Is this a good quality Custom ring? (attach.)

[antiqueasscher]

I bought an asscher (kickin, thanks to Storm) and had a custom ring done by a reputable jeweler that has been recommended by many on this forum. I don''t want to reveal names right now in order to get an honest opinion from people, but am wondering what you think of the quality of the workmanship in this custom ring I had done.

I had nothing but good things to say about the jeweler after purchasing the diamond from them, but have had problems with the quality of the ring I was given. The first ring that I was sent had OBVIOUS flaws to it and I sent the jeweler pictures and he agreed to have the company that makes his rings (a separate company from the jeweler) remake the ring. I was just sent a picture of the progress on the remake and am still seeing some things that I don''t fully like. The jeweler has tried to convince me that any handmade ring is going to have some variation between the 2 sides the the ring and won''t be perfect, but I am finding it hard to accept that. I am starting to question the quality of the work this guy is trying to sell me.

SO, I want your help PSers what do you think of the images of the ring. What problems, if any, do you see and what do you think of the quality of the craftsmanship. IF, you see problems, what are they and what steps do you recommend I take with the jeweler as this is already the 2nd ring he''s making.

THANK YOU all for any help and responses.

 

[snlee]

I can see that the design is not symmetrical on both sides. The right side has bigger gaps. However, I've never had any custom work done before so I can't give you any advice on what to do.

 

[surfgirl]

Aside from snlee''s comments, the prongs look pretty funky - chunky actually. But I dont know what they''ll look like from above.

 

[snlee]

I noticed the prongs/head look a little funky too - chunky and scratched up. But I wasn't sure if changes would be made after the diamond is set?

 

[Love in Bloom]

I agree about the symmetry...I think it has to do with the basket. The shank and shoulders look okay, but that head looks beat up.

 

[kcoursolle]

The millgrain and engraving look pretty nice, but the prongs look like they need to be polished and there is a larger gap on the right side of the basket compared to the left in the photo.

 

[neatfreak]

I think SOME variation is/can be expected with detailed work like this. But it should NOT be like this. The sides clearly do not look at all alike, the gaps are very different and the leaves don't even meet the shank on the right side. But the milgraining looks nice, I think the symmetry just needs to be corrected with the gaps.

I assume the dents in the prongs will be buffed out, right?

 

[iheartscience]

I definitely see the asymmetry between the two sides. I''m assuming the head of the ring is unfinished?

You know, if you''re not happy with this ring and it''s the second time around, I would just tell the jeweler it''s unacceptable and try to get your money back and move on. As far as the handmade explanation, I personally would rather have a cast ring that looks perfect over a handmade one that is obviously asymmetrical. Unless it''s an actual antique I really think it should start out looking pristine.

The setting style is very pretty but it doesn''t seem like it would be that hard to find a similar setting that isn''t custom/handmade. I know Ritani and Tacori have some gorgeous antique style settings and I think everyone who has one on here has been very happy with the craftsmanship. I''m sure there are other great designers out there people can recommend as well.

 

[Diamond*Dana]

I definitely notice the differences between the 2 sides of the shank, and the prongs look strange...can''t put my finger on exactly what, though.

 

[MWG]

First, what is the magnification of the picture? Seems to be at least 40x

Is that a finished product or not? Please tell me it is not finished.

What metal is that?

How big are melees on the side?

Have you seen this ring in person or just this image?

The hand engraving looks very nice!!!


MWG

 

[Cehrabehra]

I see HUGE flaws, but the pic shows a ring that I could wear as a tiara.

Here''s more realistic sizes..... not to say things can''t be fixed a bit, but be realistic!

 

[strmrdr]

I''m picky and I see things that are unfixable that are going to look wonky in the finished ring.
Tell em to scrap it and get your money back.

 

[antiqueasscher]

Sorry, I should have noted, as many have, that the basket is still unfinished and will have engraving, etc.

I have requested more pictures, because one explanation that I could see is if the camera or the ring is slightly titled to the left, then it will make any gaps on the left appear smaller and this could explain why the "petal" on the left side doesn''t appear to touch the basket as the "petal" on the right does.

If the pictures don''t lie and the sides are that different, as others have stated I don''t think I can accept the ring.

 

[antiqueasscher]

Could you please explain further what you see and why you say it''s unfixable? Thanks

 

[strmrdr]

...

 

[fanboy]

That looks pretty bad. As other have pointed out, the left and right sides aren''t symmetrical. Also, to me, the finishing is kind of sloppy. The milgrain is not as fine or as uniform as I''d want it to be. If you don''t mind me asking--who made this ring?

 

[yellowsparkles]

Date: 6/17/2007 2:45:12 PM
Author: strmrdr
...

Exactly what I noticed about the ring. I know having something magnified this large, you are bound to see some flaws. I dunno, but this would bug me and I don''t think I would be happy with the finished product.

