At what point in the custom/correction process do u settle?

[quaddio]

Re: At what point in the custom/correction process do u sett

Nice post quaddio! I think you must be in a line of work related to counseling or psychology.

I really feel for Ame. My recent experience with a custom ring gave me a little insight. Whatever you do - keep ring as-is, continue the repair path, sell, start again, - it will be a better decision with eyes on the prize. Frustration, guilt and self-doubt will hold you back.

Thanks seeker but I have no background in psych at all. I'm a businesswoman and investor.

 

[Rosa]

Re: At what point in the custom/correction process do u sett

Hi Ame,

Just want to say that I'm sorry for all the hassle you are enduring. I have not had that experience with a custom piece of jewelry, but my husband and I just gut renovated our home (still in process, over a year and counting) and there have been some mistakes that made me crazy. When the guys came to fix mistake A, they damaged something and then the guys who came to fix that mistake B, caused mistake C - it was really unbelievable and sometimes I have wanted to scream and pull my hair out.

In some cases, we were able to not pay until things were done to our satisfaction, but it sounds like you have already paid for this. In other cases, we had to eat the mistakes b/c even though, for example, the plumber did shoddy work, if we didn't pay him upfront he would not sign off on our job with the city (unbelievable, but true.) So we sucked it up, paid, our job passed plumbing inspection, and when the dust has settled and I have time in a few months, I will make a point to go on the BBB, the NYC consumer affairs department, Angie's list, etc., etc., etc. and state simply and without emotion the facts of our written agreement (he was working from architectural plans) vs. what actually was done.

I bring that up because I would guess in this case with a custom piece of jewelry, you have some kind of "architectural plan" and if Flyer is not creating the jewelry to the "spec" then I think they should fix it until it is correct, and if they have to take all the stones out, melt down the metal, and start from scratch, that is what they should do.

All of this is assuming that your requests are reasonable (and I haven't seen the photos - if there are any they are not loading on my computer tonight.)

Best of luck to you!

 

[Amys Bling]

Re: At what point in the custom/correction process do u sett

I guess the lesson to be learnt from frankie's journey is that if you are nitpicky enough, and you're willing to put enough money into it, and you pick the perfect vendor, you *can* achieve essentially loupe-clean work.

I'll be crass and suggest that you do, like many of us, have very high expectations, and there's nothing wrontg with that but I think this might be a situation wherein you're just going to have to pony up more up-front to have those expecations met

Im thinking this.... if you yourself know you are hard to please and want perfection then I think enough money will find you that.

 

[ruby59]

Re: At what point in the custom/correction process do u sett

Are you crazy - Not at all. I commend you for not settling and expecting to get exactly what you paid for.

Unfortunately, custom work is only as good as the person doing it. And everyone has their own ideas of what the end job should look like. You and the your bench person are not having a meeting of the minds. And unfortunately, every time the ring is worked on and the prongs are bent back and forth, imo it is going to look worst for wear. Having it fixed over and over is going in the opposite direction of perfection, as is evident by your posts.

Again imo, but custom work may be not the best direction for you to go in as it will always have its little flaws. Some people like it because it gives their jewelry personality. For others like yourself, it is stressful.

For you, machine made may be a better fit. I know of one designer, A Jafee, where it is all calibrated by machine under 100X magnification, and the end work is as near perfection as possible. And I am sure, other designers use this process as well. Since this obviously is at a stalemate, is there any way you could scrap it, get as much value out of it in materials as possible, and move on from there?

 

[rosetta]

Re: At what point in the custom/correction process do u sett

All my custom pieces have come out perfect. Funny thing is, I'm not a perfectionist.

Frankly, I'm not that obsessed with jewellery to spend much time staring minutely at it. Is this PS heresy?? But that's probably why I'm happy to let master jewellers get on with it (and paid them handsomely of course) and I've always been a satisfied customer. I must say that the top quality work has cost many thousands of pounds though. For under £3k, I've had excellent pieces, but not perfect.

