Recommendations for a *great bench* in Dallas / Houston / Austin to repair an antique ring?

[Niffl3r]

Hi everyone,

I have an heirloom ring from the 1910s-1920s that needs to be checked / repaired. It's a 3 stone OEC in platinum, and I noticed recently that the center diamond rattles in the setting. I can't see it moving, but if I shake it, I can hear it.

I need to get the prongs tightened, but I don't know who I can trust with this important piece. The platinum setting has very intricate hand carving and milgrain, so I think it will require more finesse and skill than a simple modern setting.

I will be in Dallas next week, and I'm hoping someone can point me towards a trustworthy bench that specializes in repairing antique jewelry. Or I could take a trip to Houston another time if someone has any recommendations there. Or Austin. I'm willing to drive many hours for a job well done.

 

[Niffl3r]

Rant / Story time:

Whenever it comes to getting quality work done for any reason (not just jewelry related), I can find the most highly rated, highly recommended company and I still usually get subpar results.

I went to a highly rated local family jeweler for some very basic work -- setting 5mm round stones in 14k gold Stuller 4 prong earring settings -- and the prong work was terrible and the customer service at pickup was awful. When I picked them up, there was a fairly large glob of fuzz under one of the prongs; when I mentioned it, the man basically said "yeah, that's probably from when we dried them with a cloth." Okay? There was an odd moment of silence between us. When I then politely asked him to fix/clean it, he practically rolled his eyes at me and huffed away. I probably should've just asked for my money and stones back at that point. It was a gift for Mother's Day and I wanted them to be clean and ready to wear for my mom, is that so much to ask? Still fuming about that one over a year later... I would definitely handle it differently if it happened today.

This probably happens because a lot of the "5 star" reviewers don't have the exacting standards we have here on PS... which is why I am asking you PSers for recommendations! I promise I'm not insane, I just expect good quality work, (especially when I am spending lots of money) and have just been disappointed over and over again. In my line of work, I have to be *exacting* for a job well done, because anything less than your best will likely fail. I expect others to take the same amount of pride in their work also.

 

[1ofakind]

I’m sorry I don’t have a recommendation but I’ll be watching for answers as I will be traveling to TX a few times a year. Never hurts to have a good bench nearby, lol.

I will say I understand your frustration! I have had some unsatisfactory work but the one that truly annoyed me the most was a ring I once had with some OMC’s that needed some minor repair work done. The jeweler did a fine job but kept calling the diamonds OEC’s. I made a point to say several times they were OMC’s and he’d say something like...they are the oddest OEC’s he’s ever seen.

I also can’t hire people to lay tile because after learning to do it myself I will no longer tolerate normal tile discrepancies. Everything is measured out exactly around the niches, in the corners etc. But now i have to lay all my own tile.

But I can’t make/repair my own jewelry so most of it goes to DK.