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Melbourne Australia Jewellers willing to set 3rd Party Diamond? (arjunajane)

W

winddrifter

Rough_Rock
Joined
May 6, 2010
Messages
19
Hi All,

I have just bought a Diamond from GOG and am looking to get a setting done in Melbourne along with the Wedding Bands.

Can anyone recommend Jewellers in Melbourne, Australia who are willing to set diamonds sourced from other locations?

This is the list I have already compiled but just looking for more :)

Gary Holloway - http://www.preciousmetals.com.au
Johan - www.diamondexchange.com.au
Phillip - www.PLATINUMSMITH.COM.AU

If I did purchase the setting over the internet is it easier to make a ring larger or smaller if it didn''t fit?

Cheers,
WindDrifter
 
Hi Winddrifter

I have not used these guys myself - but I have recommended them to a friend she loves their service so much - so also converted her sister:

Ken Gray Alister Reid Gallery http://www.grayreidgallery.com.au/

what I loved about these guys was that there was no pressure to work with them - they were happy to show me what they can do

if I did not go with Jim Meyer (in the USA) I would have used these guys for sure as I was comfortable with their style and approach

my friend had old rings restored as well as new ones created

what is important is that you visit a few places to get a feel for the right jeweller for you
 
Thanks for that I will have a look at them.

Yeah I am compiling a list now.

I think it would be great if pricescope allowed people to add or recommend Jewellers on their site for different countries. It would make it so easier! :)
 
Hi WindDrifter,

Sorry, I don''t know about any great jewellers in Melboune apart from Gary Holloway, but just wanted to advise you against going with Melbourne Diamond Exchange for your settings. They were excellent when it came to getting me the perfect diamond, but the craftsmanship of the solitaire setting was quite disappointing. I had to have it fixed/remade by a local jeweller.

All the best and I hope to see pictures of the finished wedding set soon!

Chiquitapet
 
Date: 5/16/2010 4:48:07 AM
Author: heliotrope
Hi Winddrifter

I have not used these guys myself - but I have recommended them to a friend she loves their service so much - so also converted her sister:

Ken Gray Alister Reid Gallery http://www.grayreidgallery.com.au/

what I loved about these guys was that there was no pressure to work with them - they were happy to show me what they can do

if I did not go with Jim Meyer (in the USA) I would have used these guys for sure as I was comfortable with their style and approach

my friend had old rings restored as well as new ones created

what is important is that you visit a few places to get a feel for the right jeweller for you
Click to expand...

Hi Winddrifter

my E ring and wedding band were made by Ken Gray and Alistair Reid and I have commisioned a few other pieces from them and been very happy
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Thanks for the advice will look into the others and let you know.
 
Hi winddrifter,

Being in Perth, I haven''t had personal experience seeing a project to fruition with anyone in Melbs, however I can recommend K&B Diamond Setters, based on the work I have seen on this board from a couple other Aussie members.
We did start a project together, but it had to be abandoned as it was during the terrible bushfires and they were too pre-occupied (understandably).

They made BA''s gorgeous blue spinel halo ring, and I think the work looks top notch.


Apart from that, if you are happy to perhaps provide some photos and examples of what kind of style you are after, I''d be more than happy to come up with some more names who specialize in that style
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As to your questions, best to speak to the jewellers directly about whether they will set "outside diamonds" and their policies on such - I have found Melbourne actually to be the best hub for the type of bench jewellers that are happy to do so...here, it''s 99% retail and no one will help you
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For sizing, please do what you can to make sure the size is correct! Whether it actually can be sized up or down, and the threshold as to how much will depend on a bunch of factors..
Best to be sure first
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hope that helps a bit, and let us know if there''s anything else.

By the way, what diamond did you get??!!
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Hi arjunajane,


Thanks for your advice.


This is the diamond I have bought:


http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/5404/


I am currently in talks to see if they can set it for me but I am also going to talk to local jewellers to see how they compare.


