Need advice from our vendors, please.

[Gypsy]

Finances have been tight.

And I have been wanting a seven stone for a WHILE now.

I know exactly what I want (not exactly a surprise, right). I want 7 twenty pointers G-H in color and eyeclean SI in clarity. I want them to be excellent cuts with great light return. I don't need them to have lab reports, and I feel that the lab reports will drive the cost up, which is the last thing I want.

Now I know that if I work with a jeweler I trust (and there are many of them on these boards that fall into that category) I can get nice uncertified stones. But how much money would that save me? I know certified 20 pointers would run about 310 each. How much would uncertified ones run, approximately?

Finally. And this is the Finances have been tight part. I plan to buy them one at a time over a couple years for different occasions (birthday, Christmas, etc.) from the same vendor. Is that unfair to a vendor to ask them to find me a nice certified 20 pointer each time? Should I just stick to GIA certified stones and just buy them wherever I find them?

Finally, I plan to have the setting custom made, unless I can find this EXACT setting from one of the casting houses. Do any of you recognize this setting (on the off chance)? I especially like the baskets from the side view and the proportions of the bars to the stones. Two tone is not required. Solid white metal is fine. Size 7.25.



All your advice is very much appreciated. This is a long term project and I just want to make sure I am planning it correctly.

 

[Karl_K]

A lot of vendors will not sell 20 pointers without a setting so that limits your choice greatly.
The profit just isn't high enough on one of them to make it do able.
Then buying over time with no reports how are you going to match them?
Having the vendor run a sarin scan would likely be as much as a report unless as a favor you find one that will.

 

[Karl_K]

Do a google search for the # inside the ring and you will likely find it.
Its a stock setting and several suppliers have something similar.

 

[Gypsy]

A lot of vendors will not sell 20 pointers without a setting so that limits your choice greatly.
The profit just isn't high enough on one of them to make it do able.
Then buying over time with no reports how are you going to match them?
Having the vendor run a sarin scan would likely be as much as a report unless as a favor you find one that will.

Yeah, I was kind of worried about that. I was thinking maybe the vendor would keep them for me as I buy them, and match them visually. I don't need them in my possession.

 

[Gypsy]

Do a google search for the # inside the ring and you will likely find it.
Its a stock setting and several suppliers have something similar.

Can you read that? I can't. Any assistance would be appreciated. Those are the only pictures of it that I have. I've been searching for it for a while.

 

[Karl_K]

fi {something} 3553

 

[Gypsy]

Didn't come up with anything with FI*3553

I see the FINE55E or F_ _ _ 55E

 

[babs23r]

Come on, vendors!!! Someone out there must know of this setting!!!!!! Please help Gypsy!!!!!

 

[Andelain]

http://www.finessefinejewelry.com/gallery/diamond_bands.html


It does say Finesse.

 

[WinkHPD]

A lot of vendors will not sell 20 pointers without a setting so that limits your choice greatly.
The profit just isn't high enough on one of them to make it do able.
Then buying over time with no reports how are you going to match them?
Having the vendor run a sarin scan would likely be as much as a report unless as a favor you find one that will.

Yeah, I was kind of worried about that. I was thinking maybe the vendor would keep them for me as I buy them, and match them visually. I don't need them in my possession.

Silly them! I suspect the vendors here that offer personal service, and I can think of several of us that do, will gladly sell you one stone at a time, or buy a parcel and sell them to you for a slightly higher price in order to cover the cost of holding them, pre matched, for you.

Most of us buy from houses that can provide us Sarin reports at no additional cost, thus no additional cost to you.

Call around and talk to the vendors that you like. I am guessing that many more than one will want to work with you!

Wink

P.S. Shame on any one who will not sell a .20ct without a mounting. It takes, at most, two phone calls to get the diamonds. Just because we are internet vendors should not mean we are not also required to provide customer service.

P.P.S. That is just my opinion. I respect the right of the other vendors to disagree with me. I know several of them well enough to be pretty sure that they will not disagree.

 

[Andelain]

I've bought loose stones as small as .25, so I'd think .20's could be had.

 

[WinkHPD]

I am also going to guess that it would be inappropriate for me to mention diamond prices here, but the cost of a GIA diamond grading report for a .20ct diamond is $53. It is only $32 for a dossier report which does not have a diamond plot.

