James Allen/DCD...Has anyone had a ring custom made through this vendor?

[JonG]

I''m seriously considering purchasing both the diamonds and the ring from Jim and was wondering if anyone can attest to the quality of a custom setting purchased through him. It is going to be a platinum three stone princess cut with three sides of pave'' going halfway down the shank.

Thanks in advance of any info!

 

[JonG]

No one...huh. Well, how about your experiences in general with this vendor?

 

[widget]

Hi, JonG....

Do a search (box above) for "Dirt Cheap Diamonds" or DCD....there are pages and pages of references to them...

widget

 

[pearcrazy]

DCD has not made me any custom jewelry. I have purchased a loose diamond and a pair of diamond studs from them. I had a very good experience with my purchases and would buy from them again in the future.

 

[KristyDarling]

I''m currently in the process of buying a loose diamond and custom mounting from Jim. My mounting will be pretty simple -- platinum solitaire so I''m not anticipating any problems. They have a stellar reputation and I''ve really enjoyed working with them.

 

[Regular Guy]

Jon,

You also might do a "search," putting together "custom" and "DCD," linking the terms with the word "and."

I had a non-custom ring made for my wife summer before last, and was satisfied overall, however, I did have a minor problem with the craftsmanship of the ring, where they directed me to a jeweler local to me to remedy the problem at my cost. Though more lately, they seem to have put a renewed focus on the "rings" portion of their operation, so far as I know, he handles the fitting of his diamonds and rings through an agent who he works with at a distance. Though I''ve mentioned here before my thoughts about the quality control issues inherent in this arrangement (I don''t think he routinely sees the finished product before it "goes out the door"), I understand his business works with an "intermediate" model of handling this matter (more hands on than a smaller operation, less hands on than a larger one), and I imagine that most of the time, it works out fine.

 

[JonG]

Thanks! I need to be reassured I''m going with a reputable vendor.

 

[KristyDarling]

Update: Jim is going to have my solitaire made by a very experienced jeweler (who worked for Tiffany for years) and will send me images of the wax before proceeding with production. (it''s a teensy bit more involved than just a simple 6-prong Tiffany. It has surprise diamonds and uniquely shaped prongs)

I have a lot of faith in him, as he has been nothing but open and honest with me thus far. I haven''t met anyone yet on this forum who has anything negative to say about him or his jewelry.

 

[ello]

Jim sounds like quite the find. Anyone that worked for Tiffany, must be a respected jeweler. I''m excited to see the final result....please keep us updated.

 

[JonG]

I''m just worried about how the setting will come out, I''ll definately have to check out the pics when you get yours. I just read an article (from 2002) that he has teamed up with Carl Ansley from Houston to do custom work. He was manager of operations at Tiffany & Co. I''ll have to ask if this is the person who will be making my setting.

 

[JonG]

Here''s the link to the article...
http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2002_April_3/ai_84372326