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elliefire99

elliefire99

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Oct 12, 2018
Messages
584
Hello hello

As you may or may not know from my incessant posting, I am in the process of creating an e-ring. Diamond is ready, setting out for quotes, yay!

To keep a complicated story as short as possible, fiance is in Ecuador, and we are working on immigration stuff. I will be visiting from December 15-Jan 8th, and after that won't see him for at least 6 months until he comes for realsy to the U.S. So it would be GREAT if the ring were done before I left in December.

Reached out to various PS venders for custom venders for quotes and close to pulling the trigger. BUT there is the possibility that the ring won't be done before I leave. Not a necessity, but it would be really really nice.

We have the option of getting the ring made and set in Ecuador. We have been recommended a jeweler called Fiamma Joyeria. They hand make all their work in 18k gold, and could have a ring for me before Christmas :) But tbh, I am a little unsure about the quality of the craftsmanship. Bezels are maybe a bit uneven and I can't find a good example of their prongs. All the face-on photos are of some pieces with quicky wire-type prongs, but that could very much be on purpose because they are more casual settings.

Also, there is the consideration that it would cost about 40% of someone here.

Honest opinions welcome! For quality we are willing to wait the extra 6-8 months, but hmmm cost-benefit?

Some examples of work:
https://www.facebook.com/FiammaJoyeriaEddaMorillo/
https://www.instagram.com/fiammajoyeria/
https://www.fiammajoyeria.com/?fbclid=IwAR2n5NR7hmK_N8COYix1HTc_8SsDvO5edtIrwL-yjO8FokHSlcEggg5DlTc
 
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Should note that the setting is fairly simple and will have no pave. A center diamond with prongs and some clusters of little bezeled side stones.
 
My immediate take on this is : why risk getting this made by a jeweler your not sure about just to get it quickly? A year from now you could be looking at a ring that didn't turn out like you wanted and kick yourself for being in a rush. And then, it's on to reset. So much for saving money. My 2 cents.
 
I guess that's precisely why I am posting for opinions. My inclination is not to risk the rush. But the reason is more sentimental than anything else. To actually be able to be with the ring and my SO and truly celebrate the engagement together. Once he is here, we have to be married within 60 days. And I would feel a little bad wearing the ring if he has never even been able to see it in person. But these are just heart over mind calculations.

The jeweler comes highly recommended from those who have had work done, but they are not necessarily jewelry aficionados...
 
I totally get the sentimental side! I'm just looking into the future. Like a year from now it won't really matter when you got the ring, etc. But there it will be on your hand. Will it be the beautiful well made ring you wanted, or will it be the ring you got quickly that you don't love and kind of regret?
 
If it were me I would really enjoy having the ring made there and doing that as a project together. It would be a memory of the place and the time of your engagement. At the very least, it would be a happy souvenir, even if you decide to redesign the ring later. Also, I imagine the standards are quite high, perhaps in a more artisanal way rather than a precision machined way. Congratulations on your upcoming marriage! Enjoy the adventure!
 
It seems I have two shoulder angels whispering both sides in my ears. I very much agree with both perspectives. Oh I really do hate decisions.

And thank you both for chiming in!
 
And fair point about potential to reset. $360 is NOT a lot of money (in terms of rings, not like, real life). I could be very willing to risk $360 for sentiment.


(Sorry to throw all my internal conflict and indecision at everyone! You're the best!)
 
If it’s 360$ then I would do it for the memories.
And you might be pleasantly surprised. I have a local jeweler I work with that likely wouldn’t stand up to PS scrutiny or be able to compare to Victor Canera but she’s a lovely human who listens and who I like and she made my 5 stone and my pendant and my bangle. All of which are fairly straightforward designs, all of which I wear daily and with no issues. I wouldnt go to her with pave work or meticulous miligrain but I love the things she’s made for me! Especially when it means no shipping abroad or long wait times. :p
 
MakingTheGrade said:
If it’s 360$ then I would do it for the memories.
And you might be pleasantly surprised. I have a local jeweler I work with that likely wouldn’t stand up to PS scrutiny or be able to compare to Victor Canera but she’s a lovely human who listens and who I like and she made my 5 stone and my pendant and my bangle. All of which are fairly straightforward designs, all of which I wear daily and with no issues. I wouldnt go to her with pave work or meticulous miligrain but I love the things she’s made for me! Especially when it means no shipping abroad or long wait times. :p
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I know. When the lady said, "bring it to me when you get here on the 16th, and we can have it ready for you before Christmas," I was like :shock: :shock: :shock:. Jeez.

