LOGR and Ian.bo4 Settings ** Do You Upgrade? **

[Sniven]

Hello Everyone,

I am a long time lurker and have learned a lot from this forum, such as where to find trusted sellers on often dubious auction sites

I am planning on purchasing a setting from either LOGR or Ian.bo4 and was trying to figure out my bottom line from both. In your experience is it necessary to upgrade the cut and/or quality of the accent stones in either of these sellers settings?

Also, does anyone have a pic of either of these sellers 18kt Rose gold? I was thinking of doing something funky in two-tone

Thanks in advance

-Sniven

 

[Arcadian]

As far as having 18K rose, I do but I don't remember if there's pictures on the site. there may be. I know Platinum Rock had some of her's set in rose gold but I don't remember off the top of my head the Karat.

With LOGR my take on upgrading is this; if you want to make sure your diamonds match, then upgrade. I personally don't do it all the time because I'm not terribly particular on the diamonds. I don't loupe them because they're not big enough for all that. I do a visual because if I start louping, what am I really hoping to find on something that won't matter if I can't see it with my naked eye? I've only had one setting where they were visibly grayish (at least they matched though lol). The rest of my settings (there's a lot) do look very good. (the butterfly setting is my favorite LOGR setting...its kind of a narrow fit, just FYI)

I have a few totally upgraded settings (gold and diamonds),but its a rare thing for me to do.

I do upgrade the gold nearly all the time though, because I really like the feel of higher k gold (I'm so spoiled :bigsmile)

I had purchased from lanboy many moons ago..actually I bought 2 settings. One that was great (i'm wearing it today actually), the other I sent back because though I paid extra, it wasn't sized correctly for the stone. That put me off of them for a long time. They do have some settings I've seen that are very pretty but I have to admit I can't make myself pull the trigger on them again.

-A

 

[T L]

My violet/blue spinel is in 18K rose gold from LOGR. There's a billion photos of it all over the site.

This is probably the clearest photo I have of it. The diamonds are upgraded too. The bands are 18K yellow gold for comparison. I only upgrade the diamonds on the LOGR if they're big enough to make a difference, and sometimes if I win it on a low auction just because I saved money on the piece already. I also upgrade if the stone is a very special piece. The 14K rose gold is coppery, as is the 18K rose gold, but I think the 18K rose gold is more subtle.

 

[Sniven]

Thank you both for great answers!

TL- What a lovely setting. I really do like the look of the 18kt rose Thank you!

Arcadian - Thank you for your response. I am glad to hear the accent stones are consistent even if they are grey and thank you for the tip on the butterfly setting, I remember seeing that particular setting and it looked very nice. I am going to upgrade the gold for sure. It was such a nominal fee and I know what you mean about being spoiled (see: wife)

I have read on here that Ianbo has had issues with custom sizing before.I wonder if he still has these issues? My ring will have to be slightly smaller to fit my stone, so quality customization is important to me.

Thanks again for the great answers!

-Sniven

 

[purplemelody]

Hi, sorry to hijack your thread. I'm also curious about upgrading. Is it recommended to upgrade the colour grade or/and the clarity grade as well? Thanks in advance.

 

[jstarfireb]

I own one lan.bo4 and one LOGR setting, and I didn't upgrade the gold or diamonds on either. They look fine to me.

 

[Sniven]

I own one lan.bo4 and one LOGR setting, and I didn't upgrade the gold or diamonds on either. They look fine to me.

Did you have either of them do any custom work? if so, how were the results? - This question is for anyone else that can add their .02 as well

 

[T L]

If you don't upgrade the LOGR, you may be taking your chances and get frozen spit diamonds. That's happened to me on two occasions, but sometimes the default diamonds are nice.

 

[CharmyPoo]

For a cheapie setting, I might be able to live with frozen spit but the black spit .. blah.

 

[T L]

LOL!! They look like dirty snow!!

 

[m_kluch]

I ordered a setting from LOGR with the regular clarity diamonds and they look good to me. There are two diamonds that look a little darker than the rest in certain angles but nit enough to bother me.

