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New opal pendant. Annoyed with the prongs. Need opinions on talon prongs.

Karl_K

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btw with this setting keep and ones like it an eye out down the years for cracks in this area across and both sides of the prong.
' gap.jpg
 

paperunicorn

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I went and looked at both my opal rings (one semiblack doublet and one jelly sugarloaf) and both of them have blunt prongs, but set flush to the stones. I definitely know what it's like to be a perfectionist and be disappointed with workmanship but I think your pendant is beautiful and I hope in time the blunt prongs will bother you less. :)
 

blueMA

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btw with this setting keep and ones like it an eye out down the years for cracks in this area across and both sides of the prong.
' gap.jpg
@!Karl_K do you mean the prong itself on the 14k metal or the opal?
 

Karl_K

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@!Karl_K do you mean the prong itself on the 14k metal or the opal?
prongs itself and the metal at the base of the prong.
 

blueMA

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I went and looked at both my opal rings (one semiblack doublet and one jelly sugarloaf) and both of them have blunt prongs, but set flush to the stones. I definitely know what it's like to be a perfectionist and be disappointed with workmanship but I think your pendant is beautiful and I hope in time the blunt prongs will bother you less. :)

Thanks - the photo is magnified and it's not really noticeable to the naked eye (at least with my vision now), so I'm just going to keep a close eye on whether the stone wiggles or moves at all.
Thanks for checking your stones @paperunicorn
 

MissGotRocks

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First and foremost, the pendant is beautiful!! Those colors - wow!! I know the heart wants what the heart wants and they were so wrong to not discuss this with you. I agree with others though - the jeweler probably didn't know how to master the claw prongs so he just ignored that on the work order. I really don't mind the prongs on it - they are small and inobtrusive. However, he did leave a gap and maybe that was on purpose due to the opal or maybe again it was lack of skill. I am sorry you are so disappointed and I totally get that but all in all, the pendant really is gorgeous. I hope your enjoyment in wearing it will soon outweigh your sadness!
 

blueMA

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Thanks @MissGotRocks!
Really all I have to do is to wear the pendant and swoon in front of a mirror how beautiful and fiery the opal is. I was so annoyed because the jeweler obliviously completely ignored my specific request, and as you mention it was probably due to the lack of skill or he probably didn't want to risk pressing the prongs (relatively thick and firm prongs due to the large size) any further against the soft stone.

It's so hard to capture on camera but this stone literally looks alive with all the colors and fire dancing in the stone with the slightest movements. I'm officially an opal lover now. I'll try to capture better photos and post on less dreary thread later. =)2
 

rockysalamander

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I like the setting with the smaller prongs. I think it looks pretty. With the raised prong, just keep an eye on it like others said. Pulling knit sweaters and the like on and off would be my worry.

When my grandmother was in business, my dad would give me softer stones to practice setting. They were less expensive than harder material and he figured it was good to learn on. There is a moment of terror every time you go to close the prongs over a soft stone. I broke or cracked many many stones until I got the feeling for the pressure. :oops2: If this jeweler's bench rarely works with soft stones, they were probably cautious about their skill level and err'd on not closing too much. Little comfort, but they did not damage the stone...

Here a video that shows the process of setting an opal.
 

stracci2000

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It's a beautiful pendant. I cannot speak to the claw prongs not being done to your specifications. The daughter should've communicated better with the dad.
I make jewelry as a hobby, as some of you might know.
I must comment on prong work, and the small gap on the prong.
Working on someone else's stone is very stressful.
Just a touch more pressure on that prong, and a big chunk of opal might flake off. This would be a nightmare.
I cannot tell you how many times I have been mopping the sweat off my brow, while pressing down prongs. :eek2:
 

bludiva

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OMG, those original prongs totally made me think this:

upload_2019-1-11_15-23-16.png
:lol-2::lol-2::lol-2::lol-2:


I hate when someone just takes an "executive decision" on your behalf without consulting you. I've had this happen when getting items repaired, it's galling.

