back in June, we bough an estate engagement ring... https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/1-2-way-decent-picture-of-my-e-ring.46134/ (scroll down for pictures)
I bought in from a Chicago jeweler on Wabash, and had it appraised from a reputable, indpt appraiser.
So the other day, I noticed my diamond was slightly tilted in the setting (not level) so I took it into the local jewler in South Bend, IN to see if this is something that needs to be dealt with immediately. I thought I might have knocked it, and wanted to make sure it wouldn''t get loose (engagement ring paranoia alert!)
This jeweler has told me several things
1) yes, my eyes were not deceiving me, the diamond was not set level
2) the diamond was also set slightly skewed in the setting
3) two of the prongs are in bad shape, either worn or with some break in the prong. This is visible to the eye, and he refered to them as in not desirable condition.
4) 5- count ''em... 5 small diamonds are loose.
He explained there are really 2 separate things going on here
1) the rounds need to be tightened- simple... and only $15. A definte yes.
2) Basically, although the setting was well made, the latest setting was sloppy. In order to reset the diamonds and fix the prongs, the prongs need to be taken off entirely, and to make the diamond sit properly, platinum needs to be added where the diamond sits, and then grooves made so it will sit level and symmetrical. The prongs will need to be remade, and can be made to look the same as they do now.
He was also nice enough to give me an estimate which is broken down
$15 -tightening of the rounds
$98 - stone setting fancy up to 2 Ct.
$240 - prongs (retipping- even though he clearly told me they needed to be rebuilt, not just added onto)
- interesting thing about the prongs, they would be charging for 8 prongs, not just 4... (I think that the guy who did the proposal (and does the work) couldn''t find the correct description in the computer) But strangely, they charge $14.00 each- 14*8= 112, not 240. So I''m not sure what''s really going on there.
total- $353.00 (or less, depending on what''s going on with the vharges not adding up)
also- he said they had some laser machine, which makes a substantial difference. I was trying to figure something else out, so I tuned our for the few moments he was talking about that (whoops)
so the big questions
1) are these appropriate charges?
2) should I be looking for someone who is experienced with estate / platinum settings?
3) What sort of questions should I ask the bench jeweler to figure out if he does have that experience? And what sort of answers should I be getting?
4) any Chicago, Chicago North suburb or South Bend recommendations for a second price quote?
Thanks for your time!
Kristine
I bought in from a Chicago jeweler on Wabash, and had it appraised from a reputable, indpt appraiser.
So the other day, I noticed my diamond was slightly tilted in the setting (not level) so I took it into the local jewler in South Bend, IN to see if this is something that needs to be dealt with immediately. I thought I might have knocked it, and wanted to make sure it wouldn''t get loose (engagement ring paranoia alert!)
This jeweler has told me several things
1) yes, my eyes were not deceiving me, the diamond was not set level
2) the diamond was also set slightly skewed in the setting
3) two of the prongs are in bad shape, either worn or with some break in the prong. This is visible to the eye, and he refered to them as in not desirable condition.
4) 5- count ''em... 5 small diamonds are loose.
He explained there are really 2 separate things going on here
1) the rounds need to be tightened- simple... and only $15. A definte yes.
2) Basically, although the setting was well made, the latest setting was sloppy. In order to reset the diamonds and fix the prongs, the prongs need to be taken off entirely, and to make the diamond sit properly, platinum needs to be added where the diamond sits, and then grooves made so it will sit level and symmetrical. The prongs will need to be remade, and can be made to look the same as they do now.
He was also nice enough to give me an estimate which is broken down
$15 -tightening of the rounds
$98 - stone setting fancy up to 2 Ct.
$240 - prongs (retipping- even though he clearly told me they needed to be rebuilt, not just added onto)
- interesting thing about the prongs, they would be charging for 8 prongs, not just 4... (I think that the guy who did the proposal (and does the work) couldn''t find the correct description in the computer) But strangely, they charge $14.00 each- 14*8= 112, not 240. So I''m not sure what''s really going on there.
total- $353.00 (or less, depending on what''s going on with the vharges not adding up)
also- he said they had some laser machine, which makes a substantial difference. I was trying to figure something else out, so I tuned our for the few moments he was talking about that (whoops)
so the big questions
1) are these appropriate charges?
2) should I be looking for someone who is experienced with estate / platinum settings?
3) What sort of questions should I ask the bench jeweler to figure out if he does have that experience? And what sort of answers should I be getting?
4) any Chicago, Chicago North suburb or South Bend recommendations for a second price quote?
Thanks for your time!
Kristine
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