need advice on vatche swan and setting a stone

[kas baby]

So, I know I would absolutely looooove to have the vatche swan as the setting for my sapphire (once its done being cut- lol) this is for my e-ring.

I live in MI at the moment, and I think it would be nice to have someone local set it for us. The closest retailer is Karagosian &Sons in Sylvan, MI, which is quite the drive from Port Huron, but I would so go there in a heartbeat if I had the PS stamp of approval! lol!

My question is: do I try out this place in MI, or send the sapphire out to someone who has a super duper good reputation on setting colored stones?

any other advice on getting a stone set and what to do (i.e. what steps to take) would be greatly appreciated

 

[strmrdr]

I would have it sent to vatche and have vatche set it.

 

[geckodani]

Date: 7/30/2009 5:40:34 PM
Author:kas baby
So, I know I would absolutely looooove to have the vatche swan as the setting for my sapphire (once its done being cut- lol) this is for my e-ring.

I live in MI at the moment, and I think it would be nice to have someone local set it for us. The closest retailer is Karagosian &Sons in Sylvan, MI, which is quite the drive from Port Huron, but I would so go there in a heartbeat if I had the PS stamp of approval! lol!

My question is: do I try out this place in MI, or send the sapphire out to someone who has a super duper good reputation on setting colored stones?

any other advice on getting a stone set and what to do (i.e. what steps to take) would be greatly appreciated

No!!! Do NOT go to Karagosian and Sons!!! I had them make me a custom setting last year, and resize a few rings, and it ended up being a horrible experience.

The setting ended up having to be returned. The sales staff is pushy, and the bench is HORRIBLE. I took my resized rings to another jeweler to be resized again and he asked me who had done such a horrible job. My SIL was similarly pushed around, and while her rings turned out beautifully, her wedding band had to be redone twice.

I would call Wink.

He deals with colored stones and Vatche settings frequently, from what I understand. http://www.winkjones.com/

 

[kas baby]

ok, so Karagosian is OUT! not going to chance it

I didn''t think I could have it sent directly to Vatche? although, I have no idea how they do things

I have been strongly considering working with Winfield''s from the very begining, so I guess that is the route I will most likely go. It may cost a bit more, with shipping and whatnot, but really, you can''t put a price on piece of mind-- especially for something of such great importance!

thanks guys!

 

[geckodani]

When I got my Scott Kay, I sent my diamond to Pearlman''s, who sent it to Scott Kay to be set. SK sent it back to Pearlman''s, and they sent it to me. I''d imagine the procedure would be similar for Vatche.

Sorry if I reacted a little strongly to the mention of Karagosian - I just had such a horrid experience!

 

[Ellen]

Date: 7/30/2009 8:15:58 PM
Author: kas baby
ok, so Karagosian is OUT! not going to chance it

I didn't think I could have it sent directly to Vatche? although, I have no idea how they do things

I have been strongly considering working with Winfield's from the very begining, so I guess that is the route I will most likely go. It may cost a bit more, with shipping and whatnot, but really, you can't put a price on piece of mind-- especially for something of such great importance!

thanks guys!

Actually, this is how it works "most" of the time. I bought my stone and Vatche setting fom GOG, and I didn't even care if the warranty was voided (main reason for Vatche setting the stone), as I don't have a Vatche dealer nearby, but GOG still wouldn't set it, they wanted Vatche to do it. However, it seems in "some" cases (at least one, NiceIce) a retailer/Vatche carrier will set it/cover warranty. I would just ask Wink about it.

Here's a thread that touches on this.

 

[litebrite]

Oooh, I think the Swan setting is one of the nicest settings out there. That will look stunning with a sapphire. MUST . . . HAVE . . . HANDPICS!

 

[kas baby]

thanks to everyone for their insight regarding the process.

and of course I will post hand pics when I get it!!! I would be a bad PSer if I didn''t! lol!