A little bothered with this WF setting

[prettycat]

I recently bought a WF ACA stone on Sleek Line Pave setting. It was this beautiful setting that attracted me to buy from WF. Yes, I still like it very much. However, when I looked at the ring with WF 10x viewer, I can see the melee on both sides are NOT symmetrical. I am not able to see that with naked eyes though. Why couldn''t they make them in perfect symmetry?

I bought a band from Bluenile to go with this e-ring, and they match PERFECTLY! The BN band has lower quality sidestones and is much cheaper than the matching band from WF ($450 vs. $995), but I cannot see any difference side by side on my hand. They are both very white and sparkly! Is the WF ACA melee supposed to be better? That also confused me a little bit but not a big issue.

Should I be bothered with the symmetry of the melee on my setting or is it just normal? the BN band doesn''t have that problem at all.

http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Diamond-Settings/-Sleek-Line-Pave--Diamond-Engagement-Ring_1184.htm

http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-ring-white-gold_5342?metal_filter=white

 

[Elmorton]

Contact WF. I have a feeling they''ll make it right.

 

[tigian]

Hope they can correct it for you. You should be 100% happy with your ring. Beautiful choices, btw.
Is it just me or are there more complaints about WF's craftsmanship?

 

[swingirl]

Can you post the photo that WF sent you?

 

[prettycat]

Here is the picture WF sent to me.

 

[rickster123]

Prettycat, you''re stressing me out.....WF is making a custom setting for me as I type...Sigh. Fingers crossed.

 

[Stephan]

On this picture, symmetry looks perfect.
Did you contact WF?
If there is a problem, they will help you.

 

[icekid]

Date: 5/6/2009 1:52:42 PM
Author: QueenMum
On this picture, symmetry looks perfect.

Did you contact WF?

If there is a problem, they will help you.

I don''t see any problems from the photo, either. But if it is really an issue, I am confident that WF will fix it.

 

[D&T]

the picture, I cannot see what you are talking about, but if it bothers you then i''m sure they will try and fix.

 

[prettycat]

Of course you cannot see the problem from this photo. But with a 10X loupe it''s very easy to see.

 

[D&T]

Date: 5/6/2009 2:09:35 PM
Author: prettycat
Of course you cannot see the problem from this photo. But with a 10X loupe it''s very easy to see.

can you still see it without the loupe? if not then I really don''t see how it can be set any better, jmho. I have several pieces from them and from the loupe yes, I see minor flaws- ie: ie not symmtrical or a little gold overhange or something other, but cannot see it that much unless I try really hard and squint and trying to find the flaws. but again, if it bothers you that much then raise up the concern.

 

[mrssalvo]

I would contact WF and tell them your concern. are you planning on having your ring independently appraised? if so, the appraiser can offer an unbias opinion as to the workmanship and if it''s acceptable or not. I think judging it under 10x magnification may not qualify you for any type of remake or fix since you say it is not noticeable under normal viewing conditions. but WF is the one to make that call and I''m sure they want you to be satisfied.

re: the difference b/t the tiny aca''s melee and the melee in the ring from BN. it has been commented on by several PS members they they honestly could not see a difference in the aca''s and ideal cut melee when they are that small. once the stone''s get bigger is when the difference can become apparent. So, it''s not surprising that you didn''t see a huge difference b/t the two rings

 

[icekid]

Date: 5/6/2009 2:09:35 PM
Author: prettycat
Of course you cannot see the problem from this photo. But with a 10X loupe it''s very easy to see.

I''m not really sure you can expect perfection under 10x, at least not in that price range. I would personally be quite happy if my ring looked perfect to the naked eye. If 10x perfect is what you''re seeking, you should state that when you''re purchasing.

 

[MMT]

Date: 5/6/2009 11:16:55 AM
Author: Elmorton
Contact WF. I have a feeling they''ll make it right.

Ditto

 

[Ellen]

Date: 5/6/2009 2:49:55 PM
Author: icekid

Date: 5/6/2009 2:09:35 PM
Author: prettycat
Of course you cannot see the problem from this photo. But with a 10X loupe it''s very easy to see.

