Initial sketches from Mike for three stone AVC

[packrat]

If I were doing this project, I'd want to utilize his creativity too - however I'm also fairly conservative when it comes to jewelry. Therefore I'd probably do a more conservative top down view and let him have a lot of fun in the gallery.

That's kinda my thinking too. I don't want to have someone w/amazing creativity do my project and then ask for something I could get at Stuller or Adwar!

I'm open to color in the gallery as well..maybe colored stones in the petal-paisleys or something...

 

[Dreamer_D]

I like A with a thinner YG bezel. I am not sure about bezeling all sides of the sides since it will change the proportions. I would trust Mike's eye an opinion. Same with the milgrain.

TBH D is really stunning and the details between the stones just integrate the three baskets perfectly. What if he made the paisleys a little smaller? Remember they will be tiny tiny tiny. Try and draw those proportions with your stones, which are under 5mm correct? Those paisleys would be about 1-2mm! I think that detail *makes* the ring and you should take a wee chance.

NO colored stones. Its too much with mixed metals and yellow-ish OECs.

 

[risingsun]

I am still really liking D. Good luck making your choice. I hope that you end up with the ring of your dreams

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I also like Dreamer's suggestion of a thinner center bezel on A. I'd still bezel and milgrain all three, though.

 

[SB621]

I love A and D. Though I think for some reason that D might look better with CS then damonds, so perhaps I would lean towards A.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I have a question. How does one send diamonds to New Zealand? Does your jewelry insurance cover your stones out of the country? Does registered mail go out of the country? I am betting many of Mike's fans are wondering how this works!

 

[alene]

I like the clean lines of A best too. I agree with your ideas of doing full bezels on the sides and a smaller YG bezel in the center. What an exciting project!

 

[Christina...]

I have a question. How does one send diamonds to New Zealand? Does your jewelry insurance cover your stones out of the country? Does registered mail go out of the country? I am betting many of Mike's fans are wondering how this works!

I forgot to email you DS. I heard back from JM and they will insure the ring during shipment and while the stone is being set, they just need the design details for the setting. Mike also suggested in be sent FedEx.


Packrat: I'm getting so excited for you!! I adore D. But I really like A too, I think it makes the center stone look the largest and I think it's closer to what you were imaging? I love the idea of adding milgrain!!!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I have a question. How does one send diamonds to New Zealand? Does your jewelry insurance cover your stones out of the country? Does registered mail go out of the country? I am betting many of Mike's fans are wondering how this works!

I forgot to email you DS. I heard back from JM and they will insure the ring during shipment and while the stone is being set, they just need the design details for the setting. Mike also suggested in be sent FedEx.


Packrat: I'm getting so excited for you!! I adore D. But I really like A too, I think it makes the center stone look the largest and I think it's closer to what you were imaging? I love the idea of adding milgrain!!!

So Christina, you are saying that JM will cover the stone even though it is sent uninsured by FedEx? I would make very sure they understood that there would not be shipping insurance. And I wonder the cost to ship Fed Ex to NZ?

 

[Haven]

TBH D is really stunning and the details between the stones just integrate the three baskets perfectly. What if he made the paisleys a little smaller? Remember they will be tiny tiny tiny. Try and draw those proportions with your stones, which are under 5mm correct? Those paisleys would be about 1-2mm! I think that detail *makes* the ring and you should take a wee chance.

Oh, I totally agree.

What if the paisley details were done in RG, or in a higher carat YG to give the detail a more subtle look. They'd still stand out, but not as much as they would in WG or plat.

I like A, but the part where the thick YG bezel stops abruptly and sort of disappears under the side stones bothers me. I think the paisleys in D make the design look much more fluid. All personal preference, of course!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

In D, I would make all 3 bezels in the white metal.

 

[Christina...]

I have a question. How does one send diamonds to New Zealand? Does your jewelry insurance cover your stones out of the country? Does registered mail go out of the country? I am betting many of Mike's fans are wondering how this works!

I forgot to email you DS. I heard back from JM and they will insure the ring during shipment and while the stone is being set, they just need the design details for the setting. Mike also suggested in be sent FedEx.


Packrat: I'm getting so excited for you!! I adore D. But I really like A too, I think it makes the center stone look the largest and I think it's closer to what you were imaging? I love the idea of adding milgrain!!!

So Christina, you are saying that JM will cover the stone even though it is sent uninsured by FedEx? I would make very sure they understood that there would not be shipping insurance. And I wonder the cost to ship Fed Ex to NZ?

You know what, I don't know the answer to that, I'll attach the email response from JM. I did specifically tell them that the ring would be sent out of the country, but I didn't say how.....


