Anyone buy from Chelsea Leigh and Co on Etsy?

[AnastasiaBeaverhausen]

So... I'm super new-baby to this whole custom work thing. How long is a normal-ish amount of time for it to take for a jeweler to get back to you about a custom work inquiry. A very highly detailed information, custom work inquiry specifically? Also, if they are not interested in helping you, is it custom for them to just say so in one way or another...or just not respond? It's only been a couple of days, fyi. I'm feeling anxious and ringless after this whole fiasco. I've seen a couple of "real vintage" versions of what I like, but I'm totally paranoid now if they are for reals. Vintage rings are a bit of a different territory..not all come certified bc the diamonds are in original settings, made before certifying was a thing, etc. etc.

Unfortunately, IME, it always feels like a crapshoot. Every so often, I come across a vendor who consistently responds in a timely manner (e.g. Maytal Hannah).

But generally speaking, it's so unpredictable. For example, a couple of times I got a response from David Klass within 2 business days. But there's also been times when I never heard back from them. And once, I got a random email from them 3 months after I had inquired about a new project, asking if I was still interested in working with them on it.

On the plus side, I mostly only reached out to vendors who specifically state that they do custom work. For those who didn't indicate one way or the other, I just send one brief, polite inquiry and leave it at that.

I've also had good experiences with local bench jewelers, but those projects have been for relatively simple projects.

I'm not even sure if I answered your questions lol. But hope this helped somewhat.

 

[Daimond-Friend]

Vintage Gold and Platinum Three-stone Old Mine Cut and Old European Cut Diamond Ring - Etsy

Period: c. mid-1900s Belle Époque / Victorian Revival (European origin) Materials: 18K gold and platinum (stamped “18CT & PT”); diamonds Dimensions: the center diamond measures 5.55 mm long north-to-south; the ring stands 5.35 mm tall above the finger Size: tight 8 (free sizing) Diamonds:

www.etsy.com

Pebble and polish is a confirmed vendor.

I have this ring saved! It's really nice. A bit on the high end of my budget, but yeah I was looking at this one. Thank you for confirming they are a good vendor. They have a couple of nice rings I am looking at, including this one.

 

[Daimond-Friend]

What is “very highly detailed”?

Who did you contact? Some do better by phone, Instagram, or email

One thing I’ve found - I expect it can be overwhelming to send long winded emails

I sent I & R an Etsy message giving all the details of the kind of ring I am looking to have made. Color of gold, types of diamonds, my flexibility with lab vs natural and lower color grades, etc., my budget, a couple of pictures of ring inspirations. It was good sized paragraph of information. Maybe IG is a better way to contact her?


Also, was trying to get a feel for this vendor https://www.etsy.com/listing/1190398506/edwardian-190ct-mine-cut-diamond-three
They have their own site, FB, IG... They can provide an in house appraisal of the ring but most rings do not come certified, bc of the vintage nature of the pieces. Their return policy makes me nervous. Only 3 days to decide, and 7 days to return. The 3 days to decide is the part I'm not thrilled about, because sometimes you need to make an appointment to have a ring looked over by a specialist and that's not a lot of time to do that. I have one jeweler in my area that is GIA certified. I'm a bit rural.

 

[Cerulean]

I sent I & R an Etsy message giving all the details of the kind of ring I am looking to have made. Color of gold, types of diamonds, my flexibility with lab vs natural and lower color grades, etc., my budget, a couple of pictures of ring inspirations. It was good sized paragraph of information. Maybe IG is a better way to contact her?

They also have a phone number if you Google!

I’d give it a few days! Only 2 days has passed. I know you’re excited and i would be too!

 

[Daimond-Friend]

They also have a phone number if you Google!

I’d give it a few days! Only 2 days has passed. I know you’re excited and i would be too!

Yeah, you are right. I was definitely going to give it a couple of days. I didn't know about the phone number too. Thank you for the tip. I will go looking for that.

 

[yssie]

Monday was a holiday for many (in the US) - I don’t know if I&R observes or not, they may have. In any case I’d give it at least a week before worrying - and if you don’t hear back by that point I agree the phone is your friend!