I''m not really sure you can expect perfection under 10x, at least not in that price range. I would personally be quite happy if my ring looked perfect to the naked eye. If 10x perfect is what you''re seeking, you should state that when you''re purchasing.

Yes, I think your expectations may be a tad high. My Leon Mege isn''t even "eye" perfect.

And I''m disturbed lately by all these people consulting the forum before the jeweler on problems. We should be the last resort, after everything else has been tried, imho. I just don''t think it''s fair to the jeweler.

 

[onedrop]

Date: 5/6/2009 4:11:11 PM
Author: Ellen

Date: 5/6/2009 2:49:55 PM
Author: icekid

Date: 5/6/2009 2:09:35 PM
Author: prettycat
Of course you cannot see the problem from this photo. But with a 10X loupe it''s very easy to see.

I''m not really sure you can expect perfection under 10x, at least not in that price range. I would personally be quite happy if my ring looked perfect to the naked eye. If 10x perfect is what you''re seeking, you should state that when you''re purchasing.

Yes, I think your expectations may be a tad high. My Leon Mege isn''t even ''eye'' perfect.

And I''m disturbed lately by all these people consulting the forum before the jeweler on problems. We should be the last resort, after everything else has been tried, imho. I just don''t think it''s fair to the jeweler.

Ditto on what ellen said. Why not consult the jeweler first and have them to address the issue?

 

[beechezz]

Date: 5/6/2009 4:47:10 PM
Author: onedrop

Date: 5/6/2009 4:11:11 PM
Author: Ellen

Date: 5/6/2009 2:49:55 PM
Author: icekid

Date: 5/6/2009 2:09:35 PM
Author: prettycat
Of course you cannot see the problem from this photo. But with a 10X loupe it''s very easy to see.

I''m not really sure you can expect perfection under 10x, at least not in that price range. I would personally be quite happy if my ring looked perfect to the naked eye. If 10x perfect is what you''re seeking, you should state that when you''re purchasing.

Yes, I think your expectations may be a tad high. My Leon Mege isn''t even ''eye'' perfect.

And I''m disturbed lately by all these people consulting the forum before the jeweler on problems. We should be the last resort, after everything else has been tried, imho. I just don''t think it''s fair to the jeweler.

Ditto on what ellen said. Why not consult the jeweler first and have them to address the issue?

Ditto to what onedrop and ellen said. I am sure WF will do what they can to make you happy.

 

[prettycat]

I did not contact WF first because I was hesitating whether I need to contact them or not. It''s true that I am not happy with the craftsmanship of this ring, but at least it looks fine with eyes. My husband said I am too picky on this. So, just wanted to get other people opinion on whether this kind of flaws are acceptable or not.

 

[mrssalvo]

prettycat, everyone's level of what is and what isn't acceptable is different. I am one of the very picky and tiny stuff bothers me that wouldn't bother most people. I also think I have an unrealistic expectation of what I want my jewelry to look like and expect pretty close to perfection. I do believe there are designers that can come pretty close but it usually comes with a high pricetag. I think if you are bothered than by all means contact them and let them know. You can also tell them that your BN ring is symmetrical and therefore you know it is possible to achieve at. Without mag. pics it's hard for us to be able to tell if you are being overly picky or not. I do think most people would say that a flaw can't be seen with the naked eye that it falls under the "acceptable" category. An independent appraiser can tell you very fairly if you are being over picky or not though and it might be worth the expense to get their opinion.

 

[decodelighted]

Date: 5/6/2009 5:44:02 PM
Author: prettycat
My husband said I am too picky on this. So, just wanted to get other people opinion on whether this kind of flaws are acceptable or not.

Well I agree with your husband then ... if it looks okay in real life WITHOUT looking through a 10x loupe, then I think it is within acceptable standards. There are vendors that won''t work with people who expect "loupe perfection" ... as it isn''t as easy as you''re implying it should be. The comparable Blue Nile piece really isn''t comparable. It is probably a machine cast piece (machine perfection) -- on a straight line. The Whiteflash piece tapers and swoops and is altogether more difficult to place bead set pave in any kind of "machine-perfect" way.