Those prices do not include postage and insurance costs to transport the diamond to GIA and back, so the actual increase in cost will be somewhat more.

Wink

 

[Andelain]

I am also going to guess that it would be inappropriate for me to mention diamond prices here, but the cost of a GIA diamond grading report for a .20ct diamond is $53. It is only $32 for a dossier report which does not have a diamond plot.

Those prices do not include postage and insurance costs to transport the diamond to GIA and back, so the actual increase in cost will be somewhat more.

Wink

In the case of diamonds that size, and needing 7 of them, I can see foregoing the papers if they come from one of the vendors that we knows uses great looking melee in thier stuff.

 

[Winks_Elf]

Hey Gypsy! You may want to check out Stuller's #4586. Not available in two-tone, and it doesn't have the scalloping in the gallery but it is the right size for the design you want and it's a nice low-profile setting.

 

[WinkHPD]

Wink's Elf has also contacted Finesse and they are willing to work with new vendors, so when you find your vendor you can have them contact Finesse for this exact ring.

Wink

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Gypsy, honestly, it makes more sense to save the money and then have a vendor order all the matched stones at one time, one shipping fee, less time involved for the vendor. More cost effective should be the end result. I wouldn't consider buying certified 20 pointers, so I'm glad you are buying uncertified at that size.

 

[Gypsy]

Well. I emailed Finesse asking if that setting is theirs. Fingers crossed!

Andelain, thanks so much for the keen eyesight. I'm so excited that the setting might be available, without custom. I adore it.

Wink, as always you rock and so does your amazing Elf! THANKS GUYS!

 

[Gypsy]

I'm so excited.

 

[WinkHPD]

I'm so excited.

Gotta love the Snoopy dance.

Wink

 

[Gypsy]

I had given up hope for finding that exact setting. It's just so perfect.

And you know the clincher? The thing was on ebay. In my size. With 15 pointers (not twenty, but still), and it was only 700 bucks. And it was up there for months, and I had the funds and for some BONEHEADED reason, I passed on it.

Still and all this way gives me a project. Which is something that gives me joy. And I get exactly what I want in terms of stone size.

 

[Ella]

A reminder that vendors aren't allowed to solicit business in threads and some posts have come very close to that. Please keep those rules in mind when posting.

 

[CharmyPoo]

Gypsy, honestly, it makes more sense to save the money and then have a vendor order all the matched stones at one time, one shipping fee, less time involved for the vendor. More cost effective should be the end result. I wouldn't consider buying certified 20 pointers, so I'm glad you are buying uncertified at that size.

+1

 

[Gypsy]

I'm on pins and needles waiting for confirmation that FINESSE makes that setting. That huge for me.

 

[CrazyBirdLady]

I've got my fingers crossed for you. You've helped so many people on here that surely the power of ps can track down this setting/vendor for you

 

[arkieb1]

I was going to say that they come up from time to time (like that exact ring) on ebay, with decent cut stones if you are looking every day, Rubylane less frequently but occasionally as well.... It might be better to save the money each special occasion and then see if you can find one preloved and if not then go to a well known vendor. Otherwise the idea of a vendor holding a parcel for you is not a bad idea either.

 

[Mayk]

Gypsy... Have you seen this setting?

http://goodoldgold.com/images/Vatche/Wedding%20Bands/426%20large.jpg

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Gypsy... Have you seen this setting?

http://goodoldgold.com/images/Vatche/Wedding%20Bands/426%20large.jpg

Oh my gosh!!! GREAT find, Mary!!!! Gypsy, I would rather have this one!

 

[Gypsy]

Gypsy... Have you seen this setting?

http://goodoldgold.com/images/Vatche/Wedding%20Bands/426%20large.jpg

No, that's gorgeous. And you are right, It's a very close match! I like that very much. GREAT eye Mayk. If the other one doesn't work out I'll have a fall back. I still love the original a WEE bit more though.

 

[Mayk]

Gypsy... Have you seen this setting?

http://goodoldgold.com/images/Vatche/Wedding%20Bands/426%20large.jpg

No, that's gorgeous. And you are right, It's a very close match! I like that very much. GREAT eye Mayk.

 

[Gypsy]

I have asked for pricing on the Vatche setting too.

So now I am waiting on pricing on 4 things.

F/G diamonds.
H/I diamonds

Original Setting
Vatche Setting.

And I'll go from there.