 

[chrono]

To get a truly accurate answer, you also need to tell us how particular you are about the cut/clarity/colour of diamonds. Some people are not fussed at all as long as there are no black carbon spots, some refuse frozen spit melees and others insist on only transparent, colourless and sparkly melees. There is also another group will only accept precision cut diamond melees cut to exacting standards who probably will thumb their noses at the LOGR settings. It all depends on your tolerance level. If you do not upgrade, you risk getting differing levels of diamond melee quality; I’ve read that some people get lucky with clear unupgraded melees while others get some black spots or frozen spit quality melees.

 

[LD]

General observations:

LOGR
- upgrade if you want to be certain of getting good diamonds
- the cheaper the settings, you're more likely to get frozen spit diamonds (not a good look)!
- with the more expensive items, you tend to get much better quality
- good for custom made items and LOGR generally tend to modify correctly

Lanbo4
- cheaper settings generally contain nicer diamonds than LOGRs
- diamonds are more consistent in terms of matching
- however (nothing to do with diamonds), their custom work is very hit and miss

 

[Sniven]

To get a truly accurate answer, you also need to tell us how particular you are about the cut/clarity/colour of diamonds. Some people are not fussed at all as long as there are no black carbon spots, some refuse frozen spit melees and others insist on only transparent, colourless and sparkly melees. There is also another group will only accept precision cut diamond melees cut to exacting standards who probably will thumb their noses at the LOGR settings. It all depends on your tolerance level. If you do not upgrade, you risk getting differing levels of diamond melee quality; I’ve read that some people get lucky with clear unupgraded melees while others get some black spots or frozen spit quality melees.

I am not sure if I am expecting too much, but...

-No carbon
-No frozen spit
-Only transparent, colourless and sparkly melees
-No precission cut melees required

I have sent a couple emails to lan.bo4 and he said I won't have to upgrade the diamonds to achive the above, but his rep for custom work has me a little concerned.

Should I consider sending the stone to him to set? I am a little leary about doing so...has anyone done this here before?

BTW thank you for everyone's help so far

 

[Sniven]

Here is the setting I want to get:

http://cgi.ebay.ca/Heart-5mm-14Kt-Gold-Diamond-Setting-Semi-Mount-Ring-/200520280275?pt=Diamond_Solitaire_with_Accents&hash=item2eaff0a8d3

Does any one have this setting here? Care to share some pics?

 

[Taylorbug!]

I don't have this particular setting, but do have two settings (that were my first ones purchased) that I recently received. I didn't upgrade the diamonds and I have louped them and they look good to me.

Here are threads with pics if you would like to see them.

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/pink-peach-spinel-set.149228/
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/yellow-sapphire-pendant-set-too.149230/

 

[Sniven]

I don't have this particular setting, but do have two settings (that were my first ones purchased) that I recently received. I didn't upgrade the diamonds and I have louped them and they look good to me.

Here are threads with pics if you would like to see them.

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/pink-peach-spinel-set.149228/
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/yellow-sapphire-pendant-set-too.149230/

Wowza! Those are beautiful!!

Did you have lanbo do any custom work on them? They look like a perfect fit!

Thanks for sharing

 

[chrono]

I don’t need precision cut melees either but I am sensitive to the clarity and need the melees to at least sparkle a decent amount, much as you stated in your preference. To be on the safe side, I’ve upgraded both my LOGR settings and have not been disappointed. I cannot speak for Lanbo because I’ve never worked with them. Do NOT send your stone to China to be set. Not only do you risk losing it in-transit, the vendor might play the “I never received it” and it becomes the he said/she said headache for you. Not only that, there is the risk of damage to the stone during the setting process because we do not know how competent their benchpeople are. The safest method is to just order the setting, then have it set locally.

 

[Taylorbug!]

I don't have this particular setting, but do have two settings (that were my first ones purchased) that I recently received. I didn't upgrade the diamonds and I have louped them and they look good to me.

Here are threads with pics if you would like to see them.

