Buy Setting 1 Place, Diamond Another, Have It Set at a Third?

[lingpanda01]

I''ve heard a lot of people buy a diamond and have it set where they buy their setting. Or buy a setting and have it set where they buy their diamond. I think that way, you don''t have to pay any setting fees since you purchased something from them.

But what if you use a third party? Any idea what the average cost would be to have a diamond mounted on a setting if you didn''t buy either from the shop? And is it normal?

Thanks!

 

[exoticisabella]

I go to a third party jeweler for all of my pieces. His prices are very fair, he nicely answers ALL (and I am one curious gal!) my questions and his turnaround time is ususally a couple hours.

Here are some recent examples of work I have had done....

Mount a .76 round diamond into a tension setting - $25
Size a platinum ring 1.25 sizes up - $60
re-tip platinum prong heads - $15 per tip
Size two white gold rings up 1.25 sizes EACH - total $50
re-set two small 2mm diamonds that fell out - total $30

The place where my husband bought the tension setting e-ring upgrade for me wanted to charge him $150

to set the stone. I''m glad I didn''t give him the diamond when he went shopping for something and told him instead to see me first as I have a regular jeweler

p.s. bought my diamond from good old gold

 

[mrssalvo]

I''d really just try to get the whole thing at the same place if at all possible. most folks setting your diamond will not take responsibility for it if something happens to it where the person you buy it from will. It certainly can be done, but I personally wouldn''t.

 

[lingpanda01]

I think the place I''m getting my setting at *might* mount my diamond. If I could find the setting at an online vendor, I would. But this ring can only be bought at a b&m store. And usually the b&m store has really expensive diamonds...

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 10/10/2009 3:03:08 PM
Author: lingpanda01
I think the place I'm getting my setting at *might* mount my diamond. If I could find the setting at an online vendor, I would. But this ring can only be bought at a b&m store. And usually the b&m store has really expensive diamonds...

Maybe if you bought the setting separately and if you were buying the diamond online, you could ask the vendor who sold you the diamond if they would mount it for you if you sent them the setting, if so ask them if the diamond would be covered against damage just in case something happened.

 

[elle_chris]

I''m having it done now. I think it depends on the ring design, the jeweler and where you are. There''s no real range. Anywhere from 50 bucks to 200 I''d think. Also, Like mrssalvo said, the jeweler won''t take responsibility for a stone he didn''t sell you so be sure to have it insured prior to setting. The only company I know who will insure loose stones is Jewelers Mutual.

Exoticbella- I''m curious to know how you were able to buy a tension setting without a stone and then have someone else set it?

Tenson settings are specific to the stone they''re holding. From what I know, the company who makes them (e.g. Kretchmer, Niessing) are the ones you set it, not the jeweler who sells them. In fact, it''s irresponsible of your jeweler to even attempt it. So I''m assuming it''s not a true tension? Does the ring have a bridge under the stone?

Sorry for the theadjack.

 

[exoticisabella]

Date: 10/10/2009 3:18:55 PM
Author: elle_chris
I''m having it done now. I think it depends on the ring design, the jeweler and where you are. There''s no real range. Anywhere from 50 bucks to 200 I''d think. Also, Like mrssalvo said, the jeweler won''t take responsibility for a stone he didn''t sell you so be sure to have it insured prior to setting. The only company I know who will insure loose stones is Jewelers Mutual.

Exoticbella- I''m curious to know how you were able to buy a tension setting without a stone and then have someone else set it?

Tenson settings are specific to the stone they''re holding. From what I know, the company who makes them (e.g. Kretchmer, Niessing) are the ones you set it, not the jeweler who sells them. In fact, it''s irresponsible of your jeweler to even attempt it. So I''m assuming it''s not a true tension? Does the ring have a bridge under the stone?

Sorry for the theadjack.

Yes it does have a small bridge.

 

[stone-cold11]

Depends. If the setting is a designer ring, for example the Vatche x-prong you mentioned in the other thread, you will want the authorized vendor who sell you the ring to set it. Any other people who mess with that setting void any warranties of Vatche.

 

[lingpanda01]

Date: 10/11/2009 6:38:39 AM
Author: Stone-cold11
Depends. If the setting is a designer ring, for example the Vatche x-prong you mentioned in the other thread, you will want the authorized vendor who sell you the ring to set it. Any other people who mess with that setting void any warranties of Vatche.

Well, after about 2-3 weeks of mulling it through my head, I''ve narrowed the choices down to three:

1. Online: $250 simple solitaire with the best diamond I can afford
2. Online: X Prong Vatche Slim Comfort Setting (if they even have it) with a decent diamond
3. B&M: Maevona Soay set independently from an online decent diamond

It took me a LONG time to get to this point in my decision making. And I still haven''t really decided anything. So sad.

 

[stone-cold11]

Nay, 2-3 weeks is not long.