Dear Christina,

Thank you for your email and for your interest in Jewelers Mutual’s Perfect Circle Jewelry Insurance to protect your precious items and the cherished memories they represent.

To cover your loose stone while being mounted we need a copy of an appraisal for the loose stone and the mounting information. It is also covered if it is being shipped to and from the jeweler doing the setting.

Please contact us if you have further questions.


See, I should have emailed you as soon as I got this response! I'll call them right now and ask for clarity. I'm so lucky to have you! Hopefully Packrat will respond as to how she is handling the shipping and insuring...

 

[Christina...]

I have a question. How does one send diamonds to New Zealand? Does your jewelry insurance cover your stones out of the country? Does registered mail go out of the country? I am betting many of Mike's fans are wondering how this works!

I forgot to email you DS. I heard back from JM and they will insure the ring during shipment and while the stone is being set, they just need the design details for the setting. Mike also suggested in be sent FedEx.


Packrat: I'm getting so excited for you!! I adore D. But I really like A too, I think it makes the center stone look the largest and I think it's closer to what you were imaging? I love the idea of adding milgrain!!!

So Christina, you are saying that JM will cover the stone even though it is sent uninsured by FedEx? I would make very sure they understood that there would not be shipping insurance. And I wonder the cost to ship Fed Ex to NZ?

You know what, I don't know the answer to that, I'll attach the email response from JM. I did specifically tell them that the ring would be sent out of the country, but I didn't say how.....


Dear Christina,

Thank you for your email and for your interest in Jewelers Mutual’s Perfect Circle Jewelry Insurance to protect your precious items and the cherished memories they represent.

To cover your loose stone while being mounted we need a copy of an appraisal for the loose stone and the mounting information. It is also covered if it is being shipped to and from the jeweler doing the setting.

Please contact us if you have further questions.


See, I should have emailed you as soon as I got this response! I'll call them right now and ask for clarity. I'm so lucky to have you! Hopefully Packrat will respond as to how she is handling the shipping and insuring...

Ok, I just spoke with a JM rep and she clarified that the ring would still be covered under the policy during shipping even if I didn't purchase shipping insurance or if shipping insurance wasn't available. I still have to check on FEDEX shipping rates though, so I can't answer that but I'll check right now.

EDIT: It has to be sent FEDEX priority international, and is approx $300. one way.

edit2: UPS is under $200 delivered in 3 days. not sure on return shipping because the value will change with the new setting.

 

[packrat]

Holy cow, I didn't realize it was that much to send to NZ! I wonder if Mike'll be coming to the States anytime soon (now that he was just here of course! ) that I could just send it to him here and have him take it back w/him. Yikes.

I think the paisleys are cute; but I would prefer a more plain top and have something fun in the gallery.

Will email Mike back w/some thoughts and see what he says. I'll also ask if he works w/white gold and unplated, or just platinum since I'm leaning towards changing the metal color and probably just having one color instead of two tone.

 

[Christina...]

Holy cow, I didn't realize it was that much to send to NZ! I wonder if Mike'll be coming to the States anytime soon (now that he was just here of course! ) that I could just send it to him here and have him take it back w/him. Yikes.

I think the paisleys are cute; but I would prefer a more plain top and have something fun in the gallery.

Will email Mike back w/some thoughts and see what he says. I'll also ask if he works w/white gold and unplated, or just platinum since I'm leaning towards changing the metal color and probably just having one color instead of two tone.

I didn't realize how expensive either. You can go to UPS and FEDEX sites and play with the cost of shipping link. If FED EX doesn't insure the package then I'm not sure why you have to declare a value, for customs maybe? I just played around on the website but I think I might call them directly and get more information, maybe it wouldn't have to be shipped priority, but thats the only option they gave me online. An additional cost of $600 to ship back and forth is pretty significant! I'll do some more research and keep you posted. Maybe someone else in the states has recently done a project with him and can explain how they handled the shipping.

edit: DHL will ship it for an online price of about $100 if you don't add the additional insurance, which according to a JM agent isn't required and would still be covered by your policy in the event the package was lost.

 

[packrat]

Please let me know what you find out Christina! I guess I should've looked into that part in the beginning.

 

[stepcutnut]

I love D and A! If I were to choose A, I would have Mike do something fun with the gallery or shank-can't wait to see how it turns out!!!

 

[Christina...]

Please let me know what you find out Christina! I guess I should've looked into that part in the beginning.

oops, I just edited my post above but it looks like DHL is a good option. I'd confirm again with JM (if they are your insurer) that you aren't required to pay for additional shipping insurance, but they told me today when I called that it wasn't required for coverage. I don't think that registered mail leaves the country but I haven't checked into that, and it sounds like it take a very long time within the US, so I'm not sure that's a good option or what the savings would be, if any.

