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Custom work wanted, ideas inside :)

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Gamecock84

Rough_Rock
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Sep 25, 2009
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Hi everyone. I am a newbie to the site and actually diamonds as well. I have a lot of knowledge in lots of other worldly things, but diamonds isn''t one of them. While educating myself on diamonds is coming along, there IS one thing i do know. I LOVE CUSTOM! Custom anything really. I am a car/truck restorer and have had and made custom parts in the past out of pure interest and uniqueness. That desire has led me to my decision for a custom band/setting for the love of my life as she deserves something special and unique. I have read countless threads of custom jewelers recommended by the fine folks at PS and I know it all ends with personal preference. That being said, I want to post pics of a design that is actually based off an older European style ring. I will post specs of the actual ring pictured if needed but please remember I CANNOT afford a 3 carat diamond for the center therefore the setting arms would need to be smaller to accomadate a smaller stone (1.5-2.0 carats). So please PSRs, tell me which custom maker you would recommend for the specific design traits of this ring!



Sincerely,



Ryan



Old-European-cut-Diamond-Ring-28.gif
 
more pics...

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more..

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another one...I have better Hi Res pics that are too big to post. I dont want an exact replica, and to whomever actually made this ring, it is beautiful and I am posting this just in admiration of design and do not wish to duplicate.

Thanks,

Ryan

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Hi and Welcome!

Take a look at Leon Mege and Maytal Hannah.

Leon does fabulous pave and Maytal does fabulous engraving, imho.

Search on them here and you''ll get lots of information.
 
Thank Angeline. I have a list compiled of 6 custom people all mentioned on this site and elsewhere on the web. Both of those are on my list. The obvious concerns with Leon is how soo many people talked about his lack of personality and expense. Personally, I dont care of you are jerk, as long as you can do your skill well and conduct business properly. Which leads me to the expense side of it. Not sure if Maytal Hannah is generally considered more or less expensive than Leon. Im just not the kind of person to contact them both and get them to work to make a detailed quote when they are not in my price range.

The skill of the artisan is the most important to me, but it has to be reasonable as well. I personally love the styling of Maytal Hannah but cant find any info where people mention if shes relatively affordable.

Thanks,

Ryan
 
Hi -- it would be helpful to know your approximate budget for the setting, your timeline, and also if you prefer white gold, platinum, palladium for the metal. That should help us focus in on worthwhile options for you.
 
Hi Sara. Havent decided on metal, but def not gold. Either white gold or palladium maybe. I have heard so many different views on platinum and aging. Budget for setting with diamonds, but not center diamond, maybe a few grand or so. Timeline, need it within the next 3-4 months, so should be good there.

Thanks,

Ryan
 
Singlestone comes to mind, but not sure of their pricing.
 
If you like the design elements of that particular ring, why not just get them to create it for you, they can always take that ring as an inspiration and change or add any personal touches. I am not sure why you are hesitant to have the original ring creator make your ring...
They have gorgeous jewellery: http://www.jewelryexpert.com/catalog/Custom-Engagement-Ring-Gallery.htm
 
Thanks for the info, Gamecock.

I would contact:
Wink Jones at High Performance Diamonds. link

He is making my custom setting in white gold. I'll upload a picture of the design, so you can see an example of his work (see attached photo). I know he is out of town for a few days, but send him an e-mail with your photos, and he'll get in contact with you.

Also, I have seen wonderful custom work by Whiteflash and Brian Gavin Designs. My guess is these 3 vendors will be more reasonably priced than Leon Mege, Singleston, Maytal Hannah, etc., and all do excellent custom work. See the links to their websites below:

Whiteflash
Brian Gavin Diamonds

Check out the blog page on Brian Gavin's site, the second entry down, for an example of a custom design he did for a Pricescope member (can't remember her name).

BelhalBBA.jpg
 
Poshpepper, I dont know if they think they can overcharge because they have a French name or what, but the price for the setting WITHOUT the center diamond makes Leon, Maytal, and many others look dirt cheap. I did call the lady and talk to her but it was incredibly unreasonable. Thanks anyways.

Sara, thanks for the info. A couple of the ones you mentioned I have never heard of before, including Brian. I will contact them. Thanks again!

Ryan
 
I'd probably go with Maytal for a ring similar to that. I think may have done more with engraving. She has worked for Tiffany's and Beaudry. I have only sought prices from her once, but they were in line with those from Leon, etc.

(Oh, and did you go to USC?)
 
