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My Completed A-Ring Project and Experience with Quest

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noobie

Brilliant_Rock
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Mar 3, 2004
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Custom A-Ring by Quest Manufacturing



Here’s some feedback on my experience with Quest manufacturing along with a few pictures that I have been advised by others are “mandatory”.

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Since settings are very personal in nature, much more so than diamonds I believe, I would like to first caveat this by saying that all of the following is my opinion.Your views and experience may vary. I will also apologize for the pictures.As a suggestion, maybe some of the more experienced photographers could post some tips in sticky here.



I had first set out to create a three stone anniversary ring for my wife.I thought picking the diamonds would be the hard part.I was wrong.Picking the setting is definitely more challenging.It’s tough enough when you have a selection of pre-made ones, but when you go custom, and have virtually unlimited possibilities, it’s almost too much.We had originally settled on a Vatche truffle setting, which we had the opportunity to view at a local store that is a dealer.After getting some price quotes, I learned that the setting is fairly pricey and was not worth the premium to us.So we started to look at Ritani and others.One thing that my wife wanted to change from the Vatche and Ritani was the width of the band.We found a little too narrow for us.So after a recommendation from Martin Fuller, we headed off to Quest Manufacturing.



Quest is run by three brothers who started out as bench jewelers and then contractors for a high end mall store.They now do a very good business with local jewelers.The office is very low key and the brothers are very friendly.They will make you what you want.They have a large collection of pictures and catalogues for ideas.After discussing some ideas and options with Pete Tain, we decided on an adaptation of a trellis style with modifications to the prongs and band.The ring would be mostly hand worked and not cast from a mould.



After about a week and a half, we went to Quest to take a look.It looked very nice expect for one thing.Since this was an anniversary and not an e-ring, I wanted the stones in more of an arch as opposed to the center being set up higher.Even though it looked good, I felt it was more of an e-ring look.After talking to Pete, he understood and would make the changes.I would like to say that at no time did Pete ever hint that the ring was good enough.We felt like Quest was extremely customer focused and would do what it took to make us happy.All of my questions and suggestions were always met with “no problem” and “we want to make you happy”.They would rather remake a ring than have an unhappy customer.So, main diamond was lowered and reset in one day.The finished ring was ready the next day for pick up.It was perfect for us, exactly what we had asked for.Total cost for the custom setting was less than half of the Vatche one.



Some of my thoughts on Quest and the experience:



An honest family owned business with a priority on customer service.They were so accommodating on every request.I never had to push for anything.



Excellent value.Fuller and Associates commented on the value they deliver in terms of quality and workmanship.I think their words were “I don’t know how they do it for the price”.



I don’t know if I would go custom made unless it was local.I know others have done it very successfully, I just feel more comfortable being able to visit and see work in progress rather than through e-mails and pictures, but that’s just me.



I would definitely return to Quest and have no hesitation recommending them to anyone.People that know me would generally classify me as a demanding customer, but my experience with them including overall value for the money was very good.



I’m glad to found a good local custom jeweler.Thanks to Martin Fuller for recommending them.



Here some amateur pictures.Center stone is 1.36 VS2 H from DI and side stones are 60 point each SI1 G from DCD.



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Here's another one

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Some close ups of the work

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Another close up

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What beautiful ring, noobie! I'm happy to hear that your experience was a positive one and Quest did everything to accommodate you.
 
On the end of my finger, ring size is about a 6

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Last one, I don't know how you guys can take those pictures so well through a viewer.

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That's a beautiful ring!! Very elegant. And your pictures are nice as well.
 
WOW that setting is amazing!!! Absolutely breathtaking piece of work. LOVE the 3 stone rings, each time I see an unusual one like this I swear I need to call up the fiance and get him to agree to a new project...hehee. You note half Vatche price...can I roughly estimate around $1200 or $1300? Not sure how much Vatche is..but I love this setting you chose.




The stones look lovely together. Great choices and congrats!
 