Well now I understand why most opals are bezel set! Looks tricky to get the prongs right. I agree the shorter prongs look nice and discreet though it's not the look you were going for. Hope you enjoy your opal in all its splendor nonetheless!
 

kmoro

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I’m chiming in with more commiseration to share with you on the claw prong request that was promised but not done. That sort of thing is a real let down, and I’m sad to hear it happened to you.

So I would like to let you know that I, for one (and it looks like I’m not alone) prefer the prongs that you ended up with. I really do like the look of them and I’m a claw prong fan. When I first started to look at settings, I thought there were two types of prongs - claws and blobs. The claws were tiny and didn’t distract from the stone, so I liked them better. But then I found out there are prongs like the ones you have, and I honestly like them best.

As for the prong that is not flush with the opal - I hope it causes you no trouble.

The opal pendant is lovely!!!
 

blueMA

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There is a moment of terror every time you go to close the prongs over a soft stone. I broke or cracked many many stones until I got the feeling for the pressure. :oops2:
Oh my... that definitely makes me want to leave the prongs as is. I'm definitely going to err on the careful side and leave those alone! I've put the gold chain with magnetic clasps, so it's very easy to put on and off. I'll just avoid things that could snag, although I can't help with my long hair. I tried brushing a clump of my hair over the pendant and they haven't caught/snagged yet.

Just a touch more pressure on that prong, and a big chunk of opal might flake off. This would be a nightmare.
I cannot tell you how many times I have been mopping the sweat off my brow, while pressing down prongs. :eek2:
Does this get worse with larger stones with thicker prongs? I'm guessing smaller stones with thinner and smaller prongs may be a bit more malleable.
 

blueMA

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It's a beautiful pendant. I cannot speak to the claw prongs not being done to your specifications.
btw, the daughter did call him out on why the prongs were not pointy after the deed was done, but he apparently explained to her that opals can't be set with pointy prongs. :naughty:
She called me to say the pendant was finally ready, but the prongs were not exactly what I asked as in VC, but still just as pointy as the original prongs - well I found out that wasn't true at all...
 

kmoro

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btw, the daughter did call him out on why the prongs were not pointy after the deed was done, but he apparently explained to her that opals can't be set with pointy prongs. :naughty:
She called me to say the pendant was finally ready, but the prongs were not exactly what I asked as in VC, but still just as pointy as the original prongs - well I found out that wasn't true at all...

Yeah ... but I’m going to repeat they’re still lovely. I really hope they grow on you!

I hope you understand that I’m not trying to downplay your disappointment. Just hoping that positive opinions will help somewhat.
 

blueMA

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But then I found out there are prongs like the ones you have, and I honestly like them best.
Thanks - I do hope that one day I could grow to love them. Right now it's hard to overcome my disappointment, but I do feel so much better today compared to yesterday thanks to all of you on PS.
 

blueMA

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Yeah ... but I’m going to repeat they’re still lovely. I really hope they grow on you!

I hope you understand that I’m not trying to downplay your disappointment. Just hoping that positive opinions will help somewhat.

You know how it is - you get enough wholehearted compliments from someone, you eventually learn to accept even flaws over time! I appreciate you sharing your view! :appl:
 

pearaffair

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I have had two separate local jewellers tell me that claw prongs aren’t practical. Uh huh.
 

blueMA

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I have had two separate local jewellers tell me that claw prongs aren’t practical. Uh huh.
Seriously I want to know why. I mean it's not like filing/polishing a metal tip could be that hard?
If not for the need to rhodium plate the exposed tips, I would've done it myself. :confused2:
 

aac2013

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Lovely opal pendant!!!

I too would be furious that the jeweler did work in a manner directly counter to your request. How hard would it have been for them to give you a call prior to starting the work. Poor customer service indeed. And...I can vouch for claw prongs. When done correctly, they absolutely do not snag at all, even on hair.

Nevertheless, your opal is one heck of a show stopper. :love:
 

blueMA

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Thanks @aac2013
I went to Hobby Lobby with my husband today to relieve some stress (thought of confronting the jeweler yesterday but we both decided we really don't need the extra stress and would pay not to have more), and I just ended up hanging out in front of all the mirror products admiring the opal. LOL :bigsmile:
Opals are such chameleons, and look so much better in person than in photos.
Just took some photos in the dark den light, one with flash on, for your pleasures.