Anyhow, I hope you obtain jewellery perfection soon. That's a whole lotta issues with just one ring!

 

[ame]

Re: At what point in the custom/correction process do u sett

I picked it up yesterday from the jeweler. There are a few things I wish were done better but for the most part it is what it is. It's not what I expect, and in a few spots is way beyond better than I expected. I just am going to have to settle I think.

I have to send in my Vatche to get one or two prongs pushed down that have never been touching the stone on the top and that have been snagging since I got it, and I can't stand it anymore. Not that I normally wear gloves, but I need to be able to. There's no way I could wear this with gloves on or I'd lose a prong. That's gonna go in next week. It's now been exactly a full year and 2 weeks since I started the reset journey.

ETA:
I am absolutely someone who will always pick machined perfection to hand-wrought quirk I think, for jewelry anyway. I do want to try Canera someday because unless I see quirk in his hand-made stuff, his is the closest to machined perfect Ive ever seen.

 

[ame]

Re: At what point in the custom/correction process do u sett

For you, machine made may be a better fit. I know of one designer, A Jafee, where it is all calibrated by machine under 100X magnification, and the end work is as near perfection as possible. And I am sure, other designers use this process as well. Since this obviously is at a stalemate, is there any way you could scrap it, get as much value out of it in materials as possible, and move on from there?

Nope. I cannot spend a dime more on this stuff. I have spent over 10 grand in settings and reworks. I cannot do this anymore.

 

[rosetta]

Re: At what point in the custom/correction process do u sett

For you, machine made may be a better fit. I know of one designer, A Jafee, where it is all calibrated by machine under 100X magnification, and the end work is as near perfection as possible. And I am sure, other designers use this process as well. Since this obviously is at a stalemate, is there any way you could scrap it, get as much value out of it in materials as possible, and move on from there?

Nope. I cannot spend a dime more on this stuff. I have spent over 10 grand in settings and reworks. I cannot do this anymore.

Ten grand?!



My goodness that is such bad luck! No way should you have prongs that snag on anything. That's outrageous. I'm so sorry this has happened to you but drawing a line under might be the only way. Ten grand. Yikes!

 

[ame]

Re: At what point in the custom/correction process do u sett

Yep. TEN THOUSAND on resets. FOR JUST METAL, none had diamonds in them that weren't already mine. lol None had diamonds! This was a band we bought using my previous band for trade.

NOT INCLUDING having to replace my entire set after theft two years ago.

DH and I discussed that we are done. If these get stolen, or are not easily fixed and require a claim, I am probably getting a plain band, and being done with it.

 

[Dancing Fire]

Re: At what point in the custom/correction process do u sett

For you, machine made may be a better fit. I know of one designer, A Jafee, where it is all calibrated by machine under 100X magnification, and the end work is as near perfection as possible. And I am sure, other designers use this process as well. Since this obviously is at a stalemate, is there any way you could scrap it, get as much value out of it in materials as possible, and move on from there?

Nope. I cannot spend a dime more on this stuff. I have spent over 10 grand in settings and reworks. I cannot do this anymore.

WOW!!...

 

[Blue-Seeker]

Re: At what point in the custom/correction process do u sett

Yep. TEN THOUSAND on resets. FOR JUST METAL, none had diamonds in them that weren't already mine. lol None had diamonds! This was a band we bought using my previous band for trade.

NOT INCLUDING having to replace my entire set after theft two years ago.

DH and I discussed that we are done. If these get stolen, or are not easily fixed and require a claim, I am probably getting a plain band, and being done with it.

I did this. After six resets and several trade-ins in 12 years, some of them custom pieces and some manufactured, but all high-end and expensive, I decided I was done with the whole diamond-ring-and-band look. The expectation that it be perfect was very anxiety-provoking for me. It was a waste of time and money. One day I thought -- this ring anxiety is not something I want in my life or in my marriage. I switched to a plain band and have never looked back. I still wear nice rings, and I still have things custom-designed for me, but they are all right-hand rings. For some reason, I'm less picky about right-hand rings, and ring shopping is now fun again.

