Please recommend Jewler to set my stone in NY/ Long Island

[diamondnewbieny]

Hello all,

My custom setting is finally done and I can set it with my 2.52ct diamond. The setting is done in another country and I am having my friend bring it back for me and she will be back home in NY in a few days. The jeweler who custome made the setting can set the stone for me for free, but the problem is I don’t want to send me stone out of the U.S, and I don’t want to wait till I visit Hong Kong which will be another 6 months or so.

The jeweler in HK told me the stone on the prong can only be put in after the center stone has been put in and set. And the little stone would need a special machine to set it. They told me in any case if I could only set the center diamond, I could always have them set it when I go back.

I had called Good Old Gold and they will charge about $250-$300 to set just the center diamond. I am not sure if they can do the little stones on the prong. Are they a good at setting the stone and is the price resonalble? I never had to set my stone separately before, so I don’t know the price.

The other choice I could go for is HL Gross& Bro. I just know they’ve been there for a long time and don’t know if they are any good. Any advice?

I would really appreciate any advise.

Here is picture of the setting and the red circles I marked is where I need the small stone to be set.

 

[ringbling17]

I think Steve Kirsch would be able to do it as well.

 

[diamondnewbieny]

Anyone else know other suggestion?

 

[ringo865]

IDJewlery. Send them a pic of your inspo. They (also GOG) likely could add the diamonds on the struts.

Are you (or the wearer) planning to wear a band with this ring?

 

[diamondnewbieny]

IDJewlery. Send them a pic of your inspo. They (also GOG) likely could add the diamonds on the struts.

Are you (or the wearer) planning to wear a band with this ring?

Hi Ringo, I am the wearer and will wear it with a band. I just found out this is a replica of Tiffany’s 130th anniversary 6 prong setting.

 

[Blingalingaling]

I have dealt with H.L. Gross and Sons. Their jeweler is excellent, but I do not know if they would work on a setting that they didn't commission. If you can get to Queens, just over the Long Island border, I would highly recommend Sophie's Creations in Jamaica Estates and speak directly with Sophie. They are easily accessible by any of the highways. I think they would be able to set your stone and the melee on your prongs and they are very reasonably priced. It's certainly worth a phone call to find out.
I agree with the other posters about Steven Kirsch and IDJewelry. They are both reputable, excellent jewelers, but, again, I don't know if they would work on someone else's setting and they would be a trip into the City, at least once while you're having it done.
Good luck!

 

[Rockdiamond]

Hi,
We always recommend having the maker who makes the ring to do the setting- for many reasons....

But one of your concerns seems clear to be an issue.
For stones to be set into prongs, in the positions you desire, the prongs would need to be specially made to accept the pavé.

Best of luck!!

 

[diamondnewbieny]

Hi,
We always recommend having the maker who makes the ring to do the setting- for many reasons....

But one of your concerns seems clear to be an issue.
For stones to be set into prongs, in the positions you desire, the prongs would need to be specially made to accept the pavé.

Best of luck!!

Hi there, the paves that I have are made for the prong. The maker gave them to me.

Thanks!

 

[diamondnewbieny]

I have dealt with H.L. Gross and Sons. Their jeweler is excellent, but I do not know if they would work on a setting that they didn't commission. If you can get to Queens, just over the Long Island border, I would highly recommend Sophie's Creations in Jamaica Estates and speak directly with Sophie. They are easily accessible by any of the highways. I think they would be able to set your stone and the melee on your prongs and they are very reasonably priced. It's certainly worth a phone call to find out.
I agree with the other posters about Steven Kirsch and IDJewelry. They are both reputable, excellent jewelers, but, again, I don't know if they would work on someone else's setting and they would be a trip into the City, at least once while you're having it done.
Good luck!

Thanks so much for your recommendation! Jamaica estate would be closer to me than GOG. I called her and her price is much less. However she wants to see the setting before she knows if she can do it. I will see her in a few days and ask her.

 

[Blingalingaling]

Oh, absolutely, what @Rockdiamond says is true! I thought from reading your post that your setting already had the spaces for the melee and you were just looking for a jeweler to set stones into them. If your prongs aren't made for melee, I don't think you can add stones at this point. But if you're looking for a jeweler to set stones in a setting that's already made for melee, then you could definitely talk to Sophie about having stones set into it.

