Please tell what you think... Wrong design...

[RxTechRN2b]

I hear your frustration, and because it wasn''t what you were expecting, now you don''t have faith that you''ll get exactly what you want on the second try. I think the email means that they hear what you are asking for and when they fix it the prongs will be thicker than they are now on the finished ring, not thicker than the CAD. But just to be sure, I would send a return email saying you understand that when its fixed it will be thicker, and that YOU WANT THE THICKNESS, FLATNESS, ETC., TO LOOK EXACTLY LIKE THE CAD. However, it could be possible that the CAD prong tips are not in the exact position for securing the diamond in the finished product. In that case, Leon will have to do his best in giving you what you want while ensuring a secure stone at the same time. Meanwhile, I hope that by posting here (with other people who are just as particular about every minute detail on their jewelry) will help to relieve some of the stress. Oh, and your design does look very modern, clean, and architectural. Rounded thin and pointed claws are not in keeping with the rest of the setting! Don''t give in and don''t give up!

 

[Allison D.]

Cectra, I can tell you're frustrated, and we want to do everything we can to provide the ring design you hope for.

I suspect the disconnect here comes from thinking that the CAD represents the finished piece, but it doesn't. The purpose of the CAD is to reflect a rough representation of where we're going - it's like a blueprint. The CAD isn't meant to depict how the finished piece will look; it's meant to show what the piece looks like prior to finishing/polishing. Because of this, CAD renderings often appear bulky/thicker than they will eventually be because we need to polish some of the metal away during the finishing process.

We realize most people won't be aware of this, so we explicitly state this information on every order confirmation for custom work:

Please note that these are pre-casting simulations which appear bulky and unfinished, particularly the prongs. This is because rings are cast with extra material which allows proper refinement to the final product.

CAD Notes:
- Please remember, a CAD image will make your ring look a bit large and bulky. Your finished ring will look more natural.

In reviewing both the CAD notes and your emails, I see that you provided two different pictures for the prongs (shown below). The first does show flattened tips, so the first CAD rendering we offered had more thickness at the tops of the prongs. You asked Joe to modify that CAD because you felt the prongs flared too much, and you provided the second picture of a Pearlman ring to illustrate.

Your many emails were very explicit in focusing on the diameter of the prongs (meaning the same diameter from bottom to top instead of thinning/tapering) and the height of the prongs relative to the stone, but there is no mention in your emails or Joe's CAD notes specifying you wanted the tips flattened. As Angeline correctly surmised above, prongs always appear bulky and flattened in CAD renderings because CADs depict the anticipated piece before finishing.

Leon's very committed to helping you get the look you want, and I'm very confident he'll be able to do so. He can blunt the tips and polish them further so they'll be flat as you wish. I want to personally apologize if you feel that he was rude; I can absolutely assure you that wasn't his intent. Rather, his goal was to properly set expectations so you wouldn't be disappointed going forward. He wanted to be certain you understand how the changes you're requesting will affect the overall look of your finished piece.

Leon has put a priority on making the adjustments for you; as Vera emailed you, we expect to ship this week with ample time prior to your month-end anniversary.

Again, I'm very sorry the process has been a stressful one for you. I know custom can be nerve-wracking, but I'm sure you'll feel that it was worth the process when you have your beautiful piece in hand. Please don't hesitate to give a shout out to me if I can help in any way.

 

[NeverEndingUpgrade]

If it''s any consolation at all, I think the ring is absolutely gorgeous. So contemporary and cool looking. I love the little bezel set diamond details on the shanks. My eyes don''t go to the prongs anyway, just the ring overall and the total look.

 

[MonkeyPie]

I think Allison has cleared the air I''m sure your finished piece will be exactly what you want!

 

[honey22]

Prongs will look flatter and fatter in a CAD because it represents the metal that needs to be cast before the prongs are put into position over the stone and polished etc, so you will lose some metal here. It''s quite normal for the prongs to look bulky in the CAD and come out lots thinner and daintier in real life, they can''t make the prongs look thin and dainty and what they are going to really look like in the CADs. I don''t know if I am making myself very clear

Bascially prongs start off looking like big flat lumps of metal (like in the CAD) and then they are crafted and polished when the stone is set to end up looking nice. Your ring is gorgeous in the photos, I and certainly wouldn''t change them to look bulky like the CAD, they aren''t in proportion to the stone/ring.

 

[honey22]

Date: 7/8/2008 12:40:42 PM
Author: autumngems
That is why I won''t deal with LM, he was rude to me the first time I contacted him and if you want my business that isn''t very professional.

Just to clarify here autumngems, we are talking about Leon from Whiteflash and not Leon Mege who I believe you are talking about

 

[carabella]

I can totally see why you are upset - the CAD has a much more modern look and the prongs in the actual photo give it a whole different look which is NOT what you were after. I hope everything gets resolved in time for your anniversary.

 

[cectra79]

I want to thank everyone who commented! I really appreciate your help and support!

I''m happy to report that yesterday I got a very noce phone call from Leon (of WF) and Vera, they were very nice, apologized for any misunderstanding, and promised to change the ring right away.

Today I got the final pictures of the finished ring, it''ll ship today. It itsn''t a 100% as I imagined but I figured it was close enough. I''m attaching the pictures.

What do you guys think?

