How expensive are Michael B rings?

[cali6869]

Guys, Im in search of a setting.. I''ve been looking around already but still kinda confused... so far I got my eyes on 2 Tacori rings, But I saw some Michael B rings and they are nice.
do anyone of you know how they price compare to Tacori?

 

[reena]

I know too much about it unfortunately, but I've only looked at some of his designs. Which setting are you referring to?

(The short answer is--very expensive.)

 

[cali6869]

LOL....
Im going to look at the petite collection... my girlfriend is 5'2" finger 4.5
So im thinking that might be nice...
I might go to Joe escovars tomorrow.

 

[Hest88]

My impression is they're around the same at the basic end.

 

[reena]

Hm, im not sure which the petite collection is; I checked his website and can't seem to find it. In any event I will tell you what I know:

I was interested in the Trois collection--the settings have approx 2mm (very very thin) micropave eternity bands (the pave is on one side of the band only) with micropave bezels going all around the face of the stone. Drop dead gorgeous. But, depending on stone and finger size, the setting (ie, without center stone) is somewhere between $6000-$7000, which is sort of outrageous given the total carat weight of the setting.

I also looked at some of his more intricate settings, like the new flower ring, which has a lot more pave and a lot more going on. (too much for me, it turns out.) That setting is about $9600. !!!

I'm not sure where the setting you're considering would fall into this, but this should give you some idea. If you're looking at any of the three sided pave rings or the thicker pave rings, you're probably looking at $8-$10k per setting, at least. On the other hand, I would imagine something like the Lace, which is mostly platinum with only a little pave, would be less than $6k (but still not cheap).

In short, if you can afford it and you love it, go for it--his stuff is to die for. But, if not, you could probably have something similar done by a jeweler for substantially less (I've been quoted between $2 and $3k for a THREE sided (as opposed to only one side in the MB) pave setting similar to the style of the Trois.

If you don't want to go that route, there are a lot of great designers who make similar looks for a lot less. If you tell us more about what the setting looks like, we can point you in the right direction.

Good luck!

 

[cali6869]

Well I looked at the michaelB website and I didnt see a "petite collection neither"... so I will go there a check it out myself.
Also I asked how much was the ring from the 3 sides collection and she said 5200, which is not bad... but still too steep for my pocket.
then I asked if they had a thin paved ring.. and she said she did and tthat was her favorite.. and it was 2500... I can do 2500, but thats pushing it... I really wanted to spend between 1-2k for the setting... but if the "petite" is absolutely something else I might pick it up (ofcourse not tomorrow.. I will ask here first).
Anyways... If you could guide me... where I can find a paved ring for a round solitaire that would be great.

 

[cali6869]

Right now Im debating on something like this:
http://www.billbarnes.com/product.asp?Product=9423

or

http://www.michaelbjewelry.com/collection.html
(same concept paved band... and a solitaire on top)

 

[alexah]

In 14K, there's THIS nice pave'd one.

And THIS one. THIS one.
And, finally, THIS one.

 

[reena]

Hm, to be honest I'd be surprised if any of MB's all-pave settngs were $2500, even the thin ones--the Trois is about as thin as you get and again, those are in the $6-$7k range (albeit with a pave bezel). But hey, I've been wrong before!

In any event I've been looking at similar style settings so I can give you some ideas--first though, did you want a bezeled or a non-bezeled style?

Assuming non-bezeled, check out leila's ring on the link below--it's my favorite non-bezel pave setting.

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/michael-b-setting.17857/

Also, check out the settings at www.icestore.com--they have a whole section of paved mountings. Also look at the "finished work" gallery for ideas on pave custom settings (which are still going to be cheaper than the MB).

My unsolicited advice to you, if you are hoping to stay between $1-2k for the setting, is to find out what she likes and get a well-respected jewler to make your setting for you. It will be much cheaper, and she'll get exactly what she wants. Just to give you an idea, I've been given quotes between $2000-$3000 for a setting with a three-sided (very thin) micropave eternity band with a micropave bezel. Removing the bezel would reduce that quote, as would making the ring one sided pave (ie, pave only on the portion of the band that faces up and plain platinum on the sides) or non-eternity (meaning the pave wouldn't go all the way around the band, it would stop halfway or three-quarters around). So it's definitely do-able!

Good Luck!

 

[Superidealist]

Here's one that retails for $2700 at Pearlman's Jewelers.

 

[reena]

Well I stand corrected! : )

I think that one is just GORgeous. Is that the one she likes?

 

[cali6869]

yes thats the one.... where and how much?

 

[cali6869]

this one is nice... but how come is so cheap compared to the other ones?
and its Platinum.

 

[cali6869]

Forgot the price $1045
Engagement Semi Mount Diamond .23cttw G/Si1

 

[alexah]

Yeah- i like that one too

I've seen diamonds set into similar bands & it looks really elegant

Maybe it's less money because it's not made by a company who's name demands a premium?? Or maybe channel-setting the diamonds is less costly or time consuming than doing micropave work?? Just guessing...