 

[Blingalingaling]

Thanks so much for your recommendation! Jamaica estate would be closer to me than GOG. I called her and her price is much less. However she wants to see the setting before she knows if she can do it. I will see her in a few days and ask her.

Terrific! Sophie will take a look and give you an honest assessment of the work that would need to be done and advise you how to proceed! I'll keep a watch here and see how you do! Good luck!

 

[Rockdiamond]

By the way....I never try to find the lowest price when I'm considering a setter.
There are guys on 47th who will set stones for practically nothing. But if a setter's name is "Chip" do you really want him putting a hammer near your stone??

Seriously, my experience has been that truly exceptional setting work is always costly.
The most gifted setters in NYC can make $5k a week

ETA:
My comments are general in nature- I am not making any comment about the recommendations that have been given- other than when people make recommendations here, they are generally well vetted.

 

[diamondnewbieny]

By the way....I never try to find the lowest price when I'm considering a setter.
There are guys on 47th who will set stones for practically nothing. But if a setter's name is "Chip" do you really want him putting a hammer near your stone??

Seriously, my experience has been that truly exceptional setting work is always costly.
The most gifted setters in NYC can make $5k a week

ETA:
My comments are general in nature- I am not making any comment about the recommendations that have been given- other than when people make recommendations here, they are generally well vetted.

Oh I am not looking for find the cheapest place to set my stone. I want a reasonable price and would like them to do a good job as well. I don’t even know what is the price point? GOG will cost $250-$300 I just feel it is a little over price? I don’t know.

Sophie’s creation will charge $100 just for the center stone.

That’s why I need recommendation and maybe some of you know someone who does good work.

 

[Rockdiamond]

Again- I can't comment on any specific vendor.
As general guides:
Both prices you've quoted seem in reasonable- again, based on expectations.
In my experience, and watching these boards over the years, many people are particular about setting work.
When clients discuss setting with us, they are generally concerned with the shape, and size of the prongs.

Your post suggests that the photo is not the actual ring you're getting.
Do you have the actual casting?

 

[diamondnewbieny]

Again- I can't comment on any specific vendor.
As general guides:
Both prices you've quoted seem in reasonable- again, based on expectations.
In my experience, and watching these boards over the years, many people are particular about setting work.
When clients discuss setting with us, they are generally concerned with the shape, and size of the prongs.

Your post suggests that the photo is not the actual ring you're getting.
Do you have the actual casting?

The photo is the style of the setting. Below picture is my setting, but not clear, I still don’t have the ring on hand yet. I will have it in a few days when my friend arrive back from Hong Kong. Also the setting is made to accept the pave diamonds. That’s what the maker told me. I will have to really wait to see it in person.

I would like to mention why I don’t want the maker to set my stone. I didn’t purchase the stone from them, and for them to set the stone, they have to ship my diamond out to their workshop to set it. The turn around time is 7-10days. They don’t have anyone in the shop that do the setting. I don’t want to leave my diamond to them, I rather be able to get it back at the same day.

 

[ringbling17]

In NYC how about Adam at Old World Diamonds and also Diamonds by Lauren (hello @Rockdiamond !).
I would trust any of them to set my diamond. Especially if you are very specific about prong shape. Do you have a shape in mind. Tab prongs, claw prongs, Tiffany type prongs, heart shape prongs, etc. You should probably have an idea of how you want them to look from above.
I am very specific about how I wanted my prongs shaped. Especially in the Dahlia setting bc I felt the prongs made the ring.
Also as mentioned above, it’s not the pave you need to worry about, it’s whether or not the prongs are ready and able to hold the pave. Will they have holes predrilled or does the setter also have to drill all the holes for the pave. The work is definitely time consuming and has to be done very very careful.
If the holes are not pre drilled, a good setter will be able to do them correctly so that the metal doesn’t get too thinned out. You don’t want the integrity of your prongs to be questionable bc then you run the risk of losing your center diamond.
The work not only has to be done precisely but then the pave has to be held and placed nicely too. You don’t want to look down and see some pave at an odd angle( we had a Pser recently who had a ring returned to be fixed bc two of the pave in the ring were set crooked, for lack of a better word) or worse, the pave is missing.
The work can definitely be done though.

 

[ringbling17]

The photo is the style of the setting. Below picture is my setting, but not clear, I still don’t have the ring on hand yet. I will have it in a few days when my friend arrive back from Hong Kong. Also the setting is made to accept the pave diamonds. That’s what the maker told me. I will have to really wait to see it in person.

