custom design recommendations

[effie]

I''ve inherited my mother''s 1ct pear (it''s about 1ct...she cant seem to remember) and in order for me to wear it, it needs to live in a different setting...hers is way too big and yellow for me. i was thinking a pave band along the lines of this one (i''m not sure if i need permission to post a pic, so i''ll just link to it)

http://www.dvatche.com/images/519.gif

of course just about every ring ever seems to be made for round or princess cuts, so i suspect if i want this ring, it''ll have to be custom made, right?? and, as a "custom" picture framer, i know that whenever you stick the word "custom" in front of something, it also means extra $$$. those of you out there who have had custom work done, either via an online vendor or b&m store, what has been your experience as far as price difference? I''d also prefer a band slightly wider than 2mm (which i think that one is)...more like 3..

how much of that rings price is for the "name brand" of it? if i were to have another jeweler do a similar design (i''ll refrain from the word "knock-off") to my specs could i maybe expect a lower price?

i''m new at this, so i''m dumb. thanks for any help!!

 

[belle]

your best bet would be to find a non-brand name stock setting and have the head changed to accomodate the pear.

 

[FireGoddess]

Belle's suggestion would probably be the cheapest route, if you can find a stock setting like that. (Picture below)

My setting is custom made and it was very comparable in price to similar settings in stock from other vendors, but you're right, it ain't cheap. I would try talking to a few B&M jewelers in your area, or inquiring with some online vendors as to how much this setting would cost to make, and with a pear head. The price is also going to vary greatly on what metal you choose...white gold or yellow gold is going to be significantly cheaper than platinum. Are you leaning towards yellow gold because of the color of the diamond, or are you looking for a white metal?

Also, have you seen this thread on pear settings? I can't recall if we've directed you there before.

 

[effie]

firegoddess- thats almost exactly what i want. i think i read somewhere that vatche could make it for different shapes as well- so thats covered if i decided to go with this one.

when i said that it was "yellow" i meant my mothers gigantic yellow gold setting. its this big swirly thing that somehow always looked normal on my mother, but is certainly not my style. so i''m thinking more along the lines of platinum. in fact, that vatche setting is almost exactly what i want- i''d just like a slightly thicker band. perhaps i''ll stumble across one eventually...but that example is the closest to my imaginary ring that i''ve seen.

and yes- someone was kind enough to direct me to the pear thread before, very helpful.


i''m not looking to cheap out on this- just wondering how much of a factor custom tweaking would have on the price....