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let''s talk price - reasonable price for my dream come true ering???

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mel047

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I''ve posted before that I wanted a cushion with a halo.

Finally met with a local jeweler who was absolutely amazing! I know it would probably be cheaper to deal with an online vendor, but BF and I decide we want to give this man business and support our local businesses. It''s a family run business; he''s great and his been in business for over 100 years.


We''re doing a custom setting to incorporate all the elements I want:
- Halo with a "rolling" pave head (similar to Leon''s r964)
- Open basket-like under bezel
- Band that can sit nearly flush
- 1.6mm band with diamonds

The setting will be around $4,000-5,000.

The jeweler is a lazare fan, so we''re looking at a cushion around 1.25 carats. He''s gonna discount the diamond, (by 25% which I was surprised by, didn''t expect this much) so for a J SI2 it''ll be around $6,500.

Basically, to get everything I want, we''re looking at somewhere between $10,000 - $12,000.

Okay, here come the questions...
- Does this quote seem reasonable?
- Our budget is $8,000-$9,000, any suggestions to decrease the price? (I was thinking plain band and if necessary go down in carat size
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- Does it seem crazy to spend so much on a setting, especially for a lesser quality diamond?

Thanks in advance for any great advice and for reading my super long post.
I''m going to try to post pictures of settings I was inspired by.
 
I want a setting pretty close to this, but one that will allow a band to sit almost flush. My wonderful engineer BF came up with a solution that should allow me to have this type of head and a flush band.

Stole this picture off of PS, but don''t know where. Sorry I can''t give it due credit.

melsetting047.jpg
 
Want the halo to be very similar to this, with the rolling pave head.

r964_040Ww.jpg
 
I would be very cautious trying to copy Leon's work. He really is a master and I have heard many stories of jewellers trying to copy this level of craftmanship and not being able to pull it off. I would say, if you want a Leon design, go the original. Have you got a quote from Leon?

As for the budget breakdown, IMHO opinion I would say trying to maximise the size and quality of your diamond and perhaps using a temporary setting, and then upgrading later - I guess only if you are really set on a larger stone.

I totally hear you when you say you want to use your jeweller, but maybe you could look around here and get an idea of what you would save. Again, it's totally up to you, but I know I would much prefer to get the size diamond I wanted and have say Whiteflash do a custom setting in budget, than sacrificing my ring just to give someone our business. I don't really think they are giving you the discount you think either, even with that discount, they are more than likely still above online prices.

I really hope this post doesn't offend, I guess it does sound rather negative. I just really want you to get the ring of your dreams in budget and it is possible.

Maybe you could check out Whiteflash and look at some of their custom pieces. There would really is top quality

Good luck with whatever ring you chose though, what an exciting time for you both!
 
Date: 5/12/2008 5:24:29 PM
Author: honey22
I would be very cautious trying to copy Leon''s work. He really is a master and I have heard many stories of jewellers trying to copy this level of craftmanship and not being able to pull it off. I would say, if you want a Leon design, go the original. Have you got a quote from Leon?


As for the budget breakdown, IMHO opinion I would say trying to maximise the size and quality of your diamond and perhaps using a temporary setting, and then upgrading later - I guess only if you are really set on a larger stone.


I totally hear you when you say you want to use your jeweller, but maybe you could look around here and get an idea of what you would save. Again, it''s totally up to you, but I know I would much prefer to get the size diamond I wanted and have say Whiteflash do a custom setting in budget, than sacrificing my ring just to give someone our business. I don''t really think they are giving you the discount you think either, even with that discount, they are more than likely still above online prices.


I really hope this post doesn''t offend, I guess it does sound rather negative. I just really want you to get the ring of your dreams in budget and it is possible.


Maybe you could check out Whiteflash and look at some of their custom pieces. There would really is top quality


Good luck with whatever ring you chose though, what an exciting time for you both!
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Dittoing everything Honey said ....
 
