Question about quote for setting a diamond?

[onidracs]

I have been talking with a designer online creating a custom engagement ring. I have been told the setting fee for the princess cut diamond .70 carat was going to be $400 because it is a customer provided stone. This price seems high to me opinions please.

 

[Gypsy]

Yes. WAY TOO HIGH. I wouldn't pay a penny over 150.

 

[denverappraiser]

I'm slightly less harsh but I certainly agree it's expensive. 'Designers' are welcome to charge whatever they want just as you are welcome to shop elsewhere if you don't like their prices. Some will refuse to set an outside stone at all (Tiffany and Cartier for example). In the grand scheme of this project, getting nicked for an extra $300 on one line item isn't a total disaster but it would lead me to rethink what led you to that particular designer and why.

 

[chrono]

The very high price is to encourage you to purchase the stone from the designer. I would not pay more than $100 to set a stone.

 

[onidracs]

Well the designer has excellent reviews here and elsewhere. That on top of them having beautiful work similar to what I want is what lead me to them. I expected a fee for setting my own stone. The amount just took me by surprise.

 

[pinkjewel]

I see that you are referring to Greenlake. Is the design you're asking for a difficult design to make where it would be a more involved process setting your princess cut diamond? Or is it a more standard type of design? In which case you may want to look elsewhere for someone to make your setting. Have you inquired from them why the fee is so high?

 

[onidracs]

I see that you are referring to Greenlake. Is the design you're asking for a difficult design to make where it would be a more involved process setting your princess cut diamond? Or is it a more standard type of design? In which case you may want to look elsewhere for someone to make your setting. Have you inquired from them why the fee is so high?

Thank you this is my first piece and I'm still figuring things out. I did some research. It is a more involved process a half bezel. I have read others here they charged 200 to set there personal stones in a prong setting. So naturally a more skilled setting would cost more. I did not ask them personally why it was so high as I wanted outside opinions as I don't know much about jewelry. It sounded high but with no personal knowledge I wanted others opinions.