 

[Dreamer_D]

I have a question. How does one send diamonds to New Zealand? Does your jewelry insurance cover your stones out of the country? Does registered mail go out of the country? I am betting many of Mike's fans are wondering how this works!

I forgot to email you DS. I heard back from JM and they will insure the ring during shipment and while the stone is being set, they just need the design details for the setting. Mike also suggested in be sent FedEx.


Packrat: I'm getting so excited for you!! I adore D. But I really like A too, I think it makes the center stone look the largest and I think it's closer to what you were imaging? I love the idea of adding milgrain!!!

So Christina, you are saying that JM will cover the stone even though it is sent uninsured by FedEx? I would make very sure they understood that there would not be shipping insurance. And I wonder the cost to ship Fed Ex to NZ?

FedEx to NZ costs about $180. JM insures your jewelery in the post to a jeweler, full stop. They do not require you to have other insurance, that would be double insurance and what would be the point of that JM recommends FedEx and proper packing.

 

[Dreamer_D]

EDIT: It has to be sent FEDEX priority international, and is approx $300. one way.

edit2: UPS is under $200 delivered in 3 days. not sure on return shipping because the value will change with the new setting.

You made an error I suspect. I have actually shipped to NZ using FedEx and it cost me $180 including $1000 insurance from Canada to NZ, Mike R in fact. It would cost less without the insurance. You likely put the declared value for carriage as the amount of your diamond, which implies you are buying insurance from FedEx. Instead enter $0 as declared value for carriage (i.e., no insurance). Thisis utterly independent from tha value for customs. Mike likely has an account with FedEx and return shipping would be less. Peanuts in my opinion, and the cost would be similar to ship within your country, maybe $200 less. And no, registered mail is only within your own country.

 

[Christina...]

EDIT: It has to be sent FEDEX priority international, and is approx $300. one way.

edit2: UPS is under $200 delivered in 3 days. not sure on return shipping because the value will change with the new setting.

You made an error I suspect. I have actually shipped to NZ using FedEx and it cost me $180 including $1000 insurance from Canada to NZ, Mike R in fact. It would cost less without the insurance. You likely put the declared value for carriage as the amount of your diamond, which implies you are buying insurance from FedEx. Instead enter $0 as declared value for carriage (i.e., no insurance). Thisis utterly independent from tha value for customs. Mike likely has an account with FedEx and return shipping would be less. Peanuts in my opinion, and the cost would be similar to ship within your country, maybe $200 less. And no, registered mail is only within your own country.

I'll have to call them directly I guess. I just tried again and the only online option it will give me is internationl priority and even without declaring a value it's just under $250.

edit: UPS cost lowered to $130. by not declaring a value...

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Hmmm, so inquiring minds would like to know what Dreamer is up to.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I was told recently when I was mailing some kind of jewelry that FedEx will NOT insure jewelry, so it is good if JM doesn't require it. I'd think they'd want their clients to insure when mailing so they wouldn't be the ones to incur the loss if the item was lost.

This makes me think now that if I send something registered, I can declare a very low value in order to just get the item sent safely (within the US) as long as the item is already insured. But I use Chubb so I'd actually have to check with them.

 

[Christina...]

I was told recently when I was mailing some kind of jewelry that FedEx will NOT insure jewelry, so it is good if JM doesn't require it. I'd think they'd want their clients to insure when mailing so they wouldn't be the ones to incur the loss if the item was lost.

This makes me think now that if I send something registered, I can declare a very low value in order to just get the item sent safely (within the US) as long as the item is already insured. But I use Chubb so I'd actually have to check with them.

I was thinking the exact same thing! Why pay to insure twice right?! I'm still not sure why I'm getting a much higher quote through FEDEX than DD said she got, they didn't allow me to enter an amount to insure the package, and like you said, I was under the impression that they didn't insure packages anyway. When I entered $0 for the customs value it didn't change by much. UPS did though. so perhaps I'm still not doing something right!

 

[Dreamer_D]

I was told recently when I was mailing some kind of jewelry that FedEx will NOT insure jewelry, so it is good if JM doesn't require it. I'd think they'd want their clients to insure when mailing so they wouldn't be the ones to incur the loss if the item was lost.

This makes me think now that if I send something registered, I can declare a very low value in order to just get the item sent safely (within the US) as long as the item is already insured. But I use Chubb so I'd actually have to check with them.

I was thinking the exact same thing! Why pay to insure twice right?! I'm still not sure why I'm getting a much higher quote through FEDEX than DD said she got, they didn't allow me to enter an amount to insure the package, and like you said, I was under the impression that they didn't insure packages anyway. When I entered $0 for the customs value it didn't change by much. UPS did though. so perhaps I'm still not doing something right!

