Question about resetting fees

[kmarla]

I’m going to be having my diamond removed from its current 4-prong platinum setting and reset into a platinum 6-prong setting with a local jeweler. It is my responsibility to cover the insurance during the process. I’m bringing them the new setting so it’s not purchased from them. Can you please give me a ballpark idea of what I should expect for the setting fee? I’ve never done this before so have no experience. TIA

 

[SimoneDi]

About $100 or less is my experience.

 

[nala]

Depending on carat weight. I think it’s like 100 per carat in my neck of the woods.

 

[kmarla]

About $100 or less is my experience.

Thanks SimoneDi. That’s much better than what I was quoted, but I don’t have a lot of options here.

 

[kmarla]

Depending on carat weight. I think it’s like 100 per carat in my neck of the woods.

Thanks Nala. It’s 2 carats.

 

[SimoneDi]

Thanks SimoneDi. That’s much better than what I was quoted, but I don’t have a lot of options here.

Ugh, what were you quoted? And where are you located?

 

[kmarla]

Ugh, what were you quoted? And where are you located?

I’m in Ottawa, Canada. I’m going to see if I can negotiate a better price since I haven’t committed to anything yet. The quote was $300.00 U.S. We really don’t have too many options around here but I’ll check around.

 

[SimoneDi]

I’m in Ottawa, Canada. I’m going to see if I can negotiate a better price since I haven’t committed to anything yet. The quote was $300.00 U.S. We really don’t have too many options around here but I’ll check around.

That’s a whole other setting. I would negotiate or visit Chinatown and look for a good jeweler there. You would be amazed at what the price differences are.

 

[kmarla]

That’s a whole other setting. I would negotiate or visit Chinatown and look for a good jeweler there. You would be amazed at what the price differences are.

Thanks! I’m going to check around and see if I can do better, now that I have a better idea of costs .

 

[bludiva]

The quote may be higher because the store carries insurance...? When I had my setting made at a local jeweler's I asked about insurance on the stone specifically since we'd bought it elsewhere and they said they were covered if anything happened to it.

 

[kmarla]

The quote may be higher because the store carries insurance...? When I had my setting made at a local jeweler's I asked about insurance on the stone specifically since we'd bought it elsewhere and they said they were covered if anything happened to it.

Because I didn’t purchase either the stone or setting from this jeweller, they told me I would be responsible for insurance. The ring is insured, so I should be fine. This was my only verbal quote so far, and it was more a discussion, nothing official on paper. I have a much better idea now of what the fees should be which is a big help.

 

[Rockdiamond]

I have this (true) story I tell clients.
Here on 47th street, we can find a setter who charges $5 to set a center diamond. We pay much much more than that.
Do you really want the $5 guy touching your stone with a hammer?
Not to say that a high price guarantees a good job.
But without a doubt, qualified, expert setters need to charge a higher price.
Bottom line, I don't think it's a decision that should be based solely on price.

I'd ask to see examples of their work

 

[kmarla]

I have this (true) story I tell clients.
Here on 47th street, we can find a setter who charges $5 to set a center diamond. We pay much much more than that.
Do you really want the $5 guy touching your stone with a hammer?
Not to say that a high price guarantees a good job.
But without a doubt, qualified, expert setters need to charge a higher price.
Bottom line, I don't think it's a decision that should be based solely on price.

I'd ask to see examples of their work

I agree with everything you’ve said and for sure price isn’t the only factor for me. Quality counts! I don’t want to be overcharged either. In Canadian dollars his quote was almost $400.00. This one jeweller I have visited so far has an excellent reputation and I know they would do a high quality job. It wasn’t the owner or bench I spoke to but a sales person. I have no experience with a jeweller setting both an outside stone and setting so therefore no idea of what a realistic cost should be. It really helps to have an idea of what others pay so I don’t go into this completely blind. I will check out a couple of other places and also see if I can get a better quote from the original jeweller before I make a final decision. I will ask to see samples of all their prong work beforehand.

 

[Rockdiamond]

kmarla- if they're a top-notch shop, $400 sounds high but reasonable.
Definitely, ask to see examples of setting jobs done in their shop.
It's unlikely you'll get "claw" prongs on a casting- but maybe they can do a nice job shaping them.

Also, find out what happens if anything goes wrong. Stones can chip during setting, and also what if you don't love the job. TO the second point, looking at existing work is the best way to make sure your expectations are in line.

 

[kmarla]

kmarla- if they're a top-notch shop, $400 sounds high but reasonable.
Definitely, ask to see examples of setting jobs done in their shop.
It's unlikely you'll get "claw" prongs on a casting- but maybe they can do a nice job shaping them.

Also, find out what happens if anything goes wrong. Stones can chip during setting, and also what if you don't love the job. TO the second point, looking at existing work is the best way to make sure your expectations are in line.

Thank you Rockdiamond, I’ll make sure I ask those questions.