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/pink-peach-spinel-set.149228/
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/yellow-sapphire-pendant-set-too.149230/

Wowza! Those are beautiful!!

Did you have lanbo do any custom work on them? They look like a perfect fit!

Thanks for sharing

Sniven, no custom work, they are stock settings without any modifications. I had actually purchased 3 stones and then looked for setting for them. I used a 9 x 7 oval for the spinel that was 8.01 x 6.43. The yellow sapphire pendant was for a 6 mm stone and mine was actually 6.17. I used a local benchperson to do the setting. Thanks for the compliments. Good luck with yours!~

 

[Sniven]

I don’t need precision cut melees either but I am sensitive to the clarity and need the melees to at least sparkle a decent amount, much as you stated in your preference. To be on the safe side, I’ve upgraded both my LOGR settings and have not been disappointed. I cannot speak for Lanbo because I’ve never worked with them. Do NOT send your stone to China to be set. Not only do you risk losing it in-transit, the vendor might play the “I never received it” and it becomes the he said/she said headache for you. Not only that, there is the risk of damage to the stone during the setting process because we do not know how competent their benchpeople are. The safest method is to just order the setting, then have it set locally.

I have decieded I am going to go with lanbo. I was prepared to upgrade the diamonds but he assured me I won't have to. They are listed as VS1 and F-G so if they are close to those grades I will be happy

I am concerned about his custom work, but I did tell him I found him though Pricescope, hopefully that helps

I wasn't really considering shipping it to them that seriously, I have a good local jeweller I use. I wonder if people actually send them out though?

I am still curious if anyone here has this setting?

-Sniven

 

[LD]

Telling a vendor that you belong to Pricescope unfortunately doesn't work. Custom work is custom work and Lanbo's isn't great. LOGR's is better but still not perfect.

In terms of your heart shape setting. Hearts are actually one of the more trickier stones to set because they come in a variety of sizes, fat, skinny, big deep cleavage, mini cleavage, pointy, rounded etc etc. Getting that particular setting modified for a heart shape will be risky. Not one I'd attempt. However, if you find a calibrated stone then you've got a much better chance but I'd definitely find the stone first. Also, you need to check whether this is a setting that the Vendor can modify. Some of LOGR and Lanbo's settings can't be changed - despite the advert saying it can.

Again, I can't remember who it was (apologies to the lovely PS member) but she sent tons and tons of very very very clear drawings with dimensions for an asscher cut and the setting wasn't right.

I believe one forum member sent her stone to be set (can't remember who it was shipped to LOGR or Lanbo) but inevitably it was "lost" in transit.

 

[Sniven]

Telling a vendor that you belong to Pricescope unfortunately doesn't work. Custom work is custom work and Lanbo's isn't great. LOGR's is better but still not perfect.

In terms of your heart shape setting. Hearts are actually one of the more trickier stones to set because they come in a variety of sizes, fat, skinny, big deep cleavage, mini cleavage, pointy, rounded etc etc. Getting that particular setting modified for a heart shape will be risky. Not one I'd attempt. However, if you find a calibrated stone then you've got a much better chance but I'd definitely find the stone first. Also, you need to check whether this is a setting that the Vendor can modify. Some of LOGR and Lanbo's settings can't be changed - despite the advert saying it can.

Again, I can't remember who it was (apologies to the lovely PS member) but she sent tons and tons of very very very clear drawings with dimensions for an asscher cut and the setting wasn't right.

I believe one forum member sent her stone to be set (can't remember who it was shipped to LOGR or Lanbo) but inevitably it was "lost" in transit.

Sorry for the ignorant question, but what is a calibrated stone?

I have the stone in my possession (have for a few years) and have had it appraised. I was going to use the appraisal measurements. Would that be enough to get a good fit?

I have checked with lanbo and he said it can be modified. I need roughly 4.5mm and the setting is 5mm. He charges a nominal fee for his custom work.

 

[LD]

Telling a vendor that you belong to Pricescope unfortunately doesn't work. Custom work is custom work and Lanbo's isn't great. LOGR's is better but still not perfect.

