What jewelers can make a nice nice halo setting for cushion?

The only one I'd add to that list is Maytal Hannah.

http://maytalhannah.com/

Sareen Jewelry made mine...

http://www.sareenjewelry.com/

Adam is a pleasure to deal with and he did a really nice job.... he also did a custom five stone for me...

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Engagement Rings Direct does a great HW inspired Halo which I think started the craze on PS (at least from what I remember). They do a cast version so it will be less expensive then LM, SK, and VC.

Jewels by Erica Grace also does one that I think is very well done.

hi Sarah, what do you mean by "cast version"?

Cast means the metal is poured into a mold as opposed to being handmade. At least that is an uneducated consumer definition and not a technical one! For more technical, see this:

http://jewelrydesigns.com/making-jewelry/how-to-cast-jewelry.htm

Is there a reason why you would not want to go with LM, SK or VC? Those are the safest bet as they have done tons and tons of halos. Maytal Hannah will be good too - people seem very happy with their pieces from her. She did a great job on my halo. All of them are roughly in the same ball park in regards to price.

If you want to go a cheaper route, I would use Mark at ERD but the halo won't look as delicate.

Had a lovely drool over some cushions on diamondsbylauren.com - give them a look!
Not the exact same as your photo but worth checking out anyway.

My quotes from VC have been really high too - much higher than LM and SK's quotes. I thought I just wanted strange pieces because according to Frankie .. VC has better prices than LM and SK. Guess that's not true.

I would go with SK in this case.

Sereen quoted me $3100. I saw a few more of theirs and they were just as nice as SK and LM.

Pinkblue also got her ring from Adam at Sareen....

I thought single cut diamonds were less expensive? What kind of diamonds do most jewelers use in micropave/pave bands?

that's interesting - my quote in July 2011 was right under $4380 with my special request of have melee reaching 5 and 7 o'clock of the ring band...

i wonder if melee prices have gone up dramatically?

Written by frankiextah » February 20th, 2012, 11:03 pm:
i wonder if melee prices have gone up dramatically?

I just think with Victor's popularity his prices have gone up

I asked Sareen if it was handmade and he said it is a handmade wire and the top wax work casting where you want to show metal.

I was a little confused by his statement. Do others make it all handmade?

Written by lulu3 » February 21st, 2012, 8:51 am:I asked Sareen if it was handmade and he said it is a handmade wire and the top wax work casting where you want to show metal.

I was a little confused by his statement. Do others make it all handmade?

some jewelers do make it all by hand, although that is generally more expensive.

I forgot to mention with the matching band, SV and Sareen were identical in price.

I would still request a quote from ERD and JbEG. I think they would both come in under 3k. If you search the halo thread you will see several lovely halos by them. If you are price sensative they should definitely be looked into.

I read here that VC had higher prices, so I was shocked when I got a quote from LM that was so much significantly more than VC. But who knows, I thought maybe LM was maybe "punishing" me for not buying my cushion from him.

If you can't take the diamond in person to have it set, is it safe to send a diamond to one of these jewelers to get a setting made? I'm just wondering if anyone has ever had a bad experience. Are they trustworthy? What are the chances of having a diamond switched or something like that? Is there something that can be done to ensure your diamond is safe? Sorry if this sounds ignorant, just trying to make sure its ok.

thank you

None of these vendors would risk a switch. It's not switching. It's stealing. BUT, I do know of two people that had settings from Leon and had their stones come back with undisclosed damage he caused them. One had an aqua, the other a diamond. So, personally, aside from Leon's personality issues his dishonesty in not disclosing when he damages their stone.

I sent mine to Steven and my best friend sent hers in to him as well. Both came back unharmed and in gorgeous settings. My only comment with Steven is ONCE your ring is at the final polish tell him to make sure he gets a mirror shine to the platinum.

Written by Joolz » February 21st, 2012, 9:49 pm:I read here that VC had higher prices, so I was shocked when I got a quote from LM that was so much significantly more than VC. But who knows, I thought maybe LM was maybe "punishing" me for not buying my cushion from him.

He's not above this, so it very well might be the case. Leon quotes obnoxiously high rates on projects that he is offended by for whatever whacky reason he dreams up.

We are going to send ours to Steven as well. Thank you for the advice Gypsy. it's good to hear both of them came back in good condition. I'm also nervous about getting a setting made in another state. Did you get yours back and it was fine with no adjustments needed?

SINCE DIAMOND SWITCHING WAS MENTIONED, please refer to this for the answer to your question: http://www.pricescope.com/forum/rockytalky/how-do-you-make-sure-diamond-isn-t-switched-at-jeweler-t165120.html also here: http://www.pricescope.com/forum/rockytalky/how-to-avoid-diamond-switching-t156886.html

Written by lulu3 » March 5th, 2012, 10:35 pm:We are going to send ours to Steven as well. Thank you for the advice Gypsy. it's good to hear both of them came back in good condition. I'm also nervous about getting a setting made in another state. Did you get yours back and it was fine with no adjustments needed?

