Getting Setting / Stone Separately

[katrina_33]

I''m frusturated in the search for the ''perfect'' setting. Now I''m thinking we should just get the stone first to leave in a simple temp setting, and I''ll slowly keep looking for settings and thinking about what I want until the perfect one comes along.

My question is, will I make it a lot more difficult on myself down the road?

I know I can always have one custom designed by someone who specalizes in custom designing settings only, but I''ve heard lots of stories about jewelers who carry designer settings not being very excited to work with people who don''t buy their stones from them.

Is buying it this way a decision I''ll regret?

 

[Hest88]

We did this and it turned out great.

And if you think you're going to have a problem, I'd just tell the jeweler that the stone was given to you by your mother, or something like that.

 

[msbennie]

Be careful with the given by mother story...especially since diamonds now have laser insriptions and the jeweler can tell when the diamond was made. Our story will be that we bought it from friend whose engagement went bad.

 

[katrina_33]

OK, thanks.

Also, if we go this route, should we be careful to purchase a diamond in a very standard size like 1 ct or 1.25 ct exactly? Do designer settings come only in those kinds of standard sizes?

I'm just trying to avoid future hassles! Don't want to have a 1.33 ct diamond that I then HAVE to have a setting custom made for...

 

[msbennie]

Usuually one setting will fit a variety of diamond sizes. For example, I have a 1.20 carat diamond and was told by the jeweler to order the setting for a 1.0 carat. The setting also came in sizes to fit 1.50, and 2.0, etc.

 

[katrina_33]

More so for prong styles, correct? Rather than bezel settings or ones where the surrounding metal would directly contact the stone? I've seen some settings listed, especially antique style mounts, that are very specific about accomodating a 6 mm or 6.5 mm stone.

Is this true?

 

[coreyzat]

I ran into the problem where the place I wanted to get the setting from didn't want to sell it to me because I didn't get their stone. They didn't want to take resposibility for the stone. So instead I had a similar (made some changes I wanted) ring made by the company I got my stone from. The bottom line is that the ring makers lost a $1500 sale, I got a better ring, and it cost me the same.

You may be able to find a more reasonable company to get the setting from though.

Oh, and this is an ongoing process fro me. The setting is being made now....I can't wait!!
Corey

 

[denverappraiser]

People do this frequently.

If the jeweler won't set your stone into their mounting, find another jeweler. Naturally, there are issues about whether your stone will fit into a particular mounting but this has nothing to do with where, or how you got it. There is a significant diffierence between a good stonesetter and a beginner. The good ones are rarely the cheapest. This is a good place to avoid fishing for the cheapest supplier. An extra $50 can get you a lot.

Most designers would like to have as many customers as possible be able to buy their products. It's how they get paid. This means accomidating as big a range of stones as possible. Occationally they are rather specific but this is not the norm.

Neil

 

[aljdewey]

----------------
On 7/22/2004 7:43:53 PM katrina_33 wrote:




I know I can always have one custom designed by someone who specalizes in custom designing settings only, but I've heard lots of stories about jewelers who carry designer settings not being very excited to work with people who don't buy their stones from them.
----------------

This is typically the case when the designer knows you haven't YET bought a stone.

If you walk in, though, and say (which will be true): "I own this stone in this setting, but I'd prefer a more elaborate setting and am shopping for a setting".......you're less likely to get resistance.

At that point, you aren't in the market for a stone because you're ALREADY a stone owner, so applying pressure to take their stone doesn't make sense.