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How much would you really spend on a re-set?

J

jerichosmom

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Sep 23, 2008
Messages
241
So after living with my solitaire for the past 6 years, I've finally decided to get it re-set into something blingy-er (sp?) However, I haven't been able to pull the trigger as I can't decide whether or not it's "worth it".

Based on some very early quotes, I'm looking at spending $7-9k for a custom job in platinum. I mean, I could get a really nice piece of jewelry for that! Maybe a pair of earrings or a DBTY...or maybe a really nice necklace! So what I'm asking is....

Would you spend that much just on a setting (most likely SS or VC) or would you just leave it as is and just buy a new piece of jewelry? Last year I took the latter and got an earring/pendant set which I'm considering of selling now...probably to fund the re-set.

Also, a friend of mine just got her ring done by a PS vendor and had it shipped out of state to avoid paying state taxes. Is this something that vendors are ok with doing? I haven't made any calls to any out of state vendors but am considering SK. VC and SS are accessible to me but once again, I'll end up paying $7-900 just in taxes.

It's such a simple question that has been answered a thousand times here on PS as I see gorgeous re-sets all the time.....but the cheap Chinese/Jewish girl in me needs a little nudge.

Here are some pictures of my current ring. I haven't finalized what I want in my re-set yet but I know that it will have a lot more stones!

_9920.jpg
 
For a rock that size, I wouldn't mind splurging....especially bc the ering is always on your finger---and should be the best piece of jewelry you wear...as long as you can afford to splurge, I say splurge!
 
Your diamond is beautiful and I adore the setting it is in! :love: :love: :love:

I can't quite image what you are thinking of that would cost $7-9k. The most elaborate Singlestone setting I know of was in the $5-6k range. And Victor's Emilya settings are somewhere in the $4-5k range.

But no, I would not personally consider $7-9k worth it unless it was something like a three stone ring and we were talking about .75 ct each diamond side stones or something.
 
No, I wouldn't spend that amount of money on a reset.
 
I absolutely adore your solitaire.
 
Sadly, preliminary quotes say yes, prices for a halo setting for my stone will be at least $7k plus 10% tax so that would be close to $8k. At SS the French cut band (not tapered like the VC Sophia, but E/W) was already $9k! Also $9k for a halo from 23rd Street as well. Cheapest so far is SNQueens at $6k plus tax for a scalloped halo. Other than the SS French Cut band, the halos that I'm looking at don't even have diamonds on the shank! EEEKS! I haven't gotten a quote from Victor but my BFF just paid $6k (no tax) and her stone is half my size, carat wise for a Donna Halo.

I'll consider ERD or any out of state vendor just to save on the tax!

Anyway, my BFF says she'd rather I get another piece of jewelry. I'm considering hanging on to my current setting for another year...:(
 
It's so stunning as is! Why are you considering resetting it? And no, I wouldn't spend that much on a setting.
 
Your stone appears very big.. if you bling it up more, I dunno there's a line between class and less than classy.. I think that people like us like diamonds, simple as that.. bigger the better... but in truth.. it's the whole package, if you feel your ring doesn't have the oomph you desire then I would upgrade - but not in that price range.. 4K maybe is tops.. although I've reset my diamond 1.66 carat 4x in 25 years and spent almost 7K in upgrades so it may not be unreasonable to spend that kind of money.. I'd spend it on an emerald cut pendant. :) but that is me.. what exactly are you looking at? if you want a lot of sparkle and a big stone then do it. (i would still try to get that price down.. I've had 2 custom made rings and paid less than this)..
 
How much I spend on a reset will depend on how long I want to keep the reset. If it's a forever setting, $7-9K sounds alright as I believe it's all relative (with regards to your huge diamond). However, if I'm not certain how long I'll be in love with it or if my tastes evolve constantly, a lower budget will be put toward the reset.