 

[ame]

Re: At what point in the custom/correction process do u sett

Your post seriously just was what I needed to read. So I VERY much appreciate it.

I have decided that IF I get any more rings of any kind, they might be antiques. Because they are older, I think I might be able to deal with imperfections, they came from years of wear.

 

[Laila619]

Re: At what point in the custom/correction process do u sett

Your post seriously just was what I needed to read. So I VERY much appreciate it.

I have decided that IF I get any more rings of any kind, they might be antiques. Because they are older, I think I might be able to deal with imperfections, they came from years of wear.

That's a great idea, Ame!

I'm so sorry you've had to deal with this. What a huge bummer.

 

[bgray]

Re: At what point in the custom/correction process do u sett

i dont think you settle. money is money. we live in an era that is focused on speed and profit. not on quality. however the prices have by no means equalized to reflect that reality. my only piece of advice is that going forward you select the best person/crafstperson, company that you can find and have everything in writing so that at minimum there is no question over what you are to receive for your money.

i had my e-ring made by a vendor here quite some time ago. i wasnt thrilled with one element of the final product but the distance was too great and i didnt know enough then to be so specific about the quality (in this case side stone quality) and it was in line with what had been found--so I let it go and found a top quailty bench jeweler about two years later who sourced new side stones re-worked the mounting and now it is perfect--and i am an OCD perfectionist. i am sorry for your aggravation.

 

[ame]

Re: At what point in the custom/correction process do u sett

i dont think you settle. money is money. we live in an era that is focused on speed and profit. not on quality. however the prices have by no means equalized to reflect that reality. my only piece of advice is that going forward you select the best person/crafstperson, company that you can find and have everything in writing so that at minimum there is no question over what you are to receive for your money.

Honestly, that's what I thought I had been doing. TONS of research, several meetings, etc. I have been one that goes through the cracks for several of what I thought were the best ever craftsmen. I got sick of failed true custom and went to a major brand this time, and that even failed too.

Now that I have it back and cleaned, I looked over this ring and I don't honestly think they did anything more than a good polish. But Im sick of sending it back so I have no choice but TO settle at this point and either not wear the thing at all, or hope that nothing snags on the still raised prong on the one end or that the exposed girdle on the other end that they refused to take care of shears off.

 

[bgray]

Re: At what point in the custom/correction process do u sett

i dont think you settle. money is money. we live in an era that is focused on speed and profit. not on quality. however the prices have by no means equalized to reflect that reality. my only piece of advice is that going forward you select the best person/crafstperson, company that you can find and have everything in writing so that at minimum there is no question over what you are to receive for your money.

Honestly, that's what I thought I had been doing. TONS of research, several meetings, etc. I have been one that goes through the cracks for several of what I thought were the best ever craftsmen. I got sick of failed true custom and went to a major brand this time, and that even failed too.

Now that I have it back and cleaned, I looked over this ring and I don't honestly think they did anything more than a good polish. But Im sick of sending it back so I have no choice but TO settle at this point and either not wear the thing at all, or hope that nothing snags on the still raised prong on the one end or that the exposed girdle on the other end that they refused to take care of shears off.

yuck--so sorry! i guess sometime you chalk it up to the gods.........

 

[Imdanny]

Re: At what point in the custom/correction process do u sett

I feel your pain if you'll pardon the cliche. I had much the same journey with watches. I will say that plain bands are beautiful in and of themselves. I can't wait to get mine. Unlike watches and settings with stones, no moving parts. It ain't gonna suck. But yeah, sometimes you got to draw a line. That does suck but it happens.

