Custom ring pricing...

[sajc]

Hi Folks,

I guess this question has come up a few times in the past, and I read a few posts about other people experiences, but I'd like to ask again I'm not sure how easily anyone can say what a 'fair price' is a designed-from-scratch item (be it jewellery or anything custom!) Anyway...

I have looked for a ring setting that I like, and I just can't quite find it. I've posted here before stating that I'm looking for curved, flowing, or floral designs, something like these:

http://gilletts.cachefly.net/images/imagesa/f13645a.jpg
http://gilletts.cachefly.net/images/imagesa/f13637a.jpg
http://www.harada-jwg.com/mariage/lapage/02e-1833-832-831.jpg
http://www.harada-jwg.com/mariage/lapage/f30-1052-1051.jpg

The problem is that these are all available only in Japan (as far as I've seen so far) or otherwise, they hold stones that are smaller than what I want (I'm not looking for huge stones, but I want something bigger than the 0.1ct that is in these rings!)

I contacted a jeweller in Melbourne, Australia, about having a ring designed in white gold as size US7, and to have stones supplied by me. I was quoted AU$1650 (plus stone prices) for the design, sketches or wax model and construction.

Does that sound like a reasonable price?

 

[JulieN]

The correct answer to Melbourne Jeweler? Precious Metals

http://www.preciousmetals.com.au/default.asp

 

[sajc]

... but what about the quote. Does that sound in the ball-park for a custom ring?

 

[arjunajane]

Date: 2/7/2008 4:31:03 AM
Author: sajc
... but what about the quote. Does that sound in the ball-park for a custom ring?

Hi sajc
I am by no means an authority on these things, but thought I may be able to help as I live i australia- to be honest, all diamond rings, whether custom or retaiil is very expensive here - this is why I am looking at the US for miine.
But to your quote..I would like to know more about the design you are choosing before saying for sure - os it gold or platinum ? Are you having any pave or melee diamonds? B
But that said, if this jeweller has a good rep and will make this piece that you're looking for and can't find elsewhere, I would say this seems like a fair price for a custom made setting, especially granted the Aussie prices.
Are you in the US? keep in mind also the exchange rate, as you can expect to take off 100 - 200 after conversion (use Yahoo Finance Currency Converter for exact conversion).
I hope this helps
I would love to hear more about your setting!

ETA: I'm sorry, I didn't read your first post properly before typing my reply! I see you have already defined WG, but you mention that the side diamonds will be extra on top of the $1650? I'm not suer what weight/size these diamonds you want to be, but to be honest, I feel it would be a fair quote IF it included some small side diamonds. To me at least, $1600 seems bit much just for setting alone.
Have you tried Knox Jewellers in think Minnesota? I have heard they are very reasonable price for their custom. That, or to search PS under "custom", is all I can really suggest!
good luck

 

[arjunajane]

Hi again Sajc,
thought i''d let you know, as i was just looking for a setting for myself,and came across some that look alot like the links you posted.
Pls check out james allen "The M Geller Collection"
and they''re cheap too!
I''ve attached a pic for you of one
is it just me or does that fit the bill quite well? and only $500 for WG and profile diamonds!

 

[sajc]

I am by no means an authority on these things, but thought I may be able to help as I live i australia- to be honest, all diamond rings, whether custom or retaiil is very expensive here - this is why I am looking at the US for miine.

Yeah, I agree with that. But I'm happy to have a ring made here, if only because I can have better contact with the jeweller throughout the process. I'll probably buy a diamond from the USA, though, rather than here. Most places that claim that they're "very competitive" are way out when it comes to comparing with overseas prices. I think the exception is the diamond exchange, which seems a lot cheaper than most jewellery stores.

But to your quote..I would like to know more about the design you are choosing before saying for sure - os it gold or platinum ? Are you having any pave or melee diamonds? B

White gold, single stone or possibly quite small (non-diamond) shoulder stones. But that's not such an important point, because the price I was quoted excludes all stones.

But that said, if this jeweller has a good rep and will make this piece that you're looking for and can't find elsewhere, I would say this seems like a fair price for a custom made setting, especially granted the Aussie prices.
Are you in the US? keep in mind also the exchange rate, as you can expect to take off 100 - 200 after conversion (use Yahoo Finance Currency Converter for exact conversion).

I'm in Melbourne.

I would love to hear more about your setting!

Well, I'll post more about it when we have it

ETA: I'm sorry, I didn't read your first post properly before typing my reply! I see you have already defined WG, but you mention that the side diamonds will be extra on top of the $1650? I'm not suer what weight/size these diamonds you want to be, but to be honest, I feel it would be a fair quote IF it included some small side diamonds. To me at least, $1600 seems bit much just for setting alone.