I am also looking to get both wedding bands soon. I want both the wedding bands and the engagement ring to be set in Platinum so I don''t know if BlueNile or WhiteFlash or GOG might be a lot cheaper than getting it done in Melb.


With regards to my girlfriends ring size I used the online BlueNile Paper Sizer: http://www.bluenile.com/find-ring-size


She came up as a 7 around her knuckle on her wedding finger but since she has very thin fingers we are thinking a 6.5 so that it doesn''t easily come off. Should we maybe go into a jewellers to get her properly sized?


I think we have nailed it down to a design I found off a UK website. Please see attached photos.


Thanks for your help!


Cheers,
WindDrifter

WDRing2.png
 
Here is another photos of the engagement ring:

WDRing3.png
 
Any ideas on this one Arjunajane? Anyone know how I can PM her?

Thanks.
 
Hi winddrifter!
Sorry, I wasn''t able to come back to your thread due to all the PS changes to the new version and all..I tried posting but it got deleted..

Okay, with regards to the setting you have shown, it is quite a simple solitaire which any of the PS vendors who offer CAD design could probably do for you in platinum for quite a reasonable price (ie. GOG, BGD, WF, etc).

*However*...have you looked through the solitaire offerings of all these companies? Did you not find anything you or your girl liked? The reason I ask, is you will always pay more for a custom made design than a stock offering..
If you wanted an elaborate design with diamonds, engraving and so on I would say go for it..but my advice in this case would be to look around a bit more and see if you can''t find a stock solitaire you both love.
A great place for settings is Pearlman''s jewellers - they have countless designers and styles, and also often have very good deals in their clearance section.
They are very friendly and easy to work with, so don''t hesitate to contact them if you see something you like...
Actually, the photos you posted remind me a bit of Sholdt Designs - so you should check them out for sure on Pearlmans site.


Please!! do not go off using the paper BN sizing thing - I can almost guarantee it will be wrong!
Sizing is often a bit tricker than guys think, as depending on the style of ring, whether it has a very thin or a wider shank etc - you may actually need to go up or down a half size or more.
Getting sized in a local jeweller is a good start, but unless you are having the ring made with them I would not rely on it - this is because each jeweller will have very slightly different sizing rings and mandrel; it has happened to me - one store would say I was a 4 or whatever and the next one a 5.5
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Moreover, if you are buying from an O/S vendor you also need to convert Aussie sizing into US sizing..

At the end of the day, what you really need is a cheap silver (or whatever metal) ring, in the same mm width and as close as possible to the style of the ring you plan to buy, which fits your girl''s finger perfectly..
You can do one of two things then - either mail it to your vendor (maybe better) - or trace the internal diameter and give them that measurement (still good)..much more accurate this way! Just pop down your local weekend market or somewhere similar with your girl and find something cheap that fits...double check the shank width (ie. if she wants a 2.5mm shank, buy a 2.5mm ring).

I hope I don''t worry you with all the sizing talk...it''s just I have jumped through all the hoops you are doing now, so would rather you don''t waste your time, and get it right first time around
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Was there anything else you wanted my opinion / help on?
Please do let me know!

And because some of the posts are not carrying over to the new PS version 2.0, I will check back to make sure you have gotten my message
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cheers! aj
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Oh, by the way I forgot to say - fabulous diamond! Just gorgeous, great job
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I also wanted to ask - you say you chose that design from a UK website..
has your girl tried on many rings in person yet?

If not, a weekend trip around a bunch of jewellers in your area is really in order - many people think they will love a design they see online, but when it arrives it doesn''t suit their hand, or the proportions are not suitable, etc..
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Best to be sure that:
1. She wants platinum, likes the feel and look of it on and understands about patina.
2. Definitely wants a solitaire.
3. and if yes to 2, what type - there are many many solitaire options
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Trying stuff on in shops, you can get a feel for the things I was referencing above, such as what kind of shank width will work best, and so on..

Okay, I think that''s it for now, hth!
 
Hello! I can only be brief, however I am from Melbourne and also purchased from GOG. I found jewels by erica grace on pricescope and they sent the stone to her and she is making my e ring. She has been AMAZING. if you fancy checking ithem out.
 