 

[ame]

Re: At what point in the custom/correction process do u sett

Thanks, I appreciate all your support I guess Ill just suck it up and hope nothing bad happens. Dog knows I inspect enough to catch it as soon as it happens.

Also, gonna post some new pics in SMTR here in a few.

 

[Imdanny]

Re: At what point in the custom/correction process do u sett

i dont think you settle. money is money. we live in an era that is focused on speed and profit. not on quality. however the prices have by no means equalized to reflect that reality. my only piece of advice is that going forward you select the best person/crafstperson, company that you can find and have everything in writing so that at minimum there is no question over what you are to receive for your money.

i had my e-ring made by a vendor here quite some time ago. i wasnt thrilled with one element of the final product but the distance was too great and i didnt know enough then to be so specific about the quality (in this case side stone quality) and it was in line with what had been found--so I let it go and found a top quailty bench jeweler about two years later who sourced new side stones re-worked the mounting and now it is perfect--and i am an OCD perfectionist. i am sorry for your aggravation.

This!

Very true.

 

[Cehrabehra]

Re: At what point in the custom/correction process do u sett

But do you find that you are forced to settle sometimes and sometimes FAR more often than you are comfortable with?

Yes, in answer to your question. I am sorry your new rings are still not right, ame. The issues you are having would bug me, too.

Yes, I settled when I had my ring made 5 years ago. The process was so drawn out and *every* time I tried to get back on track to my original design it was a 2 week turnaround. After missing at least 3 firm deadlines it was finally sent to me and while it was in route the jeweler told me that a) she'd made a change and hoped I'd like it b) ran out of time to have it engraved and c) didn't even stamp it. When I complained after I got it I was encouraged to take it to another jeweler. Nine months of effort... got it 4 months after the first deadline... and wasn't what I asked for. AND cost me 5k. Yeah... I just ate it and swallowed it. It took me 5 years to get the guts to try again and the ring whiteflash made me this summer is on my finger and exactly what I asked for. I'm *really* nervous to get my reset done, but a lot less so now.

So yeah, I've had to settle and I'm uncomfortable with it every day but it's way easier to just kiss the money goodbye and let it go than to live in regret. The ring that was made was made perfectly. It is technically exquisite but I wish I'd just returned the ring and waited another 9 months to have it done correctly. Ugh.

 

[ame]

Re: At what point in the custom/correction process do u sett

Ugh, it took me about that long with Vatche, and that was just for structural soundness. Its still not sound but I did just give up. Im about to risk it to have the two prongs pushed down, and I am SO nervous.

This band though...I quit. I seriously quit. It won't take long if I actually wear it for 1) the stone at the edge to be destroyed and or 2) the prong that's lifted on the other end due to the sunken stone to snag and rip right off the ring, thus losing two stones. But what we paid is clearly not enough for that to be rectified!

 

[ruby59]

Re: At what point in the custom/correction process do u sett

$10,000 - and you cannot even safely wear it. OMG, that is aweful. I am curious to see the pictures as well because if the workmanship is really that bad, even if I had to get a lawyer, I would demand my money back. That is way too much money to have to just throw it in your jewelry box and forget about it.

 

[CharmyPoo]

Re: At what point in the custom/correction process do u sett

I saw your Show me the Bling thread. The ring is a relavtively common and simple design - I am very curious as to what you found wrong with it.

 

[ame]

Re: At what point in the custom/correction process do u sett

On the Flyer, the prongs on the end (as worn, shown on left end) are lifted up higher than the stones on one side--the "bottom"--so it catches on things and is just one snag away from being ripped right off. The 2nd stone from the end is jammed down into the ring making it even more prominent. On the right end, the stone isn't centered in the ring, and the girdle edge is exposed. The rest of the stones are fairly in a straight line, besides that one. So if that gets hit, that stones edge is gone. Ill need to get my good DSLR out and take pics of the issues, the iPhone won't quite get the issues. I specifically went with this brand because they used h&a diamond melee, and all the work by them I'd seen was fantastic. But as soon as it's mine...everyones best turns to less than stellar.