I would like to mention why I don’t want the maker to set my stone. I didn’t purchase the stone from them, and for them to set the stone, they have to ship my diamond out to their workshop to set it. The turn around time is 7-10days. They don’t have anyone in the shop that do the setting. I don’t want to leave my diamond to them, I rather be able to get it back at the same day.

I’m not an expert and it may just be the picture but it looks like the prongs have ridges in them already? Almost like a diamond had been previously set in it.
Usually when a setting is brand new the prongs are straight up and long and there are no cuts in the prongs (i don’t know if that’s the right term).
It is a beautiful set!

 

[diamondnewbieny]

I’m not an expert and it may just be the picture but it looks like the prongs have ridges in them already? Almost like a diamond had been previously set in it.
Usually when a setting is brand new the prongs are straight up and long and there are no cuts in the prongs (i don’t know if that’s the right term).
It is a beautiful set!

Hi there! The prong should look like a tiffany style. I asked the maker and they said they put the ridges there purposely for the size of my diamond and where they think the diamond should sit.

I guess I really have to see the setting first. I will come back with more update.

 

[diamondnewbieny]

Terrific! Sophie will take a look and give you an honest assessment of the work that would need to be done and advise you how to proceed! I'll keep a watch here and see how you do! Good luck!

Again- I can't comment on any specific vendor.
As general guides:
Both prices you've quoted seem in reasonable- again, based on expectations.
In my experience, and watching these boards over the years, many people are particular about setting work.
When clients discuss setting with us, they are generally concerned with the shape, and size of the prongs.

Your post suggests that the photo is not the actual ring you're getting.
Do you have the actual casting?

In NYC how about Adam at Old World Diamonds and also Diamonds by Lauren (hello @Rockdiamond !).
I would trust any of them to set my diamond. Especially if you are very specific about prong shape. Do you have a shape in mind. Tab prongs, claw prongs, Tiffany type prongs, heart shape prongs, etc. You should probably have an idea of how you want them to look from above.
I am very specific about how I wanted my prongs shaped. Especially in the Dahlia setting bc I felt the prongs made the ring.
Also as mentioned above, it’s not the pave you need to worry about, it’s whether or not the prongs are ready and able to hold the pave. Will they have holes predrilled or does the setter also have to drill all the holes for the pave. The work is definitely time consuming and has to be done very very careful.
If the holes are not pre drilled, a good setter will be able to do them correctly so that the metal doesn’t get too thinned out. You don’t want the integrity of your prongs to be questionable bc then you run the risk of losing your center diamond.
The work not only has to be done precisely but then the pave has to be held and placed nicely too. You don’t want to look down and see some pave at an odd angle( we had a Pser recently who had a ring returned to be fixed bc two of the pave in the ring were set crooked, for lack of a better word) or worse, the pave is missing.
The work can definitely be done though.

So I finally got the setting today. The prints are not predrilled for the pave. I am thinking of just have the center stone set and leave the prong alone until I go back to Hong Kong. The maker said when I go back he will set it for me. This way I get to wear two different styles.

Do you think that’s a good decision? Also, what are you opinions on how it look with and without the paves on the prong?

 

[Blingalingaling]

I think it's a pretty setting either way!

 

[diamondnewbieny]

I have dealt with H.L. Gross and Sons. Their jeweler is excellent, but I do not know if they would work on a setting that they didn't commission. If you can get to Queens, just over the Long Island border, I would highly recommend Sophie's Creations in Jamaica Estates and speak directly with Sophie. They are easily accessible by any of the highways. I think they would be able to set your stone and the melee on your prongs and they are very reasonably priced. It's certainly worth a phone call to find out.
I agree with the other posters about Steven Kirsch and IDJewelry. They are both reputable, excellent jewelers, but, again, I don't know if they would work on someone else's setting and they would be a trip into the City, at least once while you're having it done.
Good luck!

I want to wear my ring so badly, I couldn’t wait to take a day off to go to the city, so I decided to just go to Sophie who is 10 mind from me, but I am very disappointed.

Sophie’s jeweler failed me...

1st, Sophie dropped my diamond on their hardwood floor next to the setter... my heart came out when that happened, but I guess it happens with loose diamond.

2nd, when she said the ring is done, the prongs were all scratched up. I asked to have her setter buff it up and smooth it.