I had to have my appraisal updated. So I had Steven send it to Neil Beaty before it came back to me. His only negative comment was regarding the polish. It was acceptable, but not exceptional (mirror polish). So I took it in to a good place locally and had them repolish it. 80 bucks and problem solved. My friends has no polish issues at all. That's why I advised you to put the bug in his year to remind him about the polish.

He's not warm and cuddly like Victor, but Steven understands customer service and wants his clients to be happy, unlike Leon who couldn't care less if his customers were happy.

ETA: For any custom work: make sure you are clear in your communication. Do not say "you know best" or "I defer to your judgement" unless you really MEAN IT. Because if you say those words, you are responsible if they take you up on it. If you have definite ideas, concerns, details-- discuss them with him. Make sure he mails you a couple pics of the setting before he sends it back to you (his pics don't do his work justice, but they will let you see if the elements you wanted are included), if there is anything you aren't sure about make sure you tell him IMMEDIATELY.

You'll be fine. I promise.

did you do anything when you send the diamond to him, like you suggested in this post? did you send the appraisal or certificate or anything else?

http://www.pricescope.com/forum/rockytalky/how-do-you-make-sure-diamond-isn-t-switched-at-jeweler-t165120.html

I've had my stone for MANY years. I know my stone, and know it's inclusions (it's VS1 with a cloud so I know my inclusions under 40x, but still). Plus it's an asscher so it's very hard to switch.

BUT I did need my appraisal updated, and since Neil did my original appraisal I had Steven send the ring back to Neil when he was done with it. So, that was piece of mind. Not because I was wondering about switching, but because crap happens, and I needed my appraisal/ insurance updated as 3 years had passed and it was time.

ORIGINALLY, when I sent my stone to Ocean for a reset, I had it sent to Neil, who unset it and sent the loose stone to Ocean. Then when Ocean was done I had the new ring sent to Neil. Again, I did that for my insurance. But yes, a side benefit was that I KNEW it was the same stone.

BUT, with local jewelers for polishing, sizing-- you name it. For normal repairs, YES I have done exactly what I wrote in that post. I sit there with the person taking my piece in for repair and have them look at it with me, and make sure we are both on the same page about what they have, AND what condition it is in BEFORE and AFTER the repair. That way, if anything comes back wonky (for example if there is a chip in the stone that wasn't there before) I have proof of the condition before and after in that case. And THEY know whose at fault (them).


What is the clarity on your stone?

its an SI1, nothing visible to the naked eye. I have stared at it forever and can't see anything that I can mark to remember the stone. But with a loop I can see a couple of things. I guess I should just write that down.

But do I say anything to SK about this? I dont want to offend him. Should I send him the GIA report?

Written by lulu3 » March 5th, 2012, 10:55 pm:its an SI1, nothing visible to the naked eye. I have stared at it forever and can't see anything that I can mark to remember the stone. But with a loop I can see a couple of things. I guess I should just write that down.

But do I say anything to SK about this? I dont want to offend him. Should I send him the GIA report?

YES, you do need to recognize your inclusions under a loupe. Map it for yourself. It's good a practice for ANY work on your stone. Regardless of who does it.

No. I wouldn't say anything. IF you are REALLY worried, have it appraised locally the day you send it to him. Then appraised after. That's for your piece of mind though. Make sure the appraiser is good.

As for the GIA report, yes scan it and email to him, and just tell him it's for his information. Because it is.

Just, a "Hi Steven, attached is diamond's GIA report for your information. I don't know if you need it for anything, but I wanted you to have it just in case. Please let me know if there is anything more (other than the stone, which is on it's way) you need! Thank you, Lulu"

ok thank you!! this has been really helpful. I may send to Neal Beaty...I've read a lot about him. but then isn't it the same issue with sending the diamond out?

Written by lulu3 » March 5th, 2012, 11:02 pm:ok thank you!! this has been really helpful. I may send to Neal Beaty...I've read a lot about him. but then isn't it the same issue with sending the diamond out?

No. Not at all. Neil isn't working on your stone. He's looking at it. There's no risk of damage.

You aren't having it appraised for switching. If you even think for a SECOND that anyone, appraiser, jeweler, FRIEND would do that you DO NOT give them your ring. EVER.

You are having it sent to Neil for A) an attestation of the stone's condition before it is sent to get a new setting, and for him to confirm it is in that exact condition with no damage after it is set, and B) for a full appraisal for your insurance because the value of your ring will have (significantly) increased.

That's why you are sending it to Neil.

And sweetie. Neil's entire business is his reputation. NO average diamond is worth so much to him, let alone your cushion, that he would lose his head over it. Finally, when you get it back, YOU have responsibility to check everything over yourself. That's why you need to get to know your stone a little better.

ALSO, please send the stone CERTIFIED MAIL through USPS, only. Safest way for an individual to mail their jewelry. Takes time, but is safe.