A Bit Discouraged!

[Taylorbug!]

I am new here and upon the advice of some veteran PSers. I contacted Brian Gavin and Whiteflash about modifying my current ring. Neither of which have any interest in helping me.

Do any of you know of a good vendor who will modify a ring that THEY didn''t custom make or sell?

 

[Firestone]

What do you mean by modify?

 

[Taylorbug!]

Date: 3/17/2010 8:12:12 PM
Author: Firestone
What do you mean by modify?

I had sent them pics and ask to have the marquise put into a bezel setting, with maybe some (melee)stones in the sides of the bezel or some beading around the top. Both vendors basically said they would only do "modifications" on their on products. That if I want to remount totally they would do that.

 

[D&T]

Yes, I highly recommend Michael E at http://www.gemshoppe.com/ I have worked with him on several different occasions and he has been phenomenal and his prices and skill set are wonderful. I am currently working with him combining two diamond rings into one cast which I asked him to order from Adwar to keep my price down. I haven't posted about his pieces at all yet. I've only worked with him via email and it has gone smoothly and my pieces looks wonderful! He has even repaired a semi bezel and have cut gemstones (if you were interested in that as well) for me.

ETA: he usually is in the Colored Forum posting,I think he also does benchwork for other jewelers as well. I consider him my personal jeweler, and I have no problem sending any of my pieces out to him.

 

[Firestone]

So you want to modify your existing setting? Did either of them say that it was impossible to modify your existing setting? It sounds like you are saying they said they weren''t interested in modifying an existing setting. My guess is that they are more interested in sales. I don''t have any experience in modifying an existing setting. Perhaps you should contact some local jewelers who do custom designs. They might be more receptive. Other than that, just email away at online places to see if anyone is interested. Good luck.

 

[Taylorbug!]

Date: 3/17/2010 8:22:24 PM
Author: D&T
Yes, I highly recommend Michael E at http://www.gemshoppe.com/ I have worked with him on several different occasions and he has been phenomenal and his prices and skill set are wonderful. I am currently working with him combining two diamond rings into one cast which I asked him to order from Adwar to keep my price down. I haven''t posted about his pieces at all yet. I''ve only worked with him via email and it has gone smoothly and my pieces looks wonderful! He has even repaired a semi bezel and have cut gemstones (if you were interested in that as well) for me.

Thanks D&T.....I will contact him....
looking forward to pics of your new ring.

 

[bgray]

where are you located if you dont mind me asking?

 

[Taylorbug!]

Date: 3/17/2010 8:24:16 PM
Author: Firestone
So you want to modify your existing setting? Did either of them say that it was impossible to modify your existing setting? It sounds like you are saying they said they weren''t interested in modifying an existing setting. My guess is that they are more interested in sales. I don''t have any experience in modifying an existing setting. Perhaps you should contact some local jewelers who do custom designs. They might be more receptive. Other than that, just email away at online places to see if anyone is interested. Good luck.

That was the impression I got as well. They didn''t say they "couldn''t" modify it, they just said they "wouldn''t" do a modification on a ring they didn''t sell or custom make.

 

[Taylorbug!]

Date: 3/17/2010 8:25:50 PM
Author: bgray
where are you located if you dont mind me asking?

I am in NC

 

[Lula]

Hi, Taylor,
I think Wink Jones from High Performance Diamonds will work with you on a project like this. He''s a nice guy, and if he can''t help you, I''ll be he knows someone who will.

 

[AprilBaby]

I have worked with both Wink and Michael E and had great experiences!

 

[CharmyPoo]

I can understand why they might not want to modify someone else''s setting - what if something happened to it during the process?

It sounds like you want a lot of change - have you tried pricing out a new setting and figuring out what the difference is?

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 3/17/2010 9:10:12 PM
Author: CharmyPoo
I can understand why they might not want to modify someone else''s setting - what if something happened to it during the process?

It sounds like you want a lot of change - have you tried pricing out a new setting and figuring out what the difference is?

This is my thought.

I know I said this before, but I think that setting a colored stone into a new peg head in your current setting and then getting a simple setting for your marquise would be the best route to go. What if you change your setting and don''t like it still? Then you have wasted money and potentially irreparably changed your current setting.

 

[cara]

On some level I understand their policies... especially for substantial modifications rather than minor ones. What if something goes wrong? What if the original setting had a problem which they discover when attempting the modifications?

Bringing us to... Why do you want to modify your setting rather than start from scratch? Are you sure that is the best way to get a well-constructed setting with the look you want or will you be constraining things and making it more difficult for the jeweler by giving them existing materials to work with? I guess to get a good opinion on that you do need a jeweler at least willing in principle to modify your setting so they can give an opinion.

ETA: I'm pretty sure that WF has modified people's existing settings... when they are also selling them a new stone to go in it. Makes sense that they would turn down doing this work as I get the feeling they are in the jewelry business to help in selling diamonds, but bench work on other people's jewelry not associated with selling a diamond isn't really their focus. But there are jeweler's out there that are more willing to take that kind of work. Good luck!

 

[WinkHPD]

Date: 3/17/2010 9:27:18 PM
Author: cara
On some level I understand their policies... especially for substantial modifications rather than minor ones. What if something goes wrong? What if the original setting had a problem which they discover when attempting the modifications?

Bringing us to... Why do you want to modify your setting rather than start from scratch? Are you sure that is the best way to get a well-constructed setting with the look you want or will you be constraining things and making it more difficult for the jeweler by giving them existing materials to work with? I guess to get a good opinion on that you do need a jeweler at least willing in principle to modify your setting so they can give an opinion.

ETA: I''m pretty sure that WF has modified people''s existing settings... when they are also selling them a new stone to go in it. Makes sense that they would turn down doing this work as I get the feeling they are in the jewelry business to help in selling diamonds, but bench work on other people''s jewelry not associated with selling a diamond isn''t really their focus. But there are jeweler''s out there that are more willing to take that kind of work. Good luck!

Cara,

You bring up some valid points, and while we are happy to work with other people''s settings and do a lot of repairs, we state right up front that we will not accept liability for unseen defects. We took this stance after we spent hundreds of dollars reconstructing a ring that literally fell into a half dozen pieces when we went to retip a prong. The solder used in making the ring had such a low melting point that the whole ring deconstructed itself. Aye yai, yai, what a mess. We no longer do any work on that "artists" pieces.

Still, for the most part a good bench can do a lot of MAGIC when given a chance.

Taylorbug,

You might be well served to start by talking with local jewelers and repair shops. What you will save in postage and insurance will likely make up for the slightly higher prices you may expect to pay a B&M jeweler.

Just my thoughts.

Wink

 

[princesss]

Date: 3/17/2010 8:27:06 PM
Author: Taylorbug!

Date: 3/17/2010 8:25:50 PM

Author: bgray

where are you located if you dont mind me asking?

I am in NC

Taylorbug, where in NC? There are a few of us from around here, and we could probably give specific recs if we know what city/area you''re in.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Quest has done reworks before I think.

 

[bgray]

I agree: perhaps at least pricing out what you think you want would be a good start. You may not spend much more to have a brand new setting made.

 

[chas]

Hi Taylorbug!,

I would suggest that you contact Arthur Gordon http://www.jewelsmiths.net/ I have worked with Art personally on several occasions modifying existing rings. I have been quite pleased with his work. He is great to work with as well!