Your posts indicate that you've been wanting a reset for a while. You mentioned you spent on jewelry last year instead of a reset and are thinking of selling them to fund the reset. If you get new jewelry again this year, you might want to sell jewelry bought both last and this year just to fund the reset next year. If your heart wants a reset, you will get it done sooner or later. You might want to look at cheaper options and just reset it this year. I suppose ERD might not hit the $7-9k range.

However, I agree with a poster above that sometimes it's not about the setting but the diamond itself. One keeps thinking something isn't right and reset and reset but the actual problem might be about wanting a sparklier/larger/different cut diamond.
 
5K is my cap unless it is for tapered French Cuts.
 
First, I think that you ring is gorgeous as it's set now! :love: But I totally get wanting a costume change. I actually would spend this amount of money on a reset, if 1. I had the funds easily available to pay for it, and 2. I knew that it would be my forever (or very very long time) setting. I'm not sure though that I would want to give up another piece of jewelry that I loved in order to finance it. I also don't think that I would go with a vendor simply because they can save me tax. If I were to spend this amount of money I would have to be sure that I was working with someone that knew precisely what I wanted and knew that they could execute it flawlessly. It wouldn't be worth it for me to spend thousands and settle for something that I thought of inferior (not that I think any of the vendors you mentioned are inferior) just to save a few hundred. I think it has the potential to set you up for disappointment, in which case you wasted thousands, to save hundreds. :sick:
 
I reduced my reset budget by choosing ERD. In the end, I got a gorgeous halo with a slightly lower price tag. I don't feel as though I compromised on quality either.
I can really appreciate your dilemma. On the one hand, your diamond is beautiful and the right reset could be spectacular. On the other hand, that is a lot of money that could be spent elsewhere. I had the ability to afford a VC halo, but I chose ERD because I felt confident that they could meet my needs/wants without the guilt of spending too much money on a single project. I had extra funds to devote to my right hand ring project (a set of tri-color, diamond stacking rings).
Since it's a ring you wear everyday, only you can decided what's right for you. If you plan to keep the new reset for many years to come, then perhaps spending that kind of money is worth getting the job done right. I plan to wear my ring for years, but I ultimately want an upgrade at some point (probably to a yellow diamond halo).
 
$5K is my cap as well. With a stone that large relative to your finger size, how much of the diamonds and other metals will you be able to see in the new setting? In short, even if I have such a budget, it isn't something I would personally do.
 
Why are all the quotes so high? That's nuts! :errrr:
 
My cap would be $5-6K for a micropave setting as well. But I did get quotes for a french cut setting and they were $7K +. And then yes, add tax to those if you end up using a jeweler in your state.
 
Just had a splurge myself for a VC 'Sophia' ring with tapered french cut sides. I have spent an additional amount on custom duties (I live in Europe) but I have to say it was totally worth it!!! My stone is a 5ct+ OEC.

That having said... Your stone and setting are already gorgeous as is!!! Perhaps you should not wear your ring for a while to find out whether you will appreciate it more after a period of not wearing your ring.
I would not choose a different vendor only because of the tax. I can totally recommmend working with VC!! He is great to work with.
As your fingers are quite small (?) and your stone so big, I would go for french cuts or a vintage inspired ring like Asschergirl has. I believe hers is from Sebastien Barrier, but she worked with a US based jeweller.

If you want to create your forever ring, I would totally splurge, but since your setting is already so gorgeous, I would think about it hard. Good luck making your decision!!
 
I personally wouldn't spend that much on a setting but that's just my budget limitations and natural frugality. I also haven't had a diamond that I really felt was "the one" so that would affect my judgement.

I love your ring as it is, but if you want a new setting I think you should go for it. You could buy another piece of jewelry but then you'll be back to the same quandary later after spending that much on something to temporarily scratch the itch.

Thinking of the jewelery purchases I've made, the times when I didn't get exactly what I wanted, either because I couldn't afford it or because I was too impatient, ended in regret.
 