Yeah, that price was for design and construction of the setting alone, and also the setting of a diamond supplied by me. So that price does not include any stones at all - I guess it's just the cost of labour for setting them.

Have you tried Knox Jewellers in think Minnesota? I have heard they are very reasonable price for their custom. That, or to search PS under 'custom', is all I can really suggest!
good luck

I havent tried Knox, because I'd rather choose a jeweller in Australia if I'm having a ring designed, so I can actually see it and have alterations done if it's not quite right.

Yeah, I've read a lot of the custom ring threads, but the majority don't discuss what it costs, or what a 'reasonable' cost is for this process!

Cheers,

Scott.

 

[ByGoneEraBride]

Hello!
Congrats on embarking on a custom piece. I give this advice only from my perspective. We''ve been looking at custom pieces for almost a year now. I can tell you that your price might be ok. The thing is, the more you shop around, the more you realize the HUGE range.

I went to a national jewelry chain to have a ring made, or at least quoted. For something fairly simple, with just a few diamond ''chips'' I got quotes ranging from $3k to 8k. Now, I went with a local jeweler, who makes his own pieces by his own hands and my quote was $1k.

Shop around, you may be able to find what you are looking for just without a custom piece.

But I know, its tough to find one that meets all your criteria.

Good luck, and the answer to your question is - it may be a good price, may not be. Because it varies so much by what you are asking them to design, how much gold is at the time, and ...obviously the jeweler.

 

[arjunajane]

Hi Scott,
Sorry I didn''t realise you are in Melbs, I''m in Perth and currently facing the same issues - I am looking at buying a stone from US, but not sure about commitiing to a setting I''ve never seen or tried on! For that reason, I may also have to go the local custom route, however its much more expensive i''ve found so far...
But, you''re in more luck than I, as you''re In melbs, I have a book here that has many wonderful Vic jewellers who are renowned for great engagement jewelllery.

> Temelli jewellery - www.tj.net.au

>Simon West www.simonwestjewellery.com

> MDT design www.mdtdesign.com

>Macchia jewelery

>Ken Gray Alister Reid Gallery (Clooins st)

>Jab Jewellers

>Fedele Jewelworks

>Dia Oro jewellery www.diaoro.com.au

>Brett''s artworks

> All Gem jewellers Australiasia www.alldiamonds.com.au

>Abrecht Bird Jewelllers www.abrecht.com

And I will stop there before I drive you crazy! As you can see, there are a ton of places that, if up to me, I would go to for a custom in a second. I''ve never been to any, but I''ve put smileys next to the ones who''s work seems very nice. Pls note Simon West I think will only set his own stones

Unfortunately here in Perth, not so much choice. I will mention one more thats in Sydney, just because I have been speaking to him and he has been Excellent with me so far - www.billhicksjewellery.com.au

I hope that is of some help to you, and I agree with bygone, just shop around - find out what you want, then get a couple different jewellers to give you a quote and maybe drum up some competition on price aswell

I know that diamondexchange does have a good rep, however my own experience with them was not so good..I enquired via email about one stone a month or so ago - Just a query, nothing serious. The sales rep than proceeded to phone me (unsolicited) many many times, asking if I was going to buy!! To me, that was extremely off putting, pushy and just a turn off. I''m not tying to say they may not have a great product, just to share my experience is all.

Pls do let me know who you end up going with, I''ll be interest to hear for my own ring!
cheers

 

[sajc]

Author: ByGoneEraBride
Congrats on embarking on a custom piece. I give this advice only from my perspective. We''ve been looking at custom pieces for almost a year now. I can tell you that your price might be ok. The thing is, the more you shop around, the more you realize the HUGE range.
Good luck, and the answer to your question is - it may be a good price, may not be. Because it varies so much by what you are asking them to design, how much gold is at the time, and ...obviously the jeweler.

Yeah, I realise that there''s a huge range of prices, of course, depending on the quality of the work and the type of ring that is to be created. I just wondered if anyone thought this was a crazy price! As I said in my original post, there may not even be an answer to my question

Shop around, you may be able to find what you are looking for just without a custom piece. But I know, its tough to find one that meets all your criteria.

I doubt I can find it... I''ve been looking for a long time now. I''ve visited nearly every jeweller I can find, and looked at most of the webpages that I can find via google Besides, I like the idea of a custom ring

 

[sajc]

Date: 2/9/2008 10:49:45 PM
Author: arjunajane
But, you''re in more luck than I, as you''re In melbs, I have a book here that has many wonderful Vic jewellers who are renowned for great engagement jewelllery.