IMG_3782.jpg IMG_3789.PNG IMG_3787.PNG View attachment 669724 IMG_3792 (4).jpg
 
Last edited:

WillyDiamond

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OP
That Opal is outstanding! The "blue" just pops!
If you wanted the claw prongs, you are entitle to get them.
Perhaps a jeweler can remove the stone first, and then play around with the prongs.
There does appear to be some bad workmanship on the blunt prongs as you pointed out.
Maybe the prongs need to be removed and start over to get what you want.
Anyway, the stone is awesome! Maybe the nicest opal I have ever seen.
Good luck.
 

mrs-b

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Oww, so sorry to hear this. The large prongs are really weird. I must say I do love the look of the shorter prongs. However, the fact that the prong is not completely touching the stone is something that needs to be corrected.

I have claw prongs on my black opal ring and never had any problems. Alistair Kelsey made my ring and we have opted for burned tips:
E3244A60-6954-4A09-A518-ABF41E461B67.jpeg D4D0F8F6-73D8-4DDB-AAD6-B78FE7452EA1.jpeg 893DB439-2807-4506-B34C-681273438617.jpeg 92160D40-4370-4BB3-8FBF-BC1462E58424.jpeg
These are also by Alistair Kelsey and made with claw prongs (the rings below are not mine):
8D5E3338-3EC3-4242-9352-9E7601E60AA1.jpeg FCCA96CA-3000-4E52-A14E-270260418B81.jpeg

(Sorry, @blueMA - threadjack coming up...)

@Acinom, good lord, that's some beautiful workmanship!! Gorgeous!!
 

blueMA

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OP
That Opal is outstanding! The "blue" just pops!
If you wanted the claw prongs, you are entitle to get them.
Perhaps a jeweler can remove the stone first, and then play around with the prongs.
There does appear to be some bad workmanship on the blunt prongs as you pointed out.
Maybe the prongs need to be removed and start over to get what you want.
Anyway, the stone is awesome! Maybe the nicest opal I have ever seen.
Good luck.
wow Thanks @WillyDiamond
I'm thinking about redoing the whole setting in the near future.
For now, I'm going to sit on it and see how it works out because I have a matching ring coming.
 

Calliecake

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I know! Initially I tried to brush it off, but as time passes, I'm getting more upset about it and feel like I must vent.
I feel that the personality of the piece is changed (ignoring the super long length). I really wanted the edgy talon prongs, but now the prongs are so shortened, I can't risk going pointy anymore. :cry2:

Go ahead and vent. We completely understand how you feel @blueMA .

Thank you for chiming in on this @Karl_K . I am having a local jeweler set a stone and am concerned about how the prongs will look. I showed them pictures from Pricescope rings that had prones they way I wanted them to look. I’m having my doubts they will do this correctly. I would have used a PS vendor but was worried about sending the stone. Probably not my brightest decision.
 

Karl_K

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When working locally asking to talk to the person who will actually do the work is a good idea.
 

blueMA

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I showed them pictures from Pricescope rings that had prones they way I wanted them to look.
@Calliecake I think I vented enough on the first day, and thanks to this thread, I feel much better now. Time tends to heal. ;))

I would love to see your inspiration prong photos. Did you want talon prongs as well?
It seems many local jewelers with their own stores may possibly be bit egotistical to admit their true skill levels?
If I were you, be very specific with what you want and call them now to elaborate not to begin the work if they can't do what you specifically asked.
 

Calliecake

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Thank you @blueMA. I want double claw prongs with pointy ends on the prongs. I had the jeweler bring the bench person in the room while we were discussing how I wanted the setting to look. He does all the work at the jeweler’s location. I showed them both pictures and asked if he was able to do this and make it look as good as the picture. I was assured they do this all the time and it would not be a problem. They have had my stone for three months and I still have not heard back. To be fair I stressed that I wanted it done correctly and if they were busy during Christmas, I would be fine with waiting. I just want the finished product to be beautiful. After Karl’s comments I’m a little worried.
 
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