Custom setting prices

[MakingTheGrade]

I''m just curious, if a jeweler offers to make ring using his own materials for say 100$, and you want to supply your own stone for that same ring mounting (same size and everything), why would it cost more than the original 100$? Obviously the material cost would be less to the jeweler, so is the increase in price just due to taking on the liability in working with your stone as opposed to theirs? Or to provide incentive to buy pieces using only their materials?

How much of an increase would be reasonable? 50% more? 35%?

 

[ChunkyCushionLover]

Date: 10/6/2009 1:40:19 PM
Author:MakingTheGrade
I''m just curious, if a jeweler offers to make ring using his own materials for say 100$, and you want to supply your own stone for that same ring mounting (same size and everything), why would it cost more than the original 100$? Obviously the material cost would be less to the jeweler, so is the increase in price just due to taking on the liability in working with your stone as opposed to theirs? Or to provide incentive to buy pieces using only their materials?

How much of an increase would be reasonable? 50% more? 35%?

You will have to get into specifics if you want any reasonable answer here.
It depends on the cost of the centre, the shape and proportions of the centre, if its a modified stock setting or not and many other factors.
Many jewelers''s don''t like working with outside stones and many just won''t.
You will not find any hard and fast rules here. Who are you thinking of working with and for what?

 

[MakingTheGrade]

Sigh, computer ate my reply...

Anyways, the jewelery is all hand made so the setting would be hand made from scratch regardless of whether I ordered it with their stone or supplied my own since the ring is made to order either way (not currently "in stock"). My stone is close to the same size and shape (a mm off maybe), but higher in monetary value and of a different type. I was quoted about 35% over what the price is of the "stock" piece.

I guess it makes sense that they wouldn''t want to work with outside stones as much and would therefore charge a premium to do so. For some reason I had just thought that the price would be same or less since I was saving them the cost of the stone itself, heh. But I suppose once you factor in the additional trouble and unpredictability of setting a customer''s stone, a mark up is reasonable.

 

[ChunkyCushionLover]

Date: 10/6/2009 2:42:52 PM
Author: MakingTheGrade
Sigh, computer ate my reply...

Anyways, the jewelery is all hand made so the setting would be hand made from scratch regardless of whether I ordered it with their stone or supplied my own since the ring is made to order either way (not currently ''in stock''). My stone is close to the same size and shape (a mm off maybe), but higher in monetary value and of a different type. I was quoted about 35% over what the price is of the ''stock'' piece.

I guess it makes sense that they wouldn''t want to work with outside stones as much and would therefore charge a premium to do so. For some reason I had just thought that the price would be same or less since I was saving them the cost of the stone itself, heh. But I suppose once you factor in the additional trouble and unpredictability of setting a customer''s stone, a mark up is reasonable.

This is a common occurence with Leon Mege so if its him I understand. For non diamonds and more common stones like (Aqua, Citrine etc) with cheaper rough in general he likes to source the stones himself and usually likes to use the shape of the original design. If you want to use your own stone and shape he quotes more to protect himself, if he doesn''t have the stone in hand already or if its a different stone from his original design.
Not sure about a stock piece but if its a custom only jeweler than the piece will be discounted for sale and a custom will cost more.

Sometimes quotes are just a miscommunication and once you clarify or haggle a bit it will be cheaper but it really depends on the specifics.

 

[Indylady]

I have been wondering the same thing lately! There is a particular designer who I really like; her pieces are generally reasonably priced including the centerstone. The two quotes I''ve gotten from her, however, have been on the high side. I wasn''t expecting it at all. It makes sense that a lot of times the stones in these pieces are very inexpensive, especially for someone who is a jeweler and finds it easy to source these gems, but if all of the pieces are handmade it doesn''t seem to make sense. Unless the cost of those stones are about .50 cents, it doesn''t add up.

 

[ChunkyCushionLover]

Date: 10/8/2009 11:01:44 PM
Author: szh07
I have been wondering the same thing lately! There is a particular designer who I really like; her pieces are generally reasonably priced including the centerstone. The two quotes I've gotten from her, however, have been on the high side. I wasn't expecting it at all. It makes sense that a lot of times the stones in these pieces are very inexpensive, especially for someone who is a jeweler and finds it easy to source these gems, but if all of the pieces are handmade it doesn't seem to make sense. Unless the cost of those stones are about .50 cents, it doesn't add up.

Many custom jeweler's don't stock these pieces and if they do usually they put them up for sale to clear out inventory hence the discount. If they advertise a piece with known dimensons that will be made to order it cuts down on the labour cost and guess work of the piece, thus they don't have to build in a higher labour premium. Sometimes they can reuse the wax or skip steps in the casting if they know the exact dimensions and this also leads to lower costs.

 

[Indylady]

The designer I was referring to doesn''t use casting and does stock regular inventory, but those are certainly all valid points. The quote I requested was for a setting that is already listed on the designer''s site and is a ''regular'' design, and even with my stone it was a little bit more expensive than the same ring listed on their site with a larger stone (meaning there must be more gold.

Maybe it is because they might reimburse you if they break your stone?