Jeweler lets clients take rings on a test run

Los Angeles--Love Affair Diamonds, a vintage jewelry retailer in Gig Harbor, Wash., has a new program that allows prospective customers to sample a setting before they decide if it’s the one they want.

The company kicked off its “Try Before You Buy” program, created in collaboration with jewelry designer Caysie van Bebber, this month.

Interested customers pay a refundable deposit and then are shipped a sample ring, or rings, for consideration. A pre-authorization of the replacement cost of the setting and a shipping charge is placed on the client’s card.

Rings are returned within three days of receipt date, following which the replacement cost is refunded. The client pays the shipping cost unless they decide to place an order.

A prospective client can request as many pieces as he or she would like to try out during the 72-hour trial period, though a deposit still is required for each, Love Affair Diamonds said.

The sample rings are set with genuine side diamonds but the center stones are not.

Love Affair said that upon order, the client can either choose their own stone from its antique diamond inventory or supply their own. Additionally, when they decide to buy, modifications will be made to the ring to accommodate the center stone choice and, of course, the client’s ring size.

“Try Before You Buy” will include a complete bridal collection, including bands. As soon as a new collection of designs is created, it will be added to the program’s portfolio, the company said.

Designs will be available in 18-karat gold and platinum. The settings start at about $1,800 for an 18-karat gold solitaire style without any side diamonds, to approximately $10,000 for a ring with up to 3 total carats of side diamonds.

Founded by Erica Derout, who left her career in finance after she discovered a love of loose antique diamonds and jewelry design, Love Affair Diamonds creates, designs, and restores antique pieces “with feminine flair and modern wearability.”