And lovely humans deserve reciprocal love. I'm glad you found someone :)
 
For 360$ you will get 360$ quality. I’m afraid you would have to reset in no time. Did you discuss lead times with DK and TGP? DK works fairly quick.

Will you wear wedding bands? If you plan to wear your band on your other hand, then it could be nice to have bands made in Equador.
 
Acinom said:
For 360$ you will get 360$ quality. I’m afraid you would have to reset in no time. Did you discuss lead times with DK and TGP? DK works fairly quick.

Will you wear wedding bands? If you plan to wear your band on your other hand, then it could be nice to have bands made in Equador.
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Thanks @Acinom. I have, and I am currently working scheduling details with TGP. The holidays are a busy time! When I originally started, we weren't planning on trying to make everything happen before the 15th. But has the process has continued, so have hearts and and opinions. Not certain at all that we will go this route, but we do want to make sure we have explored our options. Just trying to decide for sure which way we want to go.

And as to $360 quality... Yes...and no. You have to remember that labor costs (and rent and cost of living etc etc) is much lower there. It's not exactly the same as getting a $360 quote here. This is more than most people's rent, and the shop is in Cumbayá, where all the rich people live. The question is more about quality of workmanship than relative price. Unfortunately no PS equivalent for vendors there to vet quality and service!
 
I understand! You are wise to explore all options. Just look carefully at the jewellers work till sofar. And if you love the style and craftmanship, then this route could be a winner!

You could also explore to have a matching wedding band made by her. Making a matching set is easier if a jeweller has the e-ring in hand
 
The style of the jeweler in Ecuador is quite metal-heavy and clean. It has more of a masculine vibe. All the bezels I can see are tube-set, so from the side -- there is a vertical wall of metal. Most settings are a simple tube on the shank (two pieces). Construction is simple and they appear to be using a lot of pre-made or stock findings. The is not bad and can be quite strong, but it will tend to be quite simple and look solid. If you like that look, and I have many friends that do, then it may work for you to work with them. Their rings would also preclude a flush fitting wedding band unless they notch the bottom of the bezel. Just don't expect them to execute a delicate, thin bezel or ring. Its not their style. Fine, high-end jewelry is not very common in Ecuador (I've travelled quite a bit there). Most of the artisans work in silver and semi-precision stones in a style quite like the person you posted. Depending on where you will be in Ecuador, I would not plan on wearing your ring.
 
Thanks for the the comments @rockysalamander!

I did notice that most of their bezels are tube set, but the owner did mention that a custom engagement ring would be hand-forged like their custom wedding bands and not use their stock settings/findings (different levels of service). Unfortunately, there aren't many photos of that higher end work available, because, as you mentioned, fine jewelry is much less common there. The main owner is originally from Germany, and worked in jewelry there first, for what that's worth.

And by "celebrate" with my S.O... that would be mostly private. I lived 2 years in Ecuador, and as you say, there are not many places I would be comfortable walking around with a diamond ;P Important point hah
 
So, most likely going to stick with our original PS vendor choice. (The OTHER sentimental part of me knows that I probably won't want to change the original setting ---bring on the other bling, but e-ring stays the same)

Thanks for dealing with my late night insecurities and ponderings! We originally were going to set in Ecuador, then decided PS vendor, then last night considered going back. Hopefully now all is permanently settled!

(Though wedding bands may very well end up being there. :) Time will tell!)
 
elliefire99 said:
So, most likely going to stick with our original PS vendor choice. (The OTHER sentimental part of me knows that I probably won't want to change the original setting ---bring on the other bling, but e-ring stays the same)

Thanks for dealing with my late night insecurities and ponderings! We originally were going to set in Ecuador, then decided PS vendor, then last night considered going back. Hopefully now all is permanently settled!

(Though wedding bands may very well end up being there. :) Time will tell!)
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That was going to be my suggestion - have the engagement ring made by the PS vendor and go pick out or have custom wedding bands made with the vendor in Ecuador. Win-win!
 
I routinely point out to people that the best craftsmen are rarely the cheapest, but there's a corollary that goes along with it. The fastest are rarely the best. These rules don't have much to do with the address. It's certainly possible that your guy in Equador is good, fast, and cheap, but be aware that you're pushing your luck to require this. If you need it fast and/or cheap, go with a commercial type mounting and where the jeweler is doing little more than sizing and setting. Custom takes time, and good custom jewelers have other customers, which means there's a line before they even start. That even applies in markets like Equador.
 
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