YES! I am a diehard Gamecock, unfortunately displaced right now in Virginia Beach for work so have missed the games in person. Guess really I am lucky to have such a good job in this economy but I havent missed a home game in years till this year.

Do you have an idea of what price range she charges for custom work of that nature?

Thanks for the reply.

Ryan
 
What a beautiful ring! I have to say, I did a doubletake here for a second on seeing your thread - my BF is also named Ryan and he is a USC grad as well (killer game last night huh?)

I second the Maytal and Singlestone suggestions (though I think Singlestone can be pricey?). I would also shoot an e-mail to Lesley at Brian Gavin Diamonds and see if they can do something similar - we''ve been seeing a lot of gorgeous custom pieces turned out by BGD lately, and I think their pricing is very competitive in general.

Good luck!
 
And he would have been soooo busted right?
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My GF doesn''t do forums and I am a forum junkie so she doesn''t expect it when i pop open the laptop and am typing away!

And yes it was a killer game....I about had a stroke, but a good game nonetheless.

BGD is def. on my short list of possibles. His work does look great and I heard his prices are right.

Thanks again.

Ryan
 
Hi there,

I had a ring made by Maytal. It was platinum, 3-sided pave, with pave halo and it was $3700 a year or two ago. She charges about $2400 for a plain platinum solitaire last time I checked.
 
Angeline, that is about my budget for the setting. Would you mind posting pics of you ring that Maytal made? It would really help me to see more of her pave work.

Thanks,

Ryan
 
Date: 9/25/2009 11:48:47 PM
Author: Gamecock84
YES! I am a diehard Gamecock, unfortunately displaced right now in Virginia Beach for work so have missed the games in person. Guess really I am lucky to have such a good job in this economy but I havent missed a home game in years till this year.

Do you have an idea of what price range she charges for custom work of that nature?

Thanks for the reply.

Ryan
I am from Columbia and have many relatives who are grads and BIG fans!
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If I had to take a WILD guess, I''d think a setting like that might cost $3000-4500, but I really don''t know for sure. All I can tell you is that Maytal worked for Beaudry who specializes in gorgeous engraved pave rings, and she does that level work. I think Leon would be a good choice, too, although we don''t see as much engraving come from his shop. Either would be an excellent choice.
 
Thanks Diamondseeker!

Ryan
 
Date: 9/26/2009 1:47:20 PM
Author: Gamecock84
Angeline, that is about my budget for the setting. Would you mind posting pics of you ring that Maytal made? It would really help me to see more of her pave work.


Thanks,


Ryan

Here is my SMTR thread -
My Maytal pretty
 
what great quality and worksmanship.....exactly what I needed to see. Thanks so much Angeline.

Ryan
 
I have a 3 carat that Maytal customized a ring for - I know that you were asking about a smaller diamond but I would highly recommend Maytal for any custom work. She did a matching band for me after the larger ring and I think it is just as beautiful as the large ring.

I have crappy pics on pricescope because I am lazy
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My ring is spectacular. People stop me all over the place and ask if they can try it on. It isn''t the size of the diamond. It is the workmanship of my ring set. Today in fact we were at the farmers market and a lady stopped me and asked if she could try on my rings. She told me that she could see the sparkle under the diamond and had never seen such a ring. She asked me if I had been a movie star - HA!

So, I originally wanted a cushion cut but my husband bought me a round and gave it to me. I asked Maytal if she could make the ring look like a square and she told me exactly what we should do. She kicked back on some of my ideas telling me I wouldn''t be happy and told me why. There isn''t a gap or a flaw anywhere on my ring. The etching is perfection, there is spectacular fine grain miligrain around the edges and gorgeous double prongs. The ring has such symmetry. Frankly it is perfect. I LOVE IT.
The gals in my husband''s lawfirm take turns wearing my rings.

I live in rural NC . Maytal and I worked together over the telephone and via email. Never a problem, never an issue. It was a big leap of faith on my behalf since I could never meet her (I actually sent my diamond to her via fedex to have her create the ring - I was about to faint as I sent it through the mail - but it was insured so I did it). I have been nothing but thrilled.

I actually spoke with lots - LOTS - of other designers before I spoke with Maytal. I chose her because of her amazing background and because she didn''t let me bully her into a ring that I would ultimately be unhappy with. I know that sounds funny but I think of it like buying a dress for the big party. You never listen to the sales person that tells you everything makes you look skinny because it doesn''t. I just can''t wear yellow and when I wear an empire waist I look fat. There is one perfect dress.

I suggest you speak with the designers whose work you admire and chose the person who is right for you.
 
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