Thanks so much for the comments.

You were right about the online print sizer check yeah I know so silly.

I have been sized (Q) and so has Amanda (L1/2)but we will do it again on Saturday morning when we go to Holloway Diamonds.

Also they did bring up a good point that the Engagement Ring and Wedding Band won''t sit flush with that design because the claws some down. The problem being my Girlfriend doesn''t want the ring to be too high so having the claws low is good as it keeps the diamond closer to the finger but then stuffs up the symmetry with the wedding band! AARRRGGHH!! :)

Girls are so lucky the guys have to do that. Saying that I am sure not many care as much as to be on pricescope :) So I guess I am our own worst enemy.

Anyway so at present we are pretty sure about the Wedding Bands its just the Engagement Ring. I did get a quote from GOG which seems pretty good. I little high but I guess there is nothing I can do unless I select a standard one like you said AJ but we didn''t really find anything we really liked. We don''t like the holes in the sides we like it filled and didn''t really like the other shapes. I will see what things look like at Holloway''s.

Thanks for all the recommendations I was about to send out an email to like 8 shops in Melbourne but lucky I didn''t as that had the old engagement design which obviously won''t work.

I will keep you updated.

Good news though.

1. She definitely want Solitaire!
2. We really want Platinum or I do :)
3. And the type Well as close to the one we found :)

Thanks again!

Thanks CushionNovice for the recommendation!
 
Hi all and winddrifter!

I was just about to purchase online when I looked at this forum.
Im also from Melb and have a really good idea of what I want. If you find any jeweler with a good price and quality please let me know and possibly them know that you might bring them another customer :)

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/settings-with-sidestones/ring/item_58-869.asp

Im thinking of white gold and think it would be great to buy locally.

Thanks in advance.
 
Sorry forgot the pic!

ja.baguett3.jpg
 
Good luck with the process!

I just wanted to share my personal experience; we bought our rings from Holloway and were delighted with the experience! You should be aware however that the cost is probably 50% or more higher than having your setting made and finished in the US. We opted for the local option in the end because we wanted to be as involved as possible, see the setting in person before the stone was set, be able to drop in and discuss things, and HD was 5 minutes from our house! But for anything apart from the wedding set I think in future I will probably have things made in the States.
 
I concur with Pancake I used Garry and Holloway''s years ago to set my GOG stone for 20th anniversary upgrade. I also had them make me a diamond wedding band. They also set my original diamond is a pendant and put the diamonds from my original eternity into a gypsy set pinkie ring. Phew!!!!
Anyhoo they were so great to deal with and for nervous first time on the net buyerit was the way too go.
I have since had 2 RHR made by Whiteflash and Heart of Water and they both turned out amazingly
would probably always have things made overseas now and if the dollar would rally (please Mr Rudd stop this messengers I would have Leon make me a little something!
 
Hey! Another aussie here
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Just wanted to check if you are aware that no jeweller will insure the setting of another stone - ie. it''s all care no responsibility so if they chip, crack or damage your stone in the setting process you are stuffed. Also, no insurance company will insure an unset stone being imported into Oz, which means in order for it to be insured from the time you sign for the Fedex package, you will need to have it in a temp setting at least. I got my ering and wband from WF so I know all the in''s and out''s. I really advise against having it set here, sure, you can get it RESET here, but don''t get an unset stone sent here. Unless you can afford another diamond in the rare event that it get''s ruined then it''s too risky.

So, I would suggest get your stone in a cheap temp setting, have it sent to you, insure it, then go about having it reset if you wish, then it''s covered by your insurance policy.

I really have to say though I have searched high and low in Melbourne for settings and you won''t get better here KWIM? You can get a stunning setting OS, probably a lot cheaper too and then you don''t have the whole insurance hassle.

I bought a cheap set of ring sizers off ebay, they were about ten bucks I think, you can work out your gf''s size then send the ring sizer off to to whoever you decide to do your setting.

Good luck!!!!
 
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