Brian Gavin Barbara Pendant

[luvalexislamb]

I sent a three stone ring in to be reset into the handmade bezel earrings and the barbara pendant. I knew the chain would be too short- but I felt they wanted too much for an extra inch on the chain, so opted for the original chain and would switch it when it arrived. It came yesterday and the back is VERY tight, it took me a good 20 minutes to remove it from the chain and doesn't slide well at all on it's own (It will when I hold it at a certain angle and slide it).

I informed them of this and was told that it was not designed to be removed from the chain. I would have chosen a fixed chain if I wanted to be stuck with that chain forever, but chose the barbara for versatility and the ability to switch (or so I thought).

It seems like the back should just be a hair taller, my stone is .54. I ordered it online and never saw it in person (Mostly from pics I saw on here). Otherwise I am pleased (the diamonds aren't the best quality from my original e ring but I didn't' want to part with them), Just super disappointed in the chain issue. (I could get an extender, but to me it should be RIGHT for what I paid).

Thoughts on those with this necklace?

 

[swingirl]

I would not want my pendant to slide off a chain. It would be too easy to lose should the chain break. If that happened your pendant could be flung away from you. It's be much easier to find a chain with the pendant still on the chain. (This did happen to me) I checking into that when I had my pendant made and I specifically asked about it. They assured me that the pendant would NOT slip off.

It should be a very easy thing for your local jeweler to take care of, though, since you actually want to change the chain. I am surprised that getting a longer chain was expensive. But please post some photos. I love the Barbara pendant.

 

[chele162]

I have a BGD Barbara pendant and I felt the same way about it. The chain was much too short for me and I knew that I would never use it. My pendant is a little bigger (at .80) but there definitely isn't a lot of room in the back for a chain. I actually didn't purchase the chain with the pendant because I knew that I wouldn't use it. I had a box chain that I planned to wear with it. Once I got it home, I had a heck of a time getting the pendant on my chain! I finally did but it was a tight fit. The pendant didn't move as freely on the chain as I would have liked. I have one chain that I love that I switch out my pendants on. I knew after the hard time I had getting the pendant on the chain, that I wouldn't change the pendants very often.

I ended up being an additional chain at a local jewelry store. My original chain was 1mm thick. I looked for one that was a little thinner. It really helped! The biggest problem was getting the loop hole in the pendant. A staff member at the jewelry store actually used a pair of pliers on the end of the chain to make the loop more of an oval than round. Then was able to thread the chain through the pendant. I use this chain exclusively with this pendant and I haven't tried taking the pendant off and putting it back on again. I didn't want to mess with it! But this chain is definitely thinner than my original box chain (it's the same type of chain) and the pendant definitely hangs much better on the new thinner one. I like to fiddle with my necklaces and they have to slide freely or it just drives me crazy. I definitely don't fear that the pendant will slide off the chain at all. It barely fit on the chain to begin with!

 

[Amys Bling]

I like having a pendant that won't come off the chain- I like the security of it.

Sorry it's been a hassle for you.

 

[luvalexislamb]

I understand about not wanting it to come off should it break, I also like a certain type of chain that I am confident in won't break- but thats why there are so many choices in jewelry so we can get what we liked, I just had the wrong impression and this is now a huge hassell (will have to locate something that will work and perhaps modify it) I would not have purchased it had this been made clear to me. They wanted $100 for a 1" longer chain (not horrible, but really for one more inch? I already felt like I was spending a TON on the settings, but I really wanted those specific ones). Nice to know I"m not the only one who's had this problem (brian gavin told me I am the only one to complain so far).

 

[MakingTheGrade]

I had my bezel pendant made locally, and the whole 14k 16" wheat chain only cost $100 so I can see why that would feel like a lot for an inch!

My bezel pendant slides easily but cant slide off, and they told me this originally which I don't mind since I picked the length in person. But I think if you take it to a jeweler they can swap a chain for you or maybe teach you how to do it with pliers safely lol.

Sorry it's been such a hassle!

 

[Enerchi]

I had received a RIDICULOUS quote from the new jeweller that appraised my ering - quoting a similar style to the bezel Barbara, in 14K and 18K wg, and his prices were off the charts and there was the chain to buy as well - not included in that quote!!! so... that makes the Barbara at BGD a pretty sweet deal in my world!

I would prefer to have a chain set from the start, thru the back loops, and then the ring part of the chain re attached so there would be no risk of it sliding off. I had 2 necklaces made for my DD and DS's g/f for Christmas, in a pink tourmaline and a blue zircon, and that's what the jeweller did for both those, to ensure they will not slip off the thin box chain I picked for both girls.

your pricing of an extra $100 for an inch of chain seems a bit steep... is that in platinum perhaps?? Maybe an extender is the way to go - can you purchase that locally from your own jeweller?

 

[Amys Bling]

100 for an inch does seem crazy

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Did you ask to buy the setting without the chain since you knew the chain was not going to fit? Surely they would sell it without the chain???

 

[Amys Bling]

Did you ask to buy the setting without the chain since you knew the chain was not going to fit? Surely they would sell it without the chain???

I was thinking this...

 

[chele162]

Did you ask to buy the setting without the chain since you knew the chain was not going to fit? Surely they would sell it without the chain???

They will sell it without the chain. That's how I purchased it. At the time, they deducted $120 from the setting price since I didn't purchase the chain. They had no problem with that.

 

[Amys Bling]

Did you ask to buy the setting without the chain since you knew the chain was not going to fit? Surely they would sell it without the chain???

They will sell it without the chain. That's how I purchased it. At the time, they deducted $120 from the setting price since I didn't purchase the chain. They had no problem with that.

Goo to know

 

[SandyCheeks]

I have a Barbara pendant in the making. I didn't realize that it wasn't removable from the chain but I knew that I didn't want the 16" that came with the pendant. I went ahead and ordered an 18" bead chain which cost $75 on top of the Barbara pendant price. I know I read
somewhere about someone not being happy with the 16" and BG went ahead and switched it out for an 18" I'm not sure if she had to pay extra. I also read that someone had ordered an 18" with a jump ring at 17". A 16" chain is just too short on my neck. I'd love to see a picture of yours, did you get milgrain and what color gold did you get?

 

[Enerchi]

luvalexislamb, can you post a photo of your lovely new necklace and we can admire it? It must be gorgeous!! Are you enjoying it now after owning it for a little bit?

 

[Enerchi]

Luvalexislamb!
Did you have a chance to take some photos of your new Barbara pendant? Would you be so kind to post some for us to enjoy???? Love that setting!!!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I got that pendant with a 17 inch chain. I can't remember what the change in price was, though.