or use Yelp/Google reviews to find a reputable place and develop a relationship with them as you will eventually need to start getting the ring inspected on a regular basis.
What if she doesn't like the ring that I ordered?
Engagement rings are non-refundable. At the same time, we will seek to find a solution or compromise where everyone is happy.
What metal is best?
After seeing the wear & tear done on both metals, either is fine. I can't honestly say platinum is safer than gold because both of them need care and maintenance. These are the biggest differences we have seen between platinum and gold: Platinum has a weight to it that people enjoy, and it does not need rhodium plating since it is a naturally white metal. It is usually a bit more costly but not by a landslide. When a platinum ring is scuffed the molecules are rearranged but not lost, so regular professional polishing will be needed.
White gold will need to be rhodium plated again since it is actually yellow gold mixed with white metal alloys. This could take place after a year or even 5 years after receiving the new piece. The wearing away of the white color on white gold will be determined on the chemical interaction meaning that person's skin chemistry as well as the lotions, perfumes, & soaps. When a gold ring is scuffed the molecules are lost so gold actually wears down over time. Over the course of a decade, you may need metal added underneath the ring where it encounters surfaces most frequently as well as the tips of the prongs.
Regardless of the metal you choose, it is paramount that you develop a relationship with a local jeweler and have the ring inspected once a year minimum. When I worked in a jewelry store, I encouraged my customers to come in every 4 months because I was OCD about the pieces that I sold them, and I know people accidently bang their hand around. You don't have to do it as frequent as I am suggesting but if it were my own ring, I would definitely go in to have it inspected by a jeweler once every 4 months as well as cleaned and steamed. If you let this go and never get it inspected, you run the ring of losing your diamond. I have seen it happen before and want to help you never experience that.
I am worried about the ring being secure and sturdy enough. What should I request in terms of the styling and proportions?
We will not sell someone a ring that we deem structurally compromised or think is going to fall apart after one year of wear. For example, we will always recommend a minimum of 2mm for the shank. If there is something that could pose a problem and we don't catch it in the design, rest assured, our experienced ring designers will relay it to us before they build the ring. We want you to have a ring that stands the test of time.
With all that said, the absolute safest ring is the one that is taken care of properly. Regular inspections, taking it off when doing hands on activities, not wearing it to bed, are all going to greatly impact the ring.
If there is something that I forgot to cover on this FAQ page, please email me at sarah@distinctivegem.com