How much does it cost to change the head?

[Ava]

Hi,

So, I saw this beautiful Ritani ring at the store today.
It looks similar to this one: http://ritani.com/products/view/435/in_category/1 except it is made for a princess cut. I really want to get it, but the jeweler at the store told me that the head will not accommodate my 1.5 carat princess cut which is approx. 6.8mm wide. The jeweler said that if it were to accommodate my ring, then he would have to add more platinum to the head and a few more little diamonds and it would cost me $450 total to do this. That seems like an outrageous quote to me. How much do you think it should cost to make it bigger? Or does this price seem about right? The store is closing down so there is a really amazing deal on the setting and it''s the last piece... I believe the setting had a cz around 1.00-1.25 carats in it. Also, it is final sale, so I don''t want to purchase it and then I''m pretty much stuck with it if that doesn''t work out.

What do you guys think about this?

 

[searchingforemeraldcut]

I asked my local jeweller about this a while back, and he told me that just changing a simple head/setting without diamonds is AUD 200.

ETA: That price is for WG. I'd imagine it would be slightly more for plat.

 

[MissGotRocks]

If you are referring to Bailey, Banks and Biddle, I just had a friend purchase a semi mount there. It was a platinum mounting with diamonds for $700. They charged her $450 to change the head of the ring with the head of her old ring! Absolutely outrageous - they are clearly still making money on any changes, sizing, etc. She was scared because it was of course a final sale but in the end, she loved the ring!

 

[Ava]

So, if I''m correct, that would be about $180? hmmm... I''m sure it would be higher for platinum plus they would have to add a few little diamonds to fill in the gaps. But I''m still not sure about $450.

 

[Ava]

YES, I am referring to Bailey Banks and Biddle. The ring is stunning though and I really want it! But it''s almost the cost of the ring to get the head changed!

 

[small_paws]

At a local jeweler here I was looking at an eternity band and to put a head on it I was quoted $200 for platinum, hope that helps.

 

[searchingforemeraldcut]

Yeah, 450 is OUTRAGEOUS!

 

[MissGotRocks]

The repair/benchwork is outrageous but the pricing on the rings is exceptional (due to the store closing) so in the end it works out - hopefully!

 

[Ava]

Even with the repair, the Ritani would''ve been way below what most retailers are selling it, but I went ahead and got a Scott Kay Palladium mounting instead because it had no issues with fixing the head or anything and was much cheaper.

 

[diamondringlover]

It cost me $140 to have a new 14K head put on and that was last year.