Getting stone set in Scott Kay setting at a local jeweler???

[surgeon]

The setting that I''m getting for my wife is a Scott Kay. I''d show a link for a picture, but as of yet, I haven''t seen the exact style online. Anyways, a local jeweler, Long''s Jeweler, has the exact setting that I want in stock. Now, after researching Vatche, I''m used to the idea of the stone being sent to the designer and having the ring ''designed'' around the specs of the stone. However, I''m told by Long''s that this isn''t necessary if my stone will fit the ring in stock. But, my naivety and inexperience makes me feel like it would be the best if it were sent to the designer.

Is sending it to the designer necessary? Long''s already told me that before it''s set, I have to have a meeting with the person doing the setting to make sure that the stone will fit properly, which makes me feel good. Should I just have the stone set at Long''s? I can get it from another local jeweler, Joseph Gann''s in Boston, where in which it will be sent to Scott Kay and guaranteed to be returned by October 8th, the day before my vacation where I''ll give my wife the ring. However, if there''s some unforseen problem, I don''t get it in time...and that''s a big problem! What do you guys suggest? Is a ring REALLY designed around the exact specs of the stone or is it just, 1 carat, 1.5 carats, 2 carats, etc. I mean, if my stone is a normal, 1 carat princess, do I get the same setting from Long''s that I get from Scott Kay if I send it in?

 

[neatfreak]

I personally would have it sent in to the designer and make sure it is done right...

Sounds like they just want to sell you their stock setting.

 

[lyra]

Some rings have to be made for the size of the stone, other rings have more play in them and can accept different size heads. Does that make sense? I found many mountings that were made for 1 ct stones, but above 1.5, it was an issue, and settings would have to be special ordered or customized. So sometimes the size of the diamond can make a difference. I would send to the designer if possible.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I would send it to the designer, but I''d see if they have some kind of expedited service to speed it up. One day leeway is just not enough. Also, I''d contact Bill Pearlman to get a quote and timetable from him.

 

[Gypsy]

Date: 9/11/2007 4:46:45 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006
I would send it to the designer, but I''d see if they have some kind of expedited service to speed it up. One day leeway is just not enough. Also, I''d contact Bill Pearlman to get a quote and timetable from him.

Ditto. Don''t go for the one in stock ... that''s a regularly used BS line. Heard it before, and heard the regrets afterwards. Either insist AND GET IT IN WRITING that they will send to Scott Kay for setting. OR go with Pearlmans. I''d go with Pearlmans anyway, jut because I absolutely trust Bill.

 

[mrssalvo]

i''d definitely have it sent to the designer as well. we''ve heard too many stories here where the setting gets messed up or the stone isn''t set right when the local folks attempt. i realize that there are probably many cases where no problems occur, but why risk it. I also ditto contacting pearlmans for at least a quote and timeline. he''s managed to get others designer settings done is super speed time due to what I assume to be the relationship he has with many of the designers he carries. it''s worth at least a call to see if they might be able to do better on price and time...

 

[surgeon]

The problem with Pearlman''s is that their price is $320 more. I''d like to send it in too, I just don''t know if it''s necessary. I''m going to the jeweler''s tomorrow morning to have a look at the setting and talk with the person doing the setting. The good thing is that I have a back-up....if they can''t or don''t want to do it, I''ll just go with the other guys who have already told me that they guarantee it will be back before my trip.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

The thing is, when you get a designer setting, the designer will make the prongs perfect...or take it back and redo them if not. If you have a local jeweler set a designer ring, then there is no recourse with the designer if they don''t do a superior setting job. I just wouldn''t take a chance with a thousand dollar plus setting.

 

[mrssalvo]

i''d still call pearlmans, tell the price the local guy is quoting and see if they will match and can beat the time line...

 

[surgeon]

Well, I took your advice and called Pearlman''s again and told them the local guy''s quote. And, they beat it by another $70 dollars!

Plus, they can guarantee that I''ll have it in time!! Thanks for the suggestions. You guys come through again!!!!!