I''m not a Whiteflash fan-girl ... but I honestly wouldn''t expect them to be able to "fix" this kind of loupe-view-only symmetry issue of TINY bead set pave. So there''s your opinion!

 

[onedrop]

Date: 5/6/2009 5:44:02 PM
Author: prettycat
I did not contact WF first because I was hesitating whether I need to contact them or not. It''s true that I am not happy with the craftsmanship of this ring, but at least it looks fine with eyes. My husband said I am too picky on this. So, just wanted to get other people opinion on whether this kind of flaws are acceptable or not.

I definitely see where you are coming from, but I still think I would have contacted WF first to see if this is a problem that can even be fixed. Are the stones set by hand? If so, there might always be some imperfections. If you are dissatisfied, then contact WF to see what can be done. I am sure that the will do all they can to fix any fixable issues. I hope it gets fixed to your satisfaction.

 

[WinkHPD]

Date: 5/6/2009 2:09:35 PM
Author: prettycat
Of course you cannot see the problem from this photo. But with a 10X loupe it''s very easy to see.

As a jeweler I feel compelled to post a reply without reading to the bottom of the thread to see what else might already have been posted.

The diamonds are set by hand, not by machine. As such I would expect there to be minor variations and the fact that it requires a loupe to see these variations indicates to me that the workmanship was excellent. I know that some will disagree with me, but I feel you are being unfair in your assumption that no variance be visible under ten power magnification.

All of the vendors here strive for perfection, and at some level of magnification, be it 5x, 10x, 500x, we all fail. Part of the reason that the WhiteFlash ring is more expensive than the Blue Nile ring is that the workmanship and the melee quality are better and you just stated that you can not see the difference with your eye.

It seems like a double standard to me, but I look at it from the jeweler''s side of the table and you are correctly looking at it from the consumer''s side. I just think we need to meet at a narrower table.

Wink

 

[VRBeauty]

Not having the benefit of 10X magnification I''m not sure where you''re seeing a lack of symmetry. Personally I don''t think it would bother me if it can''t be seen without magnification and doesn''t impair the ring''s integrity.

But I do have to say...

Wow! What a beautiful ring!

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 5/6/2009 5:56:57 PM
Author: decodelighted

Date: 5/6/2009 5:44:02 PM
Author: prettycat
My husband said I am too picky on this. So, just wanted to get other people opinion on whether this kind of flaws are acceptable or not.

Well I agree with your husband then ... if it looks okay in real life WITHOUT looking through a 10x loupe, then I think it is within acceptable standards. There are vendors that won''t work with people who expect ''loupe perfection'' ... as it isn''t as easy as you''re implying it should be. The comparable Blue Nile piece really isn''t comparable. It is probably a machine cast piece (machine perfection) -- on a straight line. The Whiteflash piece tapers and swoops and is altogether more difficult to place bead set pave in any kind of ''machine-perfect'' way.

I''m not a Whiteflash fan-girl ... but I honestly wouldn''t expect them to be able to ''fix'' this kind of loupe-view-only symmetry issue of TINY bead set pave. So there''s your opinion!

Ditto! This thread reminded me of Gypsy''s thread where Mark Morell declined to work with her because he -- probably mistakenly -- thought she was the type to examine his work with a loupe.

Prettycat, if you can''t see it with the naked eye then it is excellent workmanship! Loups are made to look for flaws, use it and you will find them in any handmade piece.

 

[decodelighted]

Date: 5/6/2009 7:25:11 PM
Author: Wink
Part of the reason that the WhiteFlash ring is more expensive than the Blue Nile ring is that the workmanship and the melee quality are better and you just stated that you can not see the difference with your eye. It seems like a double standard to me, but I look at it from the jeweler''s side of the table and you are correctly looking at it from the consumer''s side. I just think we need to meet at a narrower table.

This is an EXCELLENT point. You''re judging the difference *by eye* for the *melee* quality ... but by *loupe* for the *setting* quality. It is a bit of a double standard, no?