[long list snipped ]


And I will stop there before I drive you crazy! As you can see, there are a ton of places that, if up to me, I would go to for a custom in a second. I''ve never been to any, but I''ve put smileys next to the ones who''s work seems very nice. Pls note Simon West I think will only set his own stones

Yep, one of those is the one that quoted me the price in the first place

I hope that is of some help to you, and I agree with bygone, just shop around - find out what you want, then get a couple different jewellers to give you a quote and maybe drum up some competition on price aswell

Yup, that''s what I''m doing at the moment... just thought someone might have an idea of whether that''s even in the ball-park

I know that diamondexchange does have a good rep, however my own experience with them was not so good..I enquired via email about one stone a month or so ago - Just a query, nothing serious. The sales rep than proceeded to phone me (unsolicited) many many times, asking if I was going to buy!! To me, that was extremely off putting, pushy and just a turn off. I''m not tying to say they may not have a great product, just to share my experience is all.

Yes, that would *definitely* drive me away, especially if they called me and gave away the surprise to my intended!

Pls do let me know who you end up going with, I''ll be interest to hear for my own ring!

will do I''m chasing information and prices at the moment so I can give some info to my intended when I propose - without the ring (but with another instead)! We''re going to design it together, and have it made for her once we find the right place and design. Proposal is next week

Cheers,

Scott.

 

[arjunajane]

Cool, sounds like you''ve got everything under control - I know its difficult to keep second guessing your decisions all the time!
I feel what I''m going to do, is have a quote done here in Perth, and one from a reputed jeweller in the US for exactly the same design, (which will probably be cheaper), then see if they want to match the price here!

good luck with the proposl, I bet everyone here will want to know your story!
take it easy

 

[ByGoneEraBride]

Date: 2/10/2008 2:02:52 AM
Author: sajc

Author: ByGoneEraBride
Congrats on embarking on a custom piece. I give this advice only from my perspective. We''ve been looking at custom pieces for almost a year now. I can tell you that your price might be ok. The thing is, the more you shop around, the more you realize the HUGE range.
Good luck, and the answer to your question is - it may be a good price, may not be. Because it varies so much by what you are asking them to design, how much gold is at the time, and ...obviously the jeweler.

Yeah, I realise that there''s a huge range of prices, of course, depending on the quality of the work and the type of ring that is to be created. I just wondered if anyone thought this was a crazy price! As I said in my original post, there may not even be an answer to my question

Shop around, you may be able to find what you are looking for just without a custom piece. But I know, its tough to find one that meets all your criteria.

I doubt I can find it... I''ve been looking for a long time now. I''ve visited nearly every jeweller I can find, and looked at most of the webpages that I can find via google Besides, I like the idea of a custom ring

I understand. I thought that too, that I''d never find the ''perfect'' ring, but what I did find out, is if you find a few that are close, you can ask about changes that can be made - making the cost much much less.

I just recently after a year of extensive searching found what I Think is the ring - the perfect one.

 

[ponderer]

Sounds like a bit much to me....

I got a quote to reset my 1 ct ering with a custom halo with split shank. Pave would surround the halo and go 1/2 to 3/4 down the split shank. I think my quote was around $1800 USD. I was going to use a popular PS vendor. It has been a little over a year but I dont think prices have gone up that much. Especially since you are planning to provide the diamonds.

I would see if anyone can locate something similar or just have a US vendor make the whole piece.

 

[LegacyGirl]

Good luck! Come back and tell us how it goes.

 

[sajc]

... I was just quoted for a similar service from another store... $3000!

Maybe the first price was good afterall!

 

[arjunajane]

Date: 2/10/2008 3:26:25 PM
Author: ponderer
Sounds like a bit much to me....

I got a quote to reset my 1 ct ering with a custom halo with split shank. Pave would surround the halo and go 1/2 to 3/4 down the split shank. I think my quote was around $1800 USD. I was going to use a popular PS vendor. It has been a little over a year but I dont think prices have gone up that much. Especially since you are planning to provide the diamonds.

I would see if anyone can locate something similar or just have a US vendor make the whole piece.

Ponderer, what vendor were you speaking to if i may ask? As what you have described is simliar to what I''m looking to make

 

[sunnyd]

If you''re looking for quotes, I got one from a vendor for a pave band with halo (.5-.6tcw) for $1900-2500USD, depending on how much metal used, quality of melee...

Good luck in your search!