Fly Girl
Ideal_Rock
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- Jan 9, 2007
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- 7,312
CUSTOM and HAPPY???
- Thread starter decodelighted
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- Feb 27, 2007
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I''ve had a few things made and the results are all over the place. One was perfect, one was horrid beyond belief. I wish I had a picture of it for the ugly thread. I was horrified and quickly found the jeweler was very sensitive to his design. He reworked it but I still hated it. I eventually had the ring completely redone by another jeweler and at least will wear it now. I cost me 3 times what it would cost buying it out of the case.
My best recommendation is if you are having something made take drawings or make up your design in something like Photoshop. Ask them to "show" you the jewelry as they are making it so at least if you aren''t on the same page the item won''t have to be remade. Be specific on directions, sizes, etc.
I''ve got some great pieces by designing what I want but it is sometimes a frustrating process.
My best recommendation is if you are having something made take drawings or make up your design in something like Photoshop. Ask them to "show" you the jewelry as they are making it so at least if you aren''t on the same page the item won''t have to be remade. Be specific on directions, sizes, etc.
I''ve got some great pieces by designing what I want but it is sometimes a frustrating process.
Love in Bloom
Ideal_Rock
- Joined
- Mar 30, 2007
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- 2,591
What an interesting thread, Deco!
I voted 100% happy, but my custom piece was not a ring...it was a pendant, and it turned out better than I imagined! I drew a sketch; the jeweler exalted the design and made my dreams come true. As both a designer and a benchman, I think he understood what I wanted better than I did because he understands metal and the techniques used to manipulate it better than I ever will. I truly feel he is the only one who could make this specific piece for me. Also, I did not approach him for the project, rather he approached me and really wanted to do it because he felt it would be a good teaching piece for even his most experienced jewelers. Needless to say I trusted my jeweler completely before I gave the OK to begin the project, and I think that feeling translated into the finished product.
my suggestions on going custom are:
-be as specific as possible about what you want*
-ask lots of questions so you understand exactly how the process will go*
-identify techniques required for your project, be sure the jeweler is well versed in these techniques
-do not proceed unless you are 100% comfortable with entrusting someone with your ideas, your diamonds and/or gems, and your money
*be sure to speak with someone on the phone or in person. email is great for some things, but perhaps not for articulating the details of a custom piece!
echelon6
Shiny_Rock
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- Jul 5, 2007
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- 270
Love in Bloom
Ideal_Rock
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- Mar 30, 2007
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FireGoddess
Super_Ideal_Rock
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- Jan 25, 2005
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- 12,145
i voted ''happy with final product but process was frustrating'', although what i really would have voted is ''mostly happy with final product but process was frustrating.'' my ring was made (finally) as i wanted it BUT the workmanship does leave a little something to be desired, and i won''t be doing a custom project with them again. it was VERY aggravating. and time consuming (ridiculously so).
kcoursolle
Super_Ideal_Rock
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- Jan 21, 2006
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- 10,612
elle_chris
Ideal_Rock
- Joined
- Feb 19, 2004
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- 3,544
I don''t post much on here but I believe this is an important thread for someone considering custom, so here''s my 2 cents for what it''s worth.
A little over a year ago I purchased a gorgeous stone from Good old Gold that I had set locally into a very thin bezel pendant. It was a simple enough
job and came out perfectly. Exactly what I wanted and I didn''t even go into that much detail. Just said I wanted the thinnest bezel. Presto, was
done in under a week, no problems.
Earlier this year I saw Kcoursolle''s five stone band and fell in love with it. Thought it was one of the prettiest rings I''ve ever seen.
Decided to call Whiteflash back in August and told them I wanted the exact same ring. I didn''t think I needed to go into detail since they''ve already
made it before and I did say "same design".
Anyway, the CADs were emailed to me and I mentioned to my rep that I wasn''t thrilled with the prongs.
They were too thick, big. Was told they couldn''t do anything and I shouldn''t worry, I wouldn''t even notice them when the ring was complete.
So I ok''d the CAD.
Get the ring-and well, let''s just say that I still don''t like the prongs. I still think they''re bulky. Also, I may be mistaken but I thought I read that they filed
Kcoursolles down? (could be wrong) and from looking at her pics, they definitley look more claw like than mine.
Don''t get me wrong I adore my ring, but just goes to show that what your idea of big or bulky or thin or whatnot is, may not be the same as the designers.
A little over a year ago I purchased a gorgeous stone from Good old Gold that I had set locally into a very thin bezel pendant. It was a simple enough
job and came out perfectly. Exactly what I wanted and I didn''t even go into that much detail. Just said I wanted the thinnest bezel. Presto, was
done in under a week, no problems.
Earlier this year I saw Kcoursolle''s five stone band and fell in love with it. Thought it was one of the prettiest rings I''ve ever seen.
Decided to call Whiteflash back in August and told them I wanted the exact same ring. I didn''t think I needed to go into detail since they''ve already
made it before and I did say "same design".
Anyway, the CADs were emailed to me and I mentioned to my rep that I wasn''t thrilled with the prongs.
They were too thick, big. Was told they couldn''t do anything and I shouldn''t worry, I wouldn''t even notice them when the ring was complete.
So I ok''d the CAD.
Get the ring-and well, let''s just say that I still don''t like the prongs. I still think they''re bulky. Also, I may be mistaken but I thought I read that they filed
Kcoursolles down? (could be wrong) and from looking at her pics, they definitley look more claw like than mine.
Don''t get me wrong I adore my ring, but just goes to show that what your idea of big or bulky or thin or whatnot is, may not be the same as the designers.
Fly Girl
Ideal_Rock
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- Jan 9, 2007
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- 7,312
- Joined
- Nov 7, 2004
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- 6,633
I voted very very happy. My sister in law recently had a ring made at the same place and is also very happy with the outcome. I do have to say that part of the reason I think it worked for both of us is that I and my sister in law didn''t create a ring out of "whole cloth". I saw something in his display I already liked and asked for certain modifications on that design. The same with said sister in law. That way I knew he could technically do what I wanted, and it was alot easier to visualize.
- Status
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