 

[muskokathompson]

I went to Bill LeBoeuf in Barrie and they did a lovely job - Stuller 6 prong setting in white gold including setting for $350. Don’t know if you’re headed that way, but...

 

[kmarla]

I went to Bill LeBoeuf in Barrie and they did a lovely job - Stuller 6 prong setting in white gold including setting for $350. Don’t know if you’re headed that way, but...

Thanks so much for the tip! Way waaaay back I used to live near Barrie and there are some beautiful beaches nearby. If we head out that way (maybe summer holiday?) I’ll definitely keep Bill LeBoeuf in mind.

 

[caf]

Kmarla - in Denver, I just had a blue zircon set in a 14k white gold solitaire for $80. I have been going to this jeweler/bench for years, he is always very reasonable and does amazing work. I also had him set another stone in a platinum setting where he had to remove the existing head, make another one and resize the ring and did give me the claw prongs (mostly) I wanted. that was $160. (He is a second or third generation bench and has all of his father's tools from his bench in Vietnam. Very cool)

In an area without much competition, 300-400 Canadian for setting a diamond seems okay. Rockdiamond certainly knows what he is talking about - at the jeweler I would ask if the jewelry in the cases was set by the jeweler or made by him/her and take a look at a couple of settings/mountings - rings, necklaces, etc. that he/she set. I would also ask how often you should bring the ring back for cleaning and for them to check the prongs. My jeweler checks everything they clean - each time. So when I go in - I have them clean and check whatever i am wearing. they don't mind and in fact have said to me they'd rather do that for clients then get a nasty dirty ring or other piece of jewelry in to work on. Hope this helps.

 

[Rockdiamond]

funny ( ironic) story.
I learned the hard way, many years ago- if you are ever lucky enough to find a mater of the craft- and you even mention shopping for price- they are more likely than not to boot your butt out of the shop.
Put another way- an honest artisan, who is very skilled and quotes what they consider to be a reasonable price may take offense if you question it.
In a field where one guy charges $5 and another charges $100 for (ostensibly) the same job, it's important to remember there can be huge differences in the results, which may more than justify the difference in price.

 

[Octo2005]

Could you have the setting changed with the jeweler that you are buying the new setting from?

Also, I would double check with your insurer to make sure that any potential damage while working on will be covered

 

[kmarla]

Kmarla - in Denver, I just had a blue zircon set in a 14k white gold solitaire for $80. I have been going to this jeweler/bench for years, he is always very reasonable and does amazing work. I also had him set another stone in a platinum setting where he had to remove the existing head, make another one and resize the ring and did give me the claw prongs (mostly) I wanted. that was $160. (He is a second or third generation bench and has all of his father's tools from his bench in Vietnam. Very cool)

In an area without much competition, 300-400 Canadian for setting a diamond seems okay. Rockdiamond certainly knows what he is talking about - at the jeweler I would ask if the jewelry in the cases was set by the jeweler or made by him/her and take a look at a couple of settings/mountings - rings, necklaces, etc. that he/she set. I would also ask how often you should bring the ring back for cleaning and for them to check the prongs. My jeweler checks everything they clean - each time. So when I go in - I have them clean and check whatever i am wearing. they don't mind and in fact have said to me they'd rather do that for clients then get a nasty dirty ring or other piece of jewelry in to work on. Hope this helps.

Thank you caf! I have seen this jeweler’s work, and several years ago ordered a designer setting from them for a different ring, which they set for me. The invoice didn’t separate the designer setting cost from the stone setting cost though. Setting the stone was just included. It’s my first time having a Jeweler reset a diamond for me into a setting that I already owned and didn’t purchase from them, so I had no idea what to expect for cost. Honestly I thought it would be about $100.00 but that was probably wishful thinking! I usually have prongs checked at least yearly or anytime I’m worried, and get my ring cleaned every time I’m near the jeweler. I have an ultrasonic cleaner at home and clean my ring every couple of days or so.

 

[kmarla]

funny ( ironic) story.
I learned the hard way, many years ago- if you are ever lucky enough to find a mater of the craft- and you even mention shopping for price- they are more likely than not to boot your butt out of the shop.
Put another way- an honest artisan, who is very skilled and quotes what they consider to be a reasonable price may take offense if you question it.
In a field where one guy charges $5 and another charges $100 for (ostensibly) the same job, it's important to remember there can be huge differences in the results, which may more than justify the difference in price.

Thanks Rockdiamond, I’ll make sure I don’t say anything like that. You’ve given me great advice. I’ve bought lots of jewelry from various places over the years, but it’s my first time asking for a diamond to be reset into a setting I already own (purchased out of country), so that’s why I had no idea what cost should be.

 

[kmarla]

Could you have the setting changed with the jeweler that you are buying the new setting from?

Also, I would double check with your insurer to make sure that any potential damage while working on will be covered

Hi Octo, I purchased the setting out of country. I’ll double check with my insurer beforehand just to be sure!