 

[rainydaze]

this is so funny.... i just had the exact same experience with the very same jeweler (Long''s) and the same stone (1 ct princess) but for a Ritani setting rather than a Scott Kay. i preferred to have ritani set my stone and told both sales reps this (one in nashua, on in burlington) but they definitely preferred to set my stone in the setting they had there
"because i''d have it faster" (which didn''t matter to me). they kept trying to steer me this way (nicely, though). naturally i had the same assumption as you did, it behooves them to unload the one in their store that they''ve already paid the designer for. i had the same concern, is it the exact same setting or would i get something better if i have ritani make the setting to order? do stores get a ''model'' setting that''s not quite as nice as the real deal or is it the real deal? i was pretty set on having ritani do it so i never asked that question.

i was told by the first associate (manager actually) that ritani does the same thing they would do, they make up a bunch of these settings and when i get my stone they would just pick one, plop my stone in, size it for my finger and send it back. they offered no price difference for taking the setting they had in store vs. a brand new one from ritani, so no benefit there. rather than take their first word for it, i shopped around. at the burlington long''s a different associate (manager again, but different one) told me ritani does indeed make the setting to suit my stone and its exact dimensions when it is sent to them. (.... "but it would take longer and my stone looks like it would fit, so why bother?" *wink, wink*). i think the first manager was just misinformed as his particular location does not offer ritani. although long''s does have a good reputation and i do like them better than any other jeweler i have dealt with in this area, i just couldn''t bring myself to take a chance and trust that they would send my stone in rather than just tell me they did and then use their stock setting. no reason to believe this other than a mistrusting nature!

every other jeweler (non-long''s) i spoke to confirmed ritani makes the setting to suit my stone when they recieve the order/stone. one said they have a computer program that lets them punch in the dimensions of my stone and ring size and it ''tells'' them how to build my ring....

of note, i got three different stories on how memoire''s warranty works from their associates. not sure what was up with that. i think they told me, with regard to the ritani, that if long''s sets it, it then falls under their warranty (the implication being yes it voids ritani''s but so what, ours will cover it). moral of the story: find out from scott kay directly what their warranty on their setting is, and if having long''s set you diamond voids it. also, find out if scott kay (from scott kay themselves) will cover your diamond during setting. not all designers do, so if it chips you might be out a stone. long''s did tell me they would take responsibility for my stone during setting (which i would have wanted in writing!).

i took my diamond to an appraiser who used to in fact work for long''s. i had a very good experience with the appraiser and so i asked him about long''s. he said he had nothing bad to say, and that they have two very skilled jewelers whose work he had seen and was very impressed with, in the burlington location. so considering you have a short timeframe, having long''s do it may be the way to go. just look that setting over very carefully and make sure there are no flaws. if it looks great, and make sure you are happy with long''s warranty coverage. after all, scott kay could mess the setting up and then you''d have to send it back and you''d miss your deadline. if this one is already perfect, that''s a bonus! (the ritani in store had some flaws, but so did the one ritani sent me that they made to order, so who knows.)

ha! not sure if this helped, but i figured it couldn''t hurt to share!

 

[rainydaze]

Date: 9/11/2007 5:44:38 PM
Author: surgeon
Well, I took your advice and called Pearlman''s again and told them the local guy''s quote. And, they beat it by another $70 dollars!

Plus, they can guarantee that I''ll have it in time!! Thanks for the suggestions. You guys come through again!!!!!

oh good! i was going to say, pearlman''s beat long''s negotiated price with their first price!!

 

[mrssalvo]

surgeon,

that is wonderful news. you will be in very good hands with Pearlmans...

 

[Gypsy]

Date: 9/11/2007 5:54:30 PM
Author: mrssalvo
surgeon,

that is wonderful news. you will be in very good hands with Pearlmans...

Ditto!

 

[Skippy123]

Date: 9/11/2007 5:44:38 PM
Author: surgeon
Well, I took your advice and called Pearlman''s again and told them the local guy''s quote. And, they beat it by another $70 dollars!

Plus, they can guarantee that I''ll have it in time!! Thanks for the suggestions. You guys come through again!!!!!

Yay! Great advice Mrs. S!!!!

 

[msterling21]

I recently purchased (special order) a Scott Kay setting through Robbins Brothers. They also tried to sell me their in-stock version as oppossed to ordering one specifically to fit my diamond and ring size. I knew for a fact that Scott Kay will build a setting based on the specs of your diamond. So I told them I''d prefer to have one custom made for me as opposed to modifying the one they had. I''m hesitant to let Robbins Brothers set the diamond when they receive the setting. I''ve been trying to contact Scott Kay from their website to see if they would do it for me but they don''t seem to respond to emails. I have no other way of contacting their customer service as it is not listed.

If you read Scott Kay''s faq, they prefer to make any modifications themselves.