I think the responses will be all over the place on this!

For me: if the money was available without sacrificing any "needs", and for the right setting from the right designer, yes, I would. But, like Christina, I'd have to be sure that I'd love the setting long-term, and I'd have to be sure that the designer and I had an excellent working relationship... because I have gone down the path of A) not being sure, and B) not having an excellent working relationship with the designer, and I wound up regretting both.
 
No, I would not spend that much. Your ring is already pretty blingy due to its size.
I would probably buy a haloed RHR to get some extra bling.
 
Isn't this the 3.55 OEC you got in 2012?? Just curious....

Either way, I'm not surprised by the quotes you received. I recently got one from SS, who made both my three stone and oval halo and prices have gone up quite a bit! It forced me to scrap that particular project.

Would I pay that much for a reset? It would be hard for me to stomach that when you look at what you could get for 9K...
 
Wow, thank you everyone for your responses.

I've already spoken to Ari about my options and a re-cut is not really in the cards. My stone is rather spready for it's size (9.9 x 10.2 mm) and a re-cut would make it lose diameter, weight and value. I just prefer a slightly different "look", that's all. Even he said that the least expensive option for me is to splurge on a really nice setting. My husband doesn't want me to sell it even though it wasn't an e-ring so I'm kinda stuck with it for now. He has offered to buy me something else but I'd prefer not have another ring (hence this thread). I'd rather work with what I've got.

Yenny, your oval is one of my favorites and definitely an inspiration piece for what I'm imagining. Of course, your oval adds to the scrumptiousness of the design which I would never be able to replicate with an off-round stone. But the ornateness and extra melee is what I'm really after. Yes, it's for the 3.55 OEC but I got it in 2008 but never bother posting it until last year.

Given the number of 3+ carats plus halos I see here on PS, I don't think that ring will be all that gaudy, especially since it's an antique stone and the period designs were very elaborate to begin with. I see many 3 ct+ in LA anyway so I won't really be sticking out at morning drop-off at school. Not to say that it's a normal size around here, it's just not that unusual.

Here are some inspirational settings (Yenny's included but in an off-round OEC like mine) And a pic of my ring in a temporary yellow, twisty-twine bezel which seems to bring out the facets. The 23rd street one has 2 rows of melee and was quoted around $9k almost a year ago. I can't see to attach a pic so here's the link to 23rd street.....http://www.23rdstreetjewelers.com/aCatItem.aspx

ss_yenny_oec.jpg

vc_anne_marie.jpg

yellow_halo.jpg
 
It is so beautifully set as it is!!! If that were mine, I'd leave it alone and enjoy every single facet and elegant swoop & prong of that existing setting... but I do totally get the desire for a switch up after 6 years.

When I first joined PS I had spent under $4K on the setting & 2 side stones, for my princess solitaire to upgrade to a 3 stone. That seemed like a HUMUNGOUS amount of money for me (not that $4K isn't a lot of money... but ... hang on! ;)) ) but sadly, that was merely my 'gateway drug' to spending more and more and MORE money on diamonds! Now, that initial $4k was sort of a 'ya, that's normal' amount of money in "these here PS parts, ma'am" !! :wink2:

With that said, if you factor in the enjoyment you are going to get from the new look you are going for, and the years of wear it will have, go with what you are comfortable with! (totally a "non" answer --- sorry!)
 
It comes down to...what is your dream? Is your dream to have an amazing blingy setting for your lovely stone? Or is your dream another set of gorgeous jewellery, or a necklace/bracelet/Cartier piece/Tiffany splurge/Van Cleef piece/whatever?

Since it's going to be expensive either way, I would look deeply into your heart and try to figure out what is your ultimate piece of jewellery. A blinged-up ring, or another piece?

And as regards setting price, if I could easily afford the money and if it would fulfil a dearly-held dream, then yes I would absolutely spend that money on a setting.
 