In terms of your heart shape setting. Hearts are actually one of the more trickier stones to set because they come in a variety of sizes, fat, skinny, big deep cleavage, mini cleavage, pointy, rounded etc etc. Getting that particular setting modified for a heart shape will be risky. Not one I'd attempt. However, if you find a calibrated stone then you've got a much better chance but I'd definitely find the stone first. Also, you need to check whether this is a setting that the Vendor can modify. Some of LOGR and Lanbo's settings can't be changed - despite the advert saying it can.

Again, I can't remember who it was (apologies to the lovely PS member) but she sent tons and tons of very very very clear drawings with dimensions for an asscher cut and the setting wasn't right.

I believe one forum member sent her stone to be set (can't remember who it was shipped to LOGR or Lanbo) but inevitably it was "lost" in transit.

Sorry for the ignorant question, but what is a calibrated stone?

I have the stone in my possession (have for a few years) and have had it appraised. I was going to use the appraisal measurements. Would that be enough to get a good fit?

I have checked with lanbo and he said it can be modified. I need roughly 4.5mm and the setting is 5mm. He charges a nominal fee for his custom work.

A calibrated stone is one that has been cut to a standard size i.e. 8 x 6, 6 x 4 etc etc.

The appraisal measurements won't tell you where the bulge is on the heart - ie towards the top, middle, etc. So what you may find is that in some areas the heart will hang over the diamonds and then there could be an airline at other points. Looking at the setting, you might be wise sticking to the 5mm without any modifications. That way, you'll have a minimal airline. I very rarely will modify a setting where the difference is .5mm.

Just to emphasize what I mean about differences in shapes, here are some piccies. All of these could need the same size setting but would look dramatically different in the same setting. This is just an example by the way and I have no idea how big these hearts are!!!

 

[platinumrock]

I've only dealt with LOGR so far. All of my settings have upgraded diamonds and 18K gold. I didn't want to take a risk with cloudy diamonds and have to send them back. So far, I've been satisfied with LOGR's workmanship.

 

[chrono]

Wow! PR, your rose gold LOGR is a perfect fit to bring out that luscious orange colour of the spessartite.

 

[Sniven]

Telling a vendor that you belong to Pricescope unfortunately doesn't work. Custom work is custom work and Lanbo's isn't great. LOGR's is better but still not perfect.

In terms of your heart shape setting. Hearts are actually one of the more trickier stones to set because they come in a variety of sizes, fat, skinny, big deep cleavage, mini cleavage, pointy, rounded etc etc. Getting that particular setting modified for a heart shape will be risky. Not one I'd attempt. However, if you find a calibrated stone then you've got a much better chance but I'd definitely find the stone first. Also, you need to check whether this is a setting that the Vendor can modify. Some of LOGR and Lanbo's settings can't be changed - despite the advert saying it can.

Again, I can't remember who it was (apologies to the lovely PS member) but she sent tons and tons of very very very clear drawings with dimensions for an asscher cut and the setting wasn't right.

I believe one forum member sent her stone to be set (can't remember who it was shipped to LOGR or Lanbo) but inevitably it was "lost" in transit.

Sorry for the ignorant question, but what is a calibrated stone?

I have the stone in my possession (have for a few years) and have had it appraised. I was going to use the appraisal measurements. Would that be enough to get a good fit?

I have checked with lanbo and he said it can be modified. I need roughly 4.5mm and the setting is 5mm. He charges a nominal fee for his custom work.

A calibrated stone is one that has been cut to a standard size i.e. 8 x 6, 6 x 4 etc etc.

The appraisal measurements won't tell you where the bulge is on the heart - ie towards the top, middle, etc. So what you may find is that in some areas the heart will hang over the diamonds and then there could be an airline at other points. Looking at the setting, you might be wise sticking to the 5mm without any modifications. That way, you'll have a minimal airline. I very rarely will modify a setting where the difference is .5mm.

Just to emphasize what I mean about differences in shapes, here are some piccies. All of these could need the same size setting but would look dramatically different in the same setting. This is just an example by the way and I have no idea how big these hearts are!!!