 

[cectra79]

Here''s the close up of the prongs. Not the right angle on the flat surface but hopefully in the real ring it won''t be noticeable. What I mean (it''s probably not noticeable to anyone else) is the flat surface is at an angle, following the diamond, sort of sides sloping. In the original CAD they were completely straight parallel to the table of the stone. I don''t think it''ll make a huge difference worth messing with.

Thanks again to everyone, and thanks WF for promptly addressing the issue.

 

[dockman3]

I think its gorgeous! They did a great job fixing it up for you. I hope it comes quickly so we can see some more pics!

 

[Kaleigh]

I''m glad they fixed your ring, looks like the prongs are nice and flat. I hope you love it when you get it. Keep us posted. I love the design of this ring!!

 

[cectra79]

Thank you Kaleigh! I''m sure it''ll be pretty, and I will love it!

 

[Ellen]

I think it looks great! and no, in real life, these prongs are hardly noticeable.

 

[cectra79]

Dockman3 and Ellen, thanks! I''m very excited! I''ll post pics as soon as I get it.

My husband wants to give it to me some time between tomorrow and our anniversary on July 31. It''ll be a TORTURE knowing the ring is somewhere in the house and not being able to get to it! But I figured it''ll be fun, like a second proposal of sorts.

 

[mercoledi]

I think the modified prongs look great, and since they''re slightly sloped they''re probably less likely to catch on things. I love the look of your ring and I''m glad WF was able to work with you to fix it. Happy Anniversary!

 

[MoonWater]

It turned out great and let me tell ya, in person the ring looks a million times better (if that''s possible). I was happy with my final pics but I couldn''t believe just how much more gorgeous it was in real life! I hope your hubby doesn''t make you wait too long! Don''t forget to post hand shots!

 

[Allison D.]

Cectra, I''m over-the-moon delighted that you''re happy with the modifications!

I think you''ll be even happier once you see the ring in person. When I had my e-ring made about five years ago and received pictures of the ring prior to shipping, the prongs looked enormous to me....to the point that I had asked to have them filed down.

When I spoke to the vendor, he assured me that they were barely notable in person. He explained that pictures are great, but they can skew perception since you''re able to see things at such a large scale that it throws off the balance of what it will look like in real life. He was completely right; when I got the ring in hand, the prongs looked much more understated than what the photos depicted.

Let me also take a second to tell you that your design is just GORGEOUS in profile - LOVE the side view of this ring.

Can''t wait to hear your reactions when you see it live!

 

[Skippy123]

Great news, I can''t wait to hear what you think about it when you see it. It looks beautiful!!!!!

 

[february2003bride]

Love the setting and the fixed prongs!

 

[decodelighted]

Great news! Can''t wait to see your hand pix ... you WILL take hand pix won''t you???

Not to belabor a point but really think this prong size-n-shape (not QUITE as big as you wanted but more flat than it was originally) is a great compromise. Especially on for the top face on view of your ring. The yellow gold accents wouldn''t pop as much if the eye was drawn TOO much to the prongs. And fat round prongs (mickey ear style) next to square gold boxes?? A *lot* to take in. This way you really notice the yellow accents & the STONE!!!!

Custom ain''t always easy or smooth no matter what you pay ... its just complicated! ... but you will have a one-of-a-kind! So its worth it in the end. Knock wood.

 

[cectra79]

I went to work out, and when I came back I got so many nice posts! Thank you all!

I think it is a good result and I can't wait to get it. Darn husband is going to keep it hostage!

The accents are rose gold, not yellow. I could decide which one to get and then I saw a tacori ring with rose gold and loved it.

Of course Ill post hand pics! MANY of them! LOL

 

[Kaleigh]

Date: 7/9/2008 6:17:31 PM
Author: cectra79
I went to work out, and when I came back I got so many nice posts! Thank you all!

I think it is a good result and I can''t wait to get it. Darn husband is going to keep it hostage!

The accents are rose gold, not yellow. I could decide which one to get and then I saw a tacori ring with rose gold and loved it.

Of course Ill post hand pics! MANY of them! LOL

Yay, can''t wait!! Hoping your hubby doesn''t keep it too long!!

 

[decodelighted]

ROSE gold ... even better!!! Don''t mind my wonky computer screen. For the record -- it would look good in yellow gold too (says my screen that needs adjusting). I have a MAJOR CRUSH on some matte finish rose gold earrings with tiny burnished diamonds. Just have to wait til my birthday & see if the birthday fairy brings them.

 

[kcoursolle]

The new prongs look great, I can''t wait to see what you think of it and your pictures!

 

[cectra79]

My husband got the ring yesterday, and he says it''s absolutely gorgeous! Better than in the picture!

I hope he figures out the fun way to give it to me soon! I can''t wait!!!

Thank you everyone who contributed to this thread, supported me through this, and helped me resolve the issue so quickly!

I will post lots of pics once I have this puppy on my hand I have this old wedding band which might go with this ring too, I''ll try it on together and you can tell me what you think.

 

[motownmama]

the pics look AMAZING! You''re gonna love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[smithy617]

I actaully like the claw prongs better than the flathead prongs....

the finish product is Amazing....i think it looks very close, maybe 93%

but ask yourself if this is what you want, see it in person and really think about it....good luck

 

[funtobewith]

This (the last version) is my favorite of the three prong styles. I think it is going to be perfect.
I love that they are flat, but just slightly sloping with the diamond.