Call me nuts but I considered buying armywife's huge oec.... just so I could have 2 large stones...one for each of my kids to inherit one day. And in the mean time I would make a pair if earrings out of them to wear every day until I finally keel over!

Army, if you're reading this....let me know if your sale doesnt go through....:)!
 
momhappy|1379074755|3519976 said:
I reduced my reset budget by choosing ERD. In the end, I got a gorgeous halo with a slightly lower price tag. I don't feel as though I compromised on quality either.
I can really appreciate your dilemma. On the one hand, your diamond is beautiful and the right reset could be spectacular. On the other hand, that is a lot of money that could be spent elsewhere. I had the ability to afford a VC halo, but I chose ERD because I felt confident that they could meet my needs/wants without the guilt of spending too much money on a single project. I had extra funds to devote to my right hand ring project (a set of tri-color, diamond stacking rings).
Since it's a ring you wear everyday, only you can decided what's right for you. If you plan to keep the new reset for many years to come, then perhaps spending that kind of money is worth getting the job done right. I plan to wear my ring for years, but I ultimately want an upgrade at some point (probably to a yellow diamond halo).
Click to expand...

+1 reset wife's ring at ERD and saved alot of money over the others mentioned. Extremely happy with the quality.
 
Yssie|1379088986|3520126 said:
I think the responses will be all over the place on this!

For me: if the money was available without sacrificing any "needs", and for the right setting from the right designer, yes, I would. But, like Christina, I'd have to be sure that I'd love the setting long-term, and I'd have to be sure that the designer and I had an excellent working relationship... because I have gone down the path of A) not being sure, and B) not having an excellent working relationship with the designer, and I wound up regretting both.
Click to expand...


This is pretty much what I agree with. As long as the money won't be putting a huge hole in my bank account/ savings and I was sure it would be my forever setting (or at least forever for awhile) I would do it. I typically really like eleborate settings that have a high price tag. I have gotten a few quotes from VC and SS in the past for settings in the 6-12k range. I have noticed with them that the larger the stone typically the price tag will go up around 1k per carat. Plus if you have french cuts or an design elements they it skyrockets. For the most part recently I have been having SK set some of my things. I think his pricing is typically a little lower plus he is East Coast. You might want to check him out and that would avoid CA state tax as well.

Exactly what design are you going for?
 
I can't contribute much to the reset idea, although I agree that your
present setting is gorgeous and I have bookmarked it :love: :love: :love:

But I appreciate your dilemma about the TAXES !!!

I live in TX now, home of WF and BGD. So I understand your pain in that aspect.
It almost always makes me pause when I think of a new piece / project....
 
I would put that stone in VC's anne marie setting. Honestly, if you can afford it, I think you should spend whatever it takes to make you LOVE that stone.
 
Jerichosmom, I think your setting is one of the loveliest I've ever seen - if you do decide to reset your stone, and consider selling the original setting to cover some of the cost, I would be eager like a shopper the day after Thanksgiving to reserve my place in line. :cheeky:

As for how much I would spend on a reset ... everything's relative, but for the setting of my dreams (and assuming I didn't have any conflicting financial commitments), I think I'd prioritize it over any other piece of jewelry, just because it's the one I wear the most. Put that way, a 9k pricetag doesn't seem *so* unreasonable ....
 
diamondseeker2006|1379046790|3519871 said:
Your diamond is beautiful and I adore the setting it is in! :love: :love: :love:

I can't quite image what you are thinking of that would cost $7-9k. The most elaborate Singlestone setting I know of was in the $5-6k range. And Victor's Emilya settings are somewhere in the $4-5k range.

But no, I would not personally consider $7-9k worth it unless it was something like a three stone ring and we were talking about .75 ct each diamond side stones or something.
Click to expand...


DS- the prices you are quoting are for 2ct or under (plus or minus a little), but really once you jump to around 3cts and over the prices typically start at 5.5-6k at the low end. And that is for colored gemstones or diamonds.
 
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