Ok, more bad news I guess. Even with that discount on the stone, you are paying too much.

These are some ACAs - top quality ideal cut stones, the best cut you can buy pretty much, you won't do better than these. Some of these are higher colour and clarity that you listed, have AGS certs and with PS discount will be less than $6.5K.

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-906736.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-906723.htm (touch smaller, 1.5K cheaper!)

Acutally there are heaps in your budget, so I will just link a quick search I did.

http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/SearchResult.aspx?isStatic=false

You are not going to able to tell the difference between 1.15ct and 1.25cts, and without the details of the stone you are looking at, we are not even sure that's it's cut well, it could be deep and facing up smaller than it should. Good luck!

Another side note, with SI clarities, you will need to ask if it is eyeclean, many are but some are not. You won't want to end up with a stone of that size with a big ole inclusion smack back in the table.
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ETA - Sorry verbal diarrhoea now - bad idea to get me started. I have found a J VS2 which should be eyeclean no worries (it's rare for a VS2 to not be eyeclean)

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-210382.htm
 
I AM SUCH A MORON!!!!!!! I just read you wanted a cushion - excuse me, I am such an idiot!!!!!
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Please excuse me, it''s only 7.30 in the morning here, can I use that as an excuse?! Ignore all the above rubbish.
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HI THERE! First I want to say congrats on the upcoming engagement! Now to the fun part, the ring!
I have a cushette (cushion diamond but different brillance) and am also looking at halos and want to say it''s proabably best that you go thru leon...I wouldn''t try to copy his work. I understand that you want to go thru a local jewler, but have you seen any of his custom work? You search leon and TONS of threads pop up and you KNOW you will be getting PERFECTION! I''m not sure you want to invest 5k in someone you may or may not have seen their work. It''s a lot of money!
About the stone, I did a quick search here for J SI2 stones and there is one from james allen for about 3700.00
Now I''m not sure about the rest of the quality of the stone, but, well 6500.00 is a lot compared to 3700.00.

What about this one from WF

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-906736.htm

with the pricescope discout its 6458.00 and I do believe leon works for WF as well. You would have to make sure the diamond is eye clean, but you cant go wrong with ACA diamond! If you want to give some business to that jewler perhaps you can buy your hubby''s band there and any bridal party gifts through him. Send WF the pictures and let them give you a quote. You can also choose what the metal type is, because white gold is going to be cheapest, etc. Although Leon may only work in platium, I''m not sure. I hope this helps!
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A quick search on the pricescope search engine shows cushions with your specs listed for around $3,000.

ETA: If I were you, I'd maybe rethink the family jeweler. I'm sure he's great but it's a lot of money you could be saving.
 
Date: 5/12/2008 5:42:25 PM
Author: redrose229
Ditto that! I did the same thing! Contact Jonathan at Goodoldgold or Mark at ERD for a cushion. Sorry

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond.php?d=3683&shape=2208&ctMin=1.2&ctMax=1.8&clarity=112&color=112&resultsColumns=268435471&singleResult=1


The price on this one which is better color is 5292.79 with bank wire. Which is WAY cheaper than one at the jewlers and I know Jonathan hand picks only the best! Good luck and sorry again!
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Maybe us 'Stephanie's' are just having a funny day
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Or, great minds think alike hey?
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Another note - the Leon that works at WF isn't the 'Leon' we are rave about. Great jeweller at WF, beautiful work, knows his stuff, just not the same person. When we say Leon, we mean Leon Mege - Art of Platinum website
 
That stone is still WAY WAY too expensive especially if it isn''t certified by GIA or AGS. AND you could probably get a Leon setting for $5000.

I don''t know, it seems like a lot to overpay AND to potentially get a subpar product...
 
Thanks for the input! While it is a bit disheartening, I appreciate the honesty; it''s exactly what I wanted/needed to hear. I like the suggestion of using the jeweler for other things, so maybe I''ll just do that. (Is it rude to have had spent so much time planning with him and then not going with him?)

