Custom Setting Price Dilemma!

[wishinpink]

So, I've decided on the perfect setting (Something like a Daniel K rosebud, but not full eternity, and some other changes)..


but the price is not so perfect!

I've contacted Maytal and Whiteflash, and both were over budget by several hundred.

Side question- Are Whiteflash's ring settings handmade? I know Maytal's are... When it comes to this much money, I want to make sure I spend the money the best possible!


What should I do?!

Should I-
1. Try getting some more quotes from other custom jewelry designers? If so, who? I need someone who is really good at pave and dainty settings, but is really price competitive.
2. Give up my setting design?
3. I've thought about modifying my design to make it cheaper- but really, it's kinda stuck where it is...
4. Try to forgo all my future birthday, christmas, anniversary presents/ win the lottery?
5. If option 4, and I forgo all of my future presents.... should I choose Maytal or Whiteflash? I have a preference in my mind, but the other one is cheaper. What to do?


Thank you in advance for your wise opinion!

 

[:)]

Try Singlestone, or Wink, or Knox

 

[wishinpink]

Thank you for your suggestions!!!

I''ve decided- I''m just going to bite the bullet, BEG my bf, forgo many future presents, pitch in some of my own money, and try to get this ring setting done even though it''s above the budget. I just love it!


I''ve been searching pricescope up and down to find custom designers, and I saw a name- Ocean Rose Pearlman I''ve never seen before.

I cannot find a site for her on google.

Can anyone give me more information?

 

[CharmyPoo]

I think you are making the right choice by paying for a top custom jeweler. The ones I looked at were Maytal Hannah, Leon Mege, 23rd Street Jewelers, and Engagement Ring Direct. For my design, Leon and ERD are more expensive than Maytal in general - I haven't been able to get a response 23rd Street Jewlelers. I think it is really important to look at the work by each designer - at the end, no matter what your heart desires, the personal design influences of the jeweler will come through. Each of them have a different style so pick the one that works for you.

One of the big benefits with Whiteflash and ERD is that they provide CAD drawings so you can see exactly what you are going to get. I don't believe the others provide CAD and sometimes not even a sketch.

 

[wishinpink]

Hi Charmypoo

Thanks so much for the confirmation that we should go ahead with the setting.. I''ve been feeling so guilty about how much money it is, but I have a feeling that in the future my perspective will change. Right now because we''re students, $100 sounds like a ton of money to us, but I''m sure it won''t far out into the future and this ring is going to be forever! (hopefully)
I think I am going to go with Maytal over whiteflash even though whiteflash is less expensive, because I feel like her settings are a bit more dainty from what I''ve been seeing?

Just a quick check to make sure I''m factoring all the great custom design jewelers into the equation to get the best choice/ best price.

I have emailed the other jewelers you mentioned for quotes, and we''ll see what happens, but I think my heart is set on Maytal for now .. I''ve been watching your thread carefully though, does Maytal offer satisfaction guaranteed? Like, if the prongs are uneven, will she change it?

 

[CharmyPoo]

I don''t have an answer yet. I will let you know in a few weeks

 

[wishinpink]

hehe, I will be waiting anxiously to find out . Satisfaction guaranteed is important to me.. i''m picky

 

[CharmyPoo]

I am extremely picky too but apparantly so is my boyfriend. My family and his family both think we are nutty for not loving the ring. They think it''s pretty but then again .. they aren''t on pricescope staring at gorgeous rings day in and day out.

 

[tradergirl]

Small threadjack: is that an American Shorthair (purebred) kitten in your avatar? It sure is cute. I have one of those myself.

 

[:)]

I don''t know her full name, but I know there is a female designer named Ocean who works with Wink. You would contact Wink to find out about her - she is likely the same Ocean you ran across...

 

[CharmyPoo]

Date: 12/25/2008 8:28:59 AM
Author: tradergirl
Small threadjack: is that an American Shorthair (purebred) kitten in your avatar? It sure is cute. I have one of those myself.

She is actually a strange mix of a Persian / Bengal. Her name is Kit Kat and we love her to bits and pieces. Her personality is so different from any cat that I have ever met. Kit Kat acts like a dog or a small child. She loves to sleep between us and talk to us. In the morning after she does her walk around the house, she jumps into our bed and goes "Meow meow meow". While we are taking a shower, she loves to jump in and walk around in the water.

 

[pixley]

Hiya

,
I am so excited to see what you get. It sounds like it's going to be amazing!

Just wondering if you've considered getting a quote from Leon regarding your ring? bem3231's Leon Mege ring has a basket that is set similar to the Daniel K. rosebud, and I would think that it could be done with a semi-eternity, straight, cathedral shank instead of the DNA band. I love Whiteflash's and Maytal's custom work, but I swoon over Leon's prongs, and we've seen many a dainty, pave shank come out of his shop.

ETA - I also think his pricing is pretty fair. More complex custom work might be more costly, but a combination of elements that he's already executed should be comparable to WF and Maytal.

 

[wishinpink]

Hi Pixley!!

WOWWW I've never seen that leon before... but it's GORGEOUS!!! I love the basket!! You are right on with what type of baskets I love

I will look into it and ask Leon for a quote. MAN I love that ring!!!

The only thing is- I'm pretty sure Leon will be more expensive than Maytal... but a girl can try

 

[October2008bride]

GREAT setting choice

Have you received quotes from any of the other vendors yet?

I think you should hold out and get the setting you want, especially if it is a ''few hundred'' over budget. A few thousand, maybe not. But a couple hundred is worth it to get what you love.

It is a gorgeous and detailed setting so it isn''t surprising it isn''t cheap. It will be worth it though!

 

[wishinpink]

October2008bride- I did find someone to make my ring. I just mailed out my diamond!!! I will update everyone.. when something happens! Thanks for following up!

 

[October2008bride]

Date: 1/9/2009 4:18:03 AM
Author: rosebud10
October2008bride- I did find someone to make my ring. I just mailed out my diamond!!! I will update everyone.. when something happens! Thanks for following up!

OOhhh! Yay!

Who did you end up going with?