I’m on a mission to have a ½ eternity band custom made since I have not been able to locate one already in existence that suits my taste. I have been able to determine that I’d like the ring to encompass about 9 to 11 .07 or .08 melee diamonds, which should be just enough to reach the curve of my finger and appear as a complete eternity band. I’m also considering either all 14K yellow gold (on which the prongs can be rhodium plated or left as yellow gold), or blending 14K yellow gold on the shank of the ring with 14K white gold on the prong section (which would probably also be rhodium plated). The setting style I prefer is shared prong.
I located a very highly regarded and respected local jeweler who I spent some time with today covering the particulars of this project. I left with a very confident feeling about the shop, but I need some opinions – and may even take some advice - from those of you out there who can give me some food for thought.
Here are the facts, as I know them:
Price quoted for 14K yellow gold ring including 9 to 11 .07 carat uncertified machine-cut melee diamonds in the F-G and SI1 range: $650 with or without rhodium plating on the prong section.
The price would increase to $750 if I chose to blend 14K yellow gold on the shank with 14K white gold on the prong section.
The price was quoted as an entire project, vs. a breakdown of individual components (i.e., the cost of the designing and wax mold, the cost of the melee stones individually, the cost to rhodium plate, etc.).
Per their store policy: “All un-certified stones are independently graded by GIA certified appraisers; providing the client with an unbiased value of the stone.” And, FYI – they use Pacific Gem Lab (which coincidentally was highly recommended to me on this forum when I inquired about a week ago), or any independent appraiser of my choosing. I forgot to inquire, however, whether there was a cost to me for this “grading.”
The custom process includes working with their in-house designer and includes a wax mold for my approval. All work is completed in-house, with a turn around time of approximately 7-10 days.
Now here are my questions, as I know them (that’s supposed to be kind of funny):
How does the price sound?
Is it acceptable to be quoted for the entire project vs. being provided a breakdown?
Is it common practice to use “machine-cut” melee diamonds in this type of ring?
Are “machine-cut” stones of this size considered well-cut stones, or do I hold out for hand-cut stones?
I want sparkle, sparkle, sparkle – will I get that from machine-cut melee diamonds?
How involved should I be with selecting the melee stones (or would I be splitting hairs)?
What are the pros and cons of using all yellow gold vs. two-tone yellow/white gold?
Well, that about covers it. Because it seems too easy, I’m a little bit anxious about this. ANY input will be considered useful to me – so thanks in advance!
I located a very highly regarded and respected local jeweler who I spent some time with today covering the particulars of this project. I left with a very confident feeling about the shop, but I need some opinions – and may even take some advice - from those of you out there who can give me some food for thought.
Here are the facts, as I know them:
Price quoted for 14K yellow gold ring including 9 to 11 .07 carat uncertified machine-cut melee diamonds in the F-G and SI1 range: $650 with or without rhodium plating on the prong section.
The price would increase to $750 if I chose to blend 14K yellow gold on the shank with 14K white gold on the prong section.
The price was quoted as an entire project, vs. a breakdown of individual components (i.e., the cost of the designing and wax mold, the cost of the melee stones individually, the cost to rhodium plate, etc.).
Per their store policy: “All un-certified stones are independently graded by GIA certified appraisers; providing the client with an unbiased value of the stone.” And, FYI – they use Pacific Gem Lab (which coincidentally was highly recommended to me on this forum when I inquired about a week ago), or any independent appraiser of my choosing. I forgot to inquire, however, whether there was a cost to me for this “grading.”
The custom process includes working with their in-house designer and includes a wax mold for my approval. All work is completed in-house, with a turn around time of approximately 7-10 days.
Now here are my questions, as I know them (that’s supposed to be kind of funny):
How does the price sound?
Is it acceptable to be quoted for the entire project vs. being provided a breakdown?
Is it common practice to use “machine-cut” melee diamonds in this type of ring?
Are “machine-cut” stones of this size considered well-cut stones, or do I hold out for hand-cut stones?
I want sparkle, sparkle, sparkle – will I get that from machine-cut melee diamonds?
How involved should I be with selecting the melee stones (or would I be splitting hairs)?
What are the pros and cons of using all yellow gold vs. two-tone yellow/white gold?
Well, that about covers it. Because it seems too easy, I’m a little bit anxious about this. ANY input will be considered useful to me – so thanks in advance!
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