Lucida Setting at B&M vs Vatche X-Prong

[kace]

Just got back from a B&M jeweler and they had the same-looking setting (Lucida) as the Vatche x-prong setting but for less than 1/2 the price ($575) compared to the Vatche, which I was quoted $1375 not including the modification for a radiant diamond. Both were platinum. The B&M''s setting felt heavier though. B/c I didn''t have the Vatche setting for direct comparison, I couldn''t see any other differences. Please share your thoughts about possible differences between the two. I don''t know if the price differential on the Vatche setting justifies the extra cost. TIA.

 

[valeria101]

Date: 7/16/2005 3:34:45 PM
Author:kace

Please share your thoughts about possible differences between the two. I don''t know if the price differential on the

Probably not much... there are allt of cheaper ''Lucida style'' settings. The weight of the metal has little to do with the price here - manufacturing does.

Many of the cheaper ones are cast in one piece, while the prongs of the more expensive ones are fabricated from platinum wire and look more defined (think of what a real basket woven of reeds looks like as opposed to a version cast in platic!). I must say that a good finish (setting, polishing insie out, posibly carving out the relief of the crossed prongs) goes a long way towards reducing any substantial difference between the two versions. That''s why I like Wink''s rings so much

... just kidding, but he does make his point about just this (the finish of castings, that is - see frontpage at winkjones.com).

Hope some of this helps. An no, I have no reason to support Wink''s shop ... it just makes an example of what you can demand from one of these non-designer settings. They are not half bad.