3rd, when the setter buffed it it looks better but still there are some dents on the prong. In addition, this time he made some dents on the shoulders of the ring. I asked again to have them fix it.

4th... I am so tired of it at this point I just really want to get the ring and diamond back. When the ring is done again, the bottom of the ring had some scratches and I told Sophie and she said “once I wear it I will get it all scratches.” I know that does happen, but it’s a new ring and I should not get scratched from a jewelry store... also the inside of the ring have scratches too... wearing the ring wil not get scratches inside. I didn’t say much about the scratches because I want to leave so badly. She definitely know I am not happy with the job and said she won’t argue with me.

5th, I told her that I would like to see the inscription, it came back with the prong covering the inscription. She said my prong were big and it covered the inscription. When she was looking at the inscription, I asked if she had a microscope to look at the inscription, she said they don’t really use it... what kind of store dealing with diamond don’t have the machine?

It gave me such a big headache when I was in there... I do see that Sophie was very patient with my request, but I guess she doesn’t have a setter with the skills to set my ring.

At the end I just paid and left. I am telling myself to just enjoy the ring. Only me will be able to see the flaws because no one can see my ring that closely with that much time....

I am just a little sad.

 

[diamondnewbieny]

Every single one of the prong have this dent in it that is driving me crazy and this is the best the setter can buff and fix...

 

[Blingalingaling]

Every single one of the prong have this dent in it that is driving me crazy and this is the best the setter can buff and fix...

I am so sorry that this happened to you! It's so completely opposite of what my experiences with Sophie's Creations has ever been, and I've dealt with them for years, as have many friends of mine! I would never have suggested that you go there if I'd ever heard anything like this before about this jeweler, or Sophie herself!
I believe you when you say there are dents, but I can't see them from the photos. Are you sure there isn't anything more that can be done to smooth them out?
What an ordeal! I'm so sorry.

 

[diamondnewbieny]

I am so sorry that this happened to you! It's so completely opposite of what my experiences with Sophie's Creations has ever been, and I've dealt with them for years, as have many friends of mine! I would never have suggested that you go there if I'd ever heard anything like this before about this jeweler, or Sophie herself!
I believe you when you say there are dents, but I can't see them from the photos. Are you sure there isn't anything more that can be done to smooth them out?
What an ordeal! I'm so sorry.

It’s very unfortunate it didn’t work out.

If you see where the arrow point at, you should see a line where the setter close the prong. I guess he held it too tight when closing it, creating a line on the head of the prong, but he doesn’t have the skills to buff and smooth it. What is worst is that he tried giving a ring back to my hand with so many scratches on the first try, and I have to tell him to please fix it. I would think a setter will pay attention to what I think is a normal routine.

I am sure another setter can smooth it out even more, and it should not be a problem to fix. But at this point I don’t trust that aophie’s setter to do it because he keeps makinh new problems when he tried to fix the previous problem.

Anyway, I an going to H.L. gross brother and son to help my mom with her earrings. Maybe I will ask them to take a look. Other wise I am not taking it to another jeweler at this point until I go back to Hong Kong. I will have the jeweler who sold me the setting put the pave on the prong and help me fix it.

I am kind of a perfectionist and pay attention to these details, but I know sometimes things can’t be perfect. Will just enjoy it for now.

 

[Blingalingaling]

I hope that things work out better for you in the future. And again, I'm sorry that this happened to you!

 

[diamondnewbieny]

I hope that things work out better for you in the future. And again, I'm sorry that this happened to you!

Let me first tell you I am very happy now.

I went to H.L. Gross today and the associate asked his manager or his superior to take a look. They said sorry to me and they are not sure if their setter will touch my ring because all the prong were damaged. For them to polish it, they would have to take the stone out, reshape and polish, then set the diamond again. In the process of taking out the stone and polish the prong they might damage the prong and make it too thin. They said they don’t want to be responsible for what other did.

I told them I would really appreciate it if the setter would reconsider. By this time the setter left for lunch, so I left the ring there.

I went back two hours later. The associate smiled at me and took out my ring. I couldn’t be happier! The setter fixed all the prong, on top of that he set the arrows perfectly with the inscription showing. Funny thing is the arrows were pointing the same direction the other setter did.

Another thing I have to mention is H.L. gross charged even less than Sophie.

I am just happy the ring is set the way I would want it to be and everything is fine now.