I would love to get a Leon setting, but here are my uncertainties...
- Is $5,000 a reasonable budget to get the pave setting I want with Leon?
- I really want to wear a band with my ring and I know he is not a fan of that, so I doubt he''ll work with us to get something that will allow this.
- Will he work with a 1ctish J stone?
- How difficult is it to work with him and never get to meet with him?

I''ve debated on going with Mark at EGR since he''s the acclaimed cushion expert, which is best: Leon or Mark?

Side note: I love you guys! Other than BF who is super patient, don''t know anyone who wants to talk about rings/jewelery in this much detail!
 
Date: 5/12/2008 6:25:21 PM
Author: mel047
Thanks for the input! While it is a bit disheartening, I appreciate the honesty; it''s exactly what I wanted/needed to hear. I like the suggestion of using the jeweler for other things, so maybe I''ll just do that. (Is it rude to have had spent so much time planning with him and then not going with him?)


I would love to get a Leon setting, but here are my uncertainties...

- Is $5,000 a reasonable budget to get the pave setting I want with Leon?

- I really want to wear a band with my ring and I know he is not a fan of that, so I doubt he''ll work with us to get something that will allow this.

- Will he work with a 1ctish J stone?

- How difficult is it to work with him and never get to meet with him?


I''ve debated on going with Mark at EGR since he''s the acclaimed cushion expert, which is best: Leon or Mark?


Side note: I love you guys! Other than BF who is super patient, don''t know anyone who wants to talk about rings/jewelery in this much detail!
Click to expand...

I''d get the diamond from Mark (at ERD, btw), and then have him walk it across the street to Leon for the setting. VERY EASY.

And Leon will certainly work with your stone, but be aware that he WILL have opinions about what it should look like with a smaller stone.
 
Mark has certainly done some gorgeous settings, too, so you could consider him for the stone and setting. Or, he could just find you a stone like Neatfreak said, and send it over to Leon.

If you go with a Leon setting, I''d bite the bullet and get a stone that you think you''ll love forever. Just be forwarned that a setting like that is really not meant for fulltime daily wear.
 
Date: 5/12/2008 5:37:49 PM
Author: honey22
I AM SUCH A MORON!!!!!!! I just read you wanted a cushion - excuse me, I am such an idiot!!!!!
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Please excuse me, it''s only 7.30 in the morning here, can I use that as an excuse?! Ignore all the above rubbish.
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lol your funny honey - its the effort that counts! now get back out there and look for cushions!
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Date: 5/12/2008 6:25:21 PM
Author: mel047
Thanks for the input! While it is a bit disheartening, I appreciate the honesty; it's exactly what I wanted/needed to hear. I like the suggestion of using the jeweler for other things, so maybe I'll just do that. (Is it rude to have had spent so much time planning with him and then not going with him?)

I would love to get a Leon setting, but here are my uncertainties...
- Is $5,000 a reasonable budget to get the pave setting I want with Leon?
- I really want to wear a band with my ring and I know he is not a fan of that, so I doubt he'll work with us to get something that will allow this.
- Will he work with a 1ctish J stone?
- How difficult is it to work with him and never get to meet with him?

I've debated on going with Mark at EGR since he's the acclaimed cushion expert, which is best: Leon or Mark?

Side note: I love you guys! Other than BF who is super patient, don't know anyone who wants to talk about rings/jewelery in this much detail!
Click to expand...
Mel, it may help you to read this thread. Pretty much all your questions i have raised in my own thread - price, diffculty to work with etc..i think it will help you to hear some opinions and from people who have worked with L.M https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/should-i-get-a-leon.84686/
as far as is your budget big enough, the only way to know is to request a quote on his website - really easy and he gets back to you quickly. I second the others about not imitating his pave work - I will be basing my solitaire on his designs , but hey thats just a solitaire right
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