Thank you again for your insight. This whole world of placing stones with settings is totally foreign to me. I went and checked the exact measurements and they are as follows: 4.06 x 4.36 x 2.34

A bit smaller than I remebered...do you think I should have the setting modified?

 

[LD]

Telling a vendor that you belong to Pricescope unfortunately doesn't work. Custom work is custom work and Lanbo's isn't great. LOGR's is better but still not perfect.

In terms of your heart shape setting. Hearts are actually one of the more trickier stones to set because they come in a variety of sizes, fat, skinny, big deep cleavage, mini cleavage, pointy, rounded etc etc. Getting that particular setting modified for a heart shape will be risky. Not one I'd attempt. However, if you find a calibrated stone then you've got a much better chance but I'd definitely find the stone first. Also, you need to check whether this is a setting that the Vendor can modify. Some of LOGR and Lanbo's settings can't be changed - despite the advert saying it can.

Again, I can't remember who it was (apologies to the lovely PS member) but she sent tons and tons of very very very clear drawings with dimensions for an asscher cut and the setting wasn't right.

I believe one forum member sent her stone to be set (can't remember who it was shipped to LOGR or Lanbo) but inevitably it was "lost" in transit.

Sorry for the ignorant question, but what is a calibrated stone?

I have the stone in my possession (have for a few years) and have had it appraised. I was going to use the appraisal measurements. Would that be enough to get a good fit?

I have checked with lanbo and he said it can be modified. I need roughly 4.5mm and the setting is 5mm. He charges a nominal fee for his custom work.

A calibrated stone is one that has been cut to a standard size i.e. 8 x 6, 6 x 4 etc etc.

The appraisal measurements won't tell you where the bulge is on the heart - ie towards the top, middle, etc. So what you may find is that in some areas the heart will hang over the diamonds and then there could be an airline at other points. Looking at the setting, you might be wise sticking to the 5mm without any modifications. That way, you'll have a minimal airline. I very rarely will modify a setting where the difference is .5mm.

Just to emphasize what I mean about differences in shapes, here are some piccies. All of these could need the same size setting but would look dramatically different in the same setting. This is just an example by the way and I have no idea how big these hearts are!!!

Thank you again for your insight. This whole world of placing stones with settings is totally foreign to me. I went and checked the exact measurements and they are as follows: 4.06 x 4.36 x 2.34

A bit smaller than I remebered...do you think I should have the setting modified?

This is such a tough call. If you go with the unmodified 5mm, you'll definitely have an airline - it will be slight but will be there. Could you cope with that? Even if you drop to a 4.5mm you'll still have an airline in some places but not as noticeable. If you have a 4mm then (presuming the 4.36 measurement is the height of the stone), the top of the stone and very bottom will peak over the diamonds but there'll be no airline. I think if it were my stone and I didn't want an airline, a 4mm setting would be a safer option.

As I said, hearts are quite difficult to have set unless you go down the custom route and since your heart is so close to the 4mm I wouldn't go to the added expense of that.

 

[platinumrock]

Wow! PR, your rose gold LOGR is a perfect fit to bring out that luscious orange colour of the spessartite.

Thanks Chrono!! I'm really glad you like it. I love RG, and I will find any excuse to use it, as long as it doesn't clash with or overpower the stone. I'm still on a search for the perfect Fanta color like yours but with a pear shape like TL's. Then my trio will be complete.

 

[Sniven]

For those who care, I just purchased 2 settings from lan.bo4. One heart shaped and one for a princess cut . Neither were upgraded and I will post my results when thet come. I am looking at one from LOGR but haven't pulled thr trigger yet.

Thanks for everyones help

 

[Taylorbug!]

For those who care, I just purchased 2 settings from lan.bo4. One heart shaped and one for a princess cut . Neither were upgraded and I will post my results when thet come. I am looking at one from LOGR but haven't pulled thr trigger yet.

Thanks for everyones help

did you get the two setting you ordered?