Mark Morrell?

[RScowboy]

Just wondering if anyone who has had personal experience with Mark Morrell could tell me what your approximate project price range was for the work. No exact numbers please; I'm just wondering how much to have prepared before I approach him for custom work on an engagement ring. I understand that he is booked through late January, so I do not want to approach him this early, especially discussing the work to be done and the price. However, I would like to know what working with him runs, ballpark, so I can set some savings goals. BTW, this is minus the diamond... just the ring.
Don't mean to be rude to any party by asking. Please ignore the question if thats how you see it. Just looking for a rough approximation to fly by.

Thanks,
RS

 

[Colored Gemstone Nut]

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On 11/25/2003 10:36:31 PM RScowboy wrote:





Just wondering if anyone who has had personal experience with Mark Morrell could tell me what your approximate project price range was for the work. No exact numbers please; I'm just wondering how much to have prepared before I approach him for custom work on an engagement ring. I understand that he is booked through late January, so I do not want to approach him this early, especially discussing the work to be done and the price. However, I would like to know what working with him runs, ballpark, so I can set some savings goals. BTW, this is minus the diamond... just the ring.
Don't mean to be rude to any party by asking. Please ignore the question if thats how you see it. Just looking for a rough approximation to fly by.

Thanks,
RS
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Hi Rscowboy:

Keep a couple things in mind....

When considering Mark Morell's work it is top of the line. Mark has a very very good reputation for putting out high quality custom pieces and is a very accomplished platinumsmith..Because of this look at paying a premium for his pieces. Mark pays especially close attention to detail and craftsmanship and the finish and polish on his rings are really second to none.

As far as a ballpark price. Well I think the only way to get a ball-park price is prioritize what medium you would like for your ring (gold, platinum etc..) What do you expect to go in the piece.

Is it a pre-fabricated design or a design you would want Mark to go to the drawing board and work from scratch for you. All of these factors ultimately affect price. In platinum I would conservatively say look at paying upwards of 2,000 grand.

Mark possesses all the great qualities of a accomplished master at his craft. This will not come cheap but read the reviews and see some of the pieces he has created on the board. Some are in the "Show me the Ring" folder...

If some designs and styles are "ball park" at what you want...Maybe e-mail the posters and ask what they paid if your comfortable doing so. I think you will be surprised at how many people respond with their positive input and willingness to help...

Good Luck...

 

[RScowboy]

Thank you for the fair and appropriate response. I have read so much about Mark and his work, and admire what I see. I'm sure his work is worth double what he fairly charges for it. I'm pretty much sold on that desicion, I was just looking for a rough estimate of what I should have available before I approach him.
Thanks again for the response.
BTW, the ring would require design. I'd be giving him some ideas and samples, and then further design would be involved. Platnum, also.

RS

 

[pyramid]

I believe I have read that Mark Morrell will not accept a diamond from a member of the public but only through a vendor or jeweller. Maybe someone who has dealt with him can advise further on this?

 

[mike04456]

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On 11/26/2003 12:14:04 AM Colored Gemstone Nut wrote:

In platinum I would conservatively say look at paying upwards of 2,000 grand.

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2,000 grand = $2,000,000?

I knew Mark was expensive, but wow--that's quite a ring!

 

[Jax172]

We sent my diamond directly to Mark. However, he verfied my stone with GOG before he accepted it. I think he may work with you on this as long as you have a good enough "paper trail" on the stone. Such as appraisals, certs, etc.. But this is really a question for him.

And so is the price question. I can tell you my ring is heavy platinum and was less than the $2,000 previously mentioned. Alot less. But I knew what I wanted and Mark got the design down immediately, so we didn't have to go back and forth on that. It will all depend on the design, type and amount of metal he uses and time it takes to design and build it.

I don't think you will get an accurate estimate until you discuss it with him. Seriously, just email him. He is the best person to work with and will be more than willing to talk with you about estimates. Also, he gets booked fast. And it might be a wise idea to start the talking process now, so when he does become available to begin designing and working on it, you already have the basis down.

What I can say is that we found the ring to be of much better quality than any prefabricated ones. It's heavier, more solid and more fluid than any I have seen. The stone is set to perfection and I can't find a thing I would change. Also the whole experience could not have been better. And for all this, the price was not a whole lot more than a ready made ring in a similar style. I would highly recommend him. Just email him, I am sure he would be glad to tell you more about the process and maybe even give you an estimate without getting too involved in the design process.

GOOD LUCK!

 

[Colored Gemstone Nut]

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On 11/26/2003 3:01:00 PM LawGem wrote:

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On 11/26/2003 12:14:04 AM Colored Gemstone Nut wrote:

In platinum I would conservatively say look at paying upwards of 2,000 grand.

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2,000 grand = $2,000,000?

I knew Mark was expensive, but wow--that's quite a ring!

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Hi Lawgem,

I was thinking and was not paying attention to what I was writing..(I guess in your line of work you have to be anal when it comes to the details

)

 

[RScowboy]

Oh... we're talking less than 7 digits now?
Well sheesh... that's like pocket change in that case.

I didn't catch that the 1st time though..
funny though.

Thanks all for the replies. Just took the lady (who's name i will not mention just in case she is lurking about... fat chance, but still a chance) browsing today, and i think i'm ready to approach Mark. Thanks for the ballpark figures, it gives me more confidence in approaching him and a goal to kind of set in the meantime. I appreciate the information and recomendations.
Thanks a bunch all!
RS