Mine was not a quote, that is the price I actually paid to ship from Canada to NZ. It shipped International Priority. Christina if you are located in the middle of no where there is an extra fee for that, but you can avoid it by dropping your item at an Airport ship location -- which I recommend anyways because it is safer and they have the safes there. You might also be putting in the wrong weight for your package. Select 1lb and a Medium FedEx box. Of course you then need to pack it correctly. I shipped something there that I sold, nothing exciting like a personal project unfortunately.

FedEx will insure jewelery up to a maximum of $1000 declared value domestically and internationally. UPS have a limit of $500 on jewelery. You have to read the fine print and particularly exclusions for items of extraordinary value. You need to read it yourself and not trust the clerks at the depots, they do not know the ins and outs and will sell you something not covered in the policy.

There is no way to ship jewelery insured with the major carriers for more than $1000, other than having your own insurance. There is a company called shipsurance that I use and they offer an additional $1000 coverage for reasonable rates, but that does not help much for engagement rings like we all have.

Jewelers Mutual covers your jewelery for all perils and in any country and whether you are wearing it or not! It is comprehensive and our premiums reflect it. DS they likely do not mind covering shipping since only maniacs like us ever ship anyways. A loss is unlikely in the grand scheme. NOTE that JM does not cover you for something called "voluntary parting" which includes selling your ring and shipping to a buyer. So don't reply on it in that situation. They DO cover new purchases though, when you ship them back for a refund, up to a max of about 20% of your insurance policy value. It is a very nice feature and I relied on it to ship my recent large purchase back via Fedex: I purchases $1000 from FedEx, $1000 from shipsurance, and the remaining $5000 was covered by my JM policy because I presently have $20k in insurance through them.

 

[Dreamer_D]

This makes me think now that if I send something registered, I can declare a very low value in order to just get the item sent safely (within the US) as long as the item is already insured. But I use Chubb so I'd actually have to check with them.

You do not need to buy insurance if you ship registered, but I would not fudge the declared value. They likely have better protections for higher priced items. Also in the event of a loss you would likely need to provide proof to JM that you indeed DID ship your ring, and if the value on your documentation from the post office does not match the value of your ring that *could* cause issues. Internationally, of course, you have no choice: You can choose not to insure but on the customs forms you must describe the contents and their value accurately. Which sucks because it does open you up to theft.

 

[Christina...]

Aha! Thanks Dreamer that's helpful, I am in the middle of no where and it was just a quote so that's likely the difference in cost. Good point about the airport, I'll remember that. Do you know off hand if JM requires that you use FEDEX, or is it just recommended?

Sorry Packrat, I feel like I'm mucking up your thread with all these questions, but at least it's all helpful and relevant for you too!

 

[packrat]

No no no, keep talking! It's good information to have!

 

[yssie]

I like C because I like the design around the outer bezel - do you not like the rope specifically, or is it styling the outer bezel? I like D too but like junebug says it doesn't really seem to "fit" with what I *know* about you, and the bold, modern styles you've always been partial to (IIRC). And it's nothing like the inspiration.

I do like the idea of A w/ a smaller yg bezel w/o milgrain and milgrain on the sidestones... maybe even milgrain on the inner wg bezel of the center and leave the outer bezel and sides polished?

Ditto Dreamer - no coloured stones! There's plenty of interesting things without



Ooooh Haven high-karat yg and lower-karat yg with Packy's stones sounds incredible!


I'm kinda glad you ruled out B, I see is a full, pouty pair of lips open to reveal four pointy teeth! Maybe I'm just weird like that.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

This makes me think now that if I send something registered, I can declare a very low value in order to just get the item sent safely (within the US) as long as the item is already insured. But I use Chubb so I'd actually have to check with them.

You do not need to buy insurance if you ship registered, but I would not fudge the declared value. They likely have better protections for higher priced items. Also in the event of a loss you would likely need to provide proof to JM that you indeed DID ship your ring, and if the value on your documentation from the post office does not match the value of your ring that *could* cause issues. Internationally, of course, you have no choice: You can choose not to insure but on the customs forms you must describe the contents and their value accurately. Which sucks because it does open you up to theft.

Well, the purpose of declaring value on USPS registered mail is for the insurance you add to the basic shipping fee. So you are technically paying to insure it for the full value if you tell them the full value! So I don't know what the answer is. I guess ship FedEx with no insurance and depend on the jewelry insurance. But I'd never do it without something in writing from Chubb! My diamond has been sent back and forth a few times and I always paid for the extra insurance. I'd have to see if you can refuse insurance and not give a value. (And of course, registered mail isn't even an option for NZ!!!)