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How to find a good deals on settings?

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J

Julize

Rough_Rock
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Jul 1, 2007
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It seems like there''s a lot of information here about how to get great deals on stones, but I''m wondering if anyone has any tips or advice for finding a good deal on a setting? Is it generally cheaper or more expensive to have a setting custom made? I know there can be a tremendous mark-up on designer settings, but even for no-name versions it seems like the prices are often quite high. We looked yesterday at a lovely platinum 3-stone setting w/ side pears (approx .5 tcw) that was selling for $3,600 at a reputable DC store. That seems high to me, or am I being unrealistic? Any advice? Our challenge is that we would need a finished product very quickly (i.e. within 2 weeks). thx!
 
Link us to a picture of what you want. What size stone you have, and what shape. And what metal (platinum??) you want. And we''ll see what we can find for you.
 
In platinum, you could get a lovely Vatche three stone with pear sides (might be flopkin''s not sure), for about 3000 including the pear sides if your center is 1 carat. Good Old Gold, ERD, Wink Jones, and exceldiamonds.com carry this setting.

Here is the Vatche Three stone it is a a lovely version of the look you are looking for. http://engagementringsdirect.com/jewerly/Engagement-Rings/3-Stone-Collection-by-Vatche/9003 is the ring. At ERD the price doesn''t include the side stones. 1700 for just the mounting. Mark could easily source two side pears for you to bring the total to 3000 (got the about 3000K price with the pears included from an other site Excel diamonds).

However, my FAVORITE (and I think everyone here''s favorite) three stone with pears setting is this one. Again Mark could source sides for you. http://engagementringsdirect.com/jewerly/Engagement-Rings/Classic-Bridal/3496 The setting itself costs 200 more than the Vatche. But as beautiful as the Vatche is, and it''s lovely, this one is by Leon Mage, and just STUNNING. KristyDarling has this setting, and oh my.

Since Mark can get both the Vatche AND the Leon, I''d call ERD (engagement rings direct) and see what Mark can do for you in terms of a setting. He''s a great guy and has a great reputuation on here. If you bought your center stone from him (and he has access to a lot of ideal cut AGS 0 hearts and arrows rounds) the total cost might be the most cost effective you find anywhere.
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If you like Vatche, and not the Leon so much, then you have a larger choice of vendors. Wink Jones is an infinity dealer, and has amazing selection of ideal rounds, GOG has wonderful information and fabulous ideal AGS 0 rounds, and Excel Diamonds has the same thing. All of them are hearts and arrows dealers.
 
Date: 9/9/2007 5:19:31 PM
Author: Gypsy
However, my FAVORITE (and I think everyone here''s favorite) three stone with pears setting is this one. Again Mark could source sides for you. http://engagementringsdirect.com/jewerly/Engagement-Rings/Classic-Bridal/3496 The setting itself costs 200 more than the Vatche. But as beautiful as the Vatche is, and it''s lovely, this one is by Leon Mage, and just STUNNING. KristyDarling has this setting, and oh my.
Click to expand...
Yup! Leon!
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Leon!
36.gif
Leon!
36.gif
 
Gypsy, thank you so much--that''s incredibly helpful! Yikes, so many decisions to make and such a short time to make them. Do you know if anyone else here has the Leon Mege design with a smaller middle stone? Kristydarlin''s ring is incredible(!!) but I''d love to see some pics of what this setting might look like with a center stone that''s closer to my size.

Thanks a million!!
 
This leon will give you an idea... the center isn''t round... but the stone is a square cushion... but it will give you an idea. A square cushion of 1 carat will be smaller in terms of mm size than a 1 carat round of the same carat weight. Still... you''ll get the idea...

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/gog-square-cushion-h-a-in-leon-mege-setting.25150/

ANd here is a links to similar settings on Leon''s site. Remember as with Vatche each ring will be made to order for YOUR stone, and you side stones... so the proportionality will be in your control. This one is a two carat stone and the side stones and ring are in proportion to that. So if your center is a one carat, then the pears will be sized to work with that.

http://www.artofplatinum.com/4images/details.php?image_id=312


If you go with Leon... i have a feeling that having Mark source your pear sides would be most cost effective. Especially if you buy your center from him.

Mark is right in the NY diamond district, a 5 hour drive from you if you live in DC.. .and a fun weekend trip... IF it were me? I would call him up and make an appointment, ask him to bring in a couple of nice H&A one carat stones in budget for you, and a couple of pairs of pears... and tell him you are consider the Leon or the Vatche. No obligation to buy, but Mark will make it an enjoyable experience for you.

You can also visit Good Old Gold while your in the 5 burrows as they are in Long Island if you like what you see on their site. They also carry Vatche, and have had MANY MANY stones go from them to be set with Leon.

Personally? I think it''s worth the investment of a weekend to get the right ring.
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Why do you need it in two weeks, BTW. As that may be possible with Vatche... and may not with Leon, depending on his schedule, (although it could be since all you want is his classic three stone).
 
Date: 9/10/2007 1:28:55 AM
Author: Gypsy
Why do you need it in two weeks, BTW. As that may be possible with Vatche... and may not with Leon, depending on his schedule, (although it could be since all you want is his classic three stone).
Click to expand...

i doubt Leon could do 2 weeks. Harriets plain solitaire took 5..

you might contact Mark and see if he can get ahold of a stock setting. that will probably be the only way you''d hit the less than 2 week mark since the setting would already be made. pear sides are very common so you should be able to find something without going custom unless time and budget allows...
 
Date: 9/10/2007 1:28:55 AM
Author: Gypsy
Why do you need it in two weeks, BTW. As that may be possible with Vatche... and may not with Leon, depending on his schedule, (although it could be since all you want is his classic three stone).
Click to expand...
I am not certain if it applies to all their settings, but mine, and others I''ve heard of on here getting them from Vatche were all quoted 3-4 weeks. Mine was done in 3.
 
Good news!! We talked to the guys at Quest today and they indicated they could take on the project as a custom job for us (and still within our timeframe). I almost didn''t call, because I was so sure they''d say it wasn''t enough time! I have to say, I was really impressed by their flexibility, and they beat everyone we''ve talked to so far on price, which made it a no-brainer. Of course, the big bonus is the fact that they''re local, so no worrying about road trips or Fed-Exing back and forth.

We need it right away because we''re getting married on the 29th. This is actually an upgrade for me, to commemorate the fact that we''ve finally decided to make it official (after 12 years of engagement)! Our decision was a bit spur of the moment, and made to coincide with an upcoming trip--hence the rushed timeframe.

Now comes the hard part--making some very fast decisions about exactly what to do with the design (not my strong suit, since I''m both a perfectionist and indecisive to a fault)! I have a feeling I''ll be starting a new thread about that very soon!

Thanks again for all your help!
 
I think you''ll be very pleased with Quest!
 
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