 

[GemView]

You asked, so here''s my impression:

1. The basket/head is skewed slightly to the right. It’s not on the level.

2. The ellipses on the left are not spaced evenly in comparison with the right, and the last one (bottom) looks somewhat squashed.

3. The inner edge does not form a perfect circle. The inner circle flattens out and elongates under the prongs.

On a positive note, the milgrain looks very consistent and deeply etched, which means it won''t wear off anytime soon. Overall, the setting also looks very substantial, and when the symmetry issues are fixed and it has a nice polish I don’t think it will look “chunky”. (If you are concerned about that, however, the one place that might be a bit on the heavy side is the basket.)

As an anecdote, I was originally going to have my e-ring custom designed and eventually still plan to; however, what I found in my preliminary research is that many of the places that offer custom work are not manufacturing on site. Instead they relay the customer’s design to a third party, and you have to take a middleman''s word for the work (and even if the workmanship is good you still run the risk of a communication breakdown whenever a go between is involved). Personally, I would only have custom work done by a local jeweler who can show you a store full of his or her work, and how the process works start to finish. This is the only way you can get a feel for whether the jeweler who makes your custom design is as much of a perfectionist as you are .

As best I can tell, the problem with your semi mount boils down to the fact that the mold is not symmetrical so the casting is not either. I am not sure who drew the picture that became the basis for the mold, but it is possible that the problems exists in the picture and that they made no attempt to check alignment and symmetry before creating the mold.

The last flaw I mentioned nobody will notice, but the first two problems may become more annoying with time. The mistake I made in selecting my e-ring with my fiancé — the store bought one that is — is that the accent stones are not colorless, yet I have a certified ideal-cut colorless center stone that looks bluish white in sunlight. I put all my energy into selecting an outstanding center stone using my Pricescope education as a guide, but I selected the setting impulsively for the unique style not really scrutinizing the stones it had in it in the same way I had scrutinized the loose diamond. Consequently, next to my 1 carat round stone the accent stones look positively vanilla yellow under natural sunlight (and certainly not the G-H color the salesperson said they were — more like a K or even an L

). I tried to ignore it but over the past year or so I''ve never gotten used to it, and I feel that the mismatched accent stones, even though they sparkle, detract from the beauty of the center stone. Consequently, I''m seriously thinking of having the diamond pulled out and placed in a plain setting with no competition from side stones whatsoever.

So that''s my 2¢ regarding the flaws in the setting and the dangers of trying to "overlook" a questionable first impression. Good luck!

 

[WorkingHardforSmallRewards]

Strm, this is what you mean by off center right?

 

[MWG]

Really what surprises me is that they sent you images of an unfinished project. I know when Maytal was making our e-ring, I ask her if she could send images as she went along, so I could share with Pricescope, plus I was very curious.

She said, that she does not do that because the process is not pretty at all and most consumers would panic because the product "in the process of being made" does not resemble the finished product in their minds. I understood that and it made sense to me.

Personally, since so many FLAWS have been found so far, I would seriously doubt the maker of the ring is going to make this ring look right. Because if he/she were a "real craftsman", then it would not look this way right now.

Good Luck and keep us posted
MWG

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 6/17/2007 4:48:30 PM
Author: WorkingHardforSmallRewards
Strm, this is what you mean by off center right?

basically but your line isn't centered either, because of the way its sitting you have to take equal measurements from the sides at several points and try too connect the dots to get a center line. but the concept is the same and its off center.

 

[WorkingHardforSmallRewards]

Yea you are right. I didnt draw my line 90 degrees to the bottom, I just picked a spot and drew it straight up 90 degrees to the bottom of the picture, not necessarily adjusted for the canter of the ring

But I believe it is off center as well, just not so badly As I have shown in that picture. Honestly, it looks like he just mushed the whole left side every so slightly when he put the head it. But I don''t know anything, just my inexperienced observation.

 

[door knob solitaire]

This is a good example of the power of PS.

I was looking at the setting and thought it was OK... What is the fuss? Then when storm got out the magic pink marker...wow. Storm...your eye is amazing!! I thought it was just the miligrain that was off. But you found everything of importance. I now can see other things that don''t jive. You know those puzzles can you find the hidden objects in this picture? I think you spent many an hour training your eye.

I agree with MWG who mentioned an experienced craftsman would never turn this out. But I think adding the attribute of with a conscience is a key point. Being handmade one should give a little for an imperfection here or there...but this one seems to have pegged the flaw meter.

I have no experience with a custom piece...but I have spent many an hour staring at and drooling over settings. On the internet they are mostly enlarged to show detail.

However, this one disturbs me. I was wondering if anyone had an image of a similar setting that could be enlarged for this poster? Would that help him see what a BETTER crafted ring should look like at this magnification? Obviously not a MWM or Leon...as those are just too perfect.

