newbie here! question about custom settings...

[glisten]

Hi everyone. This is my first post.

My boyfriend and I have recently decided to start our search for an engagement ring together. Given my personality, I’ve gone research crazy, trying to soak in every bit of knowledge I can about diamonds – and this is how I found Pricescope! I’ve been lurking the forums for the past couple weeks… and can proudly say we entered our first jewelry stores yesterday, and we didn’t sound like young naïve diamond rookies! (this is starting to sound more like a testimonial….)

Anyway….I’ve been saving picture of my favorite rings, and I’m coming to realize I am most likely going to need a custom design. We have narrowed down our favorite 2-3 styles of rings… our choice will most definitely come down to price, we’re on a tight budget ($4000-ish). Would it be okay for me to e-mail whiteflash a couple different designs….to receive quotes for them and decide based on which one is closest to our budget? Which other online vendors can you recommend for custom settings??

Another quick question…. When you buy diamonds and have them set online who do you go to get them cleaned/serviced ect..??

 

[ct-appr]

Your budget is a little low for a custom ring. Try to find something you like in an existing design. This way you can spend most of your budget on the center stone. As for cleaning, most B&M stores will still clean your ring even if you bought it online. You can also purchase in inexpensive ultrasonic cleaner. If you do, don''t put anything but diamonds, rubies and sapphires in it.

 

[Lynn B]

I have used WF and they do excellent work.
Right now I am having a custom setting done by Brian Gavin Diamonds.
My daughter used Quest Jewelers for her wedding ring and it is simply gorgeous. Quest's quotes typically seem to be a little less expensive, too.
I haven't personally worked with Leon Mege or Mark Morrell or Good Old Gold or Wink at Infinity Diamonds - but I've seen lots of killer pieces from them!
James Allen has very good prices, too, although I'm not sure they do custom work.
There's also Maytal.
Am I missing anyone???!

As for cleaning, etc., even if you buy your wedding set from an online vendor, there's still plenty to be said for establishing and maintaining a relationship with a local jeweler. You may buy a watch there someday, or some earrings, or a RHR... any number of gifts, etc. There's really lots that a local jeweler can offer you, even when your wedding ring set comes from somewhere else.

 

[Lynn B]

Ct-appr is right -- there are LOTS of stock settings that are BEAUTIFUL indeed. Almost limitless options, in fact. That probably is (in general) a good money-saving tip.
AND, in the hands of a skilled benchman, slight modifications can be made to stock settings that can make a huge difference!

What kind of style are you looking at?

 

[glisten]

I was worried a custom design would be too expensive

One of the styles I really love is a simple bezel setting around either an asscher or cushion solitaire. The only bezel settings in existing designs seem to be rounds, which I am not interested in.

 

[glisten]

Maybe you guys could help me find an existing design that I love.

The most important factors are....
-low profile!
-no prongs
-I love cushion/asscher cuts
-I love bezel settings, or halos with pave (which are probably way out of our budget)

 

[Lynn B]

Well, don''t get discouraged! You never know until you ask! E-mail a few vendors and see what they say.

You might be able to get what you are looking for custom made for $2K or less. That would leave 2K (or more) for the stone.

And if you choose a lower color/clarity stone (but never compromise on cut!) you may just be able to get a lot more diamond than you think!

OH, stay with us, babeeee, we are just *FULL* of good ideas!!!

 

[glisten]

hehe thanks Lynn...with all your advice an knowledge, I''m not going anywhere!

 

[glisten]

Date: 10/21/2009 6:47:05 PM
Author: Lynn B

AND, in the hands of a skilled benchman, slight modifications can be made to stock settings that can make a huge difference!

Just to clarify... what would a slight modification be??
Could vendors do things like eliminate milgrain on a stock setting?? Or could they do something extreme like changing the profile to make it lower?? (i guess i should be asking vendors... not you guys)

 

[Lynn B]

Date: 10/21/2009 8:21:48 PM
Author: glisten

Date: 10/21/2009 6:47:05 PM
Author: Lynn B

AND, in the hands of a skilled benchman, slight modifications can be made to stock settings that can make a huge difference!

Just to clarify... what would a slight modification be??
Could vendors do things like eliminate milgrain on a stock setting?? Or could they do something extreme like changing the profile to make it lower?? (i guess i should be asking vendors... not you guys)

Well, you''re right... your best bet is to find a setting you really like except for *whatever* ... and ask the vendor if s/he can make that specific modification.

But what I was referring to is common stuff like prongs... those blocky, square, chunky prongs on so many rings can be shaped and polished and rounded to be quite lovely. (I know you aren''t looking for a ring with prongs, I was just giving an example!)

To answer your specific questions... you know, I bet a skilled benchman could polish off milgrain (depending, of course, on where it was on the piece)... or set a diamond lower, perhaps (would depend on the head)... but I don''t know that for a sure fact. Maybe an expert will chime in here?