Thanks for sharing the story. The stones are really breathtaking & gorgeous and I love the fluid lines of the custom setting!!!!!
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Love your ring, just stunning. The setting is beautiful, the diamond quality looks amazing…..I think this is a very unique looking 3 diamond ring! You must be thrilled!
 
Oh my, what a stunner. The diamonds seem to be floating.
I need to get some tissue for the drooling here.
Just beautiful.
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It's gorgeous! The setting is beautiful and the diamonds are too. I love the picture of the arrows in each stone. I can't believe that you think you didn't get good pictures. Wow, the pics are great!
 
Wow, that's a beautiful ring, and the pictures are great.
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Congratulations!




DiamondLil
 
Amateur photos? They are excellent! GO YOU! What a ring!!
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Honestly, I am SWOONING! That is such a phenomenal ring! So much like I want mine to look like, but maybe I should get married first, huh?

What a lucky lady to have found such a doting guy! It came out wonderfully and I am sure she will be just as stunned as we are! Congratulations on such a lovely ring and on your anniversary!
 
This ring is so incredibly beautiful and original. I am in awe!

Daniela
 
WOW! That ring is gorgeous!!!

Great job and I love the setting!
 
Simply stunning. May your wife wear it in good health for many years to come.
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WOW! What beautful (and beautifully made) ring. It's great to know there are people out there doing such quality work and putting the client first.
 
Hi Allan,

Thanks a million for posting these wonderful photos of your wife’s gorgeous anniversary ring! It turned out absolutely AMAZING!
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What a spectacular ring - a beautiful job by Quest!
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Congratulations again to the both of you on celebrating 10 years of love & life together. What an exquisite gift...stunning and breathtaking.
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Kindest regards always,
Linda
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Gorgeous!!! The style looked immediatley familiar but I could instantly see it wasn't one of the truffles I've seen. It looks custom - something about how solid it is (not that the Vatche's aren't very nice) but there's something very substantial but delicate going on in your setting - a perfect balance of the two -Great work!!!

I'm with you on the importance of settings - and I'm not the only one! I, too, found it more difficult than the stones.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY
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Thanks very much for all of the kind wishes and compliments. As I mentioned before, I could have never produced such a nice result without the Pricescope community. The photos actually look better on the forum than they did on my computer.I originally tried with my Canon G2 on macro and got nothing but fuzzies.So I used the snapshot feature on my camcorder.Go figure!



Mara:



"You note half Vatche price...can I roughly estimate around $1200 or $1300?"





Not much gets by you does it!Yes you are very close, it was actually slightly less.An excellent buy for a ring with over 9 grams of platinum in it IMHO.







Nicrez:



"What a lucky lady to have found such a doting guy!"



Thanks for the kind words, but I actually think it’s the other way around! My efforts and this ring are just a small symbolic gesture that could never compare to what she does for me and our family.



Best wishes to all

 
Beautiful craftsmanship..Congrats on your new rocks..
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Extremely nice ring! What state is Quest located in? By the way, your pictures are very nicely taken.
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great pics
 
Your kind words about your wife are truly awh inspiring. You two are so lucky to be so madly in love after 10 years of marriage. I hope that all the lovely people who visit this site have as much love and good fortune in marriage that you two have.

I love the setting so much. Its so unique and accents the lovely diamonds perfectly.

I wish you and your wife continued happiness and may she always wear it in good health.
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-Sarah
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Sorry, I just fell off my chair again. So brilliant.
nan
 


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On 4/21/2004 11:25:08 PM caratgirl wrote:





Extremely nice ring! What state is Quest located in? By the way, your pictures are very nicely taken.
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Quest is located in Northern Virginia just outside of Washington DC. The web site is www.questmanufacturing.com Even though they have a web site, I don't know how "on-line" they really are. I only dealt with them by phone. I have no affiliation with them, just a happy customer

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VAgal13, you give me far too much credit, thanks for the wishes


Josh, nice compliment, especially given the beauties you have made and are having made.



Thanks all

 
That setting is really classic and sleek! I love the lines! Great job!
 
WOWZERS!!!! that is simply stunning!!!
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I want more diamonds now...as if I don't have enough already? Nahhh...I want more!!!
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