From loose stones to earrings: what does a jeweler do?

[less_confused]

This may be a naive question, and I by no means wish to detract from any jeweler.

I looked at earring settings - white gold ones are ~$40 a pair wholesale. The setting seems pretty straightforward - the gem sits flush in the basket and the jeweler bends the prongs down.

What else is done?

 

[stone-cold11]

The jewelers do not just bend the prongs down.

They check out the angles of the diamond and cut a notch in the prongs to match it. Put the stone in, bend the prongs to hold the stone in the notch, cut off excess prongs, polish the setting and prongs. Then you get to see the finish product.