 

[tkyasx78]

I just read this thread. oh my. I am soooo glad you got your refund. My heart was sinking when I read that you were going to buy from the vendor anyway.
I hope you find a vendor with whom honesty and transparency is top priority. As for the Etsy vendor I truly hope they will remove the photos and ONLY post work they have done or if they are using other peoples pictures I hope they have BOTH permission from the owners and will always be giving them upfront credit to the source.

 

[Daimond-Friend]

Monday was a holiday for many (in the US) - I don’t know if I&R observes or not, they may have. In any case I’d give it at least a week before worrying - and if you don’t hear back by that point I agree the phone is your friend!

Oooh that's right. Yeah, the more I look at Ivy and Rose, the more confident I am that she would be able to make this happen. Her diamond inventory on her actual website would support what I am trying to build, and I wouldn't even have to use lab diamonds to do it, which is so nice. The setting I want is simple compared to a lot of settings they make. They also seem to not charge much for their settings in general. You are mostly paying for the diamonds. Her guarantee on her rings too would be such a relief. I am pretty much completely reliant on buying online, so it's nice to see a jeweler that stands behind their products this much. Makes me more comfortable.

 

[yssie]

Check out @Dee*Jay’s pieces - she has probably more jewellery from I&R than anyone else on here.

(Just a heads up - owner of I&R is a man named Ilya )

 

[Daimond-Friend]

Check out @Dee*Jay’s pieces - she has probably more jewellery from I&R than anyone else on here.

(Just a heads up - owner of I&R is a man named Ilya )

Thank you! On Etsy it says, talk to Amanda, lol. I so would have tripped over that one, heh.

Is there a function on PS to view another user’s jewelry they have shared? Looking @deejay and want to see.

 

[Cerulean]

I’ve also worked with I&R, they have great prices and a decent bench who can definitely reproduce settings like yours. I’ve worked with someone named Sarah and Ilya directly.

Many of the settings they have on their website are stock settings they buy from China, but that doesn’t mean they can’t make something for you. They seem to get in new inventory often, so I’m sure they can find something for you! Good luck and keep us posted!

 

[Daimond-Friend]

I’ve also worked with I&R, they have great prices and a decent bench who can definitely reproduce settings like yours. I’ve worked with someone named Sarah and Ilya directly.

Many of the settings they have on their website are stock settings they buy from China, but that doesn’t mean they can’t make something for you. They seem to get in new inventory often, so I’m sure they can find something for you! Good luck and keep us posted!

You’ve been so helpful. I certainly will keep you posted! I’m hoping to have some ring pictures in the coming months. Thank you <3

 

[Daimond-Friend]

Adam at OWD is coming to my rescue... I started combing through their diamond inventory. Realizing that my list of "interested in" diamonds was growing, I sent a very meek email to the sales department and go the fastest, friendliest response, I have had so far. He wanted my whole list and is going to send me videos of each tomorrow. He knows I am trying to find three for a ring and that I am in love with one of their settings. I'm fan-girling over here. Their jewelry is sooo pretty.

 

[Cerulean]

Adam at OWD is coming to my rescue... I started combing through their diamond inventory. Realizing that my list of "interested in" diamonds was growing, I sent a very meek email to the sales department and go the fastest, friendliest response, I have had so far. He wanted my whole list and is going to send me videos of each tomorrow. He knows I am trying to find three for a ring and that I am in love with one of their settings. I'm fan-girling over here. Their jewelry is sooo pretty.

Yay! This sounds so promising! Keep us posted!

 

[ItsMainelyYou]

Adam at OWD is coming to my rescue... I started combing through their diamond inventory. Realizing that my list of "interested in" diamonds was growing, I sent a very meek email to the sales department and go the fastest, friendliest response, I have had so far. He wanted my whole list and is going to send me videos of each tomorrow. He knows I am trying to find three for a ring and that I am in love with one of their settings. I'm fan-girling over here. Their jewelry is sooo pretty.

That's wonderful! I'm so glad it's working out so well. It's exciting! They have a huge inventory and I can't wait to see what they show you.