I too vote for a no go on this setting. Your stone is too KICKIN as you mentioned for anything less that perfect.

DKS

 

[antiqueasscher]

The thing that I don''t understand is that this jeweler is an online jeweler that people on PS rave about and have had numerous good experiences with. I know that he uses a 3rd party to make custom rings, but that person is also well respected and highly talked about on this site.

I was very satisfied w/ my diamond purchase from this vendor and still am hoping to end up happy with my ring purchase in the end. Because of this I''m not ready to give the jewelers name out, but will definitely be ready to give more details of the story later if this doesn''t end well. As I mentioned before he made a ring (of this design) that we found the craftsmanship on to be unacceptable. My fiance is still wearing this ring while the new one is being remade, since all parties agreed the 1st was unacceptable and I was told they could fix the errors and we could keep this ring until they needed it sent back to switch the center diamond to the new ring.

So, this is where we stand now, with 1 unacceptable ring and a 2nd appearing to possibly still not up to par. I am just very surprised at the quality I''ve been shown from all the good I''ve heard about this jeweler, not to mention I don''t like to admit to having been an idiot by choosing to go through an online jeweler and get screwed as many people will warn you.

 

[antiqueasscher]

Here is the ring that it was modeled off of. I had them bring down all the detail work a bit further on the sides (to around a 9:00 and 3:00 position) and a few other minor changes.

http://www.knoxjewelers.biz/index.htm?crn=203&rn=303&action=show_detail

 

[WorkingHardforSmallRewards]

I wouldn''t worry about being screwed. They are in the process of making you a new ring and are sending you pictures of it along the way, without even making you send the one you have back. If worse comes to worse you can just buy one from somewhere else, switch your diamond out and send them the ring back and get your refund. I am new here but I don''t think they would mess around after reading this PS post

 

[strmrdr]

Rings like that are a very specialized skill set.
Its very possible for someone to be able to make a totally awesome ring of a different design but not pull one of these off.
It is a tough design to get right.
It sounds like the custom ring maker/benchman should have declined the job.

 

[pricescope]

IMHO, and i have seen thousands of ring pictures of different scales, your ring (remember it's not completed and that bar strmrd marked FUGLY on the picture is a raw prep metal part for the horizontal pave on the basket)

"Fugly" prongs are that bulk for the pave underneath and not necessarily be that think on top. The head NOT off center.

Millgrain is WAY better than on the original picture.

Spacing issues should be pointed out to your dealer and taken care of, though the scale of this problem is not as "shown". Well i took a look at it again and it's obvious that the ring is tilted on the left so the basket is overshadowing the left "prong-to-first-leaf" space with appears darker and smaller then the right.
So there could be a difference in spacing, but could be not.


Pictures of this stage of work should never be shown to clients, not smart.


ETA: antiqueasscher, is it possible to post a photo of the first ring? I would like to see a finished work of this jeweler.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 6/17/2007 11:47:32 PM
Author: antiqueasscher
The thing that I don''t understand is that this jeweler is an online jeweler that people on PS rave about and have had numerous good experiences with. I know that he uses a 3rd party to make custom rings, but that person is also well respected and highly talked about on this site.

I was very satisfied w/ my diamond purchase from this vendor and still am hoping to end up happy with my ring purchase in the end. Because of this I''m not ready to give the jewelers name out, but will definitely be ready to give more details of the story later if this doesn''t end well. As I mentioned before he made a ring (of this design) that we found the craftsmanship on to be unacceptable. My fiance is still wearing this ring while the new one is being remade, since all parties agreed the 1st was unacceptable and I was told they could fix the errors and we could keep this ring until they needed it sent back to switch the center diamond to the new ring.

So, this is where we stand now, with 1 unacceptable ring and a 2nd appearing to possibly still not up to par. I am just very surprised at the quality I''ve been shown from all the good I''ve heard about this jeweler, not to mention I don''t like to admit to having been an idiot by choosing to go through an online jeweler and get screwed as many people will warn you.

Please don''t feel bad, nothing is your fault!

Every good jeweler can''t turn out every single thing perfectly. They all have their days.

I think it''s a positive sign that they agreed the first was not acceptable, and are trying to do it again. However, as strm suggested, this may be one time they should have declined. The end result remains to be seen....

Please let us know what happens!

 

[rainydaze]

eeekk! i would be ill over the way that setting is looking, but it''s reassuring that a few posters have said unfinished rings should never be shown to the customer as they don''t accurately represent the finished product. sounds like some of the issues are due to the position of the ring in the photo, and to the fact that it is still in an unfinished state. let''s hope so! i hope it turns out well for you, and will be following this thread. and i respect your restraint in not giving the vendor''s name yet. naturally i am curious as all get-out, but it will surely affect him negatively and all for naught if the end result is beautiful and acceptable.