 

[Gypsy]

Date: 5/6/2009 8:37:36 PM
Author: dreamer_dachsie

Date: 5/6/2009 5:56:57 PM
Author: decodelighted

Date: 5/6/2009 5:44:02 PM
Author: prettycat
My husband said I am too picky on this. So, just wanted to get other people opinion on whether this kind of flaws are acceptable or not.

Well I agree with your husband then ... if it looks okay in real life WITHOUT looking through a 10x loupe, then I think it is within acceptable standards. There are vendors that won't work with people who expect 'loupe perfection' ... as it isn't as easy as you're implying it should be. The comparable Blue Nile piece really isn't comparable. It is probably a machine cast piece (machine perfection) -- on a straight line. The Whiteflash piece tapers and swoops and is altogether more difficult to place bead set pave in any kind of 'machine-perfect' way.

I'm not a Whiteflash fan-girl ... but I honestly wouldn't expect them to be able to 'fix' this kind of loupe-view-only symmetry issue of TINY bead set pave. So there's your opinion!

Ditto! This thread reminded me of Gypsy's thread where Mark Morell declined to work with her because he -- probably mistakenly -- thought she was the type to examine his work with a loupe.

Prettycat, if you can't see it with the naked eye then it is excellent workmanship! Loups are made to look for flaws, use it and you will find them in any handmade piece.

Shhh.... don't tell anyone but... I don't even own a loupe.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 5/6/2009 8:58:56 PM
Author: Gypsy

Date: 5/6/2009 8:37:36 PM
Author: dreamer_dachsie

Date: 5/6/2009 5:56:57 PM
Author: decodelighted

Date: 5/6/2009 5:44:02 PM
Author: prettycat
My husband said I am too picky on this. So, just wanted to get other people opinion on whether this kind of flaws are acceptable or not.

Well I agree with your husband then ... if it looks okay in real life WITHOUT looking through a 10x loupe, then I think it is within acceptable standards. There are vendors that won''t work with people who expect ''loupe perfection'' ... as it isn''t as easy as you''re implying it should be. The comparable Blue Nile piece really isn''t comparable. It is probably a machine cast piece (machine perfection) -- on a straight line. The Whiteflash piece tapers and swoops and is altogether more difficult to place bead set pave in any kind of ''machine-perfect'' way.

I''m not a Whiteflash fan-girl ... but I honestly wouldn''t expect them to be able to ''fix'' this kind of loupe-view-only symmetry issue of TINY bead set pave. So there''s your opinion!

Ditto! This thread reminded me of Gypsy''s thread where Mark Morell declined to work with her because he -- probably mistakenly -- thought she was the type to examine his work with a loupe.

Prettycat, if you can''t see it with the naked eye then it is excellent workmanship! Loups are made to look for flaws, use it and you will find them in any handmade piece.

Shhh.... don''t tell anyone but... I don''t even own a loupe.

LOL! I won''t tell Mark, I promise!

I don''t own one either, it would just lead me to trouble.

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

Like Wink I have not read it all.
But I have yet to meet a setter who is ambidexterous (sp?). i.e. works on one side with left hand and the other side with right hand.

So one side is usually slightly different to the other - take photo''s of both and flip one to mirror image and you would see what I mean.

 

[strmrdr]

I have a 30 second rule on settings or none of them will ever pass inspection, with just my eyes if I cant see it in 30 seconds it don''t exist.

 

[Allison D.]

As many have mentioned, rings that are made by hand or set by hand are meant to exhibit exceptional workmanship under everyday, normal viewing conditions. For most, that means "how does it look on the wearer's hand during daily wear?". Handmade or handset items should be expected to have slight variances that can't be seen during normal wear but might be visible under magnified inspection.

It's certainly possible to produce a piece that's engineered to the nth degree under severe magnification (what Garry H. lovingly calls 'museum or exhibition quality'), but the cost is typically several times more than most are willing to pay.

Prettycat, we want you to be completely thrilled with your piece, so if you have lingering concerns even with all the feedback here, please let us know. Vera is just a phone call away and would be most happy to help.