🚀 go-pugleaf

Last week, I posted a message asking for advice in finding a good value on
an engagement ring in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area.  I was pleasantly
surprised at the number of responses I received.  Since several people
expressed an interest in the same information, here's a summary of the
responses I received from the net, as well as from conversations with
friends and co-workers. 

First, in the "advice and ideas" category:

". . . find a jeweler with a gemologist on staff and talk to him.  If they
aren't willing to work with you, find another place.  Ask about the 4 C's
(if you don't already know) and plan to spend several hours in the store
you buy from."

"It is a very good idea to stay away from the likes of Goodmans and Zales. 
Their prices (even sale prices) are very high for the size and quality. 
They are the Radio Shack's of the jewelry world."

"If you want to get a good deal, you might want to try some of the pawn
shops around the Twin Cities.  However, if she is shopping with you, that
might not be the best of ideas... and there's also the whole idea of
getting a 'used' ring.  But if that isn't a problem, they do have some
really good deals sometimes... and the rings can be sized at any jeweler."

"I'd also agree with the 'avoid the mall jewelers' advice you'd received. 
All the mall jewelers will give you is a lower quality stone at a higher
price."

And a slightly unusual, but intriguing, piece of advice.  The suggestion
was to take a trip to the "diamond district" of New York City and shop
around at the small wholesalers there.  Apparently the money you can save,
if you know what you are doing, will more than offset the price of a
round-trip plane ticket. 

Now, for recommendations of specific places:

JEWELERS

name/location                          # of recommendations
-------------                          --------------------
Continental Diamond                             3
Travelers Express Tower
1550 Utica Ave. S, Suite 140
St. Louis Park, MN
612/593-5602

Bergstrom's                                     2
Plymouth Building on 6th St.
Downtown Minneapolis

Anderson Jewelers                               1
Midway, St. Paul

Buchkosky Jewelers                              1
Rosedale

Dayton's                                        1
Rochester, MN

Gerber Jewelers                                 1
Downtown St. Paul

"a jeweler at Knollwood Plaza, near the         1
south entrance (by where the buffet used 
to be, just off the main EW hallway)"


GOLDSMITHS/CUSTOM WORK

name/location or phone                 # of recommendations
----------------------                 --------------------
Eric  Heffelfinger                              1
3505 West 44th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55410
612/922-7074

Lindquist Jewelers                              1
Dinkytown

Bill Stegmeir                                   1
North Branch/Twin Cities
583-2908

Brian Walters                                   1
Minnetonka, MN


It looks like Continental Diamond is the hands-down winner.  One person
recommending it had shopped around and ended up there, and told of low
prices and friendly, helpful service.  Others have heard friends and
co-workers raving about the place.  We will definitely check it out.

Many thanks to all of you who responded!  Those who specifically requested
a summary will probably hear from me by email if we find anything. 

----------
Mark Ramirez
rami0003@student.tc.umn.edu