Confused about buying a ring

[Toasterthief]

Hi there,

I'm currently in the process of buying a ring and I've run in to a lot of confusing options. I'm hoping to find something similar to this:

http://www.mc2jewels.com/item/31092/sapphire-diamond-three-stone-ring-platinum

As I'm learning, what seems like a "simple" ring to me has turned in to a confusing/complicated process. My primary question: if I buy the ring from MC2, how will it be different than if I buy a similar ring from say, James Allen, who say they could do it but have to make a "custom" setting to accommodate slightly larger pear diamonds, my local, small jeweler, or another online retailer such as www.gemsny.com,,, which honestly seems to have some pretty fantastic prices.

Thanks so much for everyone's help!

 

[ElizabethR]

One is stock the other partial custom, but pretty much the same ring, no?

 

[chrono]

It looks like a standard 3 stone ring, blue sapphire cushion + 2 pear diamond side stones.

It should be easy enough to get from other vendors.

 

[Toasterthief]

I guess my question is, is there any advantage to buying this ring from MC2?

 

[chrono]

If the name matters to you.
If you want it easy (let them handle everything) as opposed to your selecting each stone yourself and making sure the proportions and workmanship is good, etc.

 

[Toasterthief]

After doing some more research, it looks like gemsny might be a place to avoid.

Would anyone have a suggestion for a place that might help me source the gems/diamonds needed and put them in to a setting? It might just be MC2.

 

[chrono]

List of places where you can select the right sapphire for you and where you can find a bench that will pull it together for you. The shop/bench will be the one finding the matching pears for you. Alternatively, Rocky Talky forum is full of people who can help you find the nicest pear cut diamonds.

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/list-of-vendors-for-reference.208782/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/list-of-vendors-for-reference.208782/[/URL]

 

[freezing_in_MO]

To my knowledge, MC2 doesn't work with outside stones. Of course they will source stones for you.

With the setting you have chosen, you are very likely to get a better price and comparable quality from other vendors. I have had great experiences with David Klass and Maytal Hannah, both of whom I learned of on this forum.

For more unusual settings, I have seen many attempts at replicating MC2, but none of them even comes close. Anything from the Flora or Dandelion series comes to mind.

My engagement ring is a custom Bella Flora from MC2. The entire process was a pleasure. They sourced the stone, sent me alternatives, and even included bands in different types of gold so I could see the exact color of their alloy (they make it in-house).

We worked with Samantha. My father passed away during the project, and that is when I learned that they are not only wonderful jewelers, but also wonderful people.

The rings I have from Maytal Hannah and David Klass are more recent purchases. Maytal sourced the stones. David sourced the diamonds for the halo of one ring, but used a center stone that I had purchased from Mastercut Gems. For another ring, all of my stones are from Yvonne Raley. All four vendors are wonderful.

To me, it comes down to the setting. Some of the MC2 settings give you a museum piece on your finger. The worksmanship is stunning, and to me, more than worth the premium they charge.

After doing some more research, it looks like gemsny might be a place to avoid.

Would anyone have a suggestion for a place that might help me source the gems/diamonds needed and put them in to a setting? It might just be MC2.

 

[Arcadian]

To my knowledge, MC2 doesn't work with outside stones. Of course they will source stones for you.

With the setting you have chosen, you are very likely to get a better price and comparable quality from other vendors. I have had great experiences with David Klass and Maytal Hannah, both of whom I learned of on this forum.

For more unusual settings, I have seen many attempts at replicating MC2, but none of them even comes close. Anything from the Flora or Dandelion series comes to mind.

My engagement ring is a custom Bella Flora from MC2. The entire process was a pleasure. They sourced the stone, sent me alternatives, and even included bands in different types of gold so I could see the exact color of their alloy (they make it in-house).

We worked with Samantha. My father passed away during the project, and that is when I learned that they are not only wonderful jewelers, but also wonderful people.

The rings I have from Maytal Hannah and David Klass are more recent purchases. Maytal sourced the stones. David sourced the diamonds for the halo of one ring, but used a center stone that I had purchased from Mastercut Gems. For another ring, all of my stones are from Yvonne Raley. All four vendors are wonderful.

To me, it comes down to the setting. Some of the MC2 settings give you a museum piece on your finger. The worksmanship is stunning, and to me, more than worth the premium they charge.

After doing some more research, it looks like gemsny might be a place to avoid.

Would anyone have a suggestion for a place that might help me source the gems/diamonds needed and put them in to a setting? It might just be MC2.

Sooo... you know you can't write allathat and not give us some pictures right?

I went to their little boutique in the berkshires when I lived in the NE. ahhh the stuff I wanted but couldn't have....
sometimes the skull drugery of life means the house comes first.

But I probably could get it if I sold a kidney

 

[freezing_in_MO]

Arcadian, I guess I'm happy that I have never made it to their boutique. I would be selling both kidneys on the spot

My engagement ring is the picture in my avatar. I actually have a thread on it. I am very grateful for all the help I received from fellow PSers in the process of working on the ring.
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/mc2-e-ring-is-here-brown-diamond-rose-gold.186685/
Here it is with the matching wedding band.








This pendant is MC2 as well:






The band Maytal Hannah made for me is here:
https://www.pricescope.com/communit...for-alexandrite-or-ruby-eternity-band.215648/

This band is by David Klass:

 

[freezing_in_MO]

And more David Klass:









I have been thinking of asking David to modify the basket of the ruby ring. I picked it out myself, but it seems to darken the stone and makes the ring hard to clean.