raddygast
Shiny_Rock
- Joined
- Oct 20, 2004
- Messages
- 179
Hello all,
I have not yet asked this on these forums, as I have been hanging out in the Colored Stones subsection, but I thought now would be the time.
I am looking for suggestions on Toronto area jewellers? I already have two that I have been checking out, but the city is very large and I want to consider all options. Here are the parameters.
I will, most likely, be acquiring my own stone (not a diamond). It will be a red spinel (Mohs' scale: and so will not cause any difficulty in setting. I do realize that jewellers are often reluctant to take a customer's stone, but they must do it sometimes because there are lots of people out there who set "heirloom" diamonds. In terms of insurance liability, I realize it's a risk if the stone just shatters, but I'll take that risk.
What I'm looking for is a jeweller/metalsmith specializing in custom settings. I don't want anything too weird and artistic, because this is for an e-ring and I want the design to fare well over the years. At the same time, I don't want a purely "classic" setting. I'm looking for someone who can come up with sketches or designs based on a conversation and maybe a review of some designs I've seen that me and my GF like.
Above all I want someone who is REALLY up on their alloys. I really want to go platinum but I'm on a budget and may have to do WG, and so I want someone that has a lot of experience, not someone who'll just push the nickel-WG alloys on me. Would rather palladium white gold, or at least a jeweller that can show me several options and how their appearance differs. Also want someone who will stand by their setting and state that it does not need rhodium plating. Would rather avoid the plating if possible.
If anyone has personal experiences, please let me know. I know (from the search function) that a lot of you members are actually from Toronto, but what I'm looking for isn't where to purchase a stone, it's where to best design and craft a wonderful setting for an unusual gem.
Many thanks in advance,
I have not yet asked this on these forums, as I have been hanging out in the Colored Stones subsection, but I thought now would be the time.
I am looking for suggestions on Toronto area jewellers? I already have two that I have been checking out, but the city is very large and I want to consider all options. Here are the parameters.
I will, most likely, be acquiring my own stone (not a diamond). It will be a red spinel (Mohs' scale: and so will not cause any difficulty in setting. I do realize that jewellers are often reluctant to take a customer's stone, but they must do it sometimes because there are lots of people out there who set "heirloom" diamonds. In terms of insurance liability, I realize it's a risk if the stone just shatters, but I'll take that risk.
What I'm looking for is a jeweller/metalsmith specializing in custom settings. I don't want anything too weird and artistic, because this is for an e-ring and I want the design to fare well over the years. At the same time, I don't want a purely "classic" setting. I'm looking for someone who can come up with sketches or designs based on a conversation and maybe a review of some designs I've seen that me and my GF like.
Above all I want someone who is REALLY up on their alloys. I really want to go platinum but I'm on a budget and may have to do WG, and so I want someone that has a lot of experience, not someone who'll just push the nickel-WG alloys on me. Would rather palladium white gold, or at least a jeweller that can show me several options and how their appearance differs. Also want someone who will stand by their setting and state that it does not need rhodium plating. Would rather avoid the plating if possible.
If anyone has personal experiences, please let me know. I know (from the search function) that a lot of you members are actually from Toronto, but what I'm looking for isn't where to purchase a stone, it's where to best design and craft a wonderful setting for an unusual gem.
Many thanks in advance,