On the Vatche, the biggest issue is that several of the prongs are not touching the stone in one spot or another. The two big offenders I need fixed are not touching the stone on top at all. EVERYTHING gets caught in there. I have a couple prongs where the stone isn't quite seated correctly either. I've lived with all of that, but those two prongs on top have to be handled or those two will be ripped off one day.

So I can either wear my rings or use my hands. There's no wear them and use my hands option. If my rings are on, my left hand literally holds NOTHING more than a soda. Never my purse, never my keys. My hand NEVER goes in my purse with rings on, EVER under any circumstance. Too much to snag on. MAYBE Ill hold my phone or wallet in my left hand. But nothing else. I can't wear gloves because of snags. I never touch grocery bags with my left hand if my rings are on, tho I rarely wear those to the grocery store anyway. All of this to prevent damage and work around the flaws.

That 10K is a figure of 3 resets and 2 band reworks, all in plain platinum, two of the settings were just basic stuller/ingwers. This is the third setting I've had in two years, the first two were botched in sizing and neither jeweler would do anything about it. I fought for refunds and one gave a partial refund but the other cut me off completely, and a lawyer actually only made it worse. This last one (Vatche) took 4 attempts to make. I think the first try was the nicest of them all, but it came with a good sized nick in the metal near the stone and when they fixed it they left a crack in the metal. I wished I'd have left it alone actually.

 

[Enerchi]

Re: At what point in the custom/correction process do u sett

Ame your thread on the SMTB site shows off all of your beautiful hard work and a stunning set! I hope you will be happy with the finished product because to me, just an untrained observer, I think it looks incredible! Often it is only ourselvesn
Who only see the flaws in something when we are so intimately involved in the process. It really turned out AMAZING!

Hope you can enjoy them now -- they totally ROCK!!!

 

[danyhutch]

Re: At what point in the custom/correction process do u sett

Good grief Ame! What a bummer! I would have flipped out too! So much money and they could not manage to satisfy the costumer!? WOW! After that amount you would think that they get it right!!!!!! I'm sorry but i would expect that!

 

[ame]

Re: At what point in the custom/correction process do u sett

As would I. When I drop off my Vatche tomorrow to get the prongs fixed Ill make a comment about the Flyer to the jeweler. I am simply stuck waiting for the damage to happen. Because it's not an IF it's a WHEN.

So then we can see how that gets handled I guess.

 

[ruby59]

Re: At what point in the custom/correction process do u sett

It is difficult to know what the problems are without seeing pictures, but one part I can identify with. I had ring where the diamond was not seated correctly, and my jeweler told me that there was a very high probability I would have lost it through normal wear.

 

[ame]

Re: At what point in the custom/correction process do u sett

I know what the problems are. I don't need pictures to even prove it. I just need the manufacturer to give a rip enough to fix it.

 

[Imdanny]

Re: At what point in the custom/correction process do u sett

I think the first try was the nicest of them all, but it came with a good sized nick in the metal near the stone and when they fixed it they left a crack in the metal.

I sent the JLC I used to own to JLC in the US and it came back with a dent in the face. Of course they didn't say they did it, but they did, I didn't complain, but in retrospect they should have replaced the dial with a new one from JLC. They dented it. It was very noticeable. They should have made it right.

I've had two watches noticeably scratched when I took them to have links taken out of bracelets. They just put the watches down on a table and started hammering away at them apparently. One I didn't complain. That was the Seiko I got when I graduated from HS. One I did complain. That is the Rolex I have now. I took it to an authorized dealer. That's where this happened. I complained and the manager told me he was sorry I had a problem- not I'm sorry we did it wrong. The way he phrased it and his attitude were ridiculous.

Yes, it's only jewelry- go ahead and scratch and dent it.

Sigh.